Oxford Brookes University

Oxford Brookes University is a public university based in the historic city of Oxford, England. With roots going back to 1865, it gained full university status in 1992 and has since built a strong reputation for career-focused teaching, applied research, and excellent graduate employability. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Oxford Brookes is ranked #374 globally — placing it in the top quarter of the 1,501 universities evaluated worldwide, and 38th among the 90 UK institutions in the ranking. The university is particularly well regarded for subjects such as architecture, business, hospitality and leisure management, automotive engineering, and nursing.

For international students, Oxford Brookes offers an attractive combination: a genuinely world-famous university city, tuition fees that are competitive by UK standards (indicative international undergraduate fees of around £17,250–£19,700 per year for 2026/27), automatic international scholarships of £2,000, and strong links with employers. Around 18,000 students study at Brookes, including more than 3,400 international students from 145 countries. This guide covers everything you need to know: Oxford Brookes rankings, popular programs, admission requirements, tuition fees, cost of living in Oxford, scholarships, campus and accommodation, deadlines, and the UK Student visa. All figures below are indicative and sourced from published third-party guides — always verify the latest numbers on the official university website before applying.

Oxford Brookes University Rankings 2026

Oxford Brookes is one of the UK’s leading modern universities. Its headline rankings for 2026 are summarised below:

The QS 2026 result is Oxford Brookes’ best in several years — the university itself announced that it had climbed 42 places to 374th out of 1,501 institutions, placing it in the top 25% of universities evaluated worldwide. It performed particularly strongly on international engagement: 143rd globally for International Student Diversity and 168th for International Students, reflecting the breadth of its international community.

At subject level, Oxford Brookes has notable strengths. In recent QS subject rankings it has been placed in the 51–100 range for Architecture and Built Environment, and in the 101–150 range for Accounting and Finance. The Guardian has ranked it in the UK top 10 for subjects including Children’s Nursing, Midwifery, Journalism and Graphic Design (indicative, check current guides). The university was also named among the world’s best in 23 subject areas in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.

Why Choose Oxford Brookes University?

There are several reasons international students choose Oxford Brookes. First, location: Oxford is one of the world’s most famous university cities, with outstanding libraries, museums, and cultural life, yet Brookes’ fees are significantly lower than those of many Russell Group universities. Second, employability: Brookes has a career-focused curriculum with placement opportunities, strong employer links, and reported average graduate salaries of around £32,000 (indicative, third-party estimates). Third, the university is known for welcoming international students — with dedicated support services, pre-sessional English programmes, and an automatic £2,000 International Student Scholarship for new full-time international students who pay their deposit by the relevant deadline.

Brookes is also a practical choice for students who want an applied, industry-connected education. Its automotive engineering programmes have close ties to the motorsport industry centred in “Motorsport Valley” around Oxfordshire; its business school offers an internationally recognised Global MBA; and its health and life sciences courses benefit from strong NHS partnerships. For students from India, Bangladesh, Nigeria and other major source countries, Brookes’ relatively straightforward entry requirements (typically around 65–70% in Class 12 for undergraduate entry, or a bachelor’s at 55–65% for postgraduate entry) make it an accessible option without compromising on the prestige of an Oxford address.

Popular Programs at Oxford Brookes University

Oxford Brookes offers hundreds of courses across four faculties. Below are some of the most popular choices for international students, with indicative durations:

Undergraduate programs (typically 3 years full-time; 4 with placement/sandwich year)

Postgraduate programs (typically 1 year full-time)

Brookes also offers foundation and pathway programmes for students who do not yet meet direct-entry requirements, plus pre-sessional English courses for those who need to raise their English score before starting a degree.

Oxford Brookes University Admission Requirements 2026

Undergraduate entry

Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS (institution code OXFD O66). As a guide for Indian applicants: most bachelor’s programmes ask for around 65–70% in Class 12 (CBSE, ISC or state boards), mapped to A-level tariff points — roughly 70% equates to an ABB profile, 65% to BBB/BBC, and 60% to CCC/CCD (indicative mappings reported by third-party guides). For Bangladeshi students, the HSC is generally considered alongside other qualifications; students who do not meet direct-entry requirements can apply through the university’s foundation or pathway routes. IB Diploma holders are considered for direct entry with typical offers in the 30–34 point range (indicative, varies by course). A-level applicants typically need between CCC and AAB depending on the programme.

