University of Hull
A TEF Gold university in an affordable port city, with the UK's biggest Westminster placement programme.
- Students
- 13,250
- International
- 35%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 18.4:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £18,945
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1927
About Hull
The University of Hull was founded in 1927 as University College Hull, funded by a £250,000 gift and land from local philanthropist Thomas Ferens, and received its Royal Charter in 1954, making it the 14th oldest university in England. It celebrates its centenary in 2027. The poet Philip Larkin was its librarian for 30 years, and the Brynmor Jones Library he helped create is still at the heart of the Cottingham Road campus.
Hull is rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023. It is organised into the Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Education; the Faculty of Health Sciences, which includes the Hull York Medical School run with the University of York; the Faculty of Science and Engineering; and Hull University Business School, accredited by both AACSB and AMBA. Research strengths include renewable energy, flood resilience, palliative and wound care, and modern slavery.
Typical offers of 96-120 UCAS points, a 96-point contextual offer and low living costs make Hull accessible, while programmes such as British Politics and Legislative Studies, with a year working for an MP or peer, are distinctive. It suits students who want strong teaching and real-world opportunities in a friendly, affordable city.
Lampada ferens
“Carrying the light of learning” — university motto
Why students choose Hull
British Politics and Legislative Studies includes a 12-month Westminster placement working for an MP or peer, the UK's biggest programme of its kind.
Hull ranked first in England and Wales for students from low-participation areas in The Times Social Inclusion Ranking, and its contextual offer is 96 UCAS points.
Every new full-time undergraduate who applies by 31 August is guaranteed a room, with on-campus en-suite rooms from £99 a week.
Psychology students who complete specialist clinical modules can apply to fast-track onto Hull's integrated Clinical Psychology doctorate.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Hull does not publish an overall offer rate. Typical offers for 2027 entry are 96-112 UCAS points for most courses, 104-120 for Marine Biology, 128 for British Politics and Legislative Studies (with interview) and AAA plus the UCAT for Medicine at Hull York Medical School. The contextual offer is 96 points.
Typical entry requirements
| UCAS tariff (A-levels, BTEC and others) | 96-112 points (Psychology, Law, History, Computer Science, Nursing); 104-120 points with A-level Biology at grade C (Marine Biology); 128 points (British Politics and Legislative Studies); 96 points contextual offer |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | 28 points (Law, History, Computer Science, Nursing); 30 points with 5 in SL Maths (Psychology); 28-30 points including 5 in HL Biology (Marine Biology); 32 points (British Politics and Legislative Studies) |
| Medicine (Hull York Medical School) | AAA at A-level, 6 GCSEs at 9-4, and the UCAT |
| English language | IELTS 6 Academic IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each skill for most courses (e.g. Psychology, Computer Science, History, Marine Biology, Politics); 6.5 with 5.5 for Law; 7.0 overall with 6.5 in writing and 7.0 in the other skills for Nursing. |
Deadlines
- UCAS (Medicine, Hull York Medical School) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
MB BS Medicine; UCAT required.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
All other 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.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS (institution code H72; Hull York Medical School H75) with a personal statement. International students pay a non-refundable deposit to secure a place and receive a CAS. Foundation years are available for about half of courses, typically from 80 UCAS points.
What admissions looks for
- UCAS points in the typical offer range; Hull says it looks at the whole application, including achievements and work experience, not just grades.
- Subject requirements where stated, such as A-level Biology at grade C for Marine Biology and GCSE Maths at grade 4/C for Psychology and Computer Science.
- For Nursing, GCSE English, Maths and Science, an interview, a health and character declaration and a DBS check.
- For Medicine, AAA, strong GCSEs, a UCAT score and success at interview.
Tips for applying to Hull
- 1 Check the contextual offer criteria: if you meet two or more (such as first-generation or free school meals), Hull automatically makes a 96-point offer.
- 2 If you are a UK applicant with predicted grades of 128 UCAS points or more, apply for the Chancellor's Scholarship, which covers full tuition for 10 students a year (foundation-year and Hull York Medical School courses are not eligible).
- 3 Home students from low-participation postcodes (POLAR4 quintiles 1 and 2) automatically receive a £1,500 Cost of Living Bursary.
- 4 Apply for accommodation by 31 August to secure the room guarantee.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
Hull's Chancellor's Scholarship covers full tuition for 10 high-achieving students. Home students from low-participation postcodes receive a £1,500 Cost of Living Bursary, and there are awards such as the Hull to Westminster Bursary, sanctuary scholarships and a Talented Athlete Programme. International undergraduates from eligible countries receive a £2,000-a-year fee waiver.
