University of Bedfordshire UG Mini Guide 2024

WITH US, IT’S ALL ABOUT…

You want to discover who you are right now and who you are destined to become. We want you to have a transformational experience as part of our vibrant, diverse academic community.

You want to nurture your talent and unlock your true potential.

We are committed to supportive, challenging teaching that empowers you to go into graduate-level employment in a job you love.

You want your degree to reshape your life. Whatever your dreams, we will support you on the path to success so you can focus on becoming your very best self.

You want to make your mark on the world. We have high aspirations for you, too. We think you could change the world.

We will be with you on your University journey, every step of the way.

Your success is our success.

JOURNEY TO BEDFORDSHIRE YOUR

This section will give you an overview of your application journey but, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at study@beds.ac.uk

1. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO STUDY?

Some of you may have a specific subject or course in mind already. Don’t worry if you don’t know exactly what you want to study – you are definitely not alone! Think about the subject areas that you enjoy and where they could take you. Talk to family, friends and your teachers or careers advisers to obtain more information.

2. VISIT US AT AN OPEN DAY

Open Days are a great way to find out more about a university. You can find the dates for our Open Days at beds.ac.uk/open-days

If you can’t make it to an Open Day, we also run regular campus tours and virtual events.

3. APPLY

Once you have done your research, visited some universities and had your questions answered, you should be in a position to apply. You can apply for up to five courses through UCAS.

4. ACCEPT YOUR OFFER

UCAS allows you to select a Firm (first) and Insurance (second) choice. If you applied to university by the January deadline, you typically need to have accepted your offer by May. For exact dates, visit ucas.com

5. TAKE PART IN OFFER-HOLDER DAYS

At the University of Bedfordshire, we run offer-holder experience days, where you can visit the campus and take part in subject-specific taster sessions. You’ll have the chance to tour the campus, meet some of your classmates and get to know your future tutors.

6. APPLY FOR ACCOMMODATION

Once you have accepted an offer, you can apply for accommodation. For more information about our accommodation, see page 26.

7. RESULTS DAY

If you have met the conditions of your Firm choice university, your place will be confirmed via UCAS Track. If the University of Bedfordshire was your Firm choice, we’ll also send you a text on results day, followed by a welcome pack.

If you didn’t receive the results you wanted, or have changed your mind since making your original application, do not panic. Our Clearing team will be happy to discuss your options and the different courses we have available.

8. WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE

The majority of our courses start in October. We’ll be waiting to welcome you onto campus with a range of events and activities.

25 minutes

Luton Airport

8 minutes

The University of Bedfordshire has campuses in four towns: Luton, Bedford, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes, all with excellent transport links to London and the rest of the UK.

Luton town is packed full of cultural diversity. It has plenty of bars and restaurants, an 11-screen cinema, bowling lanes, a shopping mall and indoor market, football stadium and other sports facilities as well as a vibrant arts and cultural scene based around the town’s Cultural Quarter.

BEDFORD

Bedford is a riverside town with a mixture of lively traditional pubs and restaurants, shops and first-class sports facilities. It is well-placed with its main train station linking to London and Brighton to the south and Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield to the north.

Aylesbury town is bursting with culture, international cuisine and clubs. It boasts a cinema, two theatres, indoor karting facilities, galleries and regular music concerts. Aylesbury also benefits from excellent transport links, making it easily accessible.

MILTON KEYNES

Milton Keynes is one of the fastest-growing places in the UK and is constantly evolving. As well as being home to many high-tech companies, it offers great shopping facilities, art exhibitions, musicals, canal-side promenades and great sports facilities.

