Happy Yorkshire Day from University of Bradford 

Nestled in the eastern foothills of the Pennines, Bradford is a gateway to Saltaire, Ilkley Moor, Brontë Country and the wider world. 

Its rich heritage, diversity, and ambition cement its claim as the cultural and symbolic heart of Yorkshire, especially during Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. 

The University of Bradford is proud to be rooted in this vibrant city. We are the University of and for the city of Bradford. Our roots run deep and our branches reach far across the region, working hand-in-hand with communities, businesses, driving innovation and shaping futures. 

Here are 10 reasons why we’re reet proud of our Yorkshire roots. 

Best of the best 

We’ve been ranked #1 on the Social Mobility Index four years in a row and are University of the Year at the Social Mobility Awards but what does that mean – over 80% of our students hail from ‘deprived’ backgrounds (almost twice the national average) and yet 92% of our home-undergraduates are either in employment or further study 15 months after graduation. It means we’re great at supporting students and helping them succeed. 

Regional roots 

Our innovative Bradford Digitisation Hub is part of West Yorkshire Investment Zone, providing state-of-the-art chemical and physical analytical and engineering facilities to support health-tech and manufacturing companies across Yorkshire. 

We mean business 

We have one of the oldest business schools in the UK – our 60-year-old School of Management runs world-leading online courses and is part of an elite group to hold ‘the triple-crown' of accreditations - AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.   

Yorkshire alumni 

Kevin Gaskell, 66, former Porsche and BMW UK CEO, recently completed the 2,800-nautical-mile journey from Monterey, California to Kauai, Hawaii in just over 32 days as part of the five-man Ocean5 crew, smashing two world records in the process. Gaskell, who studied Civil Engineering at Bradford, was part of a team that not only set the record for the fastest five-man row across the Pacific but also saw him become the oldest person to complete the feat. 

Home-grown talent 

We have some awesome homegrown Hon Grads, including the likes of Daniel Lee, CCO of Burberry and crime author and screenwriter AA Dhand AND our current Chancellor, the estimable Anita Rani, is born and bred right here in Bradford. 

It’s all academic 

As part of the Bradford 2025 event, ‘Epic Yorkshire’, launching on Yorkshire Day (1 August), Dr Mark Goodall, will deliver an illustrated talk on Wednesday 13 August at the National Science and Media Muesum uncovering the fascinating, forgotten history of Bradford’s Cinecenta cinema, followed by a screening of the 1967 Albert Finney film, Charlie Bubbles. 

Looks are everything 

'We have one of the best looking campuses in Yorkshire' - as recognised by our Yorkshire in Bloom and Green Flag awards.

We talk the talk 

If you’ve ever wondered why all us Tykes are faffin’ about wi’ words nob’dy else can fathom, take yer flat caps off to this article. Plus, our campus-based Theatre in the Mill production of Teaspoon of Shampoo won national plaudits.

Bradford2025 UK City of Culture 

Bradford is the UK’s City of Culture 2025, and University of Bradford is a key partner – supporting arts, heritage, and community-led projects across the district. 

No nonsense approach to Clearing 

Clearing 2025 opened on July 5 and runs until October 20, offering prospective students the chance to secure a place at university. We have award winning programmes in Nursing, Computer Science, Business Management and much more. We can usually help you find the right course. 

Call-lines and self apply form will be open from the first day of Clearing on July 5 -  08081 969129 from 9am – 12pm, then 9am-5pm weekdays until August 14. 

The University of Bradford is offering a range of services this year, including its Clearing Community Pass, which includes webinars, a dedicated phone line and SMS and email updates.