Coventry University
A big, international city-centre university with deep roots in car design and applied, career-focused teaching.
- Students
- 30,640
- International
- 58%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 14.6:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £17,600
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1843
About Coventry
Coventry University traces its roots to the Coventry School of Design, which opened in a former ribbon factory in 1843. In 1970 the College of Art merged with Lanchester College of Technology and Rugby College of Engineering Technology to form Lanchester Polytechnic, named after automotive pioneer Frederick Lanchester; it became Coventry Polytechnic in 1987 and a university in 1992.
Today it has over 38,000 students across its UK campuses, including more than 13,000 international students from over 160 countries. Teaching is organised into Arts and Society; Engineering, Environment and Science; Health and Care; and Business and Law, plus the National Institute of Teaching and Education. The wider Coventry University Group also teaches in London and Scarborough and through partners in more than 30 countries.
Coventry is known for applied, industry-linked courses, most famously automotive and transport design, whose graduates include Jaguar Land Rover design leaders Ian Callum and Gerry McGovern. It was rated Gold for student experience in TEF 2023, and typical offers of around 112 UCAS points (BBC) make it accessible to students who want practical, career-focused degrees in a compact city-centre setting.
Arte et industria
“By art and industry” — university motto
Why students choose Coventry
Automotive and Transport Design works with collaborators such as Aston Martin, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan and SAIC/MG.
Coventry was rated Gold for student experience in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023.
Course essentials such as essential reading, printing credits, mandatory field trips, uniforms and PPE are included at no extra cost.
Coventry is the 4th most affordable student city in England in the QS Best Student Cities Index 2027.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Coventry does not publish an overall offer rate. Typical offers on its 2027-28 course pages are 112 UCAS points (BBC) for many courses and 120-128 for computing and engineering; eligible applicants receive a Fair Access Offer 16 points lower.
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels | BBC (112 points) for Psychology, Law, Business Management, Automotive and Transport Design and Adult Nursing; BBB (120) with a maths, science or computing subject for Computer Science BSc; BBB including Mathematics for Motorsport Engineering BEng; ABB (128) for MSci/MEng routes |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | 24 points (Law), 27 (Automotive and Transport Design; Nursing with 14 at HL), 28 (Psychology), 29 with a relevant HL subject (Computer Science BSc) |
| BTEC | DMM for most 112-point courses (Nursing in a health, sport or science subject) |
| English language | IELTS 6 IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for courses such as Psychology, Law, Business Management, Computer Science and Automotive and Transport Design; the exact requirement is stated on each course page and in your offer letter. |
Deadlines
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
Deadline for equal consideration for September 2027 entry.
- UCAS last date before Clearing Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time
Applications received after this are entered into Clearing, which opens on 2 July 2027; places depend on availability.
UCAS dates for 2027 entry. Many courses also offer a November 2027 start.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS with a personal statement; international students get region-specific guidance from Coventry's international hub. Courses have September and November 2027 starts, and Nursing uses values-based interviews with a DBS check.
What admissions looks for
- UCAS points at the typical offer, often 112 (BBC), with GCSE Maths (and often English) at grade 4/C.
- Relevant subjects for technical courses, such as a maths, physics, chemistry or computing A-level for Computer Science and Mathematics for Motorsport Engineering.
- For Nursing, caring experience (paid or voluntary), GCSE English, Maths and a science, and values that match the NHS constitution.
- A personal statement showing interest in the subject.
Tips for applying to Coventry
- 1 Check the Fair Access Offer criteria: eligible applicants automatically receive an offer 16 UCAS points lower than the standard entry requirement.
- 2 International applicants: 2026/27 starters received the £2,000-a-year Coventry University Group Scholarship; check the scholarship page for the 2027/28 version.
- 3 If you are a strong athlete, apply for a Sports Scholarship worth £1,500 or £3,000 a year (about 40-45 awarded annually).
- 4 For design courses such as Automotive and Transport Design, look at the industry collaborators and portfolio events listed on the course page.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
Coventry offered international students starting in 2026/27 a £2,000-a-year Coventry University Group Scholarship, and EU students receive an EU Support Bursary that brings fees in line with UK fees for 2026/27 and 2027/28 starts. Sports Scholarships worth £1,500 or £3,000 a year are available, and course essentials (reading, printing, mandatory trips, uniforms and PPE) are included in fees.
- £2,000 off tuition each year
- Coventry University Group Scholarship (international, 2026/27)
- £1,500 or £3,000 a year
- Sports Scholarship
- Brings EU students' fees in line with UK fees (2026/27 and 2027/28 starts)
- EU Support Bursary
Academics
Automotive and Transport Design (BA/MDes)
The course behind designers such as Ian Callum and Gerry McGovern, with industry collaborators including Aston Martin, JLR and Nissan.
Motorsport Engineering (BEng/MEng)
BBB including Mathematics and a science or engineering subject, with an MEng route.
Computer Science (BSc/MSci)
120-128 UCAS points; the degree route of Sidemen co-founder TBJZL.
Psychology (BSc)
Accredited by the British Psychological Society, with applied, career-focused projects; 112 UCAS points.
Adult Nursing (BSc)
Leads to professional registration, with values-based recruitment and interviews.
Law (LLB)
112 UCAS points, with practical modules in client interviewing, negotiation and advocacy.
Research
- Coventry was chosen to host three national Centres of Excellence in Teaching and Learning, funding investment in health, design and mathematics.
- Coventry's research institutes include Research Institute Europe and Research Institute Singapore.
- The Lanchester Library and Lanchester Gallery preserve the name of automotive pioneer Frederick Lanchester.
Schools & faculties
- The Arts and Society
- Engineering, Environment and Science
- Health and Care
- Business and Law
- National Institute of Teaching and Education
Coventry holds 5 QS Stars for employability (QS Stars University Ratings).
Student life
Coventry's campus sits in the city centre, so halls, lectures and the Lanchester Library are close together. University halls mix Coventry-owned and partner private buildings with 39- or 43-week undergraduate contracts, and a £90 advance licence fee secures a room. Accommodation is guaranteed for applicants accepted through Clearing. With more than 13,000 international students from over 160 countries, the campus has a strongly international mix, and the Students' Union runs clubs and societies.
- Students from over 160 countries.
- Lanchester Library at the heart of the city-centre campus.
- Sports Scholarships for about 40-45 athletes a year.
- Course essentials included in tuition fees.
Housing. Coventry-owned and partner halls offer 39- or 43-week contracts for undergraduates; applicants accepted through Clearing are guaranteed a room.
Location
Coventry is a city in the West Midlands with a long motoring and manufacturing heritage, reflected in the university's Lanchester name. It is ranked the 4th most affordable student city in England (QS Best Student Cities Index 2027), and the university describes its city-centre campus as a major presence that shapes the city's friendly atmosphere.
Nearest airport: Birmingham Airport (BHX)
Notable alumni
- IC Ian CallumCar designer and former Jaguar design director; studied at Lanchester Polytechnic's School of Transportation Design
- GM Gerry McGovernFormer Chief Creative Officer of Jaguar Land Rover; industrial design degree at Lanchester Polytechnic
- SA Sultan Al JaberUAE minister, ADNOC chief and COP28 president; PhD from Coventry University
- HC Hannah CockroftParalympic champion wheelchair racer; studied journalism and media
- AS Alison SnowdenOscar-winning animator (Bob's Birthday); studied at Lanchester Polytechnic
- JD Jerry DammersFounder of the Specials; studied art at Lanchester Polytechnic
- TT TBJZL (Tobi Brown)YouTuber and Sidemen co-founder; honours degree in computing
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for Coventry University?
Many courses on Coventry's 2027-28 pages ask for 112 UCAS points (BBC at A-level), while computing and engineering typically ask for 120-128. Eligible students receive a Fair Access Offer 16 points lower.
How much are Coventry's tuition fees?
UK fees are set at the government cap (£10,050 in England for 2027/28; the course pages still say TBC). International fees for 2027/28 are TBC; in 2026/27 they were £17,600 to £20,800 a year.
Does Coventry guarantee accommodation?
Coventry guarantees a room in university or private halls for applicants accepted through UCAS Clearing; other applicants should book early through the accommodation portal.
When can I start a degree at Coventry?
Many undergraduate courses have September and November 2027 start dates. Apply through UCAS by 13 January 2027 for equal consideration for September.
What IELTS score does Coventry require?
Usually IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component; check the course page for your programme.
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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