University of Gloucestershire: A Connected University with a Rich Heritage and a Bold Future
Nestled across the historic spa town of Cheltenham and the cathedral city of Gloucester, the University of Gloucestershire stands as a distinctive public institution whose roots stretch back nearly two centuries. While it formally gained university status on 18 October 2001 when the Privy Council approved the title for what was then Cheltenham & Gloucester College of Higher Education, its origins run far deeper. The university traces its earliest foundation to the Cheltenham Training College established by the Reverend Francis Close in 1847, and even further back to the Cheltenham Mechanics‘ Institute founded in 1834. Today, the University of Gloucestershire offers students a unique blend of historical continuity and contemporary relevance, all underpinned by a “Connected University” approach that puts student experience and future opportunities at the heart of everything it does.
Campuses and Locations
The university operates across three main campuses. Park Campus in Cheltenham serves as the creative and computing hub, home to FuturePark, a state-of-the-art digital facility specialising in cyber security, computing, and computer games design. Originally a Victorian zoological, botanical and horticultural garden dating back to the 19th century, the grounds retain fascinating features including an elephant walk and a lake shaped like Africa. Francis Close Hall Campus, also in Cheltenham, is a Grade II listed site founded in 1847 as the original training college, now housing architecture, English, history, geography, and environmental science. Oxstalls Campus in Gloucester focuses on sports, education, health and social care. In addition, the Centre for Fashion, Art and Photography provides specialised creative facilities close to Francis Close Hall. With over 10,000 students from more than 60 countries, the university fosters a diverse and welcoming community. Buy fake UK diploma online.
Academic Strengths and Rankings
The University of Gloucestershire has demonstrated remarkable momentum across major UK league tables. In the Guardian University Guide 2026, the university climbed 32 places, becoming the fifth biggest riser in the UK and securing 68th position out of 123 institutions. Outstanding subject-level success includes Paramedic Science ranked 9th nationally, English 10th, Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism 13th, Geography 16th, and Interior Design 19th. In the Complete University Guide 2026, the institution rose 16 places, with Physiotherapy ranked 8th in the UK and Communications and Media Studies placed in the top 20. The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 also saw the university climb a further 6 places, marking its second consecutive year of improvement.
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Crucially, these rankings reflect outcomes that matter directly to students. In University Compare rankings, the university is now rated **8th in the UK for employability**, climbing six places, while rising 29 places to 42nd for course quality and 17 places to 40th for student life. These achievements are supported by a Silver rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) , recognised for “very high-quality” student experience and outcomes. The 2025 National Student Survey (NSS) saw improvements across all areas, including a 3.3 percentage point increase in students affirming that their course developed the knowledge and skills needed for their future. Geography and Environment Studies ranked 1st nationally for Teaching on My Course and Academic Support, while Biosciences ranked 1st for Assessment and Feedback.
A Curriculum for Employability and Global Connection
The university offers an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across business, computing, creative arts, education, humanities, social sciences, sport, health and life sciences. Two-year “fast-track” courses in subjects such as law and business allow students to enter the workplace or further training faster and at a lower cost. A hallmark of the university is **Your Future Plan**, a scheme guaranteeing every undergraduate student tailored support in developing presentation skills, securing internships and work placements, engaging in live briefs, and running sports teams and social clubs. The results speak for themselves: 95% of students are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating, placing the university in the top 30 in England for graduate outcomes. Furthermore, 100% of graduates from Journalism, Physiotherapy, Computer Games Programming, and Religion, Ethics and Philosophy courses are in graduate-level employment or further study.
Commitment to Sustainability and Teaching Excellence
The University of Gloucestershire has earned a reputation as a pioneer of change in sustainability, committing to be carbon net zero by 2030. It achieved First Class status in the 2023/24 People and Planet University League, underlining its leadership in environmental performance and innovation. All subject areas submitted to the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) were judged as having **internationally excellent** research, with many submissions rated world leading. The university also won the 2021 International Green Gown Award for embedding sustainability at the heart of its curriculum. With award-winning teaching, exceptional employment outcomes, and a welcoming community, the University of Gloucestershire offers students a connected, career-focused education rooted in nearly two centuries of commitment to learning.