All undergraduate applicants need a personal statement and (usually) one academic reference. There is no direct application fee from the university for UG — you pay the standard UCAS application fee (around £34.50 for up to five choices).

Postgraduate entry

Postgraduate taught applicants apply directly to the university through its online portal (no application fee). For Indian bachelor’s degrees, Brookes typically maps a UK 2:2 to around 55% (national institutes), 60% (central/state universities) or 65% (private/deemed universities), and a UK 2:1 to around 60% or higher (indicative). Most master’s programmes ask for a 2:1 or 2:2 in a relevant subject. Work experience is not generally required except for the MBA and some professional programmes. GMAT/GRE are not required for the Global MBA or MSc International Business Management (indicative). You will need a personal statement and usually one or two references.

Research degrees

PhD and MPhil applicants need a good master’s degree (or a strong bachelor’s in some science subjects) plus a research proposal. Contact a potential supervisor before applying — this significantly improves your chances.

English Language Requirements

Oxford Brookes accepts IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Duolingo English Test, among others. Typical requirements:

English waivers: Indian students with 60% or above in Class 12 English (CBSE/CISCE) may be exempt from IELTS for standard courses; courses requiring IELTS 6.5 typically ask for 70% in Class 12 English. Always confirm the waiver in writing with the admissions team, as policies can change.

Oxford Brookes University Tuition Fees for International Students (2026)

Fees vary by course and are revised annually. The indicative 2026/27 international fee ranges reported by third-party guides are:

International offer holders are generally asked to pay a tuition deposit (indicatively around £2,500, but confirm the exact amount in your offer letter) to secure their place and trigger the CAS process. Budget for annual fee increases of a few percent.

Cost of Living in Oxford (2026)

Oxford is a moderately expensive UK city. Third-party guides estimate student living costs of around £1,400–£1,855 per month (roughly £323–£428 per week as estimated by the university). A realistic monthly budget:

Money-saving tips: Headington and Cowley are popular student areas, though they should not automatically be assumed cheaper — compare total costs including transport. University halls often include utilities and internet, which simplifies budgeting. Oxford is compact, so many students save on transport by cycling. International students on a Student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time (full-time in vacations), which can offset part of the living costs — though you must show the required maintenance funds for the visa regardless of planned earnings.

Oxford Brookes University Scholarships for International Students

Oxford Brookes offers automatic tuition-fee discounts for international students, plus external funding routes:

How to maximise your chances: Only one internal Brookes award normally applies per year, so you cannot stack the £2,000 awards. The key step is paying your tuition deposit by the earliest relevant deadline — awards are generally automatic once the deposit clears, with no separate scholarship form. Apply early: scholarship-linked deposit deadlines fall well before the course start date.

Campus and Facilities

Oxford Brookes is spread across campuses in Oxford, centred on Headington Campus (the main site, home to most teaching, the main library, and the Students’ Union), with additional sites at Harcourt Hill (education, sport and health-related programmes) and Wheatley (engineering and computing). The Headington campus has seen major investment, including modern teaching buildings, laboratories, and the John Henry Brookes Building with its library, lecture theatres, and social spaces.

Facilities include well-equipped engineering workshops and motorsport labs, architecture studios, nursing clinical-skills suites, a business school trading room, and extensive IT and library resources. The university’s sport facilities at Harcourt Hill include pitches, courts and a gym. Being in Oxford, students also benefit from the city’s world-famous libraries, museums (such as the Ashmolean and the Natural History Museum), and cultural life — plus easy rail links to London (around an hour).

Accommodation Options

Oxford Brookes guarantees accommodation for new full-time students who apply by the published deadline (check the current year’s terms). Options include:

Tips: Apply for university accommodation as soon as you accept your offer — Oxford’s private rental market is competitive. January-entry students should note that university-managed rooms depend on availability. Always check what is included (bills, contents insurance) before signing a private contract.