- £2,000 per year (eligible countries)
- International Undergraduate Fee Waiver
- £1,500 (low-participation postcodes)
- Cost of Living Bursary (Home)
- En-suite rooms from £99 a week
- On-campus accommodation
Academics
British Politics and Legislative Studies (BA)
A 12-month Westminster placement with an MP or peer; Politics is 5th in the UK for teaching quality (Times Good University Guide 2027).
Medicine (MB BS)
Taught by Hull York Medical School with problem-based learning and clinical experience from the third week; ranked joint 10th in the UK by The Times Good University Guide 2027.
Psychology (BSc)
Taught since 1928, BPS-accredited, with an EEG lab, a Baby Lab and a fast-track route to the integrated Clinical Psychology doctorate.
Marine Biology (BSc/MSci)
104-120 UCAS points including Biology, in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Law (LLB)
96-112 UCAS points, with variants including Law with Politics, Criminology or Business Management.
Computer Science (BSc/MEng)
Sister degrees in cyber security and games programming; a placement year costs £2,010 for Home students.
Research
- Professor George Gray's work on stable liquid crystals at Hull in 1973 made flat-screen displays in laptops, phones and TVs possible.
- In 1984-85 Professor Stuart Palmer's team applied ultrasound to diagnosing osteoporosis, leading to heel scanners used worldwide.
- The Centre of Excellence for Data Science, AI and Modelling (DAIM) opened in 2023.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Education
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Hull University Business School
- Hull York Medical School
Hull ranked 28th in the UK for graduate prospects in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027; Psychology and Politics each report 95% of students in work or further study 18 months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes).
Student life
Hull's campus is a compact site on Cottingham Road, with the Brynmor Jones Library, sports facilities and the students' union close together. New full-time undergraduates are guaranteed a room if they apply by 31 August, and on-campus en-suite rooms start from £99 a week. The university has a Team GB partnership, and Hull's low rents mean a student loan goes further than in most UK cities. The city's culture scene grew after Hull was UK City of Culture in 2017, with the university as principal partner.
- Accommodation guarantee and over 2,300 rooms.
- Brynmor Jones Library, shaped by poet-librarian Philip Larkin, with an art gallery and exhibition hall.
- Team GB partnership.
- University centenary celebrations in 2027.
Housing. New full-time undergraduates who apply by 31 August are guaranteed a room in university-owned, managed or directed accommodation, with on-campus en-suite rooms from £99 a week.
Location
Kingston upon Hull is a port city on the Humber estuary in East Yorkshire, which the university describes as a proud port with a strong streak of Northern friendliness and independent thinking. It was UK City of Culture in 2017 and was named by Time Out as the second-best place to visit in the UK in 2024. It is one of the most affordable student cities in the UK.
Nearest airport: Humberside Airport (HUY); Leeds Bradford (LBA) and Manchester (MAN) for more routes
Notable alumni
- GI Guido ImbensEconomist and 2021 Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences; degree in Economics and Econometrics from Hull
- DS Dame Sarah GilbertVaccinologist who led the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine project; PhD from Hull
- JP John PrescottDeputy Prime Minister 1997-2007; BSc in economics and economic history
- AM Anthony MinghellaPlaywright and director of The English Patient; studied drama
- RM Roger McGoughPoet and broadcaster; studied French and Geography
- AG Anthony GiddensSociologist known for structuration theory; degree in sociology and psychology
- JM John McCarthyJournalist and former Lebanon hostage; BA in American Studies
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for the University of Hull?
Most courses ask for 96-112 UCAS points for 2027 entry, with higher offers for some courses such as British Politics and Legislative Studies (128). Hull's contextual offer is 96 points.
How much does Hull cost for international students?
For 2027/28, £18,945 a year for arts, social science and education courses and £21,520 for science, engineering and health courses. Students from eligible countries get a £2,000-a-year fee waiver.
Does Hull guarantee accommodation?
Yes, for new full-time undergraduates who apply by 31 August in their year of entry.
How do I apply for Medicine at Hull?
Medicine is taught by Hull York Medical School (UCAS code H75). Apply by 15 October 2026 with the UCAT; the typical offer is AAA.
What IELTS score does Hull require?
Usually academic IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each skill; Law requires 6.5 and Nursing 7.0.
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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