Going to university doesn't always mean moving out. If student halls aren't for you, commuting from home could be your answer. With our campus easily accessible from London and the South East, commuting offers you the best of both worlds.
With everything on one campus, you’ll spend less time on the road and more time being a student. From study areas to social spots, sporting facilities to large green open spaces, all you might need is just a short walk away, including student support.
Getting to campus
Brunel is located in Uxbridge, west London. Our address is Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH. You can easily reach our campus by different modes of transportation.
Rail
We're surrounded by several nearby stations, making it a breeze to reach us via train or underground. Don't forget to make the most of the discounts available for rail users!
Tube
Uxbridge (Zone 6) is the closest tube station to Brunel - just one mile from campus. Hop on the Metropolitan Line or Piccadilly Line from central London (Baker Street) to Uxbridge in just 40 minutes. From the tube station, take any of the U1, U3, U4, U5, U7, or 222 buses and you’ll be on campus in 10 minutes. Along Uxbridge High Street, where the tube station is located, you can grab a coffee or do some shopping before boarding one of the U1, U3, U4, or U7 buses at the Vine Street bus stop. Alternatively, cycling takes under 10 minutes, while walking takes 20.
West Ruislip (Zone 6) is on the Central Line, which runs through the heart of London from Epping, Essex. Take the U1 bus from outside the station for a 30-minute ride to campus.
West Drayton (Zone 6) is your closest station to Brunel on the Elizabeth Line, which stretches from Reading to Essex. Catch one of the U1, U3, U5 or 222 buses from the station, and you'll be on campus in no time!
Train
West Drayton (First Great Western Link) is the nearest mainline station, approx. 1.5 miles from campus. Services operate from London Paddington or the West (Bristol). The U1, U3, U5, and 222 bus routes all stop at Brunel.
West Ruislip Station (Chiltern Railways) serves as the mainline service from London Marylebone and the North (Aylesbury, Banbury and Birmingham). It’s located about 4 miles from campus. From the station, take the U1 bus to Brunel.
Bus
Local bus routes U1, U2, U4, and U7 all conveniently stop at the main entrance of Brunel on Kingston Lane. If you're taking the U3, it stops at Cleveland Road. For buses 222 or U5, you'll need to alight at Cowley Road and use the path through the accommodation complex.
Travelling from Heathrow or Stockley Park? Take advantage of the A10 'Heathrow Fast' bus service. Simply disembark at the Hillingdon Road stop called 'The Greenway,' where you'll find a footpath leading to campus.
Additionally, other popular routes stopping at 'The Greenway' include:
- 427 from Hayes and Southall
- SL8 from Shepherd's Bush, Acton and Ealing
- Arriva 724 from Essex and Hertfordshire
Commuting from further afield? Lots of the big coach companies such as National Express and megabus travel directly to Heathrow, which can sometimes be easier and cheaper than train. From here, you can catch one of the local buses straight to campus.
Should your time on campus run late, then you can catch the N207 night bus from The Greenway. This service connects Uxbridge Station and Bloomsbury Square. Alternatively, the 222 from Uxbridge Station to Hounslow Bus Station operates 24/7, with wait times ranging from 6-15 minutes on weekdays and 10-30 minutes on the weekend.
Bike
Our campus is conveniently located along a signposted cycle route that passes right through the heart of campus along Cleveland Road. If you're bringing your own bike to campus, we've made sure there are plenty of cycle storage facilities scattered around, and some of our halls even offer enclosed storage areas. Plus, if you're worried about freshening up after your ride, don't sweat it! We've got showers and changing facilities available at the Sports Centre.
You can also take advantage of our Santander Cycles Brunel scheme. Affectionately known as 'Brunel Bikes,' they're here to make your commuting life easier. With six docking stations spread across Uxbridge town centre, Brunel, and Hillingdon Hospital, getting around has never been more convenient.
Car
Many of our students opt to commute to campus by car, as we're easy to reach via M4 junction 4, M25 or A40/M40. If you do choose to drive to campus, remember to check your vehicle's compliance on the ULEZ website.
Vehicle entry onto campus is via Kingston Lane. If you're using a sat nav, use postcode UB8 3PH, or use the what3words app with the words ///legend.duty.impact.
If you're driving to Brunel and live outside a two-mile radius from campus, you can apply for an annual student parking permit (fees apply), via eVision once you're fully enrolled. Alternatively, there are some Pay & Display spots on campus, priced from £1 per hour.
Blue badge holders and motorcycle riders are entitled to park for free at various dedicated locations across our campus - just remember to register your vehicle after you've enrolled.
Learn more about parking on campus.
Electric car charging: We've various electric car charging points dotted around campus, so you can charge your vehicle while you study.
