Brunel University of London
Template:Short description Template:Redirect-distinguish Template:Pp-pc Template:Use dmy datesTemplate:Use British English Template:Infobox university Brunel University of London (BUL) is a public research university located in the Uxbridge area of London, England. It is named after Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a Victorian engineer and pioneer of the Industrial Revolution. It became a university in June 1966, when Brunel College of Advanced Technology was awarded a royal charter and became Brunel University; it is sometimes considered a plate glass university.
In 2014 the university formally adopted the name Brunel University London, and in 2024 became the University of London's 17th member, adopting the trading name Brunel University of London. Since 2014 the university has been organised into three colleges: the College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences; the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences; and the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences.
Brunel has over 16,000 students and 2,200 staff,<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> and an annual income of £271.3 million (2021–22), of which £22.4 million was from research grants and contracts, with an expenditure of £311.9 million.<ref name=accounts/> The university won the Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2011. BUL is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the European University Association, and Universities UK.
History
Origins
Brunel University of London is one of several British universities that were founded in the 1960s in response to the Robbins Report on expanding higher education. It is sometimes described as a "plate glass university". The university's origins lie in Acton Technical College (now part of West London College), established in 1928, which split off its advanced teaching in 1956. In 1957, this new institution was named Brunel College, after the British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1962 Brunel College of Technology was awarded the status of College of Advanced Technology, and it was decided that a new campus should be built for the college. Uxbridge was chosen to house the new buildings and construction began in 1965.<ref name=timeline>Template:Cite web</ref> The campus buildings, including the lecture centre, were designed in the brutalist style of architecture by Richard Sheppard, Robson & Partners, Architects.<ref>Template:National Heritage List for England</ref>
The Uxbridge (Vine Street) railway branch line was closed in 1964, and the college purchased the land adjacent to its site where the railway had run for £65,000 from the local council.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1966 to present
Template:More citations needed section
A royal charter granting university status and the power to award degrees was awarded on 9 June 1966, and the institution became Brunel University.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Siran2010">Template:Cite book</ref>
The university continued to use both campuses until 1971, when it left the Acton site. In 1980, the university merged with Shoreditch College of Education (Shoreditch Training College),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> located at Cooper's Hill, Runnymede, which became Brunel's second campus.
In 1995, the university expanded again, integrating the West London Institute of Higher Education, and adding campuses in Osterley and Twickenham, and increasing the number of courses that the university was able to offer. Traditionally the university's strengths were in engineering, science, and technology, but with the addition of the West London Institute, new departments such as arts, humanities, geography and earth science, health and sports science were added, and the size of the student body increased to over 12,000.
Brunel has been the subject of controversy as its approach to higher education has been both market-driven and politically conservative.Template:Citation needed The decision to award an honorary degree to Margaret Thatcher in 1996, following the University of Oxford's refusal to do so, provoked an outcry by staff and students and, as a result, the ceremony had to be held in the House of Lords instead of on campus. In the late 1990s, the departments of physics, chemistry and materials engineering were all closed and in 2004 the then vice-chancellor, Steven Schwartz, initiated the reorganisation of the university's faculties and departments into schools, and closed the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences. The succeeding vice-chancellor, the sociologist Christopher Jenks, took office in 2006.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was followed by Julia Buckingham, previously at Imperial College London, who took up the position of vice-chancellor at Brunel in 2012.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2014, the university underwent an internal reorganisation and its name was changed to Brunel University London (BUL) by a supplemental charter dated 16 July 2014. In 2016 Brunel celebrated its 50th anniversary since being awarded its royal charter, and staged a 14-month programme of more than 40 celebratory events.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In December 2020, the university's chancellor, Sir Richard Sykes, led an independent review of the UK's Vaccine Taskforce strategy and goals, and in June 2021 he was appointed as the taskforce's new chair, leading work to find, procure and deliver vaccines and oversee preparations for vaccine booster programmes as part of UK's COVID-19 vaccination programme.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In April 2021, it was announced that Julia Buckingham would be stepping down as vice-chancellor and president after nearly 10 years in the role. She was succeeded by Andrew Jones, who took up the position in January 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Brunel became part of the University of London in October 2024, and began using the name Brunel University of London (BUL) as its trading name.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Campus
In the late 1990s Brunel devised a 10-year, £250 million masterplan for the campus. This involved selling off campus sites at Runnymede, Osterley and Twickenham and using the proceeds of the sales to renovate and update the buildings and facilities on the Uxbridge campus. Works carried out included a library extension, a state-of-the-art sports complex, renovated students' union facilities, a new Health Sciences teaching centre, and the construction of more halls of residence.
