University of Buckingham

The University of Buckingham stands in the small town of Buckingham, England. It is the oldest of the country’s six private universities, founded in 1973 and granted university status in 1983. The university’s development was shaped by Margaret Thatcher, who laid its foundation stone and later served as chancellor from 1993 to 1998. Its finances rely entirely on student fees and endowments, with no direct state funding. The campus sits partly along the River Great Ouse, blending modern buildings with restored Georgian houses. The university has expanded in recent years, acquiring new sites to increase capacity. The university organises its teaching into schools covering Business, Law, Medicine, Humanities and more, each led by a dean. Its medical programmes are notable, including a four-and-a-half-year MB ChB degree accredited by the General Medical Council. The Medical School opened in 2015 as the first private medical school in the UK since the early 20th century. Other schools focus on postgraduate medicine and allied health, offering advanced degrees for overseas doctors. The university maintains academic standards through external examiners and membership of the Quality Assurance Agency. Visitors to the campus find a riverside setting with central buildings like Yeomanry House and the Anthony de Rothschild building. The Chandos Building overlooks the site, housing the Medical School and a large lecture theatre. On the hill above sits the Franciscan Building, home to the schools of Law and Computing. The ‘island’ area includes the Tanlaw Mill, which serves as a social hub with the refectory and Students’ Union. Student accommodation lines the riverbank, while newer developments expand the campus to the west. The restored Prebend House contains the Vice-Chancellor’s office, adding a touch of Georgian heritage.