Frequently Asked Questions
What courses do you offer?
Brunel offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Use the course search tool on the right of this page to browse our courses.
What's the difference between Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses?
An Undergraduate course is the first degree you will do. Once you have successfully completed this you are then able to go on to do a Postgraduate course if you wish.
How can I get a copy of the prospectus?
Click here to order a copy of the current Undergraduate or Postgraduate prospectus
How do I apply for an Undergraduate course?
You will need to apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Click on this link to find out more about applying to Brunel. You can also pick up some top tips on completing your Personal Statement by clicking here.
How do I apply for a Postgraduate course?
Click on this link to find out how to apply for Postgraduate Courses.
Do I need to have Maths and English GCSE?
Normally you are required to have Grade C in both Maths and English GCSE.
Will I be a home or overseas student?
Where it is unclear whether you should be classified as home or overseas for fee purposes, you will be asked to complete and return a fee status questionaire to the Admissions Office. Further details on the criteria used to determine the classification can be found on the UKCISA website.
What is Brunel’s Tier 4 sponsor licence number?
Our sponsor license number is 0BT931EY6 . Your student visa will need to show this number in order for you to be able to enrol on a course at Brunel.
When are the Open Days?
For the dates of Brunel's Open Day's click here.
Do I have to book for an Open Day?
Prior booking is essential. You can book by calling 01895 265596/5 or click here for the online booking form.
How do I get to Brunel and is the University well connected by public transport?
Click here for directions to Brunel by road and public transport
What is your campus code?
There is no campus code for Brunel.
What is your Institution Code?
B84
Do you do part time courses? Brunel offers part time courses in some subjects - use the course finder to search for part-time courses.
What are Sandwich courses?
Sandwich courses run over 4 years and include a work placement. Students following a four year thin sandwich course spend two periods on work placements, one in Year 2 and another in Year 3. On a four-year thick-sandwich route the whole of Year 3 is spent gaining work experience. The rest of your academic study follows the same pattern as the three-year, full-time route.
What's the difference between lectures and seminars?
You will be taught in a number of different ways depending on the course you do. All courses have an element of lectures and seminars, and some subjects such as Biosciences, Engineering and Sport Sciences will also involve laboratory sessions. Arts students will also spend time in studios and edit suites.
Lectures are generally held in large theatres with up to 300 students. A lecturer will teach you for approx 1-2hours about a particular area of the module you are doing.
Seminars are much smaller groups of about 20 students, where you will have the chance to ask questions and make presentations about the material in the lecture and, along with individual reading and study, ensure you understand it.
I have some questions regarding a course, who should I contact?
Our Course Enquiries number is 01895 265599. The best way to find out more about a course is to attend a Brunel Open Day. Following an Open Day you can contact the relevant School directly for further questions using the main University switchboard 01895 274000.
Can I transfer into an Undergraduate programme from another University?
Yes you can change from another University to Brunel as long as you meet the academic requirements for the course. You will need to contact our Admissions Office on 01895 265265.
What are the Term Dates?
Future Term Dates
How much will the course cost?
Further information on Student Finance.
Can I get help paying my tuition fees?
Yes. You will not have to pay for your tuition fees until after your studies and you can take out a loan to cover the costs. More information about the Student Finance Package.
Will first year students get a room on campus?
Main scheme first year students (excluding those who come through Clearing) are guaranteed on-campus accommodation for their first year. Clearing students may also be placed on-campus but this is not guaranteed.
How do I apply for Accommodation?
For information on our on-campus accommodation and how to apply click here.
How much does on-campus accommodation cost and will I need to pay a deposit?
The Accommodation Office requires a deposit to secure your allocation prior to your arrival. This will cost £350 (2012/13) for single rooms and £400 (2012/13) for co-habiting couple studio flats. Accommodation fees have been set for 2011/2012 (rents for 2012/13 will be set by June 2012) at the following weekly amounts:
| Uxbridge Campus | |
| Saltash, Chepstow, Clifton Halls (single room with washbasin) | £90.86 |
| Mill Hall (corridor layout en suite) | £113.75 |
| Bishop Complex, Faraday Hall, Fleming Hall, Galbraith Hall, Isambard Complex, Lancaster Complex (flat layout en suite) | £115.78 |
| Studio Flats (for couples), Isambard Complex | £174.02 |
Can I choose between en suite and standard?
You will be sent a preference email from the Accommodation Office, providing you with information of how to go online and submit your preference information. Please note that specific hall preferences cannot be guaranteed but you will be asked to give your first choice preference of either ensuite or standard accommodation.
Do I have to pay my accommodation fees before I move in?