The original Uxbridge campus was designed by Sheppard, Robson and Partners, with many buildings retaining the 1960s brutalist architectural style to this day.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It has appeared in several films, most famously in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, large parts of which were filmed on campus, particularly in the Grade II listed lecture centre and the John Crank Building (demolished July 2019).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The campus has also featured in several UK television series including Spooks, Silent Witness, The Sweeney and Inspector Morse.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
,_20.31.jpg){kind=link}
Organisation and governance
Colleges
Brunel has three constituent Academic Colleges:
|
|
|
Research institutes
Research at Brunel has been organised into five institutes<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Institute of Communities and Society
- Institute of Digital Futures
- Institute of Energy Futures
- Institute of Health, Medicine and Environments
- Institute of Materials and Manufacturing
Governance
Brunel exists by virtue of a royal charter first granted in 1966 and it has the status of an exempt charity as defined by the Charities Act 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The governing body of BUL is the council, which comprises university staff and students and independent members. The Council appoints the Vice-Chancellor and other senior officers. The council has established a number of Committees which support its work.
The current Chancellor of the university is Sir Richard Sykes, a biochemist and former Rector of Imperial College London. The Vice-Chancellor since 2022 is Professor Andrew Jones, formerly Deputy President at City, University of London.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Brunel's academic governing body is the Senate, which is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor. The Senate's powers, duties and functions are set out in its Ordinances, and it has a number of Committees which support its work.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Finances
In the financial year ended 31 July 2020Template:Needs update, Brunel had a total income (including share of joint ventures) of £237.1 million (2018–19: £229.8 million) and total expenditure of £235.7 million (2018–19: £224.7 million).<ref name=":0" />
Total income for 2019–20 was £237.1 million, £7.3 million (3.2%) higher than in 2018–19. Tuition fees overall increased by £10.1 million, reflecting the increase in the number of students enrolled, while funding body grants were flat at £30.6 million. Research grant income for 2019/ 20 was £3.1 million higher than in 2018–19 on a recognised income basis. Research income reflects the timing of work undertaken on research grants, as income is recognised in the financial statements over a period typically averaging three years. Other income reduced by £6.0 million, or 12.4%. This consists of student residences income, conference, hotel, retail and also income from summer school activity for foreign language students on the campus. All categories were significantly impacted by the pandemic, including the decision by the university not to charge rent for accommodation for the final term.<ref name="Financial statements">Template:Cite web</ref>
Excluding the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pension revaluation, expenditure was £9.8 million (4.3%) higher than in 2018–19. Excluding pension adjustments, staff costs of £135.0 million were £15.5 million (13.0%) higher than in 2018–19. The university invested resources in its academic provision as its tuition fee income and student numbers have increased and has also targeted staff cost investment in its information technology provision and other support services. Other operating expenses of £76.9 million were £5.6 million lower than in 2018–19.<ref name="Financial statements"/>
Coat of arms
The Brunel coat of arms was granted to the university on 12 June 1970,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and incorporates various images representative of the university's heritage and principles.
The masonry arch symbolises Isambard Kingdom Brunel, after whom the university is named; the compass and cogwheel symbolise technology, on which the university initially focused, and the institution's former status as a College of Advanced Technology; the ermine lozenge is an allusion to the arms of Lord Halsbury, the first Chancellor of the university. The full coat of arms has a swan as the crest, which symbolises Uxbridge, where the main campus is located.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The heraldic description is given as ‘Azure a Pair of Dividers chevronwise proper in base on a Pile reversed Or a Lozenge Ermine a Chief enarched in the form of a bridge of masonry proper AND for the Crest On a Wreath of the Colours A swan wings addorsed proper about the neck a Mural Crown Or resting the dexter foot on a Cogwheel proper’.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2024, with Brunel joining the federation of the University of London, it adopted a new logo, which included redrawn artwork of the coat of arms with slightly reconfigured elements. Most prominently, the cogwheel was moved from under the swan's foot to a central position in the shield, replacing the ermine lozenge.
