About the university
Bournemouth University (BU) is a public university on England's south coast. It became a university in 1992, with roots in Bournemouth Municipal College, and has about 15,600 students, 24% of them international.
BU teaches computing, cyber security, business, engineering, psychology and creative courses such as computer animation and visual effects. Many courses include an optional placement, which suits students who want UK work experience during their degree.
For Indian students the draws are September and January starts, one-year master's courses with an optional 30-week placement, and master's fees of about £19,700 to £19,950 a year. Class 12 with 65% is enough for many bachelor's courses.
- History
- Roots in Bournemouth Municipal College in the early 20th century; became Bournemouth University in 1992 (THE profile)
- Total students
- 15,605 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 24% (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 18.8 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Intakes
- September and January for many master's courses; some bachelor's courses also start in January
- Placements
- Optional 30-week work placement on many master's courses and placement years on bachelor's courses
Rankings
THE World University Rankings 2027
501–550 in the world
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
77th of 130 UK universities
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,688
- Duration
- 1 year full time (September start); 16 months (January start)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
MSc Marketing Management (Digital)
- Fee / year
- £19,950
- Duration
- 1 year full time (September) or 16 months (January); 2 years with a 30-week placement
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
MSc International Finance and Economics
- Fee / year
- £19,950
- Duration
- 1 year full time (September) or 16 months (January); 2 years with a 30-week placement
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,688
- Duration
- 12 months full time (September) or 16 months (January 2027)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
MSc Psychology (conversion course)
- Fee / year
- £19,688
- Duration
- 1 year full time (September); 16 months (January)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (5.5 in each component)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- £18,685
- Duration
- 3 years full time, or 4 with a 30-week placement
- Intakes
- January; September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Computer Animation & Visual Effects
- Fee / year
- £20,685
- Duration
- 3 years full time, or 4 with a placement
- Intakes
- January; September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Business & Management
- Fee / year
- £18,635
- Duration
- 3 years full time, or 4 with a 30-week placement
- Intakes
- January; September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Cyber Security | 1 year full time (September start); 16 months (January start) | £19,688 | ≈ ₹24 lakh |
| MSc Marketing Management (Digital) | 1 year full time (September) or 16 months (January); 2 years with a 30-week placement | £19,950 | ≈ ₹24.3 lakh |
| MSc International Finance and Economics | 1 year full time (September) or 16 months (January); 2 years with a 30-week placement | £19,950 | ≈ ₹24.3 lakh |
| MSc Mechanical Engineering | 12 months full time (September) or 16 months (January 2027) | £19,688 | ≈ ₹24 lakh |
| MSc Psychology (conversion course) | 1 year full time (September); 16 months (January) | £19,688 | ≈ ₹24 lakh |
| BSc (Hons) Computer Science | 3 years full time, or 4 with a 30-week placement | £18,685 | ≈ ₹22.8 lakh |
| BA (Hons) Computer Animation & Visual Effects | 3 years full time, or 4 with a placement | £20,685 | ≈ ₹25.2 lakh |
| BA (Hons) Business & Management | 3 years full time, or 4 with a 30-week placement | £18,635 | ≈ ₹22.7 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Bournemouth University with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Postgraduate, overseas fee status
Academic Excellence Scholarship
Value: From £3,500 off tuition (BU says postgraduate scholarships range from 20–50% fee reductions to full fee waivers)
Eligibility: Overseas applicants with strong academic results; check BU's international scholarships page for the current criteria and deadlines.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Postgraduate
BU alumni and family discount
Value: 20% off postgraduate tuition
Eligibility: BU graduates, or applicants with a family member who works at, studies at or graduated from BU. Terms apply.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 (Higher Secondary / Standard XII) with an average of at least 65%; some courses ask for more.
- A Foundation Certificate route is available with IELTS (Academic) 5.0.
- Apply through UCAS. The deposit for 2026/27 entry is £5,000, or £8,000 for students from Haryana and Punjab.
Postgraduate
- An Indian bachelor's (honours) degree from a recognised institution in a relevant subject with the required grades; most courses ask for the equivalent of a UK 2:2.
- Many master's courses accept January or September starts and offer an optional 30-week placement.
