March 27, 2024
by Amber Wilson
Oxford Brookes University: Top Courses, Academic Requirements, and Total Expenses
Oxford Brookes University was established in Oxford, England in 1992. Since its development, the university has continued to innovate and modernise its teaching and research style. Due to the unique style that the university has adopted, students consider it a good destination for their higher education.
Not only that, Oxford Brookes University has over 3000 international students out of a total of 18,000. The 17% percent of their international student population, hence, brings diversity and displays the university’s principle of inclusivity.
What Makes Oxford Brookes University Unique?
Some of the other key benefits that make Oxford Brookes University are discussed below.
- Academic Excellence
- Scholarship Opportunities
- Lower Tuition Costs
- Campus Accommodation and Living Costs
- Diverse Campus Community
Academic Excellence
Oxford Brookes University’s status as a public research university is well-known. Due to the university’s focus on research and quality teaching, its academic reputation precedes itself. Hence, students studying at Oxford Brookes get to develop their critical thinking skills alongside their creative abilities. Furthermore, the research opportunities at this institution are innumerable. With researches that have a global, national, and local impact, students get to have many resources and a lot of funding at their disposal.
Scholarship Opportunities
The scholarship opportunities at Oxford Brookes University are:
- Merit-based scholarships
- Sports-based scholarships
- Country-specific scholarships
If students fall short in their academics, they can arrange their expenses by applying for scholarships in sports quota or country-specific quota. All in all, the university tries its best to make the university experience easy and stress-free for its students.
Lower Tuition Costs
Education in England for international students is expensive. Even public universities like Oxford and Cambridge cost around 30,000 pounds for tuition fees alone. However, education at Oxford Brookes is comparatively cheaper. For undergraduate programmes, it costs approximately 14,000 to 17,000 pounds sterling. On the other hand, for postgraduate programmes, the tuition fee is approximately 15,500 to 21,000 pounds sterling. The affordability factor, hence, makes students prefer Oxford Brookes University over other universities.
Campus Accommodation and Living Costs
Oxford Brookes University provides affordable campus accommodation for around 10,000 pounds sterling. Likewise, for the overall living costs, students should have a budget of about 25,000 pounds per year. The living cost, in comparison to major cities like London, is very manageable. Furthermore, with the landscape and history attached to the city of Oxford, students do not mind a yearly living expense of 25,000 pounds.
Diverse Campus Community
With students from over 140 countries, the campus community of Oxford Brookes is very diverse. This diversity helps students learn inclusivity and tolerance. All in all, the students get a holistic view of the real world by getting a lot of cultural exposure. The diversity, hence, removes any biases or prejudices against specific races.
Interesting Read: Secure Admission in the Top Universities of the UK
What More is There to Know About Oxford Brookes University?
Oxford Brookes University has some key features that are discussed in the table below.
Oxford Brookes University |
Key Features |
University Ranking |
- Ranked 601 in Times Higher Education global ranking
- Ranked 1013 in U.S. News Ranking global ranking
- Ranked 389 in U.S. News Europe ranking
- Ranked 71 in U.S. News United Kingdom ranking
|
Acceptance Rate |
31% |
Total Number of Students |
14,580 |
International Students |
3,440 |
Non-UK Countries’ Students |
140 countries |
Student-Teacher Ratio |
14:1 |
Female-Male Ratio |
58:42 |
What Should I Study at Oxford Brookes University?
Oxford Brookes University offers over 231 programmes in the following programs:
- Undergraduate
- Postgraduate (MPhil and PhD)
With all these course options for students, it can be difficult to decide what to pursue. Hence, mentioned below are their courses that have continued to rank high in global subject rankings. Applying for these courses will help you get the most out of your university experience.
