Buckinghamshire New University

Founded in 1891 as a School of Science and Art, Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) has developed a strong academic heritage spanning more than 130 years. Today, the university is a modern higher education institution with over 8,000 students, delivering career-focused programmes designed to meet the evolving needs of global industries. Since gaining university status in 2007, BNU has expanded rapidly, introducing innovative courses and strengthening its reputation for practical, employment-focused education.

BNU operates state-of-the-art campuses in High Wycombe, Uxbridge and Aylesbury, located in lively towns within Buckinghamshire just outside London. The main High Wycombe campus hosts the majority of undergraduate and postgraduate students, while the Uxbridge campus is home to the Medicine and Nursing faculties. The university’s location offers excellent connectivity, with central London just 30 minutes away and Heathrow Airport only 20 minutes away, alongside strong transport links to Oxford, Reading and Birmingham.

The university is recognised for high-quality teaching and strong student outcomes. In the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023, BNU received a Silver award for both Student Experience and Student Outcomes, while 44% of its research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. BNU was also named University of the Year for South East England in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2025 and ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK for teaching quality in The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.

Academic provision is organised across three colleges: the College of Creative Arts, Technology and Engineering; the College of Health and Society; and the College of Leadership and Innovation. These colleges provide cutting-edge facilities, industry-standard equipment and advanced technology to support practical learning. The university is particularly known for offering career-focused courses and distinctive programmes such as Policing and the award-winning Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training.

BNU places students at the centre of its community. The Bucks Students’ Union offers a wide range of activities, societies and skill-building opportunities, with the university making significant financial investment so that most student activities are free of charge, ensuring no barriers to participation. In addition, apprenticeship programmes form a major part of BNU’s academic offering, and this provision was rated “Good” by Ofsted in 2023. The university has also been recognised for its cost-of-living support initiatives, reflecting its commitment to supporting students throughout their studies.

With students from more than 50 countries, BNU fosters an inclusive international community where research, innovation and strong industry connections combine to prepare graduates with the skills, knowledge and confidence needed for successful global careers.

Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) provides a comprehensive range of student support services designed to ensure every student succeeds academically, personally and professionally. With students from across the world, BNU promotes a supportive and inclusive community where every individual is welcomed and encouraged to grow. The university fosters an environment where students can explore new opportunities, overcome challenges and thrive throughout their academic journey.

Student welfare and safety are supported through the Report and Support system, which allows students and staff to report concerns confidentially related to wellbeing, discrimination, harassment or misconduct. Reports can be submitted anonymously or with a request for advisor support, ensuring access to professional guidance when needed.

The Student Hub acts as the main point of contact for everyday student enquiries. A highly trained team assists with matters such as student finance questions, official letter requests and council tax exemption documentation. If specialist assistance is required, the Hub connects students directly with the appropriate university services.

BNU also provides dedicated health and well-being support, recognising that both physical and mental health are essential to academic success. Services include counselling and specialised support relating to inclusion, diversity and disability.

Financial support is available for undergraduate, postgraduate and international students through bursaries and scholarships. In addition, BNU has been ranked the number one university for its response to the cost-of-living crisis, reflecting its strong commitment to student welfare. This dedication to student support contributed to BNU being named University of the Year for South East England in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2025.

Academic development is supported by the Learning and Achievement Centre, which helps students strengthen key skills such as essay writing, research techniques and CV development from the first day of study. The Career Success team offers personalised career guidance, including one-to-one advice, CV and LinkedIn support, and access to the Careers Portal.

BNU is also a Next Generation Inclusive University Partner with EmployAbility, enhancing support for students with physical or mental health conditions and neurodivergent students. The university additionally holds the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services quality membership standard, demonstrating its commitment to equality, diversity, impartiality and professional integrity.

Students and graduates have ongoing access to job opportunities through Handshake and the MyBNUFuture careers portal. The BNU Mentoring programme connects students with industry professionals, allowing them to build professional networks and strengthen their CV during their studies. Alongside academic learning, students develop important BNU Graduate Attributes, equipping them with essential professional skills for future careers.

International students receive extensive support through the International Lounge, which provides a welcoming space for advice on academic matters, English language courses, accommodation and healthcare. New students benefit from free airport collection, as well as a faculty-led orientation programme that includes campus tours, visa guidance and introductions to the local area.

The International Friends’ Scheme further supports new arrivals by connecting them with current students and alumni who guide before and during their studies.

Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) is recognised across several national and international rankings for its teaching quality, student satisfaction, facilities and career outcomes. These rankings reflect the university’s focus on delivering practical education, strong academic support and career-focused learning.

In major UK league tables for 2026, BNU is ranked 73rd in The Guardian University Guide, 97th in the Complete University Guide, and 120th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide. The university is also placed 182nd in the Europe University Rankings – Northern Europe 2026, demonstrating its growing recognition across the region.

