University of Brighton Review: A Comprehensive Guide
The University of Brighton is a modern, career-focused institution with a strong emphasis on practical learning and real-world impact. Located across several campuses in Brighton and nearby towns, it offers over 150 undergraduate and postgraduate courses across a wide range of disciplines. Brighton is known for its strengths in art and design, education, health sciences, engineering, and sport. It’s also recognised for its inclusive community, applied research, and strong local partnerships.
University of Brighton Summary
- City: Brighton
-
Graduate Employment Rate:
91.4% within 15 months of graduation.
Table of Contents
Overview of University of Brighton
The University of Brighton has around 17,000 students across four campuses. There are three in Brighton and one in Eastbourne. The university is spread out but well connected, with frequent public transport between sites.
Courses are focused on real-world skills and employability. Many include placements, industry projects, or professional accreditations. Subject strengths include art and design, architecture, education, health sciences, business, engineering, and sport.
Brighton is known for its inclusive environment. The university actively supports widening participation, mature learners, and first-generation students. Support services cover mental health, academic skills, careers, and disability assistance.
In addition, facilities are modern and geared toward applied learning. These include media studios, labs, clinics, simulation suites, and workshops. With strong ties to local employers and community groups, Brighton encourages students to engage with real-world issues and develop professional experience throughout their degree.
University of Brighton Rankings 2026
- Complete University Guide (2026): 88th
- QS World University Ranking (2026): 801-850
University of Brighton Courses and Programmes
The Architecture course at Brighton blends creative design with technical knowledge and critical thinking. It’s hands-on, studio-based, and grounded in real-world practice. This course is ideal for students who want to design with purpose and think beyond just aesthetics.
The course is built around four key areas:
- Design Studio
You’ll spend most of your time in dedicated studio spaces, developing ambitious design projects with guidance from practising architects and researchers. - Humanities
You’ll study architecture’s history, theory, and cultural context. Teaching links past ideas to today’s issues, helping you understand not just how buildings are made, but why. - Technology
Learn core principles of structural engineering, environmental design, and materials. You’ll apply this technical knowledge directly to your projects. - Professional Practice
Gain an understanding of the responsibilities of an architect, from building regulations and planning to budgeting and project management.
Brighton’s Nursing degree is grounded in real-world practice and built around the values of the NHS: respect, compassion, dignity, and collaboration. The course prepares students for a professional career in healthcare.
You’ll study alongside students from other nursing disciplines, which promotes interprofessional learning. Patients are also actively involved in your education, sharing their experiences to help connect theory with real-life care.
The course structure alternates between academic terms and full-time placement blocks:
- 2,300 academic hours at the university
- 2,300 placement hours in hospitals and community settings
- Placements are full-time: 37.5 hours per week
You’ll also take part in Schwartz Rounds. These are confidential group sessions that encourage reflection on the emotional and ethical aspects of clinical work.
The University of Brighton’s MPharm degree is a clinically-focused, science-driven programme accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). It prepares students for all aspects of modern pharmacy practice, with a strong emphasis on patient care, clinical placements, and applied science.
Key Features:
- 12 weeks of clinical placements across four years in a range of settings: community pharmacies, GP surgeries, hospitals, and mental health services.
- Specialist facilities include SimMan 3G patient simulators, a working dispensary, image analysis suite, and genomics/proteomics labs.
- Interprofessional learning through close ties with Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS).
- Guaranteed interview scheme for BSMS medical school applicants.
- Curriculum shaped by current research and clinical expertise.
Year-by-Year Overview:
Year 1: Foundations
Focus on basic pharmacy science, health and disease, and the use of medicines.
Includes simulation workshops and a two-week clinical placement.Year 2: Illness and Disease
Study common conditions like diabetes and asthma.
Case-based learning, another two-week placement, and sessions on diagnostics, communication, and patient counselling.Year 3: Complexity in Care
Explore co-morbidities, neurological and mental health conditions, and genomic medicine.
