Oxford Brookes University
Oxford's modern university, on a hilltop campus in Headington, with strong architecture, motorsport and nursing degrees.
- Students
- 13,930
- International
- 30%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 13.6:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £19,300
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1865
About Oxford Brookes
Oxford Brookes began in 1865 as the Oxford School of Art in a single room of the Taylor Institution, grew into Oxford Polytechnic and became a university in 1992, taking the name of John Henry Brookes, the teacher who led the college for 30 years and wanted to make education available to all. Most teaching is now on the Headington Campus in east Oxford, across the Gipsy Lane, Headington Hill and Marston Road sites, with a second campus in Swindon.
The university has 12 schools in two faculties: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Health, Science and Technology. It is known for professionally focused degrees: Architecture confers RIBA Part 1 exemption, the Motorsport Engineering course feeds the Oxford Brookes Racing Formula Student team, the Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery trains many of the region's nurses, and Law students build skills through mooting, client interviewing and pro bono work.
Typical offers for 2027 are BBC (112 UCAS tariff points) for courses such as Computer Science, Nursing and Motorsport Engineering BEng, BBB for Law and Psychology, and AAB plus a portfolio for Architecture, with lower contextual offers. Brookes suits students who want a career-oriented degree with placements in a famous university city.
Why students choose Oxford Brookes
The BA Architecture confers exemption from RIBA Part 1 and includes RIBA mentoring and an end-of-year show.
Motorsport Engineering students can join Oxford Brookes Racing, the Formula Student team that Brookes says has been the top UK team and won the design award more times than any other UK university.
Computer Science offers a 12-month industry placement, with recent placements at IBM, Microsoft and PepsiCo.
UK students with household income under £35,000 receive an Oxford Brookes Bursary of £1,250 every year, with no application needed.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Oxford Brookes does not publish an overall offer rate. It makes most offers in UCAS tariff points: 112 points (BBC) for many 2027 courses, 120 (BBB) for Law and Psychology, and 136 (AAB) plus a portfolio for Architecture, with contextual offers around 88 to 112 points.
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels / UCAS tariff | 2027 typical offers: BBC / 112 points (Computer Science, Adult Nursing, Motorsport Engineering BEng with B in Mathematics and a science); BBB / 120 points (Law, Psychology, Motorsport Engineering MEng); AAB / 136 points plus portfolio (Architecture). Contextual offers: e.g. CCD for Computer Science, CCC for Psychology, BBC for Architecture. |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | 27 points (Computer Science, Nursing, Motorsport BEng), 31 points (Law, Psychology), 33 points (Architecture) |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 Many courses ask for IELTS 6.5 overall; for example Law requires 6.5 with 6.0 in reading and writing, and Adult Nursing 6.5 with no category below 6.0. Check the course page for the exact profile. |
Deadlines
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
Most courses.
- 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. Brookes also publishes guidance on late applications and Clearing.
How to apply
Full-time undergraduate courses starting in September are applied for through UCAS (institution code OXFD O66), and international applicants can also use UCAS. Some applicants can apply directly to Brookes. Architecture applicants upload a digital portfolio after applying.
What admissions looks for
- The published UCAS tariff total, which can be made up of A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
- Subject requirements for technical courses, such as B in Mathematics and B in a science for Motorsport Engineering.
- For Architecture, a portfolio showing creative ability (sketches, drawings, models, paintings or photographs) and, at interview, motivation and breadth of interest.
- For Nursing, a successful interview and satisfactory health and background checks.
Tips for applying to Oxford Brookes
- 1 For Architecture, read Brookes's portfolio guidance early: any creative work counts, even without a formal art course.
- 2 Check the contextual offer: several courses drop by two or three grades for eligible applicants.
- 3 Motorsport and mechanical engineering applicants can switch between engineering courses before Year 2, since Year 1 is shared.
- 4 International students can get a £2,000 scholarship for paying their deposit by set deadlines (September 2026 entry scheme).
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
The Oxford Brookes Bursary pays eligible UK full-time undergraduates £1,250 a year if household income is under £35,000, or £1,000 a year for £35,000 to £45,000, assessed automatically. International students can receive a £2,000 International Student Scholarship for paying their deposit by set deadlines (published for September 2026 entry), and there is a Tessa Jane Evans Bursary for nursing.