Application Deadlines and Intakes 2026

Deadlines are indicative — popular courses can close early once full. Apply as early as possible, especially if you need a Student visa, since the CAS, deposit and visa steps take several weeks.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

1. Choose your course and check the specific entry and English requirements on the official course page.
2. Prepare documents: academic transcripts and certificates (translated if needed), personal statement (~500 words), one or two references, English test results or waiver evidence, passport copy.
3. Submit your application: undergraduates via UCAS (institution code OXFD O66); postgraduates directly through the Oxford Brookes online portal (no application fee).
4. Receive your offer — conditional or unconditional — and check any conditions carefully.
5. Accept the offer and pay the tuition deposit by the deadline shown in your offer letter (this also secures the £2,000 scholarship if eligible).
6. Complete any pre-CAS checks (such as the CAS Shield interview) and receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
7. Apply for your UK Student visa with the CAS, financial evidence, and other required documents.
8. Arrange accommodation and travel, and attend enrolment and orientation.

UK Student Visa — Key Points

International students need a UK Student visa to study a full-time degree at Oxford Brookes. Key points:

• CAS: You need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from the university, issued after you meet all offer conditions and pay the deposit.
• Financial requirement: You must show funds for the first year’s tuition plus living costs: £1,023 per month for up to 9 months if studying in London, or £820 per month for up to 9 months outside London (Oxford counts as outside London). Funds must normally be held for 28 consecutive days.
• Visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Budget for both — the IHS gives access to the NHS during your studies. Check current amounts on gov.uk.
• Work rights: Up to 20 hours per week during term time; full-time during official vacations.
• Graduate Route: After completing your degree, you can apply for the Graduate visa, allowing 2 years of post-study work in the UK (3 years for PhD graduates) — no employer sponsorship needed.
• English requirement: The university’s English assessment for the CAS normally satisfies the visa English requirement for degree-level study.

Visa rules change — always check the current guidance on the official gov.uk website before applying.

Research Excellence at Oxford Brookes University

Oxford Brookes has a growing research profile with particular strengths in areas linked to its teaching. The university reported that 92%+ of its research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent in recent national assessments (indicative — check the latest REF results). Notable research areas include motorsport and automotive engineering, sustainable architecture and the built environment, health and nursing, business and management, and the social sciences. The university hosts several research centres and works with industry partners, the NHS, and public bodies. For research-minded students, Brookes offers PhD and professional doctorate routes across its faculties.

Notable Alumni

Oxford Brookes’ alumni network includes graduates working across business, media, sport, politics and the creative industries (specific names are widely reported in third-party sources — verify any particular claim on official pages). The university is known for producing career-ready graduates: its automotive engineering alumni are well represented in Formula 1 and motorsport teams, its business school graduates work in major firms and start-ups, and its journalism and media graduates are found across UK broadcasting and publishing. With more than 3,400 international students from 145 countries, Brookes’ alumni community is genuinely global, which can be a real asset for networking after graduation.

Oxford Brookes University vs Peer Universities

How does Oxford Brookes compare with similar UK universities? Indicative comparison (verify current figures):

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Oxford Brookes University ranked in 2026?

Oxford Brookes is ranked #374 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, up 42 places from #416 in 2025. It is 38th among the 90 UK institutions in the ranking and sits in the top 25% of the 1,501 universities evaluated worldwide.

2. What are the tuition fees for international students at Oxford Brookes?

Indicatively, international undergraduate fees are around £17,250–£19,700 per year and postgraduate taught fees around £19,600–£19,950 per year for 2026/27. Exact fees vary by course — check the official course page.

3. Does Oxford Brookes offer scholarships for international students?

Yes. New full-time international students can receive an automatic £2,000 International Student Scholarship by paying their deposit by the relevant deadline. Eligible Business School undergraduates can receive £2,000 per year. External options include Chevening, Commonwealth and GREAT scholarships.

4. What IELTS score is required for Oxford Brookes?

Most courses require IELTS 6.0 overall (6.0 in reading/writing, 5.5 in listening/speaking). Law, Architecture and English Literature typically need 6.5; Nursing needs 7.0 in all bands. Indian students with 60%+ in Class 12 English (CBSE/CISCE) may be exempt for standard courses.