- MSc Psychology is a conversion course for graduates of other subjects.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Degree certificate and transcripts (for master's)
- IELTS or another accepted English test
- Personal statement
- Reference
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component for most courses on this page; MSc Psychology needs 6.5 (5.5 in each) |
| Foundation route | Foundation Certificate available with IELTS (Academic) 5.0 |
| Other tests | BU accepts equivalent qualifications; see its English language requirements page |
Accommodation and living costs
BU has halls across Bournemouth, including Student Village, Cranborne House, Corfe House and Dorchester House, plus partner halls such as Bailey Point (Yugo) and Purbeck House (Unite). Undergraduates take 40–42-week tenancies and postgraduates 50 weeks. Rents below are 2026/27 weekly rates including ResLifeBU and an optional bus pass.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Student Village non-en-suite room (UG 40 weeks, PG 50 weeks) | £153–170per week | ≈ ₹18,653 – ₹20,753 |
| En-suite room in BU halls (Cranborne, Corfe, Chesil, Okeford, Dorchester) | £161–203per week | ≈ ₹19,618 – ₹24,778 |
| Postgraduate en-suite (Chesil, Corfe, Okeford; 50 weeks) | £174–175per week | ≈ ₹21,263 – ₹21,359 |
| Studio (50 weeks) | £191–239per week | ≈ ₹23,350 – ₹29,146 |
Campus and location
BU's halls are spread across Bournemouth, from Student Village to houses such as Cranborne, Corfe and Dorchester House, plus partner halls run by Yugo and Unite.
- BA (Hons) Computer Animation & Visual Effects among its creative courses.
- Optional placements on many bachelor's and master's courses.
- Halls include Student Village and town-centre houses.
- Bus pass option included in many hall rents.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Placements are a major part of BU's offer: many master's courses include an optional 30-week placement and bachelor's courses a placement year. After graduating you can apply for the UK Graduate visa; see our UK guide for the rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in the UK
Photo: Hampshire County Council, OGL 3 PublicUniversity of Southampton (official website, opens in a new tab)
Southampton, United KingdomOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Data Science & AI
Photo: DrPhoenix, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicThe University of Manchester (official website, opens in a new tab)
Manchester, United KingdomOften chosen for Engineering, Business & Management, Life Sciences
Photo: Tim Green from Bradford, CC BY 2.0 PublicUniversity of Leeds (official website, opens in a new tab)
Leeds, United KingdomOften chosen for Business & Management, Engineering, Arts, Design & Media
Photo: Diliff, CC BY 3.0 PublicUniversity of Glasgow (official website, opens in a new tab)
Glasgow, United KingdomOften chosen for Life Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Law
Photo: Oscar Taylor, CC BY-SA 2.0 PublicCoventry University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Coventry, United KingdomOften chosen for Business & Management, Engineering, Arts, Design & Media
Photo: Simonham, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicUniversity of Birmingham (official website, opens in a new tab)
Birmingham, United KingdomOften chosen for Business & Management, Engineering, Law
FAQs
How much is a master's at Bournemouth University?
For September 2026 and January 2027 entry, international fees are £19,688 for courses such as MSc Cyber Security and £19,950 for business courses such as MSc Marketing Management (Digital). Placement years cost £1,900.
Can I start in January?
Yes. Many master's courses start in January (16 months full time), and some bachelor's courses, including BSc Computer Science, also have a January start.
What percentage do I need in Class 12?
BU asks for an average of at least 65% in Standard XII for most bachelor's courses; some courses ask for more.
How much is the deposit?
For 2026/27 entry the deposit is £5,000, or £8,000 for students from Haryana and Punjab.
Sources
- Bournemouth University: undergraduate tuition fees 2027/28 (opens in a new tab)
- Bournemouth University: entry requirements for Indian students (opens in a new tab)
- Bournemouth University: international fees and scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- Bournemouth University: MSc Cyber Security (opens in a new tab)
- Bournemouth University: BSc (Hons) Computer Science (opens in a new tab)
- Bournemouth University: accommodation price guide 2026/27 (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: Bournemouth University (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.bournemouth.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details