University of Gloucestershire: International Fees, Scholarships & Guide

The University of Gloucestershire is a public university with campuses in Cheltenham and Gloucester, in the Cotswolds region of south-west England. It is known for sport, media and film, business, education, health, and the creative arts, and for its focus on sustainability. International students can reduce fees through several scholarships, some automatic. This guide covers fees, scholarships, campuses, and the UK Graduate Route.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: University of Gloucestershire, a public university in Cheltenham and Gloucester
• Campuses: Francis Close Hall and Park in Cheltenham; Oxstalls in Gloucester
• 2026/27 undergraduate fees (third-party): about £17,200 to £18,850 a year depending on the course band
• Global Scholarship: £1,500 off first-year tuition, automatic for new self-funded full-time international undergraduates
• Undergraduate Merit Scholarship: £7,500 over three years; application deadline 30 June 2026
• Sports Global Excellence Scholarship: £7,500 over three years
• Progression Partner Scholarship: £5,000 for students transferring from international progression partners

Rankings and reputation

Gloucestershire is a teaching-focused university and is not highly ranked in global tables. It is known for sport, sustainability, and media. Judge it on course and outcomes.

Academics and signature programs

Gloucestershire offers degrees in sport and exercise, coaching, physiotherapy, business, accounting, computing, cyber security, film, media, journalism, photography, fine art, education, nursing, and social work. Ask about placements and accreditation.

Admissions and international eligibility

Gloucestershire assesses academic results and English. After an offer, you pay a deposit, receive a CAS, and apply for a Student visa.

English language requirements

• IELTS 6.0 is common for undergraduate courses; check your course
• Postgraduate and health courses may require higher scores
• Pre-sessional English may be available
• Confirm requirements before applying

Application checklist

A typical application includes transcripts, English results, a personal statement, references, and passport details. Apply for the Merit Scholarship by 30 June 2026 if eligible.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Third-party sources put 2026/27 international undergraduate fees at about £17,200 to £18,850 a year depending on the course band. The automatic Global Scholarship takes £1,500 off the first year. Check your course page for the exact band and fee.

Estimated living costs

• Cheltenham and Gloucester have lower living costs than London, though Cheltenham can be pricey
• UK Student visa applicants must show funds for tuition and a monthly living amount outside London
• The Immigration Health Surcharge gives access to the NHS
• Term-time work is limited to 20 hours a week for most degree-level students
• Trains connect to Bristol, Birmingham, and London

Scholarships

Gloucestershire offers the automatic Global Scholarship of £1,500, a £7,500 Undergraduate Merit Scholarship (apply by 30 June 2026), a £7,500 Sports Global Excellence Scholarship, and a £5,000 Progression Partner Scholarship. Check which can be combined.

Campus life and student support

Francis Close Hall in Cheltenham has historic Gothic buildings, while the Park campus has parkland and business and computing facilities, and Oxstalls in Gloucester houses sport and health. Buses connect the campuses.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Gloucestershire's economy includes cyber security (GCHQ is in Cheltenham), aerospace, engineering, tourism, and public services. Ask for outcomes for international graduates.

The UK's Graduate Route visa

International graduates of an eligible UK degree from an approved provider can currently apply for the Graduate Route, which allows them to work or look for work at any skill level for two years, or three years after a doctorate, without a sponsor. For non-doctoral applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the period is set to reduce to 18 months. Confirm in writing that graduates of your course and campus are eligible, and check the rules with the UK government before relying on the route.

Cyber security and computing

Cheltenham is home to GCHQ, the UK's intelligence and cyber agency, and has a growing cyber industry. Gloucestershire offers cyber security and computing degrees with industry links. Some security roles require citizenship, but private-sector cyber jobs are open more widely.

Sport at Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire offers sport science, coaching, sports therapy, and physical education, with facilities at Oxstalls. The Sports Global Excellence Scholarship supports high-level athletes.

Living in Cheltenham and Gloucester

Cheltenham is an elegant spa town known for festivals, including literature, jazz, and science, while Gloucester has a historic cathedral and docks. The Cotswolds countryside is nearby.

Planning your arrival

Arrive before welcome week, collect your visa documents as instructed, register with a GP, set up a UK bank account, and attend induction events. Welcome activities help international students settle in and meet classmates.

A step-by-step checklist before paying

Confirm your course band and fee, apply for scholarships before deadlines, check which campus you will study at, confirm English requirements, and arrange accommodation.

Questions for current students

If possible, speak with current Gloucestershire students about teaching, campus life, accommodation, and part-time work. Their experience can help you judge whether it suits you and what to budget for in the first year.

Mistakes to avoid

Applicants sometimes miss the 30 June Merit Scholarship deadline or assume scholarships combine automatically. Check the rules.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Most international students pay the Immigration Health Surcharge with their visa application and register with a local general practitioner after arrival. Budget for the visa fee, the surcharge, flights, and a housing deposit, and book accommodation early.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, enrolment, and meetings with your tutors. UK teaching relies on independent reading alongside lectures and seminars, so a steady study routine helps.

A realistic budget

At about £18,000 a year, a three-year degree costs about £54,000 in tuition before scholarships, plus living costs of about £11,000 to £13,000 a year.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• Which fee band is my course in?
• Will I receive the Global Scholarship?
• Should I apply for the Merit Scholarship?
• Which campus will I study at?
• Does my course include a placement?
• Will my course qualify for the Graduate Route?

Who Gloucestershire suits best

Gloucestershire suits students who want a friendly university in an attractive part of England with strengths in sport, media, and business. It may suit less well students who want a big-city campus.

Gloucestershire compared with nearby universities

Bristol, Bath, and Worcester universities are within reach. Gloucestershire offers a smaller setting and generous scholarships. Compare course, net fees, and setting.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your course and campus, and check the fee and entry requirements.
2. Confirm the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts, a personal statement, and passport details.
4. Accept your offer, pay any required deposit, and receive your CAS.
5. Apply for your UK Student visa with your financial evidence.
6. Book accommodation and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Gather transcripts, English results, references, and bank statements several months before your intake, and arrange certified translations if needed. CAS issuance and visa processing can take longer than expected, so keep copies.

Media, film, and journalism

Gloucestershire offers film production, media, journalism, photography, and performing arts, with studios at Park and Francis Close Hall. Cheltenham's festivals give students opportunities to volunteer and network.

Building a realistic budget

Budget for tuition after scholarships, the Immigration Health Surcharge, accommodation, food, transport between campuses, and course materials. Cheltenham rents can be higher than Gloucester's.

Postgraduate study

Gloucestershire offers taught master's degrees in business, sport, computing, media, and education, with postgraduate scholarships available. Ask about January starts.

Key takeaway

Gloucestershire combines generous scholarships with an attractive setting and strengths in sport, media, and cyber security.

Support for international students

Gloucestershire's international team helps with CAS, visas, orientation, and settling in, and the university offers academic, careers, and wellbeing support.

Who should look elsewhere

Students who want a large city or a research-intensive university may prefer Bristol or Birmingham.

Comparing total costs

To compare Gloucestershire with other UK universities, multiply annual fees by course length, subtract scholarships, and add living costs. Merit and sports scholarships of £7,500 can make a big difference.

Education and health

Gloucestershire offers education, teacher training, nursing, social work, and physiotherapy-related courses, with placements in local schools and NHS settings. International places may be limited, so check eligibility.

Final checks before you apply

Confirm your course band and fee for your start year, check scholarship deadlines and whether awards can be combined, and confirm which campus your course is based at. Apply early for halls, which fill quickly in Cheltenham.

Frequently asked questions