London

Cambridge

Luton Campus

Milton Keynes Campus

Bedford Campus

M25

Brighton

Southampton

Luton Airport

Reading

Canterbury

Aylesbury Campus

AYLESBURY

LUTON

Luton Station to London St Pancras approximately

by car from our Luton campus

Great access to M1 and M25 motorways

FANTASTIC FACILITIES

BEDFORD

LUTON

We’ve invested in a purpose-built, seven-storey library, which features dedicated silent areas, breakout spaces and pods to facilitate group work, and state-of-the-art IT and AV equipment. We also have a specialist Art and Design building called Alexon House, and a purpose-built Campus Centre that houses all our student services under one roof. Most recently, we have added nursing simulation suites with modern skills labs and medical training mannequins.

Our STEM building, built in 2019, is set out over four storeys and houses modern engineering and research laboratories; a modern imaging suite built for using confocal and fluorescence microscopes; a dedicated space for histopathology and mammalian cell culture; and a range of robotic equipment including humanoid robots, robotic arms and wheeled robotic platforms.

Our Gateway building features high-quality teaching spaces; informal learning spaces; and a new student services centre. There is also a Campus Centre with 280-seat and 80-seat studio theatres; bespoke, modern facilities for teacher-training; a wide range of indoor and outdoor sporting facilities; a Physical Education and Sports Science Centre; and nursing simulation suites.

MILTON KEYNES

This campus houses high-specification teaching rooms with top-quality audio-visual and IT equipment; a specialist electronics and telecommunications laboratory; and a large, general-purpose computer lab. There is also a Student Information Desk (SiD) on campus, where our staff can assist you with any queries you may have.

AYLESBURY

Our Aylesbury campus is fully equipped for our Nursing and Midwifery students. Based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, our students learn in a modern and vibrant environment suited to today’s vocational approach to teaching.

For more information about facilities across all of our campuses, visit unibeds.info/OurCampuses

At Bedfordshire, we’ve invested in first-class social and learning spaces, designed with your bright future in mind.

CAREERS & EMPLOYABILITY

At the University of Bedfordshire, our Careers and Employability Service will support you on your path to a brilliant career by providing professional, high-quality advice and guidance, throughout your degree and after you graduate.

Based at both our Luton and Bedford campuses, our specialist Employability Advisers can help and guide you to find part-time work alongside your studies, as well as placement-year opportunities and graduate roles through:

• Advice and guidance on how to construct a CV and covering letter that will highlight your skills and attract potential employers

• Mock interview sessions that give you an insight into typical interview questions, and how you can structure your answers based on your knowledge and experience

• Access to a wealth of careers information and online resources

• Employment-related events, such as on-campus career fairs and competitions

MICHELLE EVERITT

Assistant Director of Student Experience and Head of Careers & Employability

“We provide students and graduates with career-enhancing experiences, allowing them to develop the skills, knowledge and experience that graduate employers look for. Our work-based learning opportunities also offer students the chance to gain real-world experience via placements, live projects and professional practice years.”

It’s a competitive world out there. That’s why we offer initiatives and activities to help you develop key skills and experiences.

PERSONALISED LEARNING

When you first join us, you will receive a one-to-one consultation so our staff can fully understand your personal strengths and tailor the range of University support and opportunities to meet your individual needs.

INDUSTRY TALKS

At the University of Bedfordshire, many of our courses include regular industry talks and masterclasses from professionals in their fields. The speakers provide you with valuable industry knowledge and answer any questions that you may have. We believe it is important for you to have the opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals, hearing about their experiences and first-hand knowledge of their industries.

FEE-FREE YEAR*

Most of our courses offer you the opportunity to undertake a year in industry (Professional Practice Year) and, best of all, it is free! Apply your learning in the workplace after your second year of studies, with the support of our Careers and Employability Service. Enhance your CV, build your industry network and develop a real understanding of what it’s like to work in your chosen field.

*Please note this excludes Nursing, Social Work and some Education courses. Please check our website for all eligibility criteria.

VOLUNTEERING

The University of Bedfordshire is committed to contributing to our local communities by involving students, staff and external audiences in volunteering initiatives. We offer a range of ways for students to volunteer, from one-off events to regular and long-term commitments. We have opportunities with community organisations as well as on-site with the University and Students’ Union.

