University of Staffordshire

University of Staffordshire is a respected and award-winning institution with a proud history of transforming education, careers, and communities for more than 100 years. Established in 1914 as a college created to educate workers for local industries, the institution has continuously evolved from a polytechnic into a modern university focused on innovation, employability, and real-world impact. In 2024, it entered a new phase by changing its name from Staffordshire University to the University of Staffordshire, reflecting a stronger commitment to serving Staffordshire and wider global communities.

Today, the university supports over 20,000 students from over 70 countries and is recognised for combining academic excellence with practical learning. Its mission is centred on helping students turn potential into achievement while making meaningful contributions to society. Employability is embedded into every degree, ensuring students gain hands-on experience, professional connections, and industry-focused learning that prepares them for future careers. With 80% positive graduate destinations, including graduates moving into graduate-level jobs within 15 months of completion, the university demonstrates strong career-focused outcomes.

The university operates across connected campuses, each designed to offer a distinct learning experience. The Stoke-on-Trent Campus, the original campus, honours the institution’s heritage while driving educational innovation. Located next to a mainline train station, it offers a vibrant, friendly, and well-connected student environment. The Stafford Campus is home to the Centre for Health Innovation, featuring advanced healthcare-focused facilities and cutting-edge resources. Meanwhile, the London Campus provides an interdisciplinary and career-focused approach to education in a modern urban setting.

University of Staffordshire continues to invest millions of pounds in modern facilities, equipment, and digital technologies. Students benefit from immersive simulation suites, accessible sports facilities, and support services such as the Ofsted-rated “Good” Woodlands Day Nursery.

Academically, the university is recognised for excellence and innovation. It was ranked 1st in the UK for Games Education by Rookies Games Design and Development in 2023 and 2025, strengthening its reputation in digital learning. It also launched the UK’s first Esports degree in 2017, highlighting its forward-thinking approach to emerging industries. Research quality is another major strength, with 87% of research impact rated “Outstanding” or “Very Considerable” in REF 2021. Through its schools in digital innovation, business, health, education, policing, sciences, justice, sustainability, and beyond, the University of Staffordshire continues to shape people, industries, and society through modern, career-driven education.

University of Staffordshire is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and positive environment where students can succeed academically, professionally, and personally. The university offers a wide range of student-focused services designed to help learners make the most of their studies while ensuring well-being, career growth, and academic development throughout their university journey.

Academic support is a key part of the student experience. Students have access to dedicated academic tutors who help strengthen subject knowledge and guide learning progress. For additional learning assistance, the Academic Skills team, based within the library, includes Academic Librarians and Skills Tutors who support students in developing essential abilities such as academic writing, critical thinking, research skills, exam preparation, and time management. This structured support helps students improve confidence and meet academic expectations effectively.

The university also continues to invest in modern library services. Beyond traditional study spaces and books, library resources are increasingly digitised, allowing students to access research materials, learning tools, and academic content whenever and wherever needed. This flexible approach supports independent learning and academic success.

Career preparation is strongly integrated into the student journey. The Careers, Placements and Employability team supports students from the start of their course through graduation and beyond. Students can access one-to-one coaching, CV guidance, career planning, employer events, careers fairs, and professional skills development.

The Careers Portal provides access to more than 4,000 job opportunities, along with UK placements, internships, international work experience, volunteering, study abroad opportunities, and funding access. Through Unitemps University of Staffordshire, students can secure high-quality part-time work and professional experience while studying. Graduates also benefit from paid internships, employment opportunities, and lifetime access to the Careers Service through the Graduate Hub.

For students interested in entrepreneurship, Be-Inspired offers practical business support, including guidance from entrepreneur mentors and business coaches for those planning to launch their own ventures.

The university provides mental well-being support through trained practitioners for students experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties. Peer Mentors and Wellbeing Peer Mentors also help students adjust to university life and promote mental wellness through practical and one-to-one support.