Oxford Brookes University |
Courses Ranking High in Global Subject-Ranking |
Architecture & Built Environment |
English Language & Literature |
Modern Languages |
Computer Science & Information Systems |
Engineering (Electrical & Electronic) |
Engineering (Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing) |
Biological Sciences |
Nursing |
Geography |
Mathematics |
Accounting & Finance |
Business and Management Studies |
Economics & Econometrics |
Education |
Hospitality & Leisure Management |
Law |
Politics & International Studies |
Sociology |
Sports-related subjects |
When Can I Apply for My Preferred Courses?
There are three key deadlines that you need to remember.
- Deadline for Fall Intake: End of June
- Deadline for Spring Intake: End of October
- Deadline for International Students: End of June
However, the timeline for applications differs depending on the level of programme you are applying to.
What is the Timeline for Undergraduate Programs?
To apply for undergraduate programs, the most important requirement is to have an IB, A-level, or its equivalent. If you meet the eligibility criteria mentioned, then you can apply for undergraduate programmes at Oxford Brookes University through UCAS. The code for Oxford Brookes University in UCAS is “OXFDO660”.
For the application, the process can be divided into six steps.
- Step 1: Pre-Application Researching
- Step 2: Finalising and Applying
- Step 3: Getting Offers
- Step 4: Applying for Scholarships and Additional Offers
- Step 5: Accepting or Rejecting Offer Deadline
- Step 6: Confirming Admission and Clearing
Step 1: Pre-Application Researching
The stage of pre-application research starts in the 12th year of applicants from September till May. During this stage, you are recommended to do your research regarding the courses you want to apply for. You should also start familiarising yourself with UCAS. With the initial research done, you can then finalise your courses and apply.
Step 2: Finalising and Applying
During the stage of finalising and applying, the applicants can be in their 12th or 13th year. The duration of this stage is from May to January of next year. The stage starts with selecting your courses. Every applicant is allowed to apply to five different universities or courses through UCAS. Hence, you are expected to wisely select your universities and courses.
Once you have finalised your list, you can then start preparing your documents which requires time. For example, it is recommended that you start your personal statement a few months before the deadline. Likewise, recommendation letters are time-consuming and will need a few months to complete too. Once done with your preparation, tests, and documentation, you can begin applying via UCAS.
The UCAS application opens at the very start of September and closes at the end of January for UK/EU students. However, the deadline for international students is the end of June.
Step 3: Getting Offers
Once you have applied to all your preferred universities and courses, you will enter a waiting stage. Once the wait is over, you will start getting offers for admission from September to March.
These offers can be conditional or non-conditional. A conditional offer is an offer made by a university in which you still have a condition to fill. For example, for undergraduate programs, most of the students still await their results when the university sends them offers. If the condition of academic grades is still met after the result, the student’s admission will be confirmed. A non-conditional offer is a confirmed admission offer. All the conditions are already met by the applicant and they are not waiting for any of their results.
Step 4: Applying for Scholarships and Additional Offers
However, for students who do not receive any offer, the stage of additional offers is given. From February till April, the students without any offers can try again.
For applicants who already have offers, they can apply for scholarships during the same time.
Step 5: Accepting or Rejecting Offer Deadline
Once all the stages are complete, the applicants are allowed to accept or reject their offers from April to May. Hence, during this time, the students are required to respond to their offers.
Step 6: Confirming Admission and Clearing
For conditional offers, the result day for undergraduate applicants is important. If the result does not meet the academic requirements of the university, the applicants have been admitted to, the admission offer will be taken back. However, if the academic requirements are met even after the result, the admission of the applicants with conditional offers will be confirmed.
The month of August is also important for Undergraduate programs due to clearing. The following students can apply for clearing:
- Who did not apply at all
- Who applied previously but did not get accepted
- Whose offer got rejected due to lower grades in the final result
- Who got more than expected grades and want to apply for a better course or university.
However, please note that during clearing, you can only apply for courses that still have seats left. Hence, it is always wise to apply early.
What is the Timeline for Postgraduate Programs?
The most important requirement to be fulfilled is a degree in a relevant Bachelor’s course or its equivalent. If the eligibility criterion is met then, the applicants of postgraduate programmes can apply to Oxford Brookes University through their online university portal.
