Worcester University

Worcester University—more formally the University of Worcester—is a modern university spread across several sites in and around the historic cathedral city. For prospective students, parents and visitors, it offers a mix of green campus space, city-centre facilities, specialist sports venues and a compact student city that is easy to explore on foot.

What is Worcester University?

The University of Worcester began life in 1946 as Worcester Emergency Teacher Training College, created to help address Britain’s post-war shortage of teachers. It gained degree-awarding powers in 1997 and received full university status in 2005, becoming the University of Worcester.

Today it is a broad-based university with academic schools and support services across four main sites: St John’s Campus, City Campus, Severn Campus and Lakeside Campus. Its growth has helped reshape parts of Worcester, from the conversion of the former Worcester Royal Infirmary into City Campus to the creation of the University of Worcester Arena on the site of a former fruit and vegetable market.

For anyone considering study in Worcestershire, Worcester University is worth understanding as more than a single campus. Its sites are close enough to be combined in one visit, yet each has a distinct character: St John’s is the largest and most traditional campus, City Campus sits in the heart of Worcester, Severn Campus focuses on health, wellbeing and sport, and Lakeside offers a quieter outdoor setting.

The University’s main campuses

St John’s Campus and City Campus are around a 20-minute walk apart, with Severn Campus conveniently located between them. That makes Worcester unusually manageable for students: you can attend a lecture, study at The Hive, train at the Arena and meet friends in the city centre without needing a car.

St John’s Campus

St John’s Campus is the University’s main and largest site, located at Henwick Grove in the St John’s area of Worcester. It combines leafy grounds with practical student facilities, including the student village, sports facilities, catering, study spaces and the Peirson Study and Guidance Centre.

This is the campus many prospective students picture when they imagine university life: halls of residence, societies, sports pitches, a campus shop and a busy social atmosphere. It is also the usual base for University open days, although visitors may move between sites depending on the subject they are interested in.

The campus is well connected to the city. First Bus services 31, 31A and U1 link St John’s Campus with Worcester city centre, the City Campus and the bus station. Walking from Worcester Foregate Street station takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes, while a taxi takes around five minutes.

City Campus and The Hive

City Campus is one of Worcester University’s most distinctive developments. Opened in 2009 on the site of the former Worcester Royal Infirmary, it brought teaching, cultural and community facilities into the city centre.

Its best-known feature is The Hive, a £60 million library and cultural centre shared with Worcestershire County Council. It is an award-winning building and a major study destination for students, combining library services with public spaces, archives and community facilities.

Because City Campus sits in the city centre, it is especially useful for students who want to be close to shops, cafés, restaurants, bars and Worcester’s riverside. It also makes the University feel integrated into the city rather than separated from it.

Severn Campus and the University Arena

Severn Campus is home to the University of Worcester Arena, the Riverside building and The Garage art studios. The Arena opened in 2013 on the site of a long-derelict fruit and vegetable market beside the River Severn.

It was the UK’s first purpose-built indoor sports arena designed to meet the needs of wheelchair athletes as well as able-bodied athletes. The venue can seat up to 1,850 spectators and has become an important centre for inclusive sport, as well as a venue for events and community activity.

For students interested in sport, health, physiotherapy, nursing, allied health professions or performance, Severn Campus is a major part of the University’s offer. The University has also invested in health and wellbeing facilities there, and the Three Counties Medical School welcomed its first students in 2023.

Courses and academic strengths

Worcester University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across subject areas including education, health, sport, business, computing, creative arts, humanities and social sciences. Its origins in teacher training remain important, but the University has expanded substantially since its foundation.

Health education is a particularly visible strength. Nursing and midwifery education became part of the institution in 1995, and the development of Severn Campus has supported modern facilities for education, research and professional practice. The Three Counties Medical School further strengthened the University’s role in training healthcare professionals for the region.

Sport and inclusive physical activity are also central to the University’s identity. The University Arena is not simply a sports hall: it reflects a long-standing commitment to disability sport and accessible facilities, and it gives students opportunities to study, train, volunteer and attend events in a nationally significant venue.

Creative and cultural subjects benefit from Worcester’s own cultural landscape. The city’s museums, archives, venues and media organisations can provide practical opportunities beyond the classroom, particularly for students studying history, journalism, art, performance and related subjects.

Visiting Worcester University

The best way to understand whether Worcester University suits you is to visit. Open days give prospective students the chance to explore campuses, view accommodation, meet lecturers, speak with current students and talk to admissions, finance and student support teams.

According to the University’s open-day information, events are typically held from 10am to 3pm and may be based at St John’s Campus, City Campus or Severn Campus, depending on the course of interest. Visitors are usually able to visit all three main campuses during an open day.

If you cannot attend an open day, the University also offers bookable campus tours. These do not provide the full open-day experience, but they allow you to look around campus and speak to a current student—useful if you want a quieter, more focused visit.

What happens at an open day?

