Bournemouth University
A south-coast university home to the National Centre for Computer Animation, with a placement option on every degree.
- Students
- 15,605
- International
- 24%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 19.9:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £19,635
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1992
About BU
Bournemouth University grew out of Bournemouth Municipal College and the Dorset Institute of Higher Education, became a polytechnic in 1990 and a university in 1992. It has two campuses: Talbot Campus, the main site on the Poole side of the Bournemouth boundary, with modern buildings such as the Fusion Building and Poole Gateway Building, and Lansdowne Campus, just outside Bournemouth town centre near the railway station and most halls.
Teaching is organised in three faculties: Business and Law; Health, Environment and Medical Sciences; and Media, Science and Technology. The last includes the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA), which has a 30-year record in animation and visual effects and is the reason many students choose BU. The university offers nearly 100 undergraduate courses, most with professional accreditation, and every undergraduate has the option of a work placement.
Offers are made in UCAS tariff points, typically 112 to 128 for 2027 entry and up to 144 for Physiotherapy, and BU looks at relevant experience, enthusiasm and the reference as well as grades. It suits career-minded students who want hands-on media, health, science or business courses and a coastal lifestyle.
Discere Mutari Est
“To learn is to change” — university motto
Why students choose BU
The NCCA, where Computer Animation and Visual Effects is taught, has a green screen and motion capture studio and is ranked the UK's top animation school by Animation Career Review (2024).
Every undergraduate can take a work placement; BU is ranked 2nd in the UK for the UN goal on decent work and economic growth, partly for this commitment.
BU says 90% of its graduates are in work or further study within a year (LEO data 2026).
First-year students are guaranteed accommodation if they meet the terms, with bills and an optional annual bus pass included in the rent.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
BU does not publish an offer rate. For 2027 entry most courses ask for 112-128 UCAS tariff points (BBC-ABB at A-level), Physiotherapy 128-144 (ABB-AAA). Through AccessBU, applicants whose circumstances have limited their opportunities can receive offers below the published tariff.
Typical entry requirements
| UCAS tariff (A-levels, BTEC, T Levels and others) | For 2027 entry: 112-128 points (BBC-ABB, minimum two A-levels) for courses such as Computer Science, Computer Animation and Visual Effects, Games Design, Film and TV Production, Law, Psychology, Forensic Science and Archaeology; BTEC Extended Diploma DMM-DDM; T Levels at Merit |
|---|---|
| Physiotherapy (BSc) | 128-144 points (ABB-AAA) for 2027 entry, including a required subject such as Biology, PE or Sport Science |
| International Baccalaureate | Course-specific points shown on each course page (e.g. 28-31 points for Games Design, 2027 entry); BU does not accept UCAS tariff equivalents for the IB |
| International qualifications | High school leaving examinations considered equivalent to A-levels; details by country on BU's country pages, or the BU International College Foundation Certificate |
| English language | IELTS 6 Bachelor's programmes: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component. Some courses are higher, e.g. Physiotherapy IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in each component, and Archaeology 6.0 with 6.0 in reading or writing. LanguageCert, PTE Academic, Kaplan Test of English and Oxford ELLT are also accepted; no TOEFL score is listed. |
Deadlines
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal consideration deadline for most courses; BU continues to accept late applications if places remain.
- UCAS last date before Clearing Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time
BU's last date for late 2027 applications; after this, applications go into Clearing, which opens on 2 July 2027.
Dates are from BU's 2027-entry 'How and when to apply' page, which matches UCAS. Completed 2027 applications could be sent to UCAS from 1 September 2026.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS with a personal statement and reference. BU assesses each application individually: grades plus relevant work or other experience, the reference, enthusiasm for the subject and independent research. Health and social care courses add an interview. International students can also get help applying from BU's international team and in-country representatives.
What admissions looks for
- The published UCAS tariff for your course from at least two A-levels or equivalent, plus any required subjects.
- Relevant work or other experience for the course you are applying to.
- Passion for the subject and evidence of independent research and reflection, shown in your personal statement.
- A supportive reference, and for health courses a strong interview scored on a standard template.
Tips for applying to BU
- 1 Use AccessBU to tell BU about circumstances that affected your education; eligible applicants can get offers below the published tariff.
- 2 International applicants who achieve the equivalent of ABB or above at A-level automatically receive the £2,500 Academic Excellence Scholarship off first-year fees (published for entry up to January 2027; check the terms for September 2027).
- 3 For nursing or midwifery interviews on Zoom, research recent developments in the profession and test your camera and microphone beforehand.
- 4 Choose BU as your firm choice by results day to qualify for the first-year accommodation guarantee.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in GBP
The BU Maintenance Bursary gives new English students with household income of £25,000 or less up to £2,400 over their degree (£800 a year), paid automatically; there are also Care Leavers and Estrangement bursaries and sport and music scholarships. International students achieving the equivalent of ABB or above get the automatic £2,500 Academic Excellence Scholarship in their first year (terms published for entry up to January 2027). International applicants pay a £5,000 deposit (£8,000 from some regions).
