History, Affiliations and Rankings
The University of Bedfordshire dates back to 1882, but it became a university in 1993 when it was renamed the University of Luton. Established in August 2006 by order of the Privy Council, it became a University following the merger between the University of Luton and De Montfort University's Bedford campus. It is an internationally recognized modern and transformative Higher Education institution in the United Kingdom that is both dynamic and innovative. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has given the University of Bedfordshire's Human Resource Management (HRM) courses its seal of approval. The University is among the top universities of the world as per the reports of many renowned organizations. It ranks 67th out of 130 universities in the UK and in the #801-1000 bracket according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022.
Infrastructure, Campuses and Courses
Luton, Bedford, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes, and Putteridge Bury campuses make up the University of Bedfordshire. The Luton campus is right in the heart of town, with a brand-new STEM Building, a seven-story Library, and a Postgraduate & CPD Centre, as well as a variety of fantastic modern facilities to support each of the courses on offer. The Bedford campus is surrounded by green open spaces and is conveniently located near Bedford town centre and local amenities. The Gateway building, a three-story structure with high-quality teaching spaces, informal learning spaces, lecture theatres, and a new student services centre, is one of its highlights. The university offers 221 Undergraduate and 174 Graduate degrees. Students can select from a range of learning opportunities in the fields of Business, Health, Economics, Sciences, Management, Engineering and the Environment. International students can also opt for a foundational year to explore their field of interest
Accomplishments and Alumni
The QAA praised the University of Bedfordshire for its excellent higher education provision (QAA 2015). According to Times Higher Education's 2021 report, it is among the Top 300 Universities under 50 years old. It's also one of 21 business schools to receive the Small Business Charter's Bronze Award for Start-up and Growth Advice. The University Green League has ranked 8th in the country (People and Planet 2019). It also received the Platinum Award from EcoCampus in 2020. The University of Bedfordshire is always making improvements to its student facilities. In 2019, they inaugurated a £40 million STEM building on the Luton campus. Melvin Odoom (British Radio DJ), Gemma Hunt (British Presenter), Ben Myers (British Writer and Journalist), Becky Jago (Television Presenter) and Stephen Kelman (Novelist) are some of the famous alumni who have graduated from Bedfordshire University.
Student Diversity and Visiting Companies
The University of Bedfordshire welcomes international students from over 100 countries. With more than 40% of students coming from families where no one has ever attended College, the University is at the forefront of expanding educational opportunities. Around 70% are senior students returning to school, and more than half are from underrepresented Black or ethnic minority backgrounds in higher education. The University's student population is diverse. An increasing number of students are requesting hands-on work experience as part of their degree when considering their educational options. 12-week work placements as part of a student's three-year degree or one year in the industry are available in Bedfordshire. Many placement drives, webinars and seminars are conducted by the University of Bedfordshire for helping students in grabbing opportunities. Amazon, HSBC, Bank Muscat, NHS, Deloitte, EY, MAS Holdings and other multinational organizations recruit graduates from Bedfordshire University.