POTENTIAL REACH YOUR

CONNECT WITH EMPLOYERS

Our links with numerous organisations – locally, nationally and around the world – provide you with a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience and create your own global network of industry contacts. International businesses such as Nestlé and Volkswagen have given our students real-world company briefs to work on as part of their studies.

EMBEDDED EMPLOYABILITY

We offer you the opportunity to take five credit-bearing units based around employability that will enhance your career prospects, develop transferable skills, and earn you extra credits in the process. Lasting between five and six weeks, the units aim to give you the key skills employers are searching for, helping you to stand out from other graduates.

REPRESENT YOUR UNIVERSITY

You could also work for the University as one of our Student Ambassadors, helping at our Open Days; leading campus tours; and assisting at other university events.

JADE CATCHPOLE

FdSc and BSc (Top up)

Construction Management

“The construction company JJ Rhatigan approached the University looking for some students and I was put forward by my lecturer. I came on a summer placement for two months and, at the end of it, they offered me a job on one of their other projects. At the moment, I’m an assistant site manager on this project. I hope to become a site manager in the future.”

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATIONS

Many of our courses are accredited by professional bodies, which gives you a career advantage from day one. Just a few of the professional bodies that accredit and approve our degrees include: Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, British Computer Society, British Council, British Psychological Society, Chartered Institute of Marketing, Health and Care Professions Council, Institute of Biomedical Science, National Association of Licensed Paralegals, Institution of Engineering and Technology, Association for Nutrition, and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Many professional bodies offer free or reduced memberships for students so you can begin to build your network and keep up-to-date with industry-specific news.

We understand that going to university is a big step. That’s why we offer a range of support services to help and guide you throughout your University journey.

STUDENT INFORMATION DESK (SID)

If you have a question, you can head to one of our SiD desks, located on every campus. One of our trusted advisers will be able to help you or direct you to someone who can. You can also access a database of FAQs or log and update enquiries through SiD online.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND MITIGATION (SEAM)

The Student Engagement team provides advice and support to students on issues that might be affecting attendance, ability to submit work and course progress. The Mitigation team support students and review applications when students apply for extensions and reassessments.

DISABILITY SUPPORT

If you have a disability, a long-term medical condition or a specific learning difficulty, our dedicated team can support you during your application and throughout your course.

COUNSELLING SERVICE

We provide professional and confidential counselling for students experiencing problems of a personal nature that may be affecting their academic work and life.

MENTAL HEALTH

We offer personal support to students experiencing mental health difficulties, as well as support for students returning to study after a period of illness.

COMMUNITY AND FAITH

Our Community and Faith teams welcome students of all faiths and no faiths, and offer confidential support as well as a range of social activities and events.

beds.ac.uk/student-support

MORE THAN A DEGREE

Whether you’re passionate about sport, or looking to meet like-minded people, we have a wide range of clubs and societies to choose from, as well as over 40 sports teams competing in the British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) leagues.

If you have an interest in radio, or presenting and producing your own shows, then why not get involved in the University’s very own radio station, Radio LaB?

We also provide you with plenty of opportunities to showcase your talents. If you’re following a creative course, there’s chances to show your work through exhibitions, your degree show and competitions. If you’re not following a creative course, you can still grow a talent or skill in your free time. University is a melting pot of interests and enthusiasms!

Discover how you can get more than a degree at Bedfordshire beds.ac.uk/morethanadegree

University is about discovering who you are, trying new experiences and having fun along the way. We offer an inspiring range of activities, clubs and events so you can make the most of your down time.

SPORT GET INTO

Enjoy great facilities, coaching and work experience at Bedfordshire. You’ll also have opportunities to secure sport scholarships and coaching bursaries, and take advantage of our great-value gym memberships.

BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SPORT (BUCS)

If you want to take part in competitive sports, join a University team and compete in the BUCS leagues. Choose from athletics, badminton, basketball, netball, football, futsal, hockey, plus many more.