University of Staffordshire is also committed to inclusion and accessibility. The Student Inclusion Team helps disabled students by creating individual support plans and removing physical, emotional, and social barriers to learning. Students can also maintain physical wellbeing through the Sir Stanley Matthews Sports Centre, featuring a 70+ station gym, sports hall, and outdoor pitches. International students receive dedicated support through application guidance, visa advice, academic mentoring, English language support, Welcome Week activities, and year-round student advice services. In addition, Staffordshire Students’ Union enhances student life with free advice services, volunteering opportunities, over 100 student-led societies and sports clubs, and inclusive campus events, creating a connected and supportive university community.

The University of Staffordshire has built a strong reputation for academic quality, employability, research impact, and specialist subject excellence. While the university generally ranks outside the top 1000 globally in major international rankings, it performs competitively in UK-focused league tables and stands out for its career-focused education, social inclusion, and leadership in specialist disciplines such as Games Education and Design.

In global rankings, the university is placed in the 1201–1500 band in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, reflecting its international academic presence. It is also ranked 814th in the QS Sustainability Ranking 2026, highlighting recognition for its broader institutional development and sustainability-related performance.

Within the UK, University of Staffordshire continues to achieve notable positions in national university guides. It is ranked 82nd out of 123 UK institutions in The Guardian University Guide 2026, demonstrating its competitive standing in the national higher education sector. In the Complete University Guide Ranking 2026, the university holds 94th position, while The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 places it at 87th in the UK.

A major highlight is its national recognition for employability. University of Staffordshire was named University of the Year at the Academic Employability Awards 2026 by the Graduate Futures Institute. This reflects its strong focus on preparing students for career success through practical education, industry relevance, and graduate readiness.

The university also performs exceptionally well in inclusion-focused rankings. It was ranked 2nd for Social Inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026, showing its commitment to accessibility and student opportunity. Additionally, it was placed in the Top 5 for First Generation Students in The Mail University Guide 2026, reinforcing its supportive learning environment for diverse student backgrounds.

One of the university’s strongest academic achievements is in Games Education, where it is ranked 1st in the UK by Rookies Games Design and Development (2023 and 2025). It was also recognised as the TIGA Best Games Institution in 2024 and 2025, strengthening its reputation as a leading destination for game design and related digital disciplines. In design-related subjects such as Graphic Design and Product Design, programmes frequently appear in the Top 10 to Top 20 in UK national subject tables.

Research quality also strengthens its ranking profile. According to the Research Excellence Framework 2021, 68% of research is rated “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading,” while 87% of research impact is classed as “Outstanding” or “Very Considerable.” These achievements reflect University of Staffordshire’s growing academic credibility, specialist excellence, and strong career-driven value for prospective students.

Student life at the University of Staffordshire is designed to be supportive, practical, inclusive, and full of opportunity. The university offers a welcoming environment where students can study, socialise, grow professionally, and enjoy a well-rounded university experience. With diverse campuses, modern facilities, active student communities, and strong digital support, students are encouraged to learn, collaborate, and make the most of life beyond the classroom.

The university promotes a friendly and accessible community that values diversity, inclusion, and individuality. Students are part of an uplifting environment that encourages confidence, creativity, and personal development while preparing them for real-world success. Its campuses play a major role in shaping student life. The Stoke-on-Trent campus, the university’s largest campus, sits in the creative centre of the city and includes university-managed accommodation, Students’ Union venues, and the Sports Centre. The university has invested more than £80 million into facilities here, including The Catalyst, a flagship £43 million development, and 12 new simulation suites that provide practical learning environments.

The Stafford campus focuses on specialist healthcare education and professional training. It features advanced facilities, including one of the world’s largest immersive suites, where highly realistic floor-to-ceiling projected environments support practical learning. The London campus, located at the former Olympic Park, specialises in games, computing, and technology, offering industry-focused learning in a digitally innovative setting.