- £1,250 per year
- Oxford Brookes Bursary (household income under £35,000)
- £1,000 per year
- Oxford Brookes Bursary (£35,000 to £45,000)
- £2,000
- International Student Scholarship (Sept 2026 entry)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Architecture (BA)
RIBA Part 1 exemption, AAB plus portfolio, and also accredited by the Board of Architects Malaysia.
Motorsport Engineering (BEng/MEng)
Linked to the Oxford Brookes Racing Formula Student team; a graduate now works as a structural engineer at Williams F1.
Adult Nursing (BSc)
Taught by the Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery, with interviews for all shortlisted applicants.
Law (LLB)
The LawID programme adds mooting, client interviewing, pro bono and community legal projects with partners such as Citizens Advice.
Computer Science (BSc)
BBC typical offer with an optional 12-month placement at firms such as IBM and Microsoft.
Psychology (BSc)
BBB typical offer, with flexible work experience from 15 days to 3 months built into the degree.
Research
- Oxford Brookes researchers showed for the first time that the quality of the relationship between a dog and its caregiver affects the dog's long-term wellbeing (2026).
- An Oxford Brookes researcher worked with Oxfam to launch the first national charity fashion rental platform (2026).
- Oxford Brookes Racing competed against 133 international teams at Formula Student UK 2026 at Silverstone.
Schools & faculties
- School of Arts
- Oxford Brookes Business School
- School of Education, Humanities and Languages
- Oxford Brookes Law School
- School of Social Sciences
- School of Architecture
- School of Biological and Medical Sciences
- School of the Built Environment
- School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics
- Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery
- School of Psychology, Social Work and Public Health
- School of Sport, Nutrition and Allied Health Professions
Computer Science students can take a 12-month industry placement; recent placements include IBM, Microsoft and PepsiCo.
Student life
Life at Brookes centres on the Headington Campus, where the John Henry Brookes Building and the library open onto a central piazza, and the parkland around Headington Hill Hall is part of the campus. First-years can live in Brookes-managed halls or partnership halls run by providers such as Unite Students, and the university's BROOKESbus service connects its sites. Rowing is a strong tradition: Brookes rowers include Olympic champions Steve Williams and Scott Durant.
- Oxford Brookes Racing Formula Student team.
- A strong rowing tradition, with Olympic gold medallists among its alumni.
- The BROOKESbus service connecting university sites.
- The central piazza and John Henry Brookes Building at Headington.
Housing. New full-time students can apply for Brookes-managed halls or partnership halls through the accommodation portal; for September 2026, rooms were allocated to applicants holding an unconditional offer.
Location
Oxford is a compact, historic university city about an hour from London by train. Brookes's Headington Campus is in a residential area of east Oxford, uphill from the historic centre, and a second campus is in Swindon. Oxford has museums, parks and the river for rowing, but private rents are high, so budget carefully and apply for halls early.
Nearest airport: London Heathrow (LHR)
Notable alumni
- AA Adeel AkhtarActor and BAFTA award winner
- SW Steve WilliamsRower; Olympic gold medallist in 2004 and 2008
- SD Scott DurantRower; Olympic gold medallist in 2016
- JO Jay OsgerbyDesigner; co-designer of the London 2012 Olympic Torch
- MR Matt RichardsonComedian and presenter
- PA Peace Anyiam-OsigweLawyer and founder of the Africa Movie Academy Awards
- RT Roma TearneArtist, novelist and filmmaker
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for Oxford Brookes?
For 2027 entry, many courses ask for BBC (112 UCAS points), Law and Psychology ask for BBB (120), and Architecture asks for AAB (136) plus a portfolio. Contextual offers are lower.
Is Oxford Brookes part of the University of Oxford?
No. Oxford Brookes is a separate university; it began as the Oxford School of Art in 1865 and became Oxford Brookes University in 1992.
How much are Oxford Brookes fees for international students?
For 2027/28, international fees are £19,300 a year for courses such as Law, Computer Science and Architecture, and £20,800 for Motorsport Engineering. Home students pay £10,050.
Does Oxford Brookes Architecture need a portfolio?
Yes. Architecture applicants upload a digital portfolio after applying through UCAS, and selected candidates are invited to interview.
Can international students apply to Oxford Brookes through UCAS?
Yes. Full-time international applicants can apply through UCAS using institution code OXFD O66, by 13 January 2027 for equal consideration.
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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