The application process for the postgraduate programmes is open all year round. Hence, a timeline for the postgraduate admission process cannot be given.
What are the General Admission Requirements?
For both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, the general admission requirements remain the same. The key requirements for all applicants, regardless of degree program and level are:
- Academic Transcripts
- English Language Test
- Letter of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Personal Interview
Academic Transcripts
Academic transcripts are the documented evidence of your previous educational record. These official transcripts are important for your application to help the admission committee verify your academic information. These transcripts can include:
- Certifications
- Degrees
- Awards
English Language Test
England has English as its national language, which is utilised in all walks of life. Hence, the education sector uses English for learning and teaching in formal classroom settings. As a result, international students who apply to UK universities are required to have good English language proficiency. Oxford Brookes University accepts English language proficiency tests or scores of applicants’ Standard 12th English.
If you score well on an English language proficiency test, the admission committee sees it as your ability to understand your course and adjust on-campus. With the required scores in English, you can successfully complete your degree.
The commonly accepted language tests are TOEFL and IELTS.
Letter of Recommendation
For all programmes, applicants have to submit only one letter of recommendation. The recommendation can be both academic and professional. When choosing your recommender, make sure that the person can talk about all your unique attributes and present the best second-person perspective of you.
The recommendation should discuss all your achievements, strong attributes, and skills. With a good recommendation put forward, the admission committee will give you more consideration. However, make sure that the recommendation is from an authentic source. For example, teachers, mentors, employers, and volunteer supervisors. If the recommendation is written by a close relative of yours, the admission committee will disqualify your application.
Personal Statement
A personal statement helps you introduce yourself to the admission committee in around 4,000 characters. This introduction should showcase all your good qualities, related skills, and achievements over the years. With a wholesome personal statement that mentions both your personal and academic qualities, you will have a better chance of being accepted.
All in all, your personal statement aims to convince the committee that you are the most suitable candidate for the course you have applied to.
Check Out: Personal Statement: Your Chance to Study Abroad
Personal Interview
Interviews for shortlisted candidates can be conducted in one of two ways:
For international students or students who cannot come to Oxford Brookes University, an online interview is conducted. On the other hand, for domestic students, an on-campus interview is a more convenient option.
The interviews, mostly, test your credibility and can be both personal and academic. The commonly asked questions can revolve around your hobbies, interests, childhood experiences, life-changing experiences, etc.
What are the Conditional Requirements?
Unlike the general requirements that apply to all the applicants, the conditional requirements are only needed for some courses. These requirements for Oxford Brookes University are listed below.
- Standardised Test
- Work Experience
- Resume
- Portfolios
Standardised Test
Standardised tests, like SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT, are optional for Oxford Brookes University. Applicants may or may not mention their scores in these standardised tests. Due to the test-optional approach of Oxford Brookes University, the requirement is conditional.
The students who submit their scores for these tests can have the following benefits:
- Satisfactory scores on the SAT will display that the applicant is competent and academically responsible. Since the SAT tests the previous knowledge of the student, applicants are expected to score well.
- Good scores on the ACT will help the committee determine the applicant’s potential. Since the ACT tests the potential of gaining knowledge in an applicant, scoring well on the test is recommended.
- Acceptable scores on the GRE display your command of verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing.
- Suitable scores on the GMAT allow the admission committee to see your ability to work in the business field.
Work Experience
Work experience is not compulsory. Most degrees like an MBA demand work experience. In case a degree programme demands previous work experience, it is important to be added. If the applicant fails to provide the experience, the application will be rejected.
However, if you have work experience but your degree programme does not demand experience, you can still mention it. Working professionally helps people develop:
- Critical thinking skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Communicative skills
Since the admission committee is aware of the benefits of working professionally, your work experience can help you improve your chances of acceptance.
Resume
Resume is given by applicants as proof of their work experience. If you have not mentioned any work experience, you do not have to attach a resume.