Academic profile
Brunel students have access to specialist laboratories for electronic imaging, bioprocessing and experimental techniques; flight, driving and train simulators; a 3-D body scanner; an MRI scanner; motion-capture equipment; an occupational therapy suite; sports and performing arts facilities; and academic archives in cult film and contemporary writing.<ref name=thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk />
Depending on the degree course followed, many undergraduate students may choose to undertake practical placements and projects as an integral part of their courses (a founding principle of the sandwich degree structure).
Research
In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), 90% of Brunel research submitted was rated as being of international quality.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2014 Brunel was ranked 33rd for Research Power.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
A comparison of the data submitted to REF2021 compared to the submission for REF2014 demonstrates a 9.6% increase of staff Full-time equivalent (FTE) submitted, a 5.9% increase in Early Career Researchers, 22% increase in PhD graduation per staff (FTE) per year and a 55% increase in spend per staff (FTE) per year.
Courses at Brunel draw on staff's research in areas including Law, Cancer Genetics, Environmental Science, Human-Centred Design, Materials Processing, Contemporary Music and Digital Performance, Children's Education and Sports Medicine.<ref name="thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk">Template:Cite web</ref>
'Made in Brunel' (annual design exhibition)
Brunel's Design School holds an annual design exhibition called Made In Brunel, to promote and showcase the work of final year students to the design industry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Rather than being hosted on campus, the exhibition has been held at a variety of venues in central London, including the Business Design Centre in Islington, and the Bargehouse at the Oxo Tower Wharf on the Southbank.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Reputation and rankings
Template:Infobox UK university rankings The university won the Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
BUL was ranked as one of the top 350 universities in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2025<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and among the top 400 by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the Complete University Guide 2025 it features among the 50 best UK universities in subjects like civil engineering,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> computer science<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Student life
Student recreational and general facilities
Brunel has a gym, spa, and running track with professional training and medical facilities. On campus there is also a pharmacy, a shop, one bar called Locos, a nightclub called Venue, and a café named "1966" after the year of the university's founding. Historically Brunel Student Hall and The Sports Barn were key venues for band tours in the 1970-90s with some of the biggest names in rock music including, Fairport Convention, Fleetwood Mac, The Who, Deep Purple, Genesis, ELO, The Kinks, Thin Lizzy, Joy Division, The Pretenders, The Specials, The Stone Roses. The Sex Pistols played the first gig of their 'Never Mind the Bans Tour'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> at Brunel on 16 December 1977.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Citation needed
The Bannerman Centre at the heart of the campus contains a 4 floor library (opened in 1973 by Heinrich Böll) with c.400,000 books and 1,500 study spaces, usually open 24/7 during term-time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Bannerman Annexe contains the Professional Development (Careers) Centre, PC labs, large teaching rooms with collaborative technology and various student service functions such as the Assistive Technology Centre.
Union of Brunel Students
The Union of Brunel Students is the students' union of Brunel University.<ref name=aboutubs>Template:Cite web</ref> The Union is based within the Hamilton Centre on the Uxbridge campus.
Among other services, the Union runs two venues on the Brunel campus: the Venue nightclub, Loco's bar.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Union is led by fourteen democratically elected staff from the student body – six Student Officers, four Standing Committee Chairs and six Working Group Chairs – supported by over thirty professional staff.<ref name=aboutubs/>
The Brunel Times & Hillingdon Herald
The Brunel Times is Brunel University's official student newspaper. Before 2019, it was called Le Nurb,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which has Brunel spelt backwards. Before that, it was a magazine called Route 66, named after the different campus locations Runneymede, Osterley, Uxbridge and Twickenham, not after a bus route which supposedly ran through Brunel's campus along Cleveland Road. The newspaper editorial team is made up of volunteer students and is funded by the Union of Brunel Students. Traditionally, the newspaper has held a left-wing bias and has published interviews with prominent political figures including Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, a Brunel alum and MP for Hayes and Harlington.
