Oxford Brookes University
Oxford Brookes - Oxford, England
Overview
Oxford Brookes University can trace its history back as far as 1865 with the foundation of the Oxford School of Art, which over the centuries merged and grew to become today's university. It was in 1992 that the then Oxford Polytechnic became Oxford Brookes University, naming itself after John Henry Brookes, first Principal of the Schools of Technology, Art and Commerce.
Today, Oxford Brookes University is widely acknowledged as the UK's leading modern university, surpassing many older institutions in newspaper league tables.
Ranking
Oxford Brookes University was ranked 55th in the Time Good University Guide 2009. For the last seven years, Oxford Brookes has been named leading modern university by the Sunday Times University Guide. It is the only UK modern university to have achieved 24 subjects rated as excellent for teaching and, famously, its 5* rating in History surpassed that of the more famous university with which it shares a city. Architecture, Philosophy, Theology, Social Work and Teacher Training are other subjects in which Oxford Brookes University has received excellent ratings.
Services for International Students
More than 4,000 students from around the world choose to study at Oxford Brookes every year and the University goes to great lengths to help them settle in to life in the UK. Before your course begins, you will receive a Pre-arrival Guide to help you choose the right accommodation and advise you on visas, immigration and what to bring. Next, the Arrival Weekend is designed to help you settle in, relax, unpack and meet other new students. It is organised by the International Student Advisory Service (ISAS) and includes social activities and tours of Oxford. During your time at Oxford Brookes, the Service can advise you on immigration, employment, families, adjusting to living in the UK, cultural and money matters. See the ISAS website for news, details of social events and other useful information.
Non-native English speakers benefit from a range of academic services at Oxford Brookes. Undergraduate students have the option of accredited academic English modules, while all overseas postgraduate students are offered free non credit bearing short courses, tutorials, independent study resources and personal guidance.
Accommodation
Oxford Brookes University has a good selection of residential halls but it is essential to place your request as early as possible in order to secure your first choice accommodation. Once you have accepted an offer for an undergraduate or postgraduate course from the University, you will be sent the International Pre-arrival Guide, with detailed information on visas and immigration, along with a hall application form and deadlines. You will then receive a password which will allow you to make an online application. For students unwilling to live in student halls, the University leases a range of private accommodation and can help you find something suitable.
Campus
Oxford Brookes University is based on three campuses in and around Oxford, which can all be reached by public transport. A direct inter-site bus service operates all year round.
Each campus has residential accommodation, playing fields, a library, computer rooms, cafeterias and Students' Union shops. The University has announced it plans to invest £110m over the next 10 years to make significant improvements to its two campuses in Headington and Wheatley.
Health centre
There is a full range of on-campus health facilities at Oxford Brookes University with doctors, nurses and dentists. All students have full access to the health centre and all health care fees are fully covered by the National Health Service for full time students.
Location
Oxford is situated in the south of England with excellent transport links to other regional centres. Trains run from London to Oxford every fifteen minutes and the journey time is around one hour. Oxford is a compact city renowned for the beauty of its university architecture. With the University of Oxford also in the city, Oxford has a large student population and a wide range of shops, cafes, bars and other facilities that cater to students’ needs.
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