University of Gloucestershire

Overview The University of Gloucestershire has a history of providing higher education for over 175 years. Its foundation dates back to 1834 when it was established as a Teacher Training Institute. The University has a distinctive character which has been shaped through the merger of numerous colleges in the Gloucestershire area during the 19th and 20th centuries and developed to its current status as a modern University in October 2001. There are nearly 11,000 students, including international students from 44 countries, who choose to study at the University every year.

Highlights Employability – we offer a range of placement options and work/volunteer opportunities to enhance your degree learning experience. Sustainability – we have an institutional commitment to Sustainability and work to embed sustainability across our courses, plans and activities. Teaching – from our foundations as a teaching college, our commitment to high quality teaching continues. We constantly review the delivery of our teaching and focus on learner empowerment active engagement and the practical application of education and skills for the workplace.

Location The University is located in the South West region of the UK, in an area of declared outstanding natural beauty known as the Cotswolds. Only 2 hours from London and 1 hour from other major cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and Oxford, the University comprises three campuses; two in the attractive regency town of Cheltenham and one in the city of Gloucester. All campuses are connected by an inter-site bus service.

Courses The University offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in subjects from art and humanities, media and design, computing and multimedia, business, accounting, law, marketing and management, biology and psychology to hospitality, tourism, event management, sports and education. Examples include: MBA, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Landscape Architecture, Journalism, Film, Visual Communication, Theology, Business Psychology, Sports Coaching and Sustainable Environments. Many courses have a strong vocational focus, which allows our students to gain both academic knowledge, as well as technical and practical experience. A full listing of courses and details can be found at: http://www.glos.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/

Facilities To support study in subjects that have a strong vocational focus, the University invests in its facilities. For example, our Art, Media and Communications based campus boasts a blue screen studio, a radio station, photography studios, and extensive gallery space. Whilst our modern purpose built sports campus at Oxstalls has specialist equipment for sports therapy, conditioning and coaching. Each campus has a Learning Centre, with libraries, audio-visual and IT provision, including multimedia and internet facilities.

Student Life The Students' Union is proud of its many active societies and encourages as many students as possible to join in. There are lots of activities on offer, from a thriving music scene with club nights to organised film nights, as well as over 40 sports clubs, Special Interest Groups and societies to join. http://www.yourstudentsunion.com/

Our social programme for international students also gives you the opportunity to meet other international and home students, to participate in excursions to both local places of interest and further afield, as well as introducing you to local culture and customs.

Accommodation New international students have priority for rooms in Halls of Residence with the majority of halls located on or near to the campuses, and with en-suite bathrooms and broadband internet access available. Other accommodation options are available such as University Registered Housing or Lodgings or private rental arrangements. The Accommodation Housing Support Team is available to advise you on your options.

Academic Calendar Semester 1: September – January Semester 2: February – June Postgraduate courses: September – September (12 months) MBA: 2 start dates – September and January