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Commuting hacks
Cut-price commute: Travelling by public transport? Get 30% off London travelcards with an 18+ Student Oyster photocard and 1/3 off other UK train fares with a 16-25 Railcard or 26-30 Railcard. You can save on National Express coaches too with a National Express Student Card. Whether you travel with a travel card or pay-as-you-go tickets, check peak and off-peak prices for additional possible savings.
Plan your journey: Travel apps like Citymapper or Google Maps can be really handy when it comes to figuring out the best route for your commute. It's worth checking out different routes until you find the one that works for you – you might find that slightly longer routes are a little bit cheaper too.
Travel light: If you'd rather not lug your laptop or tablet around on your commute, we’ve got you covered. Our laptop loan scheme allows you to borrow one of ours for up to five hours at a time.
Buddy up: If you drive to campus, why not team up with classmates who live nearby and car share? It's a great way to cut down on transport expenses, split parking fees, and save some cash on petrol too!
Save £££’s on snacks: Bring your own meals and snacks, and save those pounds for the important stuff. Warm up your food or brew yourself a nice hot drink in our well-equipped kitchens found in the Howell and Michael Sterling buildings.
Learn on the go: Use your commute to catch up on your learning. It’ll make your journey feel shorter, and you’ll be getting your work done at the same time! Access thousands of eBooks, eJournals, and online databases directly from our Library and download them to your personal devices. This will not only save money on buying the physical copies, but it also means you won't need to carry around those heavy books when you're travelling.
A place to crash: If you're thinking about staying overnight for an early exam (or a late-night party), Uxbridge and the nearby Heathrow Airport offer hotels for every budget. You can also consider our Lancaster Hotel which offers overnight accommodation right here on campus.
Explore the local area: You'll discover a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants just a short walk or bus ride from our campus. So, whether you're meeting your friends, grabbing a bite to eat or browsing for the latest gadgets, Uxbridge High Street offers all this and more. Need further inspiration? Check out our guide to exploring London.
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Check out your campus
Our campus is designed to be walkable, so you can easily get around between classes. And, if you find yourself with a bit of time to spare, there are plenty of places to go to pass the time.
Need a quiet place to study? Head to the Library to access all the resources whenever you need them, as well for a peaceful spot to study when you need to hit the books.
Our laid-back social areas are ideal for chilling out with friends. You'll find lots of spaces around campus to study or hang out, including our many coffee shops, restaurants and break-out areas. And when the sun's out, why not explore the leafy green spaces on campus? Take a stroll, enjoy a picnic by the River Pinn, or simply soak up some sunshine - there's plenty of room to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
And, if you ever need help or advice while you’re with us, you're just a short walk away from our health and wellbeing, study, and student support services. Whether it’s access to our welfare and wellbeing services, disability support, or assistance with non-academic queries such as visa help or money and budgeting advice, the support you need is always close at hand.
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Making friends
You’ll have lots of opportunities to make friends during your time at Brunel. You’ll meet people on your course, through our sports clubs and societies, at social events, during Welcome Week, and by just getting to know your other fellow commuters.
Our students' union will be at the heart of your social life at Brunel. They organise your student nights out on campus at The Venue, as well as a number of social activities during the day - don't forget to pencil in big events like Varsity and Holi to your calendar. But they're not just about throwing awesome parties, they also champion causes that matter to you, like One Brunel - a celebration of our diverse community. From inspiring inclusion to tackling environmental impact, you'll have the chance to take part in something meaningful.
There's also a vibrant mix of 50+ societies to get involved in. From cultural and subject specific-groups to arts and crafts, and dungeons and dragons, you're practically guaranteed to meet someone who shares your interests and becomes your new buddy in no time!
Sport more your thing? You’ll find plenty of sporting facilities on campus, including a gym, various indoor and outdoor sports courts, as well as running tracks, playing fields and even a physiotherapy clinic. Or, why not consider joining one of the Team Brunel sports clubs? Choose from a range of activities such as football, rugby, archery, sailing, and many more.
For those of you who prefer a more laid-back approach to fitness, there's Active@Brunel - a programme of activities, including weekly drop-in sessions, where you can simply turn up and play your favourite sports. From yoga and pilates to boxercise, and dance fitness, we've got something to help you stay active and healthy in between your lectures. But, if you’d rather watch sports than play it, head to Loco's. Here you can catch many of the live games like football and rugby and meet with other sports fans.
Interested in meeting new people and making a positive impact? Consider joining Brunel Volunteers! We provide opportunities to engage with the community, contribute to important initiatives, and create lasting friendships. By getting involved, you'll play a part in making a difference and enriching your uni experience.
Lastly, if you’re feeling creative and have some free time between classes, check out Brunel Arts. They run weekly classes, events, concerts and productions all year round, covering everything from singing and acting to creative writing, music theory, painting, drawing, pottery, and guitar groups. It's a great way to unleash your creativity and meet like-minded people.
Hear from some of our commuting students
Edgard: Living off-campus in London
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