University of Bradford Admissions Statistics

Listed in the top 50 UK universities (opens in a new tab), the University of Bradford receives thousands of applications each year. 

Using the latest admissions statistics and comparisons with similar universities, this article will show you how competitive Bradford is and what you need to do to make your application stand out.

Top 5 University of Bradford Admissions Statistics

• The University of Bradford received a total of 10,605 applications in 2025

• In 2025, Media, Journalism & Communications had an acceptance rate of 0% – but only 5 applications were received

• Subjects Allied to Medicine and Engineering & Technology received the most applications in 2025 (5,500 and 1,130 respectively)

• Over 20% of the University of Bradford’s students are from different countries (opens in a new tab)

• The University of Bradford’s acceptance rate is 69.17%

University of Bradford Acceptance Rate Overview

Bradford’s overall acceptance rate is 69.17%. This means that, on average, just under 7/10 of all applicants are accepted to the University of Bradford.

University of Bradford Admissions Statistics by Course

The table below features Bradford’s undergraduate main scheme application and acceptance data from 2025 (opens in a new tab):

Key Trends from 2025

Bradford’s most popular subject groups also tend to be the most competitive, and therefore usually require higher A Level grades.

Achieving above the minimum grade requirements can strengthen your application. For instance, if you want to study a subject that typically requires BBC at A Level, achieving three B grades or one A grade in a relevant subject can help you stand out to admissions officers.

The table below lists some of Bradford’s most popular and competitive courses from 2025, typical A Level grades needed, and some relevant or required A Level subjects.

For more detailed information on entry requirements, course structures and the application process, visit Bradford’s official web page (opens in a new tab) for each course.

As the University of the Year for Social Inclusion (opens in a new tab), Bradford provides a great number of opportunities for students from a wide range of backgrounds.

It’s also worth noting that Bradford has a Progression Scheme. This means that eligible students can receive an offer which is the equivalent of one A Level grade (8 UCAS points) lower than the standard entry criteria. In some cases, students may even receive an additional 8-UCAS-point deduction by completing the relevant checklist (opens in a new tab).

How the University of Bradford Makes Admissions Decisions

If you’re looking to study undergraduate courses at Bradford (opens in a new tab), you’ll need to apply via UCAS (opens in a new tab). Below are the main steps in the process:

Academic Requirements

• Minimum grades, e.g. five Grade 4 GCSEs or ABB at A Level

• Specific A Level subjects, e.g. Applied Biomedical Science (opens in a new tab) requires a minimum of a B grade in Biology or Chemistry

Personal Statement

• A written description of information about yourself, your extracurricular skills and achievements, and why you want to study your chosen course

• Bradford refers to the personal statement as a ‘sales pitch’ (opens in a new tab). Use our personal statement guide to help you write a successful one

Additional Requirements

• Alongside your UCAS form, some courses also require candidates to have relevant work experience or attend interviews

• Below are two examples of courses with these additional requirements:

  • Social Work (opens in a new tab)

    • Relevant work experience includes mentoring, youth work or personal experience of caring for a relative or friend

    • Candidates are encouraged to include information about roles, responsibilities and reflections on their work experience in their personal statement

  • Occupational Therapy (opens in a new tab)

    • Shortlisted candidates will have a 20-minute online interview with two people

    • Bradford lists the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (opens in a new tab) among relevant websites to consult to help you prepare for your interview (opens in a new tab)

How Competitive Is the University of Bradford Compared to Similar Universities?

The table below compares Bradford’s acceptance rates (both for competitive Engineering & Technology courses and overall) to two UK universities ranked similarly to Bradford in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (opens in a new tab).

Note that Bradford had the lowest acceptance rate for Engineering & Technology in 2025, and has a lower acceptance rate overall. This makes it generally more competitive than both Hull and Huddersfield.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of University of Bradford applications get accepted?

While the acceptance rate for individual courses varies, just over 69% of all University of Bradford applications get accepted.

Which course at the University of Bradford is the hardest to get into?

Though the 2025 data shows that Physical Sciences had the lowest acceptance rate at 11.3% (after Media, Journalism & Communications), Bradford’s Optometry course is arguably the hardest to get into. Bradford is the third best UK university for Optometry (opens in a new tab), the entry requirements are higher, and the course is a 4-year integrated Master’s programme.

What percentage of University of Bradford students drop out?

In its plan to improve access and participation from 2025-26 to 2028-29 (opens in a new tab), Bradford included its 2020-21 continuation rate: 89% (male) and 90% (female).

The most recent data from 2026 (opens in a new tab) shows that Bradford’s continuation rate is 89.1%. This means that Bradford’s average dropout (non-continuation) rate is currently 10.9%, which is slightly higher than it was in 2020-21 and a fair bit higher than the average UK university dropout rate of 6.3% (opens in a new tab).

Final Thoughts

The University of Bradford is a socially inclusive university. With its particularly strong track record in science and technology courses, it is especially worth considering if you’re interested in these subjects.

Use our insights on Bradford’s typical entry requirements to make an informed decision on your chosen course, and to help your application stand out.

Good luck!

References

• Complete University Guide: Optometry, Ophthalmics & Orthoptics (opens in a new tab)

• LCI Group: University of Huddersfield (opens in a new tab)

• QS World University Rankings 2026 (opens in a new tab)

• Student Living: University of Hull Acceptance Rate (opens in a new tab)

• UCAS Undergraduate end of cycle data resources 2025 (opens in a new tab)

• University of Bradford (opens in a new tab)

• Whatuni: Universities With Highest and Lowest Dropout Rates (opens in a new tab)

• The Guardian University Guide 2026 – the rankings (opens in a new tab)