Brunel University of London: Fees, Entry and January Intake
TL;DR: Brunel University of London is a single-campus university in Uxbridge, west London, with about 13,000 students. International master's fees for 2027/28 entry sit around £25,535 for courses such as MSc Data Science and Analytics, several master's courses start in January, and Brunel recommends applying by 13 November 2026 for a January 2027 start.
Brunel suits students who want a London degree on one self-contained campus, with engineering, computing and business courses. This guide covers fees, entry, English tests, intakes and scholarships, so you can decide quickly whether it belongs on your shortlist. Not sure your grades fit? Check your eligibility with Prosper.
What is Brunel University of London known for?
Brunel University of London is a public university based on "a single, suburban campus in West London", home to around 13,000 students from 140 countries. It joined the University of London federation on 1 October 2024, which is why its name now ends in "of London".
On its own news page, Brunel reports a place of 353rd in the world and 37th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Its MBA is accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA), and the MSc Engineering Management is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
For students, the practical point is simple: everything sits on one campus in Uxbridge, at the western end of London. You study, live and use the library in one place, while central London is a train or Tube ride away.
Brunel University fees for international students
Brunel publishes fees on each course page. These are the international figures it lists for full-time study:
| Course | Level | International fee | Fee year |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Science and Analytics | Master's | £25,535 | 2027/28 |
| MSc Engineering Management | Master's | £25,535 | 2027/28 |
| LLM Artificial Intelligence, Law and Technology | Master's | £22,985 | 2027/28 |
| MBA | Master's | £29,500 | 2026/27 |
| BSc International Business | Bachelor's | £19,895 | 2027/28 |
Brunel asks international students for a £5,000 deposit towards tuition before it issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). On top of tuition, the UK Student visa needs £1,529 a month for up to nine months in living funds for study in London, a £558 visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge at £776 a year. Our guide to UK tuition fees for international students shows how these costs add up.
Brunel University January intake and deadlines
Brunel runs a January intake for a number of master's courses. Its course pages confirm January starts for MSc Data Science and Analytics, MSc Engineering Management, the MBA and the LLM in Artificial Intelligence, Law and Technology.
Brunel's recommended application dates are:
- January 2027 start: apply by 13 November 2026.
- September 2027 start: apply by 16 July 2027.
These are recommended dates, not hard cut-offs, but a January application still has to clear the offer, the £5,000 deposit, the CAS and the visa before term starts. If you are aiming for January, apply now. If time is tight, September gives you room to prepare documents without rushing. Our guide on how to apply for a UK student visa walks through the steps after your CAS.
Brunel entry requirements and English tests
Brunel says most of its courses ask for an English level between IELTS 6.0 and IELTS 7.0. MSc Data Science and Analytics, for example, asks for IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in every part.
Brunel also accepts PTE Academic UKVI, TOEFL iBT, LanguageCert Academic, Cambridge English, Trinity ISE, PSI and Password Skills Plus, as well as its own BrunELT test. The Duolingo English Test is not on Brunel's published list, so do not book it for Brunel. If you are choosing between tests, our PTE exam guide explains the format and scores.
Academic entry is set course by course. Master's courses generally ask for a relevant bachelor's degree, and the scholarships below are tied to a UK 2:1 or 2:2 equivalent, which shows the range Brunel considers.
Brunel scholarships for international students
Brunel lists two main awards for international master's students starting in September 2026 or January 2027:
- Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate International Excellence Award: a £6,000 tuition fee reduction for students with at least a UK 2:1 or equivalent. The advisory deadline for January 2027 entry is 30 November 2026.
- Postgraduate International Bursary: a £4,000 tuition fee reduction for students with a UK 2:2 or equivalent. The deadline is 30 November 2026, and the £5,000 deposit must also be paid.
Both reduce the tuition fee rather than paying cash, so plan your funds on the reduced fee only once the award is confirmed in writing.
