University of Roehampton

About University of Roehampton

Roehampton combines the structure of a campus university with access to London. The university’s registered address is Grove House, Roehampton Lane, London, and its official legal information identifies it as an exempt charity incorporated as a private company limited by guarantee. This supports its classification as an independent, nonprofit institution rather than a government-owned university or a commercial training provider. The modern university draws on four colleges with different educational and faith traditions. Whitelands began as a women’s teacher-training college in 1841; Southlands opened in 1872, Digby Stuart was established in 1874 and Froebel in 1892. These dates describe the constituent colleges’ histories, not an unambiguous founding date for the present legal university. The current institution was incorporated in 2004 and adopted University of Roehampton as its trading name in 2011. The collegiate system remains relevant to everyday student experience. Students are assigned to Digby Stuart, Froebel, Southlands or Whitelands, with membership linked to accommodation or the location of most teaching. The colleges organize events and provide community and wellbeing contacts. For applicants, the practical appeal is a self-contained southwest London campus with teaching, support, social activity and accommodation in one setting. Students who want a dense city-centre experience should weigh the travel involved, while those seeking a greener campus may find the arrangement attractive.

Undergraduate admission is course-specific. Roehampton normally expresses requirements through UCAS Tariff points and publishes the applicable threshold on each course page. Its general entrance framework recognizes qualifications including A levels, BTEC awards, T Levels, the International Baccalaureate and specified Scottish and Irish qualifications. Some courses also require particular GCSE subjects or equivalents, and professionally regulated programs may impose additional academic, health, safeguarding or placement conditions. UK undergraduate applicants generally apply through UCAS using institution code R48. International undergraduates may apply directly or through the route specified for their course and intake. Because the university’s application-support page contains both current intake material and at least one visibly outdated UCAS deadline reference, applicants should use the current UCAS calendar and their chosen course page for authoritative 2026/27 dates rather than relying on that older date. Postgraduate taught applicants apply through Roehampton’s online application system. General and program-specific requirements vary; applicants should review both before submission. International applicants are asked for academic certificates and transcripts, evidence of English proficiency, a personal statement and references. Visa applicants must also satisfy the English and documentation requirements needed for a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. Deadlines differ by intake, level, program and visa status. Some September 2026 visa-processing milestones had already passed or were approaching by August 2026, so late international applicants should obtain written confirmation that their intended intake remains available before paying deposits or arranging travel.

Roehampton offers study at undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research levels. Its published subject portfolio spans accounting, finance and economics; computing and artificial intelligence; allied health; architecture and the built environment; biological and biomedical sciences; business; criminology; dance and performance; education; engineering; law; media and journalism; nursing; nutrition; politics and humanities; psychology and neuroscience; sport; teacher training; and theology. Availability, start dates and delivery patterns should be checked on the individual course page because the portfolio can change by intake. Undergraduate options include standard first degrees as well as selected foundation-year, higher technical and apprenticeship routes. Postgraduate provision includes taught master’s study alongside research degrees. The Graduate School coordinates the research-student community and supports applications, researcher development, seminars and degree administration. Doctoral options include conventional PhDs in areas such as business, dance, education, humanities, law, life sciences, psychology and social sciences. Roehampton also lists professional doctorates, including counselling psychology, practical theology, education and business administration, plus a PhD by Published Works. PhD programs may start in October or January and can be available full-time or part-time, but applicants need to verify supervisory capacity and the exact course rules before applying. Students should distinguish courses containing required professional practice from optional work-experience routes. Placements are compulsory on some education, teacher-training and nursing programs. On many other undergraduate degrees, an optional placement year may be taken between the second and final academic years, subject to approval and the student securing a suitable position.

Key Highlights

• Independent exempt charity incorporated as a company limited by guarantee
• Trades as University of Roehampton while retaining Roehampton University as its legal name
• Four-college structure: Digby Stuart, Froebel, Southlands and Whitelands
• Registered with the Office for Students under UKPRN 10007776

Student Life & Environment

Student life is organized around both the university and its four colleges. Every student joins Digby Stuart, Froebel, Southlands or Whitelands and remains a member throughout their studies, including after moving off campus. College activity includes social events, formal dinners, exhibitions, award ceremonies and inter-college sports. This system can give commuters and residents a smaller community within the wider university, although the character and event schedule differ by college. The university lists a varied society network, including cultural, faith, academic, performance, identity-based and recreational groups. Examples include computing, law and psychology societies, student radio, dance and theatre, and several cultural and faith organizations. Applicants interested in a particular activity should confirm that it remains active with the Students’ Union. Support is centralized through services covering wellbeing, mental health, disability and dyslexia, financial guidance, academic support and careers. Nest serves as a broad first point of contact for issues ranging from accommodation to wellbeing. College Wellbeing Officers add a college-level support channel. On-campus halls are available in several room types, and the 2026/27 schedule includes contracts of different lengths for undergraduates and postgraduates. Housing is not a single standardized package: room facilities, location, contract duration and total price vary substantially, so applicants should compare the room-level terms before accepting an offer.

Location & Surroundings

The main campus is on Roehampton Lane in southwest London, close to Richmond Park and the residential districts of Roehampton, Putney and Richmond. It offers a greener and more self-contained setting than a central-London streetscape, with historic buildings, modern teaching spaces, accommodation and student services spread across the four colleges. The university describes central London as approximately 30 minutes away, but actual journey times depend on destination, traffic and connections. Roehampton itself is not served by a London Underground station, so many journeys involve a bus connection to nearby rail or Underground services. Applicants should test the commute from their intended accommodation at the times they expect to travel rather than relying on a single headline estimate. The location provides access to London’s employers, cultural institutions and transport network while retaining proximity to Richmond Park and southwest London neighborhoods. This balance may suit students who want a campus community without leaving the capital. Conversely, students expecting to walk directly into central London should budget for regular public-transport travel and include those costs in their planning.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For new full-time home undergraduate entrants in 2026/27, the Office for Students lists Roehampton’s prescribed fee for a first degree as £9,790. It lists £5,760 for a classroom-based foundation year, £11,750 for an accelerated degree and £1,955 for a sandwich year. These are regulated categories, not a substitute for the applicant’s course page and offer letter. International and postgraduate taught fees vary by course, while separate official schedules apply to research degrees. Students should also check for mandatory costs such as equipment, fieldwork, travel or performances. Official 2026/27 campus accommodation rates range from £115 to £230 per week in the published schedule. Undergraduate contracts shown range from 36 to 39 weeks, producing listed totals from £4,485 for a shared twin room to £8,740 for a premium-plus ensuite. The published 51-week postgraduate options range from £5,865 to £11,730. Availability and eligibility are not guaranteed merely because a room type appears on the fee sheet. Roehampton’s Student Futures service offers career appointments, workshops, employer events, vacancy resources and assistance with applications, CVs and interviews. The university states that graduates retain access to its careers service. On eligible undergraduate degrees, an optional placement year normally lasts 10 to 12 months between the second and final academic years. Students are responsible for securing a placement, which must be relevant and approved; support does not constitute a placement guarantee.