For those who have added experience, submit an updated resume. The resume should mention all your work experiences in the order of most recent to the oldest.
Portfolios
Not all applicants are requested to attach a portfolio. Students who have previously worked on paintings, designs, or fabrics can add their portfolios. These previous projects will help the admission committee assess their potential and suitability.
Also, note that the portfolios should be arranged creatively and to capture an individual’s attention. If the projects are added randomly, the portfolio will not improve your application.
The average acceptance criteria for all the requirements are given underneath.
For undergraduate:
Oxford Brookes University |
Average Academic Criteria for Undergraduate |
GPA |
IB |
IELTS |
TOEFL |
SAT |
ACT |
3.0 |
32 |
6.0 |
72 |
1220 |
24 |
For postgraduate:
Oxford Brookes University |
Average Academic Criteria for Postgraduate |
GPA |
IELTS |
TOEFL |
GRE |
GMAT |
3.5 |
6.5 |
72 |
V150
Q150 |
500 |
What are the Total Expenses of Studying at Oxford Brookes University?
Studying at Oxford Brookes University is affordable compared to the other universities in the UK. The total cost of studying at the university is mentioned in the table below.
Oxford Brookes University |
Annual Expenses (in GBP) |
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate |
£14,000-17,000 |
Tuition Fee for Postgraduate |
£15,000-17,500 |
Accommodation |
£7,440 |
Telephone |
£720 |
Food |
£2,880 |
Books and Stationery |
£720 |
Utilities |
£720 |
Miscellaneous |
£3,360 |
What Scholarships Can I Get to Study at Oxford Brookes University?
Oxford Brookes University is committed to its diversity and inclusivity. Hence, it provides many scholarships for its international students. Some of the scholarships are listed below.
- Think Big Undergraduate Scholarships
- Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships
- Chevening Scholarships
- Oxford Brookes University Gaza Scholarships
- Early Acceptance Scholarship
Think Big Undergraduate Scholarships
Think Big Undergraduate Scholarships is an initiative taken for international students in undergraduate programmes. Students applying for this scholarship can get up to £5,000 per year.
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships
The Vice-Chancellor’s scholarship is awarded to international students who display:
- Academic excellence
- Leadership skills
- Commitment to their community
Students who get this scholarship are given around £1,000 to £3,000.
Chevening Scholarships
The Chevening Scholarship is an initiative taken by the government of England to help international students. This scholarship is awarded to students who have:
- Strong academic background
- Leadership potential
Since Oxford Brookes University is a Chevening partner institute too, it awards its international students with this scholarship. International students in postgraduate programmes can, hence, apply.
Oxford Brookes University Gaza Scholarships
Oxford Brookes University Gaza Scholarship is another startup that helps the international community of the university. The benefits of this scholarship are:
- Fully funded tuition
- International fee coverage
- Pay for accommodation
- Most living expenses are paid by the university.
Early Acceptance Scholarships
Early acceptance scholarships can be awarded to international students who start their degrees in September. Students can get up to £2,000 if they apply early to Oxford Brookes University.
Who Can Help Me Get Accepted to Oxford Brookes University?
Since the university has only a 31% acceptance rate, securing admission to it can be challenging. However, this problem can be fixed by getting expert help. If you select a reliable admission counsellor to help you study abroad, securing admission can be very easy.
Our platform, CounsellingX, has brought more than a thousand competent counsellors to one place. From these counsellors, you can get guidance and a second opinion. Reach out to a counsellor now for a free 15-minute session.
For further insight: Why Personalised Admission Counselling
Key Takeaways
- Be aware of all the different deadlines
- Apply through UCAS for UG programmes and the university portal for PG programmes
- Prepare your academic transcripts
- Write a personal statement that is precise and well-put-together
- Get one recommendation from a professor, employer, or mentor
- Give an English language test
- Meet the academic criteria
- Wait for offers
- If not admitted, apply in clearing
- Consult a counsellor