Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) is a public university in the historic cathedral city of Lincoln, England, founded in 1862 and granted full university status in 2012. Important update for 2026: the university has been renamed and now operates as Lincoln Bishop University (LBU), though it is still widely searched for and known as Bishop Grosseteste University. With around 2,000 students on a single uphill campus near Lincoln Cathedral and the Bailgate district, it began as an Anglican teacher-training college and is still best known for teacher training (PGCE), while now offering over 40 undergraduate courses across education, humanities, social sciences, business, psychology and sport. This guide covers what it's known for, courses, ranking, jobs and fees.
Bishop Grosseteste University at a glance
| Item | Details |
| Current name | Lincoln Bishop University (formerly Bishop Grosseteste University) |
| Location | Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England (single uphill campus) |
| Founded | 1862; university status 2012 |
| Students | About 2,000 |
| Known for | Teacher training (PGCE), education, strong student support |
| Courses | 40+ undergraduate across education, humanities, business, psychology, sport, archaeology |
| Notable award | Daily Mail University Guide 2026 University of the Year for Student Support |
| Employability | Around 97% of graduates in work or further study within six months (historic HESA) |
| International fees | Roughly £10-13.4 lakh per year (about £10,000-£13,400 equivalent banding) |
What Bishop Grosseteste University is known for
BGU's identity rests on a few clear strengths:
- Teacher training: its founding purpose and still its signature, with PGCE pathways from foundation degrees to PhD level, training primary, secondary and specialist teachers
- Student support: named 2026 University of the Year for Student Support in the Daily Mail University Guide, reflecting its reputation as one of the friendliest and most supportive universities in the UK
- Employability: historically very high graduate employment, with HESA data showing around 97% of graduates in work or further study within six months
- A safe, friendly, single-campus experience: the compact uphill campus near Lincoln Cathedral suits students who want a close-knit community rather than a sprawling city university
- A widening course range: while education remains core, BGU now offers business, English, history, geography, psychology, archaeology, sport and more
Bishop Grosseteste University Lincoln: the location
The single-site campus sits in uphill Lincoln, close to the historic Bailgate district, Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle, one of the most picturesque university settings in England. Lincoln is an affordable, safe and student-friendly cathedral city, with the campus within easy reach of the high street. For international students weighing UK cities, Lincoln offers a lower cost of living than London or the big metros, which pairs well with BGU's mid-range fees. If you are comparing UK university options and entry standards, our guide to the UK university grading system explains how UK degrees are classified, and our overview of low-cost universities in the UK for international students is useful for budget-conscious applicants.
Bishop Grosseteste University courses and ranking
BGU offers over 40 undergraduate courses, with the most popular including early childhood education, primary education, archaeology, business, counselling, English, history, geography and music. Study runs from foundation degrees through bachelor's to PhD level.
On ranking, BGU is a specialist, teaching-focused institution rather than a research-intensive one, so it sits modestly in overall league tables (placing around the lower-middle of UK tables, for example the 57th-position band in some subject tables like Business). However, it consistently performs strongly on the metrics that matter most to many students: teaching quality, student satisfaction, student support and employability, where it has ranked among the best in the UK and holds a Teaching Excellence Framework Gold award. The lesson is the familiar one: read subject-level and student-experience metrics, not just the overall rank.
Bishop Grosseteste University jobs
There are two common meanings behind searches for "Bishop Grosseteste University jobs":
Working at the university: BGU advertises academic and professional-services vacancies (lecturing, research, administration, student support, estates and more) on its official jobs/vacancies page. Anyone seeking employment at the university should check the official Lincoln Bishop University website's careers section for current openings.
Graduate job outcomes: the university's strong employability record, historically around 97% of graduates in work or further study within six months, is a key selling point, particularly for its teacher-training graduates entering schools. The careers and employability support is part of why it scores well on student support.
Fees and who BGU suits
International undergraduate fees sit in a mid-range band (roughly £10,000-£13,400 per year depending on course), more affordable than many larger UK universities. Combined with Lincoln's low cost of living, BGU is a budget-sensible choice.
Strong fit: aspiring teachers and education professionals; students who want strong personal support and a close-knit, friendly campus; those who value high employability and a safe, affordable city; applicants who prefer a small university to a large one.
Weaker fit: students set on a research-intensive, high-overall-ranking or big-city university; those wanting a very wide range of niche STEM degrees.
FAQs
What is Bishop Grosseteste University?
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), now renamed Lincoln Bishop University, is a public university in Lincoln, England, founded in 1862 and granted university status in 2012. It has about 2,000 students on a single uphill campus and is best known for teacher training, while offering over 40 undergraduate courses.
Where is Bishop Grosseteste University Lincoln?
It is on a single-site campus in uphill Lincoln, Lincolnshire, close to the historic Bailgate district, Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle. Lincoln is an affordable, safe and student-friendly cathedral city in the East Midlands of England.
What is Bishop Grosseteste University known for?
It is best known for teacher training (PGCE), strong student support (named 2026 University of the Year for Student Support by the Daily Mail University Guide), high graduate employability, and a friendly, safe, close-knit single-campus experience. It also holds a Teaching Excellence Framework Gold award.
How do I find Bishop Grosseteste University jobs?
University vacancies (academic and professional-services roles) are advertised on the official Lincoln Bishop University website's careers or vacancies section. For graduate job prospects, the university has a strong employability record, historically around 97% of graduates in work or further study within six months.
What courses does Bishop Grosseteste University offer?
BGU offers over 40 undergraduate courses, with popular options including early childhood and primary education, archaeology, business, counselling, English, history, geography, psychology, sport and music, from foundation degrees through bachelor's to PhD level.
Is Bishop Grosseteste University good?
For teaching quality, student support, satisfaction and employability, yes, it ranks among the best in the UK on these measures and holds TEF Gold. It is a specialist teaching-focused university, so it sits modestly in overall research-weighted league tables, which matters less if you value support, employability and a friendly campus.
