University of Bradford
A city university in West Yorkshire, first in England for social mobility and strong in optometry, pharmacy and health.
- Students
- 10,887
- 8,037 undergraduates
- International
- 27%
- of students
- Tuition
- £16,500
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1966
About Bradford
The University of Bradford traces its roots to a Mechanics Institute of 1832 and became the UK's fortieth university in 1966, with Prime Minister Harold Wilson as its first Chancellor. Its City Campus sits on Great Horton Road, a short walk from the centre of Bradford, and teaching is organised in two faculties: Health and Social Care, and Management, Sciences and Engineering, each with three schools.
Bradford is defined by who it teaches. It has been first in England on the Higher Education Policy Institute's Social Mobility Index four years running, and 73.5% of its entrants are the first in their family to go to university. It created Britain's first university Peace Studies department in 1973, became the first British University of Sanctuary in 2018, and has won Queen's Anniversary Prizes for dementia care and archaeology.
Typical offers for 2027 are 112 UCAS tariff points (about BBC) for courses such as Computer Science and Chemical Engineering, 120 for Law and 136 (AAB with sciences) for Pharmacy and Optometry. The university suits students who want professional, career-focused degrees, especially in health, in one of the UK's most affordable student cities.
Give invention light
University motto
Why students choose Bradford
Bradford has been ranked first in England on HEPI's Social Mobility Index in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Optometry is 2nd in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2027, and Paramedic Science is 3rd in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
International fees for 2027 entry are £16,500 to £17,312 a year, well below many UK universities.
Bradford topped StudentCrowd's 2025 table of the cheapest UK cities for student accommodation, with average rent of £100 a week.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Bradford does not publish an overall offer rate. Typical 2027 offers run from 112 UCAS tariff points for many courses to 136 points (AAB with sciences) for Pharmacy and Optometry, where shortlisted Pharmacy applicants are interviewed.
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels / UCAS tariff | 2027 typical offers: 112 points, BBC (Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Archaeology); 120 points, BBB (Law); 128 points (Paramedic Science); 136 points, AAB with Chemistry or Biology and a second science (Pharmacy MPharm) or two pure sciences at AA (Optometry) |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Converted to the same UCAS tariff total, with course-specific Higher Level subjects (e.g. HL Chemistry or Biology at 6 and another HL science at 6 for Pharmacy) plus English and Mathematics conditions |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 University standard: IELTS 6.0 with no sub-test below 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 80 (Reading 18, Writing 17, Listening 17, Speaking 20); Bradford's own BASALT test is also accepted. Some courses, such as Pharmacy and other health programmes, set higher requirements on the course page. |
Deadlines
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
Most courses; Bradford lists this as its equal consideration deadline for September 2027 entry.
- UCAS last date before Clearing Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time
Bradford lists 30 June 2027 as the late entry deadline, with Clearing from 2 July 2027.
Bradford's how-to-apply page lists the 2027 UCAS dates: 13 January 2027 (equal consideration), UCAS Extra from 25 February 2027, 30 June 2027 (late entry) and Clearing from 2 July 2027.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS with up to five choices and a personal statement. Some courses interview applicants, and health courses need DBS and health checks before an offer is confirmed.
What admissions looks for
- The published UCAS tariff total, from A-levels, BTECs, T-levels, Access or IB.
- Required science subjects and grades for health courses, such as Chemistry or Biology for Pharmacy and two pure sciences for Optometry.
- GCSEs at grade C/4 in English Language and Mathematics (and sciences for Pharmacy and Optometry).
- For Pharmacy, a successful interview, and for health courses, satisfactory DBS and health checks.
Tips for applying to Bradford
- 1 Check whether your course accepts T-levels or BTECs: Pharmacy does not accept T-levels, while Computer Science and Law do.
- 2 Pharmacy and Optometry expect science A-levels to include a pass in the practical element.
- 3 If you are a UK student with family income under £40,000, look at Bradford's Undergraduate Bursary.