ASPIRE GYM MEMBERSHIP

We have two purpose-built gyms at our Luton and Bedford campuses, offering a range of flexible and affordable memberships. Each gym features a wide selection of cardiovascular and weight machines along with a free weights area. Our gyms are staffed by qualified personal trainers who are happy to help you with your fitness needs.

GET ACTIVE

The University’s Get Active participation programme enables you to take part in an exciting variety of sporting activities alongside your studies, for free. Activities include badminton, tai chi, yoga and Zumba to name a few. You can even try out taster sessions such as indoor sky diving, go-karting and more.

SPORT SCHOLARSHIPS

We offer a fantastic range of sport scholarships in performance, coaching and officiating. Our sport scholarships are open to all full-time students at the University.

COACHING

The University of Bedfordshire offers an extensive coach education programme. We actively recruit student coaches to run our Get Active programmes, and have a network of community and external partners to provide students with excellent coaching opportunities.

Beds SU is here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. All students at the University are automatically members of Beds SU, which offers a great range of services entertainment. From championing students’ opinions and offering advice to providing social spaces and supporting societies, Beds SU aims to empower every student to achieve their full potential as well as provide a great student experience along the way.

STUDENT VOICE

Beds SU is run by the students of the University of Bedfordshire, who are at the heart of the work Beds SU do. The Union ensures that student views and feedback are represented at all levels, whether that is through the academic representative system, feedback sessions, online, speaking to the Executive Officers, or by having your say in our annual student elections.

ADVICE AND SUPPORT

Beds SU provides all students with access to free, impartial advice and support on all aspects of university life including finance, housing issues, representation, safety and welfare.

ENTERTAINMENT

The Metro Bar in Luton and The Hub in Bedford offer a range of food and drink alongside a diverse events programme including quizzes, club nights, talks and society-run events.

STUDENT COMMUNITIES

Students can get involved in a whole range of events and activities whilst at University, including joining societies or volunteering opportunities. We have a huge range of faith, academic, cultural and recreational societies. There are three student networks for those who identify as a member of the ethnically diverse, disabled and LGBTQ+ communities.

Find out more bedssu.co.uk

Contact Beds SU:

Telephone +44 (0)1582 743 221

Email help@bedssu.co.uk

STUDENTS’ UNION

We offer a wide range of courses in the following areas.

ART & DESIGN

Studying in the School of Art & Creative Industries gives you access to a creative team of practitioners and academics who publish, design and exhibit nationally and internationally, in art and design and the creative industries.

BUSINESS

Our Business School offers a variety of courses covering all aspects of business including: accounting and finance; business; management; human resource management; marketing; tourism; and event management. You benefit from industry talks and have the opportunity to work on live industry briefs.

COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

Study in our purpose-built STEM building, opened in 2019. You benefit from cuttingedge computing facilities; a number of industry-accredited courses; expert teaching staff; and regular guest lectures.

EDUCATION & TEACHING

We offer a range of teaching courses and have partnerships with over 500 schools and colleges so you benefit from a highly practical and relevant learning experience.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE, LITERATURE & COMMUNICATION

Our courses help you develop effective communication, critical and analytical skills in a range of professional contexts. You will also have the opportunity to write creatively and build upon your love of language.

LAW

The Law department’s facilities are second to none, including the Law Moot Court. You also learn with a highly experienced teaching team who will prepare you for a successful career in Law.

LIFE SCIENCES

Benefit from working with research-active staff who have a wealth of experience, enriching your learning and ensuring you graduate ready to enter your chosen industry.

COURSES AT A GLANCE

MEDIA & CULTURE

You will have access to industry-standard facilities in our Media Arts Centre including: our HDTV multi-camera studio; green screen; performance theatre; and creative writing labs.

NURSING, MIDWIFERY & HEALTH

Focusing on the acquisition of professional skills, our contemporary health courses are developed with practice-placement providers and delivered in new high-tech simulation suites.