Providing that you move in at the start of your Tenancy Agreement, the first instalment of rent will not be due until the end of October. Details of exact amounts and payment dates can be found on your Tenancy Agreement. Accommodation fees are paid in three termly instalments by undergraduates and four termly instalments by postgraduate students.
Do you have accommodation suitable for disabled people?
We have a number of ground floor flats that are easily accessible for wheelchair users. There are also rooms on the first and second floor that can be accessed by a lift, which would be suitable for disabled people but not wheelchair users. These rooms are all en suite and comprise of wider doors with low level locks, larger floor space and pull cords in place of light switches. Some rooms/flats also have fully automated doors and lower kitchen surfaces.
Are rooms cleaned?
Communal areas are cleaned daily Monday to Friday and individual en suite bathrooms are cleaned once a month. Cleaning is carried out in accordance with the cleaning rotas displayed in the residences
Do you provide bed linen?
Yes, we provide the following: 2 Sheets, 1 pillow, 1 pillowcase, 1 duvet cover and duvet are provided in all rooms on arrival, towels are not provided. Linen may be returned to the Residence Office if not required and this should be recorded on our inventory.
Do you provide utensils and crockery?
Each shared kitchen is equipped with a cooker, fridge/freezer and kettle but students are required to provide their own cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. Storage areas are provided in each kitchen.
What else do you provide?
- Furniture and fittings, bed linen and duvet
- Heating (First Monday of October to last Friday of April)
- Lighting and Water
- Clean accommodation on occupation and cleaning of communal areas regularly
- Shared or private bathrooms, shared kitchen and coin-operated laundry facilities.
- Insurance of the buildings
- Basic insurance of personal effects
- Site security staff.
- Repair and maintenance of the buildings
- Free access to the University computer network
Can students bring cars onto campus?
Students living on campus are not permitted to bring cars onto campus and it is unlikely you will need the use of a car in your first year. Students living off-campus are permitted to bring a car to the University. A parking permit is required if you want to bring a car on to campus.
What food outlets are there on campus?
We have the following food outlets on campus:
- More Food Hall, which serves hot and cold food all day
- Locos (Student Union bar).
- Bar Zest - this is the newly refurbished bar in the sports centre.
- Rococo Café.
- Campus Store - this is the University shop that sells drinks and snacks
- The Hub
- Pronto
What sports facilities are there on campus?
Brunel has very impressive indoor and outdoor sports facilities . We have the More Energy Fitness Centre which is over two floors; The ground floor being for resistance machines and free weights while the upstairs section has a majority of cardiovascular equipment. Gym 2000 is the recently refurbished weight-training centre, this is more for use of heavy weights. There are two multi-purpose sports halls. One of these halls has the artificial climbing wall, rated as one of the best in the country.
We also have treatment and therapy rooms, which are available to students, staff and members of the public. Please click on this link for further information about Brunel sport facilities and clubs that you can join.
Do you have a medical centre?
We do have a medical centre that is based on campus. The Practice is open from 8:30am to 6:30pm on weekdays, for general enquiries and the collection of prescriptions, letters and making appointments. There is a daily weekday Walk-in Surgery for students only, between 11.30am and 1.15pm during term time and between 12 noon and 1.00pm during vacations. A minimum of two doctors, including one lady GP, is available daily at walk-in surgery.
Do you have any Arts facilities?
We do have an Arts centre, which has different classes available to students, staff and members of the public. Click on the link below to find out more.
Who may I speak to about my disability needs?
Contact the Disability/Dyslexia Service: Room 315, Bannerman Centre Brunel University Kingston Lane Uxbridge Middlesex UB8 3PH Tel: 01895 265213 Fax: 01895 269767 Minicom: 01895 816246 Email: disability@brunel.ac.uk Website: www.brunel.ac.uk/disability
What is the area around the University like?
The Uxbridge campus is about a 15 minute walk into to the town centre and then a 40 minute train journey from Uxbridge Town straight into London. Uxbridge has two shopping centres: The Chimes and The Pavilions. Both have a variety of clothes shops ranging from high street stores such as New Look and Next to designer stores like USC and Repertoire. There are also a few music stores including HMV and CD Warehouse. The Chimes has a multiplex cinema based on the second floor and shows all the latest releases. There are also plenty of pubs, bars and restaurants in Uxbridge Town Centre.
What's the Students' Union like?
The Union of Brunel Students website is www.brunelstudents.com. This gives you the low-down on everything the Union can do for you. If you come to an Open Day don't forget to quiz our current students about life at Brunel!
What clubs/societies can I be a member of?
There are over 100 clubs and societies that you can join ranging from football and rugby to ultimate frisbee, sub aqua and sky diving, as well as interest groups, religious and cultural societies. You also have the option of setting up your own club. Click on the link below to find out what societies are already up and running. www.brunelstudents.com/societies.