BNU performs strongly in several performance indicators. In the Guardian University Guide 2026, the university ranks 4th in the UK for assessment and feedback, 7th for teaching quality, and 6th for resources invested per student. It also ranks 19th in the UK for the “value-added” metric, which measures how effectively universities support students in achieving strong academic outcomes.

Student experience remains a key strength. BNU is second in South East England for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2026 and 12th in the UK for facilities spend. Facilities have also been recognised as 1st in South East England in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards (WUSCA) 2025.

The university was named University of the Year for South East England in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2025 and the National Student Survey (NSS) 2025. BNU’s Students’ Union is ranked among the top five in the UK in the NSS 2025 and first in South East England in WUSCA 2025.

In research education, BNU ranked 1st nationally for resources, research culture, community, progression, responsibilities and support in the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2024, and 3rd nationally for overall postgraduate research student satisfaction.

Graduate outcomes are also strong, with BNU ranked in the top 10 UK universities for the proportion of graduates earning more than £45,000 within 15 months of graduation according to HESA Graduate Outcomes data (2022/23, released July 2025).

The university also receives recognition for its specialist subject areas. In the Guardian University Guide 2026, BNU ranks 4th in the UK for Mental Health Nursing, 18th for Animation and Games Design, 20th for Fashion and Textiles, 22nd for Film Production and Photography, and 25th for both Dance and Drama and Fine Art. These rankings highlight the university’s strengths in creative, health and performance-related disciplines.

Student life at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) is vibrant, engaging and designed to ensure every student has an enriching university experience. The university focuses on creating a supportive and exciting environment where students can explore new opportunities, meet people from different backgrounds and develop both personally and professionally.

BNU’s modern campuses are located in three lively towns just outside London, giving students easy access to one of the world’s most dynamic cities. With excellent transport connections, students can travel quickly to London, Oxford, and other parts of the UK by direct train or tube. The university also offers a free shuttle bus service between the High Wycombe and Uxbridge campuses, allowing students to access facilities, events and Students’ Union activities across locations.

The High Wycombe Campus, the main campus of BNU, sits in the heart of High Wycombe, the largest town in Buckinghamshire and only about 30 minutes from central London. The campus features modern facilities including personal Art and Design workspaces, a gym, and professional Film and TV studios. The town itself offers a lively High Street, a thriving street market and the Eden Shopping Centre, providing students with a variety of shopping and entertainment options.

Healthcare students are primarily based at the Uxbridge Campus, located in Uxbridge, which is dedicated to Nursing, Healthcare and Allied Health programmes. Meanwhile, the Aylesbury Campus in Aylesbury, the county town of Buckinghamshire, offers specialist work-related courses such as nursing, business, law, computing, foundation year programmes and apprenticeships. The town is known for its traditional markets, modern shopping centres, countryside attractions, restaurants and family-friendly activities.

Student engagement is driven by the Bucks Students’ Union through “The Big Deal”, which provides free access to societies, sports, volunteering opportunities, workshops and events. The on-campus Students’ Union venue holds up to 1,100 people and regularly hosts live touring bands, DJ nights, comedy, theatre and exhibitions.

Students can also join over 25 sports teams across 15 disciplines, including football, rugby, netball and hockey, or participate in a wide range of societies—from boxing and baking to music and creative clubs. Social spaces such as cafés, lounges and dining areas offer places to relax, collaborate and enjoy meals prepared by professional chefs.

Overall, student life at BNU combines strong academic support with an active social scene, modern facilities and exciting opportunities, creating a dynamic university experience both on and off campus.

Accommodation at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) is designed to provide students with a comfortable, secure and welcoming place to live while studying. Moving to university is an important step, and BNU supports new students with a guaranteed accommodation offer, ensuring peace of mind when starting university life. The university guarantees a place in one of its High Wycombe halls of residence for all new students joining in September, helping students settle quickly into their new environment.

BNU provides three self-catering halls of residence in High Wycombe, offering over 800 single study bedrooms. These residences are designed to suit different budgets and lifestyles while providing a supportive student community.

Hughenden Student Village is located around a 15-minute walk from the High Wycombe Campus. Students can choose between ensuite rooms with a shared kitchen-diner in flats of six, or studio rooms with a private kitchenette. All rooms include Wi-Fi and Ethernet internet access.

Windsor House, situated in the centre of High Wycombe, is only a five-minute walk from the university. The accommodation offers ensuite bedrooms with shared kitchen-diner facilities or studio rooms with kitchenettes, along with full internet connectivity.

Brook Street Halls of Residence are also five minutes from the High Wycombe Campus. Flats typically contain six to ten bedrooms, sharing a kitchen-diner, two shower rooms and two toilets. Each bedroom includes a private washbasin and internet access.

Students who prefer to live off campus or closer to the Uxbridge or Aylesbury campuses can receive support from the university’s Accommodation Service team. The team assists with private rentals, including contract checks, landlord advice and housing guidance, and students can also search for housing through StudentPad, BNU’s dedicated online student lettings platform.