Is Bournemouth University a public or private university?

It is a public university. Its origins trace to the early-20th-century Bournemouth Municipal College; it became Bournemouth College of Technology in the early 1970s, then the Dorset Institute of Higher Education (1976) and Bournemouth Polytechnic (1990), before gaining full university status as Bournemouth University under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, inaugurated on 27 November 1992.

What language are courses taught in?

All BU degrees covered here are taught in English. Applicants whose prior education was not in English generally need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component for most undergraduate courses, rising to IELTS 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in writing, 6.5 in speaking/listening/reading) for Adult Nursing and IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each element) for the MBA -- confirm the exact requirement for your specific course.

Can international students apply directly, or is a bridge/foundation year required?

Most courses accept direct entry from an equivalent overseas qualification alongside UK A-levels, and BU publishes course-specific international entry requirements online. Foundation Year options exist for many courses (e.g. Computer Animation & VFX, Games Design, Psychology, Computer Science) for applicants who do not yet meet direct-entry requirements, adding one extra year to the programme.

What does a Bournemouth University degree actually cost, beyond headline tuition?

2026/27 full-time international tuition for the undergraduate courses covered here ranges from about £19,635/year (e.g. Law, History, Sociology, Psychology, Tourism Management, Multimedia Journalism) to about £20,685/year (e.g. Computer Animation & VFX, Computer Science, Nursing, Communication & Media). Postgraduate international tuition is £19,688 (MA 3D Computer Animation, 1 year), £19,950 (MSc International Hospitality & Tourism Management, 1 year) and £20,000 (MBA, 1 year). University halls run from about £162 to £238/week; add living costs, a UK Student visa application, the Immigration Health Surcharge and travel.

Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS (institution code B50) ahead of the relevant deadline. Postgraduate taught applicants (MA, MSc, MBA) apply directly through Bournemouth University's own online postgraduate application portal with transcripts, a personal statement and references. Once an offer is confirmed, international students apply for a UK Student visa after BU issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

Does Bournemouth University restrict admission from any countries?

As part of its UK Home Office/UK Visa and Immigration Service (UKVI) sponsor-compliance responsibilities, BU has suspended new student-visa recruitment from Afghanistan and Iran (confirmed on BU's international students page, 2026). Applicants from these countries should check current status directly with BU before applying; this restriction does not apply to applicants from other countries.

How competitive or specialised is admission to the animation, games and journalism courses?

The BA (Hons) Computer Animation & Visual Effects and MA 3D Computer Animation require a portfolio in addition to academic entry requirements. Games Design (BSc) is TIGA-accredited and assessed on standard academic entry plus, for some routes, a portfolio. Multimedia Journalism does not require a portfolio but is intensively practical, incorporating the Level 5 NCTJ Diploma in Journalism into the degree at no extra tuition cost.

Is there a training grant or stipend for Nursing students?

UK-fee Adult Nursing students can receive a non-repayable NHS Learning Support Fund training grant of at least £5,000/year (more may be available depending on circumstances); this funding starts once a Foundation Year student progresses into the registered nursing degree. International fee-status students should confirm eligibility directly, as NHS funding streams are primarily aimed at home-fee students.

When do courses start, and what is the application window?

Most undergraduate courses start in September, with some (e.g. Computer Animation & VFX, Computer Science) also offering a January start aimed at international students. The MBA and MSc International Hospitality & Tourism Management admit in both September and January. UCAS undergraduate applications should be submitted well ahead of the relevant UCAS deadline; postgraduate applications are typically rolling but should be submitted several months before the intended start.

What do BU's accreditations mean in practice?

AACSB accreditation (Bournemouth University Business School) is an internationally recognised quality mark held by under 6% of business schools worldwide and signals the Business, Tourism and Events degrees meet rigorous curriculum and outcome standards. NMC approval is required for a UK nursing degree to lead to professional registration as a nurse. BCS accreditation for the computing degrees is currently 'initial' (October 2024), pending full accreditation -- check current status. These are UK/international professional recognitions; if you plan to practise outside the UK, separately confirm how your home-country regulator treats the qualification.

What accommodation is available and how much does it cost?

BU's own halls for the 2026/27 intake include Bailey Point (£207-£214/week), Dorchester House (£191-£238/week), Chesil House (£176-£206/week), Corfe House (£175-£208/week), Lyme Regis House (£186-£206/week) and Cranborne House (£162-£191/week), mostly near Lansdowne Campus, the town centre and beach; several halls have accessible rooms. Students who do not secure halls can use the university's Unilet private-rental listing service.

Is Bournemouth University a public or private university?

It is a public university. Its origins trace to the early-20th-century Bournemouth Municipal College; it became Bournemouth College of Technology in the early 1970s, then the Dorset Institute of Higher Education (1976) and Bournemouth Polytechnic (1990), before gaining full university status as Bournemouth University under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, inaugurated on 27 November 1992.