PERFORMING ARTS

You will have access to state-of-the-art theatres and be taught by industry professionals. Our courses are geared towards equipping you with the knowledge and experience required to succeed and secure employment.

PSYCHOLOGY

Many of our degrees are accredited by the British Psychological Society, underpinned by applied research and delivered in industry-standard, specialist facilities.

SOCIAL SCIENCES

We are accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to deliver courses which give you sought-after employment skills and meet the Government agenda.

SPORT SCIENCE & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

With a strong reputation for our sport-related courses, experienced academics and dedicated facilities, you will benefit from the latest developments in this area.

UCAS TARIFF

Most of our courses have standard entry requirements. For more information on tariff points for each of our courses see our website.

UCAS CODE

This is the code you should use when applying to the University through UCAS. For some courses, applications should be submitted directly to the University.

FOUNDATION YEAR

Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an undergraduate course, our degrees with Foundation Year provide an alternative entry route for you to work towards a degreelevel qualification. The tariff for Foundation Year will be lower than our standard courses – please see our website for full details.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Many of our courses are available with a Professional Practice Year, where you can undertake a year in industry between your second and final year, helping you to gain experience and enhance your employment opportunities. Check website for eligibility.

LOCATION

We have various campuses and, over the page, you can identify which courses are run at each campus using the location column.

UoB – L Luton campus

UoB – B Bedford campus

UoB – A Aylesbury campus

UoB – MK Milton Keynes campus

COURSES

ART & DESIGN

COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

EDUCATION & TEACHING

ENGLISH LANGUAGE, LITERATURE & COMMUNICATION

LIFE SCIENCES

MEDIA & CULTURE

NURSING, MIDWIFERY & HEALTH

*Subject to approval or revalidation

PSYCHOLOGY

SOCIAL SCIENCES

SPORT SCIENCE & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

*Subject to approval or revalidation

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

We are an inclusive University that takes pride in enabling you, whatever your circumstances, to pursue new possibilities and achieve your career goals.

YOUR GUIDE TO QUALIFICATIONS

Each course has its own entry requirements; for details, visit our website. Please note that we treat every applicant as an individual and will consider a wide range of qualifications for entry, and not just those on the UCAS tariff.

APPLYING ONLINE

For all full-time higher education courses at universities and colleges in the UK starting in September or October, you must apply online at ucas.com

There are two types of applicants: students at a school or college registered with UCAS, and independent applicants.

SCHOOL AND COLLEGE APPLICANTS

All UK schools and colleges (plus a small number of overseas establishments) are registered with UCAS, which manages student applications.

• If you are a student at a school or college, you will need to fill in an online application and submit it to your teacher or careers adviser, who can offer advice about the form and your choices

• After checking your details and adding the academic reference, your school or college will submit the application online to UCAS

• Payment to UCAS must be made online by credit or debit card – your school or college will advise you on how and when to do this

INDEPENDENT APPLICANTS

Applicants who are not at a school or college in the UK can apply online independently through UCAS. When applying as an independent applicant, make sure you consider the UCAS application deadlines listed on the UCAS website. For more information visit ucas.com. If you are an independent applicant, living in the UK, UCAS offers help and advice for those returning to study.

HOW TO APPLY

Do bear in mind that you are responsible for paying the correct fee, nominating a suitable referee and submitting the application online to UCAS. When you have provided the contact details of a referee, UCAS will send a request via email asking them to complete and submit a reference through the UCAS website. Your application will not be sent to your chosen institutions until the reference is received by UCAS, so ensure you leave enough time before the application deadlines for your referee to complete and return the form. Applications without a reference or with a reference provided by the applicant may not be considered.

For more information on how to apply, visit beds.ac.uk/apply

FEES & FINANCE

We understand that the cost of going to university is a key consideration for many of you. That’s why we offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to support you throughout your studies.