- 4 Bradford does not run its own halls; apply early for rooms at The Green student village, its preferred provider next to campus.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
UK students with family income under £40,000 may be eligible for Bradford's Undergraduate Bursary (as advertised for September 2026 applicants). Scholarships searchable in Bradford's scholarship finder include the Keith Howard Opportunities Programme and The Rani Scholarship for undergraduates, and alumni get a fee discount on further study.
- For UK students with family income under £40,000
- Undergraduate Bursary (2026 applicants)
- About £100 per week
- Average Bradford student rent (StudentCrowd 2025)
Academics
Academic calendar: Terms (September start)
Optometry (MOptom)
2nd in the UK for Optometry in the Complete University Guide 2027; AAB with two pure sciences.
Pharmacy (MPharm)
Four-year professional degree, AAB (136 points) with Chemistry or Biology, with interviews for shortlisted applicants.
Paramedic Science (BSc)
3rd in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2026, taught with Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
Chemical Engineering (BEng/MEng)
5th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2026; 112 tariff points.
Archaeology (BSc)
Bradford's archaeology work won a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2021.
Law (LLB)
BBB (120 points) with no required subjects, and a sandwich placement option.
Research
- Bradford founded the first Peace Studies department at a British university in 1973.
- Queen's Anniversary Prizes for dementia care (2016) and archaeology (2021).
- A founding member of the World Technology Universities Network (2016).
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Health and Social Care
- School of Nursing, Public Health and Healthcare Leadership
- School of Allied Health Professions, Midwifery and Social Work
- School of Pharmacy, Optometry and Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Management, Sciences and Engineering
- School of Management
- School of Law and Social Sciences
- School of Computing and Engineering
Bradford was named University of the Year for Social Inclusion in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026.
Student life
Bradford is a compact City Campus on Great Horton Road, with lawns, willow trees and a Peace Garden between teaching buildings such as the J.B. Priestley Library. Many students are local, first in their family at university, or from ethnic minority backgrounds, which gives the university a grounded, diverse feel. The university does not run its own halls, so most first-years choose The Green student village next to campus or private housing, and Bradford is one of the cheapest student cities in the UK.
- The Green student village beside the campus, run by Homes for Students.
- The J.B. Priestley Library at the heart of the campus.
- Partnerships with Bradford City Football Club and the National Science and Media Museum.
- Named University of the Year for Social Inclusion (Daily Mail 2026).
Housing. Bradford does not own or run student accommodation; its preferred provider is The Green student village next to campus, and Unipol helps with other housing.
Location
Bradford is a large, diverse West Yorkshire city and was UK City of Culture in 2025; the university partners with Bradford 2025, the National Science and Media Museum and Bradford City Football Club. Leeds is a short train ride away and the Yorkshire Dales are within easy reach. Rent is among the lowest of any UK student city, averaging about £100 a week in 2025.
Nearest airport: Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)
Notable alumni
- MI Mo IbrahimTelecoms entrepreneur, founder of Celtel and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation
- GR Gibran RakabumingVice President of Indonesia
- RM Riek MacharSouth Sudanese politician and former Vice President
- TO Tony O'ReillyFormer CEO of H.J. Heinz Company
- JB Jean-Jacques BurnelBass guitarist of The Stranglers
- JM Jon McGregorNovelist
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for the University of Bradford?
Most 2027 courses ask for 112 UCAS tariff points (about BBC); Law asks for 120 (BBB), and Pharmacy and Optometry for 136 (AAB with sciences).
How much does Bradford cost for international students?
For 2027 entry, international fees are £16,500 a year for classroom-based courses and £17,312 for lab-based and health courses. UK students pay £10,050.
Does the University of Bradford have halls of residence?
No. Bradford does not own or run accommodation; its preferred provider is The Green student village next to campus, and Bradford was ranked the cheapest UK city for student rent in 2025.
What is Bradford known for?
Social mobility (first in England on HEPI's index), health courses such as Optometry, Pharmacy and Paramedic Science, and Britain's first university Peace Studies department.
What is the application deadline for Bradford in 2027?
13 January 2027 through UCAS for equal consideration; late applications are accepted until 30 June 2027, and Clearing opens on 2 July 2027.
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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