Coventry University: What it's really like
Get to know this UK university
Want to study in one of the UK’s top five student cities? Coventry could be the place for you!
Coventry at a glance:
| Founded | 1843 |
| Locations | Coventry, London and Scarborough, UK; and Wroclaw, Poland |
| Undergraduate course length | Three years |
| Courses | The university has four faculties: health and life sciences, business and law, arts and humanities, and engineering. |
| Students | 30,000 |
| Great for | Students who want to study on a campus, but also enjoy the convenience of having the city on their doorstep. |
| Not for | Students interested in animal subjects, veterinary studies, or agriculture, which Coventry doesn’t currently offer. |
Danny, a Regional Recruitment Specialist at Coventry University who has worked there for six years, tells us what it’s like to be a student there.
What is Coventry University?
Coventry University is home to 30,000 students, of which over 13,000 are international.
The Coventry University campus is based in the city centre of Coventry, in the West Midlands, UK. There are also campuses in London and Scarborough, UK; and in Wroclaw in Poland.
There are four faculties at Coventry: health and life sciences, business and law, arts and humanities, and engineering.
Why apply to Coventry?
One great reason to apply is our location. Coventry is in the top five student cities in the UK (QS World Rankings 2023), with over 50,000 students living here.
The Coventry Group campuses – that’s CU London, CU Scarborough, and CU Coventry (separate from the main Coventry University campus) offer a more flexible approach to uni. On these, you can study a module every six weeks, for example, or take up an access or foundation route, which might make uni more accessible.
If you’re an international student, you’ll be supported to feel at home here. Our student body represents over 150 countries so you’re likely to meet other students from your home nation. Plus, Birmingham International Airport is just 20 minutes away by train if you need to travel home between semesters.
Who isn’t the right fit for Coventry?
We don’t currently offer degrees in animal management, veterinary studies, or agriculture. So if you’re looking to study one of these subjects, it might be best to look elsewhere. We also don’t offer degrees in medicine specifically, but if you’re interested in that field you could study, for example, biomedical sciences before looking at a graduate entry route into medicine later on.
Any application tips?
Firstly, I always advise students to come to one of our open days. Whilst you’re here, ask yourself if you can see yourself studying here. Then write a pros and cons list to help you make your decision.
When it then comes to writing your personal statement, our admissions tutors need to see why you’re enthusiastic about the course you’re applying for. What are your long-term goals and how will studying this subject help you to achieve them?
Add in any relevant work experience if you have it as well. You’ll need this for healthcare subjects in particular. Don’t just describe what you did; write about the skills you learned and how they'll apply to your studies.
Some of our healthcare and art and design courses have an interview stage. Try to see this as a positive – it means we’ve seen potential in your application! Plus it’s a great way for you to check out the uni in person and ask lots of questions, so you can work out if the course is right for you.
What’s the location like?
The Coventry University campus is in the city centre, with the nearest train station being about a 10-minute walk away. If you’re travelling here from Birmingham, it takes about half an hour by train from Birmingham New Street station. From London, it takes just over an hour.
In your spare time, you can enjoy activities from escape rooms to nightclubs to mini golf in Coventry. The city was awarded UK City of Culture in 2021, so it’s since created exciting new venues like the UK’s first permanent digital gallery. It’s a small city, so it’s easy to walk from one activity to the next.
For days out and weekend breaks, historic cities like Leamington and Warwick are also a short journey from Coventry.
What facilities does Coventry have to offer?
Over the last decade, Coventry University has invested over £350 million into its campus. This has included renovations to our health and life sciences and engineering departments, and we’re soon opening a new arts and humanities block.
Standout facilities include a Harrier jump jet aircraft for our aerospace students, flight and motor sport simulator decks, and wind tunnels designed by Mercedes Petronas (very exciting for Formula One fans!). If you’re interested in nursing or midwifery, we have a mock hospital ward where you can get a feel for working in these settings. Plus our library is open 24/7, 364 days a year.
For those who want to practise sports outside of their studies, Coventry has teams for over 50 different sports including American football, golf, and lacrosse. Our 100 social societies span interests from languages to chocolate eating and baking.
Our cinema, Square One, screens films shortly after their release at a discount. And we have a hair salon on campus too!
What is the accommodation like?
Accommodation at Coventry includes both private accommodation and halls of residence, which are a great way to meet new people while you study here.
Most students live in halls in their first year. For those who live locally or commute from home, there's the option to move back into halls in your second or third year if you decide you’d like to have that experience later on.
You can choose a studio apartment if you want your own kitchen and bathroom. But if you’re looking to live with other people, there are options to have a shared or en suite bathroom. You can also choose from self-catered or catered eating options.
To book your accommodation, you’ll need to make Coventry University your firm choice on your application and pay a deposit.
How does Coventry meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?
Coventry is a very accessible uni. It’s easy to get around if you're a wheelchair user, and if you have dyslexia or any other learning differences, our advice and guidance team will support you with any reasonable adjustments you may need.
If you need emotional support, you can chat to our mental health and wellbeing team. We also have an on-campus surgery, plus a careers team to advise on job applications and a global team to support you in international opportunities.
In addition, we're one of few unis that offer student success coaches. These are staff dedicated to making sure your time here is the best it can be, and you’ll meet them on day one. If you have any concerns, from finding a book for your studies to managing stress, you can chat to your coach.
Want to explore more UK universities? Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.