University of Staffordshire is also known for digital accessibility. It was the UK’s first higher education institution to migrate digital services entirely to the cloud. This allows students to access software, storage, and learning tools anytime and anywhere. Students benefit from unlimited access to Microsoft Office applications, OneDrive storage, Microsoft Teams, and key creative and technical software that support both academic and remote learning.

Sport and wellbeing are important parts of campus life. Students can participate in weekly British University & College Sports League competitions, High Performance Athlete programmes, regional and national league teams, or flexible social sports activities. The on-campus gym and sports centre include modern Matrix fitness equipment and affordable membership options.

Student engagement is strengthened through the Students’ Union, which offers over 100 student-led societies and sports clubs. These clubs create opportunities to build friendships, explore interests, and become part of a connected campus community.

Life beyond campus is equally enriching. Stoke-on-Trent offers city life, shopping, green spaces, and cultural heritage as the “World Capital of Ceramics,” home to Wedgwood and Spode. Stafford provides a historic town atmosphere with shops, restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions. Nearby Newcastle-under-Lyme adds student-friendly entertainment, restaurants, and nightlife.

Students also enjoy attractions across wider Staffordshire, including countryside escapes, museums, leisure activities, and destinations such as Alton Towers, Trentham Gardens, Cannock Chase, and the Monkey Forest. Excellent rail connections further improve student life, with direct travel links to Manchester and Birmingham in under an hour, and London and Liverpool in around 90 minutes. This combination of academic support, modern facilities, active social life, and strong regional connectivity creates a dynamic and rewarding student experience at University of Staffordshire.

Accommodation at University of Staffordshire is designed to provide students with a safe, comfortable, and community-focused living experience that supports both academic success and personal independence. Located at the heart of the Stoke-on-Trent campus, the university’s accommodation combines modern design, practical facilities, and inclusive social spaces to help students feel connected from the start of university life.

A major development in student housing is the University of Staffordshire Student Village and Village Hub, opening in September 2026. This new on-campus accommodation has been created to help students make friends, build independence, and feel a strong sense of belonging. With sustainable, high-quality architecture and carefully planned leisure spaces, the Student Village is designed to enhance the overall student experience.

The Student Village offers a wide range of room options to suit different lifestyles, preferences, and budgets. Students can choose from classic ensuite rooms, large ensuite rooms, studio rooms, deluxe studios, and accessible ensuite rooms. With 1,000 rooms available, students have significant flexibility when selecting accommodation that matches their needs. Whether choosing a sociable cluster flat, a townhouse with a more homely setting, or a private studio, there are options for different living styles.

Most accommodation is arranged in cluster flats and apartments, with some studio spaces also available. Students will have their own private ensuite bedroom, alongside shared kitchens and comfortable communal sitting areas that encourage social interaction and everyday convenience.

The location of the Student Village adds strong value to student life. Situated within the Stoke-on-Trent campus, students live close to social spaces, cafés, green areas, and academic facilities. A scenic footbridge provides easy access to lectures, while apartment blocks and townhouses overlook the university’s nature reserve and surrounding green spaces, creating a balanced environment between campus activity and relaxation.

Accessibility is a central feature of the accommodation design. The Village Hub and cluster flat blocks include lifts, ensuring step-free and level access across the accommodation. This supports inclusive living for students with different accessibility needs.

The Village Hub acts as a central social and wellbeing space for both resident and commuting students. Accessible from every level, it includes flexible event spaces, personal study areas, comfortable seating, reflection spaces, and access to wellbeing activities and ResLife services. It is designed to support social connection, study, and student wellbeing in one shared environment.

University of Staffordshire also provides strong housing support. Students who select the university as their top choice receive guaranteed accommodation for their first year. The university guarantees a room either in university-managed accommodation or through a trusted third party for all new students. For students moving beyond first-year housing, support is also available in finding safe and comfortable alternative accommodation.

Through Residence Life, the university focuses on creating a safe, affordable, and supportive living experience, making accommodation an important and positive part of student life at University of Staffordshire.