Bournemouth University

HISTORY

Bournemouth University (abbreviated BU) is a public university in Bournemouth, Dorset, England, with its main campus situated in neighbouring Poole. The university was founded in 1992 as one of the new universities, however the origins of its predecessor date back to the early 1900s.

The university was a finalist for two prizes in British higher education – the 2009 Times Higher Education (THE) Awards for “University of the Year” and “Research Project of the Year”.

Traditionally known for its focus on professional courses, in the 2000s Bournemouth University invested in research to underpin its curriculum and maximise its contribution to the regional and national economies. The university currently has over 16,000 students, including over 1,500 international students.

The university is recognised for its work in the media industries, being home to the Centre for Excellence in Media Practice (CEMP). Graduates from the university have worked on a number of Hollywood films, including “Gravity”, which was awarded the Achievement in Visual Effects Oscar at the 86th Academy Awards.

In September 2016, the Times and Sunday Times annual Good University Guide ranked Bournemouth University 6th in the South West and 62nd nationally.

The university was first founded in the early 20th century as the predecessor Bournemouth Municipal College. The institution initially offered courses to prepare students for degrees of the University of London (1942-1976). As early as 1965, in the House of Commons, the rate of students at the Institute was highlighted, and the Secretary of State was asked to consider a university application. At the time the Government did not intend to create any new universities until the late 1970s, and so Bournemouth would have to wait until the 1990s before its ambitions of gaining a university would be fulfilled.

In the 1970s the college became the Bournemouth College of Technology. Owing to a review by the Dorset Education Committee, also undertaken in the 1970s, the College of Technology changed once more to become Dorset Institute of Higher Education (DIHE).

Two foundation stones remain from the history of the university. The foundation stone for the College of Technology (1970s) resides in the main lobby of Poole House, Talbot Campus. The foundation stone for the Dorset Institute is mounted in Dorset House near what is now called The Edge. Bernard MacManus was honoured by Bournemouth University with an honorary doctorate in 2007.

COURSES

Bournemouth University is currently divided into the following faculties:

• The Faculty of Science and Technology (Archaeology, Anthropology, Biology, Geography, Design, Engineering, Computing and Forensic Sciences) – home to the Festival of Design & Innovation
• The Faculty of Media and Communication – home to the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy & Management (CIPPM), the Centre for Excellence in Media Practice, theNational Centre for Computer Animation and the Centre for Broadcasting History Research
• The Faculty of Health and Social Sciences
• The Faculty of Management – home to the International Centre for Tourism & Hospitality Research

The university validates courses in chiropractic for the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, an associate college of Bournemouth University.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

They welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Their offer making will typically be based on the students three main graded qualifications, including any required subjects. Additional study may be valuable for breadth of study, and they will look at a range of qualifications and subjects, including the Extended Project Qualification and General Studies, although these may not be part of their offer.

If the students do not meet the criteria of their original offer, they may still offer them a place. They will review their whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) and the rest of the application to see if the student have the academic potential to succeed on the course.

Each course has specific entry requirements which are detailed on their website.

ACADEMIC STRENGTHS

High employability. 93.6% of their UK-based undergraduate students were employed or in further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2014/15).

The Faculty of Media & Communication is the only place in the UK to be named a Centre for Excellence in Media Practice (CEMP).

A number of courses in the Faculty of Media & Communication are accredited by Creative Skillset and have been awarded the Skillset Tick.

They are recognised as world leaders in education and research for the tourism and hospitality sectors.

TEACHING STANDARDS

They are the first university to have achieved a ‘commended’ judgement for the quality of student learning opportunities from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), the highest award possible.

They have more students on work placements than any other university in Great Britain.

They are home to the UK’s only Centre for Excellence in Media Practice and the award-winning National Centre for Computer Animation.

Many of their courses are accredited by the biggest names in relevant industries. In total, 29 different bodies offer accreditation to courses at BU.

CAREERS GUIDANCE

Their Careers and Employability Service offers support and guidance to all current BU students and graduates (up to 3 years from graduation).

All of their undergraduate courses offer a work placement, with most offering a 40-week placement.

Their courses are designed with direct input from employers, and they recognise the importance of work experience as part of a degree.