5. What percentage is required in Class 12 for Oxford Brookes?

For Indian applicants, most undergraduate programmes ask for around 65–70% in Class 12 (CBSE/ISC/state boards), depending on the course’s A-level tariff equivalent. For postgraduate entry, a bachelor’s degree at around 55–65% (depending on institution type) is typically mapped to a UK 2:2.

6. Is Oxford Brookes good for international students?

Brookes hosts more than 3,400 international students from 145 countries and performed strongly in QS 2026 for international student diversity (143rd globally). It offers dedicated international support, pre-sessional English, and guaranteed accommodation for new students who apply by the deadline.

7. How much does it cost to live in Oxford as a student?

Budget around £1,400–£1,855 per month, including accommodation (£700–£1,000), food (£250–£350), transport and personal expenses. For the Student visa you must show £820 per month for up to 9 months (Oxford is outside London).

8. When should I apply to Oxford Brookes?

For September entry, UCAS equal consideration is mid-January (13 January 2027 for 2027 entry). Postgraduate applications are rolling — apply by around July for September entry to leave time for the deposit, CAS and visa steps. January-intake deadlines are course-specific.

9. Can I work while studying at Oxford Brookes?

Yes. On a UK Student visa you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. After graduation, the Graduate Route allows 2 years of post-study work in the UK without employer sponsorship.

10. Is the Oxford Brookes Global MBA suitable for international students?

The Global MBA is a 24–30 month blended (part-time) programme. Because it is not a standard full-time on-campus course, visa arrangements differ — check directly with the university whether it can be studied on a Student visa before applying.

Student life in Oxford

Beyond the classroom, Oxford offers an exceptional student experience. The city blends medieval architecture with a lively modern culture: independent cinemas, live-music venues, riverside pubs, and green spaces like University Parks and Port Meadow. Oxford Brookes students can join more than 100 student societies through the Students’ Union, compete in university sport (Brookes has a strong rowing tradition), and take part in volunteering and part-time work across the city. The university’s location also makes weekend travel easy: London is about an hour by train or coach, and airports at Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton are all within reach. For international students, the combination of a close-knit campus community and a world-famous city means you get both belonging and adventure.

Application tips for international applicants

Start early and treat the deposit deadline as your real deadline: paying the deposit on time is what unlocks the £2,000 International Student Scholarship, and it also starts the CAS clock for your visa. If you are relying on a Class 12 English waiver, upload your mark sheet at the application stage so the admissions team can confirm it without delay. For competitive courses such as Architecture or Nursing, invest time in your portfolio or personal statement and check for interviews or additional tests. Finally, keep copies of everything — transcripts, English evidence, financial documents — because you will need them again at the visa stage.

Final Thoughts

Oxford Brookes University offers a compelling package for international students: a #374 QS 2026 global ranking (top 25% worldwide), an Oxford address, competitive fees by UK standards, automatic £2,000 scholarships, and a genuinely career-focused education with strong employer links. Its strengths in architecture, business, engineering, hospitality and health make it a smart choice for students who want practical, employable degrees. Oxford living costs are higher than in many UK cities, so plan your budget carefully — but the combination of ranking trajectory (up 42 places in a year), international diversity, and the two-year Graduate Route makes Brookes well worth considering.

Next step: Shortlist your course on the official Oxford Brookes website, check the exact entry requirements and fees for your profile, and apply early to secure both your place and the scholarship-linked deposit deadline. If this guide helped you, explore our other UK university profiles on StudyGraduate.

Sources and Verification

Rankings: QS World University Rankings 2026 via topuniversities.com; Oxford Brookes University official news announcement (June 2025/2026 cycle); yocket.com and collegedunia.com trend tables; shiksha.com. Fees, scholarships, admission requirements and deadlines: collegedunia.com Oxford Brookes pages (2026/27 fee schedules), brookes.ac.uk official scholarship pages, and third-party admission guides. Cost of living: collegedunia.com and university estimates. Visa information: UK government guidance (gov.uk) as summarised in the article brief (£1,023/£820 per month figures). Disclaimer: All figures are indicative and may change. Rankings, fees, scholarships and deadlines should always be verified on the official university website and gov.uk before you apply or make financial commitments.