Brunel University

Overview

Brunel University is one of a number of UK universities created in the 1960s. Originally Acton Technical College, based in Acton on the outskirts of London, it was decided in 1957 that the college should split into two sections – Acton Technical College and Brunel College of Technology. Brunel has been a university since 1966 and in that time has developed extensive and rewarding links with industry, commerce and other providers of education. Brunel now has over 14,000 students, including an international student contingent of some 2,500 originating from more than 114 countries.
Brunel University’s campus is situated on the western edge of London and is close to London Heathrow airport. Central London is just a short ride away by public transport but so too is the lovely countryside of the home counties.
Brunel University is one of the UK’s most ambitious, forward-looking universities and is well into a £250 million investment programme including, for September 2008, new on-campus accommodation.

Ranking

The Times Good University Guide ranking was 50 in 2011. Brunel University is a world class university with strengths in both research and teaching in a range of subject areas. The following departments and institutes achieved a high rating of 4 or 5 in the 2001 UK Research Assessment Exercise: Biological Sciences; Brunel Institute of Bio-Engineering; Design; Economics and Finance; Electronic and Computer Engineering; Politics; Human Sciences; Information Systems and Computing; Law; Mathematical Sciences; Mechanical Engineering; Business and Management; Systems Engineering; and the Wolfson Centre for Materials Processing.

Services for International Students

Brunel University offers a range of services for international students that aim to assist them with their academic, personal and social life whilst at the university. www.brunel.ac.uk/international/livingandstudyingatbrunel/supportandwelfare

Accommodation

The Brunel University Accommodation Office hopes to allocate all Main Scheme UCAS students who request accommodation on-campus prior to the start of session. However, no guarantee can be given to students who come through Clearing. Alternatively off campus accommodation options are available through the University Housing Office. The Accommodation Office continues to allocate rooms up to and beyond the start of term. At Uxbridge, there are single bedrooms for 3225 students. All the residences have facilities for self-catering, but on weekdays, students have the option to buy meals in the Refectory (termly meal tickets are available). Bedding is provided and linen is changed once a week. All rooms on campus are computer networked, with free internet access. Despite being close to London, the rents for a room on campus compare very favourably with other Universities. The weekly rent in 2006/07 varied from £75.04 for a standard single room to £92.05 for an en suite room at Uxbridge.

Campus

The big plus of living on Brunel University campus-based university is that the majority of your needs are catered for on-site, including the Library and Computer Centre, academic and teaching buildings, welfare services, catering and social facilities and even the halls of residence, if you are living in University accommodation. You can organise most of your day-to-day needs without leaving the campus. There is a bank and an insurance office, a pharmacy, and two general shops where you can buy groceries, newspapers, stationery and even top up your phone card, Oyster card and local travel card. The Computer Centre sells a range of IT-related products such as printers, network cables, memory sticks and disks, and the Students’ Union hosts a weekly fruit and veg market and Fair Trade stalls.

Health centre

Brunel University Medical Centre is on campus offering a large variety of services to students and members of the public. Make sure you register at the Medical Centre when you arrive and get up-to-date with your vaccinations. Phone: 01895 234426.

Welfare support

Brunel University Counselling Service offers emotional, psychological and mental health support. Counsellors are trained to listen, understand and to help clarify and address problems that may be interfering with student well-being and enjoyment of life. The service is free and available to all students of Brunel University and remains open throughout the summer vacation period for appointments and drop-in.

Location

Brunel University's campus is based in Uxbridge on the western edge of London. Uxbridge is in a prime location for reaching the transport network that embraces London and SE England. It is a short drive from the M4, M40 and M25 and has the added benefit of being on the edge of the London Underground network. There are also numerous bus routes running close to the campus. Entrance to the campus is via Kingston Lane.
Brunel University is based close enough to the capital to sample the delights of one of the greatest cities in the world, but far enough away to avoid the high costs, noise and the sheer number of people. Central London is just a short ride away by public transport, but so too is the lovely countryside of the home counties.

Entry requirements

Standard Level: IELTS 6.0 overall, minimum 5.0 in each section. Toefl iBT 79, minimum of 15 in each section.
Higher Level: IELTS 6.5 overall, minimum of 5.5. in writing, 5.0 in each other section. Toefl iBT 92, minimum 15 in each section (20 for masters courses).
URL: www.brunel.ac.uk