Hillingdon Herald is a monthly newspaper, written and produced by students from Brunel University of London, with a focus on the London Borough of Hillingdon and wider London. Launched in October 2021, the first issue included columns from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip; former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell; and David Simmonds, MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Formula Student
Brunel was one of the first UK universities to enter the Formula Student engineering competition, an annual event in which universities from around the world compete in static and dynamic events using formula style racing cars designed and manufactured by students.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Brunel's Formula Student teams have won prizes in the annual competition every year since they first entered in 1999.Template:Citation needed
The Brunel Racing team is composed of undergraduate and postgraduate students, each being allocated an area of the car to develop.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Students on MEng Mechanical Engineering courses act as team leaders and manage BEng students throughout the year to ensure a successful completion of a new car each year. Brunel Racing were UK Class 1 Formula Student Champions in 2002, and were the leading UK team at Formula ATA 2005, the Italian Formula Student event. In 2006 Formula Student Event, Brunel Racing were also the highest finishing UK competitor using E85 (fuel composed of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol.)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Student housing
Brunel's £250 million campus redevelopment programme, completed in 2008, refurbished existing halls and the built the new Isambard Complex. There are 34 self-catering halls of residence on-campus, with a total of 4,549 rooms, including studio flats for co-habiting couples. Rooms are available for undergraduates, postgraduates, students with disabilities and co habiting couples. All rooms have network access.
Many of the halls of residence around the Uxbridge campus are named after bridges that Isambard Kingdom Brunel either built or helped to design; other halls are named after him or other notable engineers or scientists. For example:
- Clifton Hall (after the Clifton Suspension Bridge)
- Saltash Hall (after the Royal Albert Bridge that crosses the River Tamar at Saltash)
- Chepstow Hall (after the bridge across the River Wye at Chepstow)
- Fleming Hall (after Sir Alexander Fleming)
- Faraday Hall (after Sir Michael Faraday)
- Galbraith Hall (after W R Galbraith, who designed the Kew Railway Bridge)
- Mill Hall (after John Stuart Mill)
There are also three accommodation complexes: the Bishop Complex (Bishop, Kilmorey, Lacy and St Margaret's Halls); the Lancaster Complex (Lancaster, Stockwell, Southwark, Borough Road, Maria Grey and Gordon Halls); and the Isambard Complex (North, Meadow, Michael Bevis, Concourse, Stephen Bragg, West, Maurice Kogan, David Neave, Central, East, Runnymede, George Shipp, Trevor Slater, Shoreditch, Syd Urry, South and Brian Winstanley Halls).
Notable academics
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
- Bernardine Evaristo: Professor of Creative Writing, joint winner of the Booker Prize 2019<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Will Self: Professor of Modern Thought
- Heinz Wolff: former Emeritus professor at Brunel University London founded the Brunel Institute for Bioengineering in 1983
- Fiona Templeton: Senior Lecturer in Drama
- Benjamin Zephaniah: former Professor of Creative Writing
- Hannah Lowe: Professor of Creative Writing, poet and winner of the Costa Book Award 2021<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Daljit Nagra: Professor of Creative Writing, poet and presenter of BBC Radio 4 Extra's 'Poetry Extra'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Fay Weldon: former Professor of Creative Writing
- Celia Brackenridge: former Professor and Director for Youth Sport and Athlete Welfare, and campaigner against abuse and harassment in sport<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Javaid Rehman: Professor of International Law, former UN Rapporteur on Iran<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Alexandra Xanthaki: Professor of International Law, UN Rapporteur on Cultural Rights<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Solon Solomon: Associate Professor of International Law, director of the 'Migrating Fears' film and host of the award-winning BUL Emerging Law Voices YouTube interview series
- Brian Cantor: Professor of Materials and BCAST Strategic Advisor, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford and the University of York
- Hussam Jouhara: Professor of Thermal Engineering
- Asoke K. Nandi: Professor of Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Vice-Chancellors
- 1966 to 1971: James Topping
- 1971 to 1981: Stephen Bragg
- 1981 to 1989: Richard Evelyn Donohue Bishop
- 1990 to 2001: Michael Sterling
- 2002 to 2006: Steven Schwartz
- 2006 to 2012: Christopher Jenks
- 2012 to 2021: Julia Buckingham
- 2021 to present: Andrew Jones
Chancellors
- 1966 to 1997: Tony Giffard, 3rd Earl of Halsbury
- 1998 to 2012: John Wakeham, Baron Wakeham
- 2013 to present: Sir Richard Sykes
Notable alumni
Media, entertainment and the arts
Politics, nobility, and royalty
Sport
See also
- Armorial of UK universities
- Centre for Sustainability and Environmental Management / Brunel Management Programme
- College of advanced technology (United Kingdom)
- List of universities in the United Kingdom
- Universities in London