What language are courses taught in?

All BU degrees covered here are taught in English. Applicants whose prior education was not in English generally need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component for most undergraduate courses, rising to IELTS 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in writing, 6.5 in speaking/listening/reading) for Adult Nursing and IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each element) for the MBA -- confirm the exact requirement for your specific course.

Can international students apply directly, or is a bridge/foundation year required?

Most courses accept direct entry from an equivalent overseas qualification alongside UK A-levels, and BU publishes course-specific international entry requirements online. Foundation Year options exist for many courses (e.g. Computer Animation & VFX, Games Design, Psychology, Computer Science) for applicants who do not yet meet direct-entry requirements, adding one extra year to the programme.

What does a Bournemouth University degree actually cost, beyond headline tuition?

2026/27 full-time international tuition for the undergraduate courses covered here ranges from about £19,635/year (e.g. Law, History, Sociology, Psychology, Tourism Management, Multimedia Journalism) to about £20,685/year (e.g. Computer Animation & VFX, Computer Science, Nursing, Communication & Media). Postgraduate international tuition is £19,688 (MA 3D Computer Animation, 1 year), £19,950 (MSc International Hospitality & Tourism Management, 1 year) and £20,000 (MBA, 1 year). University halls run from about £162 to £238/week; add living costs, a UK Student visa application, the Immigration Health Surcharge and travel.

Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS (institution code B50) ahead of the relevant deadline. Postgraduate taught applicants (MA, MSc, MBA) apply directly through Bournemouth University's own online postgraduate application portal with transcripts, a personal statement and references. Once an offer is confirmed, international students apply for a UK Student visa after BU issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

Does Bournemouth University restrict admission from any countries?

As part of its UK Home Office/UK Visa and Immigration Service (UKVI) sponsor-compliance responsibilities, BU has suspended new student-visa recruitment from Afghanistan and Iran (confirmed on BU's international students page, 2026). Applicants from these countries should check current status directly with BU before applying; this restriction does not apply to applicants from other countries.

How competitive or specialised is admission to the animation, games and journalism courses?

The BA (Hons) Computer Animation & Visual Effects and MA 3D Computer Animation require a portfolio in addition to academic entry requirements. Games Design (BSc) is TIGA-accredited and assessed on standard academic entry plus, for some routes, a portfolio. Multimedia Journalism does not require a portfolio but is intensively practical, incorporating the Level 5 NCTJ Diploma in Journalism into the degree at no extra tuition cost.

Is there a training grant or stipend for Nursing students?

UK-fee Adult Nursing students can receive a non-repayable NHS Learning Support Fund training grant of at least £5,000/year (more may be available depending on circumstances); this funding starts once a Foundation Year student progresses into the registered nursing degree. International fee-status students should confirm eligibility directly, as NHS funding streams are primarily aimed at home-fee students.

When do courses start, and what is the application window?

Most undergraduate courses start in September, with some (e.g. Computer Animation & VFX, Computer Science) also offering a January start aimed at international students. The MBA and MSc International Hospitality & Tourism Management admit in both September and January. UCAS undergraduate applications should be submitted well ahead of the relevant UCAS deadline; postgraduate applications are typically rolling but should be submitted several months before the intended start.

What do BU's accreditations mean in practice?

AACSB accreditation (Bournemouth University Business School) is an internationally recognised quality mark held by under 6% of business schools worldwide and signals the Business, Tourism and Events degrees meet rigorous curriculum and outcome standards. NMC approval is required for a UK nursing degree to lead to professional registration as a nurse. BCS accreditation for the computing degrees is currently 'initial' (October 2024), pending full accreditation -- check current status. These are UK/international professional recognitions; if you plan to practise outside the UK, separately confirm how your home-country regulator treats the qualification.

What accommodation is available and how much does it cost?

BU's own halls for the 2026/27 intake include Bailey Point (£207-£214/week), Dorchester House (£191-£238/week), Chesil House (£176-£206/week), Corfe House (£175-£208/week), Lyme Regis House (£186-£206/week) and Cranborne House (£162-£191/week), mostly near Lansdowne Campus, the town centre and beach; several halls have accessible rooms. Students who do not secure halls can use the university's Unilet private-rental listing service.

India's Trusted
Study Abroad Platform

Bournemouth University: Programs & Courses

All programs at Bournemouth University — course duration, medium of instruction, annual intake, and official program details.

Written by Students Traffic Research Team·Updated On: 12 Jul 2026

Bournemouth UniversityBournemouth, United KingdomB.A. History · Public£19,635/yrAACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) Accredited -- Bournemouth University Business School

Overview student life hostel faq

Programs at this university

20 programmes

Open a programme profile for eligibility, tuition, curriculum and application planning.

BA (Hons) History