TUITION FEES

The government has set the fee for full-time undergraduate courses at £9,250 per year for 2024-25, at the time of going to press. For the most up-to-date information, visit beds.ac.uk/fees

STUDENT FINANCE

You can apply for both a tuition fee loan and a student maintenance loan to support you throughout your studies. We recommend applying for student finance as soon as you have selected your first-choice university with UCAS to ensure that you receive your financial support at the start of term. For more information, visit gov.uk/student-finance

SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES

We also offer various scholarships and bursaries including our Bedfordshire Bursary, Merit Scholarship, Sports Scholarships and Care Leavers Bursary. For more information about all our scholarships and bursaries, as well as eligibility criteria, please visit our website beds.ac.uk/scholarships

ACCOMMODATION

By living in our student halls, you are part of a great community, and your bills, Wi-Fi and much more are included in the rent. We guarantee accommodation to all new, first-year students, providing you with a safe, secure and friendly home away from home.

Our accommodation offers you more than just a room and our friendly accommodation teams are on hand to assist you in many ways, from greeting you and making you feel welcome to planning social events and activities throughout the year. There is always something to do and plenty of ways to meet new people whilst living in halls.

There is a wide range of accommodations on offer here at the University, all on or close to our Bedford and Luton campuses. Both of the towns’ thriving social scenes and local amenities are on your doorstep, with local and national transport links nearby.

We have more than 1,000 rooms, including en-suite rooms, with the majority of study rooms grouped into flats with kitchen/lounge areas to relax in with flatmates.

To find out more, visit beds.ac.uk/accommodation

CONDITIONS & REGULATIONS

The information about courses provided in this prospectus is intended to give potential applicants an overview of the programmes that the University intends to make available in the next academic year. Every effort is made to ensure that the information in the prospectus is accurate. However, it may become necessary for the University to make changes, for example, to programme content, course delivery and fees, due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons including (but not limited to) industrial action; lack of demand; departure of key personnel; change in government policy; withdrawal or reduction of funding; the requirements of the quality code of the quality assurance agency; or a change of law. The University will endeavour at all times to keep such changes to a minimum and to keep students informed appropriately. If a course is not provided in whole or in part, the University will take such steps as are available to it to minimise the effect of any alteration or withdrawal. Such steps may include alterations to the delivery of teaching or assessment; the offer of a place on an alternative course; or the offer to transfer to another course at the University or elsewhere. You will be entitled to decline to accept the changes to the programme and withdraw but not to receive a refund for those parts of the programme that you have completed whether or not you have passed any assessment. If there are any physical restrictions to access then, depending on a student’s disability, reasonable adjustments will be made.

Published by: The University of Bedfordshire

Deputy Director of Marketing, Admissions, Recruitment & Communications: Beverley Hoare

Marketing Officer: Eric Sithole

Design and Art Direction: Bonfire Ltd bonfireci.com

Photography: Roy Mehta www.roymehta.com

Scene Photography

www.scenephotography.co.uk

Copywriter: Erika Harvey

Print: Orchard Press Cheltenham Ltd

Thank you to all the staff and students who helped in the production of this prospectus.

Discover more about the University of Bedfordshire, tour our facilities, and meet some of our academics and current students at one of our Open Days.

Find out about our upcoming Open Days at: beds.ac.uk/open-days

Luton campus

University Square

Luton

Bedfordshire

United Kingdom

LU1 3JU

Bedford campus

Polhill Avenue

Bedford

Bedfordshire

United Kingdom

MK41 9EA

Aylesbury campus

Stoke Mandeville

Hospital

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

United Kingdom

HP21 8AL

Putteridge Bury campus

Hitchin Road

Luton

Bedfordshire

United Kingdom

LU2 8LE

Milton Keynes campus

Exchange House

Midsummer Boulevard

beds.ac.uk

+44 (0)300 3300 073

Milton Keynes

United Kingdom

MK9 2EA