- Up to £2,400 over the degree for 2026/27 starters (household income £25,000 or less)
- BU Maintenance Bursary
- £2,500 off first-year fees for ABB-equivalent grades
- Academic Excellence Scholarship (International)
- £0-£5,000 and/or sport science support
- Sport scholarships
- £5,000 (£8,000 for some regions)
- International deposit
Academics
Computer Animation and Visual Effects (BA Hons)
Taught at the NCCA with motion capture and green screen studios; placement students have worked at Playground Games and Sumo Digital; eligible for a BAFTA Scholarship.
Games Design (BSc Hons)
Also eligible for a BAFTA Scholarship, with an optional placement year; 112-128 tariff points for 2027 entry.
Physiotherapy (BSc Hons)
Accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy; BU's most demanding entry at 128-144 points and IELTS 7.0.
Archaeology (BSc Hons)
Among the first courses jointly accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, with fieldwork recorded on an Archaeology Skills Passport.
Forensic Science (BSc Hons)
Accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
Law (LLB Hons)
Includes show trials and field trips, with a purpose-built £350,000 moot court opening in January 2027.
Research
- BU is ranked 21st in the UK for research quality in the THE World University Rankings 2026.
- The NCCA is one of very few research-intensive animation centres in the UK, with a 30-year history in computer graphics and animation research.
- BU and University Hospitals Dorset won an NHS award for CHAIN, a community cycling programme for people with hip osteoarthritis launched in 2013.
- BU is in the UK top 10 of the THE Impact Rankings 2025 and joint 59th in the world.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Business and Law
- Faculty of Health, Environment and Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Media, Science and Technology
- Bournemouth University Business School
- School of Law and Society
- School of Health and Care
- School of Allied Health and Exercise Sciences
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences
- Media School
- National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA)
- School of Computing and Engineering
- School of Psychology
88% of BU graduates were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes survey 2023-24); BU also cites 90% in work or further study within a year (LEO data 2026).
Student life
BU life splits between the Talbot Campus, with its Fusion Building and Student Village, and the Lansdowne Campus near Bournemouth town centre, where halls such as Cranborne, Purbeck and Lyme Regis House are based. The Students' Union, SUBU, runs more than 80 clubs and societies and was voted Best Students' Union in the South West for the third year running (Whatuni 2026). Halls run ResLifeBU events for first-years. Performance athletes compete as TeamBU in the BUCS league.
- More than 80 clubs and societies run by SUBU.
- TeamBU performance sport, ranked 37th of 142 universities in the BUCS league.
- ResLifeBU programme for first-years living in BU halls.
- BU was 1st for mental health and wellbeing support in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025.
Housing. First-years are guaranteed a BU room if they make BU their firm choice and complete the two-stage booking process by the published deadlines; see the accommodation price guide for weekly rents.
Location
Bournemouth is a seaside town on England's south coast with miles of sandy beach, a busy town centre and nightlife. Talbot Campus sits at Fern Barrow on the Poole side of the boundary, a short university bus ride from Lansdowne Campus, which is walking distance from the town centre, the beach and the main railway station. BU ranks among the UK's top 10 universities for cost of living (Whatuni 2026).
Nearest airport: Bournemouth Airport (BOH)
Notable alumni
- SD Sir David AmessConservative MP for 38 years; economics and government degree at Bournemouth College of Technology
- PK Paul KavanaghAcademy Award-nominated visual effects artist (Star Trek); master's in computer animation and visualisation (1991)
- MM Max McMurdoDesigner, upcycler and TV presenter; product design visualisation degree (2000)
- DO Dan O'HaganBBC Match of the Day commentator; multi-media journalism degree (1999)
- GT Gary TaphouseSky Sports football commentator; multi-media journalism degree (1997)
- CA Carl AshmoreChildren's author; communication and media production degree (1990)
- SP Sophie PetzalScreenwriter of Blood (Channel 5); studied screenwriting
- ND Neil Duncan-JordanLabour MP for Poole; studied journalism
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for Bournemouth University?
For 2027 entry most BU courses ask for 112-128 UCAS tariff points (BBC-ABB at A-level), and Physiotherapy asks for 128-144 (ABB-AAA). AccessBU can lead to offers below the published tariff.
How much are Bournemouth University fees for international students?
For students starting in 2026/27 (latest published), international fees are £19,635 to £24,150 a year, for example £19,635 for Law and £20,685 for Computer Animation and Visual Effects. Students with ABB-equivalent grades get £2,500 off their first year.
Is the NCCA part of Bournemouth University?
Yes. The National Centre for Computer Animation is part of BU's Faculty of Media, Science and Technology and teaches courses such as Computer Animation and Visual Effects and Games Design.
What is the Bournemouth University application deadline for 2027 entry?
The UCAS equal consideration deadline is 18:00 on 13 January 2027. BU accepts late applications while places remain until 30 June 2027, after which applications go into Clearing.
Does Bournemouth University guarantee accommodation?
Yes, first-year students are guaranteed accommodation if they choose BU as their firm choice and pick a room by the published deadline in August.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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