The University of Buckingham is the only independent not for profit university with a Royal Charter. Located in Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, England, on the banks of the River Great Ouse. It was originally founded as the University College at Buckingham in 1973 and received its Royal Charter from the Queen in 1983. The university's funding regime is not like that of other UK universities, but rather is on the model of many US universities, as it does not receive state funding via HEFCE. It has formal charity status as a non-profit making institution dedicated to the ends of research and education. Buckingham offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral degrees through five "schools" of study.