Brunel pathway college
If your grades do not meet direct entry, Brunel's pathway college runs Foundation, First Year, International Year 2 and Pre-Master's programmes that lead into Brunel degrees. Its 2026/27 fees are £17,000 to £17,450 for Foundation, £17,950 for First Year and £10,950 for Pre-Master's.
Applying from Sri Lanka
Brunel has a country page for Sri Lanka. It accepts a Sri Lankan GCE O/L English grade A, or a Sri Lankan A/L English pass or above, as proof of English for some courses, which can save you a test. Check your exact course before relying on this.
For the pathway college, Brunel lists Foundation entry from at least five GCE O/L passes at grades A to C, including English and Mathematics, and First Year entry from A/L passes with at least 2S grades.
Your UK visa biometrics are taken at VFS Global Colombo, and you will need a TB test at the IOM clinic in Colombo before you apply. Our IOM Colombo TB test guide covers booking and what to bring.
FAQ
Is Brunel University of London a good university for international students?
Brunel University of London ranks 353rd in the world and 37th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2027, by its own report. It has students from 140 countries on one campus in west London, with accredited engineering and business programmes.
Does Brunel University have a January intake?
Yes. Brunel offers January starts on several master's courses, including MSc Data Science and Analytics, MSc Engineering Management and the MBA. It recommends applying by 13 November 2026 for January 2027.
How much deposit does Brunel ask international students to pay?
Brunel asks international students for a £5,000 deposit towards tuition before it issues the CAS. The deposit counts towards your tuition fee.
Does Brunel accept the Duolingo English Test?
Duolingo is not on Brunel's published list of accepted English tests. Brunel accepts IELTS, PTE Academic UKVI, TOEFL iBT, LanguageCert and several others.
What is the IELTS requirement for Brunel University?
Most Brunel courses ask for IELTS 6.0 to 7.0. MSc Data Science and Analytics asks for IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component.
PS: Brunel's January deadline is close, and the deposit and CAS steps take time after an offer. If Brunel fits your plan, tell us your degree and grades and we will tell you whether January or September is realistic. Check your eligibility with Prosper. You can also read our guide to the UK university deposit.
References
- Study at Brunel, Brunel University of London, https://www.brunel.ac.uk/international/exchanges-and-study-abroad-programmes/study-at-brunel
- Brunel joins the University of London, Brunel University of London, https://www.brunel.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/UoL-welcomes-Brunel
- Brunel climbs global QS rankings, Brunel University of London, https://www.brunel.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/Brunel-climbs-global-QS-rankings
- MSc Data Science and Analytics, Brunel University of London, https://www.brunel.ac.uk/study/courses/data-science-and-analytics-msc
- MSc Engineering Management, Brunel University of London, https://www.brunel.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/engineering-management-msc
- MBA, Brunel University of London, https://www.brunel.ac.uk/study/courses/business-administration-mba
- Postgraduate courses: how to apply, Brunel University of London, https://www.brunel.ac.uk/study/applicants/postgraduate-courses-how-to-apply/postgraduate-courses
- English language requirements, Brunel University of London, https://www.brunel.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements
- Requirements for international students, Brunel University of London, https://www.brunel.ac.uk/international/applicants/how-to-apply-international-students/requirements-for-international-students-at-Brunel
- Vice Chancellor's Excellence Award terms, Brunel University of London, https://www.brunel.ac.uk/scholarships/the-vice-chancellors-excellence-award-terms-and-conditions
- International Bursary (PG) terms, Brunel University of London, https://www.brunel.ac.uk/scholarships/the-international-bursary-pg-terms-and-conditions
- Pathway College international fees, Brunel University of London, https://pathway.brunel.ac.uk/admission/fees/international/
- Sri Lanka country page, Brunel University of London, https://www.brunel.ac.uk/international/yourcountry/Sri-Lanka
- Student visa: money, GOV.UK, https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money
- Healthcare surcharge, GOV.UK, https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay
