University of Bolton

University of Bolton Overview

The University of Bolton was initially founded in 1824 as the Bolton Mechanics Institute, before going through a number of changes and eventually being given degree-awarding powers in 1990, and the title University of Bolton in 2005.

Over 30 University of Bolton courses are professionally accredited, including the British Psychological Society and the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Bolton is also a leading UK institution when catering for students with disabilities of all kinds.

Bolton offers some of the lowest fees in the country for students wishing to study at the University, even after all forms of financial support are taken into consideration. Bolton recently opened a small campus in the UAE, continuing its commitment to international expansion. Its student population is one of the most ethnically diverse in the UK with around 25 per cent coming from minority communities.

University of Bolton Rankings

• 119th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 32nd in the Guardian University Guide 2025

Almost half (48%) of the research publications from the Allied Health Professions, including nursing, were rated as “internationally excellent”, or “internationally recognised”, by the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021). In Engineering, almost 20% of research publications were rated as “world-leading” and almost a further 40% as “internationally excellent”.

University of Bolton Location

Bolton is one of the UK's largest towns and has a rich cultural and industrial history. The West Pennine moors area is only 2.5 miles from campus and offers some of the most scenic views in the country. Liverpool and Manchester are both a short train ride away. The University of Bolton is served by Manchester Airport, which runs a direct train service.