Includes a four-week placement and about 20 simulation workshops.Final Year: Multi-morbidity and Ageing
Focus on complex care and prescribing for older patients.
Includes a four-week placement, advanced clinical training, and a substantial research project with expert academic supervision.
University of Brighton Entry Deadline
| Date | What Happens |
| 13 May 2025 | Applications open. Students can start filling in their UCAS forms. |
| 2 Sep 2025 | Students can start submitting completed applications to UCAS. |
| 15 Oct 2025 (6pm) | Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, and most medicine, dentistry, vet courses. |
| 14 Jan 2026 (6pm) | Main deadline for most undergraduate courses. |
| 26 Feb 2026 | UCAS Extra opens. Students with no offers can apply for more courses. |
| 30 Jun 2026 (6pm) | Last date to apply before Clearing. After this, applications go to Clearing. |
| 5 Jul 2026 | Clearing opens. Students can view and apply to available places. |
| 24 Sep 2026 | Final deadline to apply for 2026 entry. |
| 19 Oct 2026 | Last date to add a Clearing choice. |
University of Brighton Entry Requirements
| Level | Qualification | Typical Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | A-levels / IB / BTEC / T-levels / Diplomas | UCAS tariff points; flexible admissions; course-specific requirements |
| International school-leaver qualifications | Varies by country | |
| Foundation & Access courses | Recognised Access, HNC/HND, diplomas, foundation routes accepted | |
| Postgraduate | UK bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) | Typically a 2:1; GPA ~2.5+ internationally |
| Professional experience | May substitute for formal qualification in some cases | |
| PhD & Research | Bachelor’s + Master’s / detailed research proposal | Required; supervisor contact encouraged |
| All Courses | English language proficiency | UG: IELTS 6.0 (min 5.5) |
| PG taught: IELTS 6.5 (min 5.5) | ||
| Research: IELTS 7.0 (writing 7.0, others 6.5+) |
University of Brighton Fees
Fees vary by course, here are some of the 2025/2026 fees:
Architecture
UK
International
Pharmacy
UK
International
University of Brighton Gym
The Falmer campus offers some of the best university sports facilities in the region. Everything is within a five-minute walk from halls and Falmer train station, with regular city buses connecting the area.
Recent investment includes the Brighton Sport & Health Complex, opened in January 2024. Since then, Falmer has become a hub for both competitive and recreational sport.
Indoor Facilities:
- Meads Building Sports Hall with:
- 6 badminton courts
- Basketball, netball, volleyball and cricket nets
- Show court for full-hall matches
- Activity Studios (Dance Studio & Spin Studio)
- Fitness Suite with modern gym equipment
- Seminar Room for sports education
- Gymnastics Area
- New 25m Pool and Training Pool
Outdoor Facilities:
- 3 full-size grass football pitches
- 2 grass rugby pitches
- Floodlit 3G synthetic pitch (marked for football, 3x 7-a-side, and American football)
- Floodlit 8-court netball/tennis complex (non-slip surface)
- Artificial cricket wicket
- Sports Pavilion with 8 outdoor changing rooms and 4 seminar rooms
University of Brighton Notable Alumni
- Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) – Internationally known DJ, producer, and musician.
- Julien Macdonald OBE – Fashion designer; former chief designer at Givenchy.
- Rachel Whiteread – Turner Prize-winning sculptor.
- Keith Tyson – Contemporary artist; also a Turner Prize winner.
- Emily Gravett – Award-winning children’s author and illustrator.
- Jo Whiley – BBC radio DJ and television presenter.
- Barbara Hulanicki – Founder of the iconic fashion brand Biba.
- Chris Barrie – Actor and comedian, best known for Red Dwarf.
- Paddy Considine – Acclaimed actor, screenwriter, and director.
- Philip Reeve – Author of the Mortal Engines series.
University of Brighton Contact Information
- Official website: www.brighton.ac.uk/
- Address: Mithras House, Lewes Road, Brighton BN2 4AT
- General information for international students: 01273 600900