An open day is your opportunity to test whether a university feels right. At Worcester, visitors can expect campus tours, subject-specific talks, accommodation viewings and the chance to ask questions of lecturers and current students.

• Explore teaching facilities and specialist spaces relevant to your chosen subject.
• Look around halls of residence and speak with students living there.
• Meet admissions staff to discuss applications, entry requirements and next steps.
• Speak to finance and student support teams about funding, wellbeing and practical help.
• Attend talks on student life, accommodation and preparing for university.
• Visit The Hive, the University Arena and other key facilities.

Parking is free on all campuses during open days, which is helpful for families travelling by car. The University sends registered visitors a programme and arrival information before the event, including details of where to go.

Student accommodation

St John’s Campus includes the University’s student village, making it a central part of student accommodation provision. During open days and offer-holder events, prospective students can usually look around halls and ask current residents about everyday life.

Getting to Worcester University

Worcester is well connected for a city of its size. It lies close to the M5, with Junctions 6 and 7 providing access to the University’s campuses; under normal traffic conditions, the University says its campuses can be reached in around 15 to 20 minutes from Junction 7.

By rail, Worcester has two stations. Worcester Foregate Street is in the city centre and is around a 15-minute walk from Severn Campus, or 25 to 30 minutes from St John’s Campus. Worcester Shrub Hill is around a 25-minute walk from Severn Campus, or roughly 10 minutes by taxi.

The University promotes sustainable travel, with cycle storage, bike schemes, car-share options and subsidised bus tickets. The 31B Unishuttle connects St John’s Campus, Severn Campus and City Campus, while other First Bus services link the sites with the city centre and bus station.

For visitors attending an event at the University Arena, there is a dedicated car park with 286 spaces, including 27 accessible spaces. Spectator parking has been advertised at £6 per car per day, but charges and availability can change, so confirm details with the Arena before travelling.

Student life in Worcester

Worcester is a compact, walkable city with a friendly, student-centred atmosphere. The River Severn runs through it, Worcester Cathedral dominates the skyline, and the city centre combines national retailers with independent shops, cafés, pubs and music venues.

For students, this creates a practical balance: enough going on to keep weekends interesting, without the scale, expense and travel time of a much larger city. The city’s bars, restaurants and live-music venues are within easy reach of the University’s city-centre and riverside sites.

If you are researching the social side of the city as well as its academic offer, the Worcester Party photo archive provides a useful look at Worcester’s nightlife and events over time.

Is Worcester University right for you?

Worcester University may suit students who want a welcoming university city rather than a huge metropolitan campus. It offers the facilities and course choice expected of a modern university, while Worcester itself remains compact, affordable by many students’ standards and easy to navigate.

It is particularly worth considering if you are interested in education, health, sport, inclusive activity, creative subjects or a campus experience close to a historic city centre. The combination of St John’s Campus, The Hive and the University Arena gives the University a varied offer that many larger cities cannot match in such a small area.

That said, the best decision comes from visiting. Walk between campuses, spend time in The Hive, see the Arena, look at accommodation and picture yourself living in Worcester for three or more years.

Practical checklist for applicants

• Check your chosen course page for entry requirements, module options and placement opportunities.
• Book an open day or campus tour through the University’s official website.
• Plan a route that includes St John’s, City and Severn Campus.
• Visit accommodation and ask current students about their experience.
• Check travel times from your home address, including rail, bus and driving options.
• Explore Worcester city centre, the riverside and local nightlife to see whether the city suits you.
• Contact admissions or student support early if you have accessibility, funding or course-specific questions.

Frequently asked questions

Is Worcester University the same as the University of Worcester?

Yes. “Worcester University” is commonly used as a shorter way of referring to the University of Worcester, the city’s university. Its official name is the University of Worcester.

How many campuses does Worcester University have?

The University has four main sites: St John’s Campus, City Campus, Severn Campus and Lakeside Campus. St John’s, City and Severn are the sites most commonly included in open days and campus visits.

Where is Worcester University located?

Its main sites are in Worcester. St John’s Campus is at Henwick Grove, City Campus is in the city centre, and Severn Campus is on Hylton Road beside the River Severn. Lakeside Campus is nearby but separate from the main city sites.

Can you visit Worcester University without an open day?

Yes. The University offers bookable campus tours for people who cannot attend an open day. Tours allow you to see the campus and speak to a current student, although they do not include the full programme of subject talks and accommodation viewings available at an open day.

Is parking free at Worcester University open days?

Yes. The University states that parking is free on all campuses during its open days. At other times, parking arrangements and charges may differ, so check the relevant campus or event information before travelling.

What is The Hive?

The Hive is the University of Worcester’s award-winning library and cultural centre at City Campus. It was developed with Worcestershire County Council and is a major study and community space in the centre of Worcester.

Is Worcester a good student city?

Worcester is a compact, walkable cathedral city with riverside walks, shops, cafés, restaurants, pubs and live-music venues. Its size makes it easy to get around, while the University’s multiple campuses keep students close to both academic facilities and city life.