University of Gloucestershire

The University of Gloucestershire received university status in 2001. Its origins lie in the nineteenth-century mechanics' institutes of Cheltenham and Gloucester and in the Anglican teacher training colleges of St Paul's and St Mary's, which came together over the following century to form the present institution. Teaching takes place across two neighbouring towns: the Park and Francis Close Hall campuses in Cheltenham, and the Oxstalls campus and the more recent City Campus in Gloucester, with student housing at Pittville Student Village in Cheltenham.

The university is a medium-sized institution with around 9,000 students. It offers more than twenty subject areas, including business, accounting and finance, computing and cyber security, education, law, psychology, health and social care, architecture and sport and exercise, alongside a broad creative portfolio in film, media, photography, games, music and performing arts. Teacher education and sport have long been areas of particular standing, and the university has a well-known commitment to environmental sustainability. Degrees are complemented by postgraduate, online and degree apprenticeship routes, and many courses place a strong emphasis on professional practice and employability.

Information for International Students

International students at Gloucestershire are supported by International Student Services, which operates from student centres at the Oxstalls and Francis Close Hall campuses. The team advises on visas and immigration, including the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) needed for a Student visa, working in the UK during studies and the Graduate Route after graduation.

The typical English language requirement is IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 for most undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses, with higher scores required for subjects such as nursing, social work, physiotherapy and journalism. Alternatives including TOEFL iBT, the Duolingo English Test and certain medium of instruction letters are also considered. Applicants who need to raise their level of English can take an online pre-sessional English programme delivered with Study Group, lasting between six and twelve weeks depending on the starting score. Many undergraduate degrees can also be taken with an integrated foundation year.

Students can live in university halls in Cheltenham and Gloucester or in university-approved private housing. The university also provides country-specific guidance, virtual campus tours, international events and a network of overseas representatives to help applicants prepare for study in the UK.