The University of Bristol

The beautiful old buildings of the University of Bristol are scattered around Clifton, a smart and lively area of the city, situated close to the City Centre and Waterfront and a short walk from the Downs.

 

Background History

The origins of the University of Bristol can be traced back to the foundation of the Merchant Venturers Navigation School in 1595. The University first existed as University College, Bristol after John Percival expressed the need for a University culture in the Southwest of England. University College, Bristol was the first of the higher education institutions to admit men and women on the same basis. The new University of Bristol opened in October 1909 with Henry Overton Wills as its first Chancellor.

Accessibility

Rail: A 25-minute walk from Bristol's main station, Bristol Temple Meads. Buses 8 and 9 run frequently from the station to the University precinct.

Road: The M4 and M5 provide access to London and Birmingham in under two hours. The M32 gives direct access from the city centre to the M4. From the M32 follow signs to Clifton and then to the University.

Most major facilities are wheelchair accessible, and there is a range of disabled- friendly accommodation for the visually and hearing impaired as well as those with mobility issues.

For more information please contact the Access Unit for Deaf and Disabled Students, telephone (0117) 954 5727; textphone (0117) 954 5728; email access- unit [email protected].

What's on Offer

UG Dip, UG Cert, BA, BSc, BDS, BVSc, BEng, LLB, PG Dip, PG Cert, MBChB, MA, MSci, MSc, MEng, LLM, MRes, MEd, M.Clin.Dent.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements vary depending on the course.

University Accommodation

The University's Halls of Residence offer both catered and self-catered accommodation for students. These vary in size from smaller student houses to larger halls accommodating up to 450 students. There are also a range of older, more traditional halls and more modern residences. Some of these are located around the university precinct, while others are a ten-minute walk away in nearby Clifton village and there is a large community of six Halls situated in Stoke Bishop, a 35-minute walk from the university precinct on the other side of the downs.

Private Accommodation

There is a large range of private accommodation available in the city. The most popular areas to live are Clifton, Redland and Cotham.

Faculties and Departments

The University of Bristol is made up of six faculties: the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law.

Academic Strengths and Research Profile

Twenty-six subjects are ranked in the top ten of the 2012 UK league tables. These include Engineering, English, Foreign Languages, Mathematics, Music and Geography. Bristol appeared in the top 100 of the QS World Rankings 2011 for Arts and Humanities, Natural, Social and Life sciences and Engineering and IT. Bristol is one of the UK's top research universities and over 60% of research carried out has been awarded 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent' ratings.

Tuition fees

Undergraduate fees

Tuition fees for all UK/EU students studying for their first degree are £9,000.

Fees for overseas students may vary depending on the course of study.

Postgraduate Fees

Fees for all students vary depending on the course of study and are liable to rise each year.

Financial support

There are bursaries and scholarships available to home students for a variety of subjects including music and sport.

Academic Facilities

Bristol has ten branch libraries, which are located in, or close to the relevant faculty or school. These contain an extensive collection of books, journals, DVDs and various other learning resources. Wireless internet access is available around the university via wireless hotspots and there are computing facilities in the libraries, departments and at the 24-hour computer centre.  

Other on-site Amenities

The Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health offers a wide range of sporting activities with a state of the art gym, squash courts and running track. There are many opportunities to get involved in sport with various sporting clubs, societies and classes. Clifton offers a huge variety of cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars and many of these offer student deals. Students can also visit the refectory or the Student Union for food and cheap drinks at the Union bars. The Union is also the home of a vast number of different societies such as food and drink, cultural and religious, political, sporting, musical societies and many more.

Medical and Social Care

The Students' Health Service offers the full range of NHS treatments for students at the University of Bristol. Counselling services and a Chaplaincy also provide support for students.

What's on in the Area?

Bristol offers a fantastic range of cultural and social activities. Students can enjoy a vibrant nightlife at the many bars, pubs and clubs around Clifton, the City Centre and the Waterfront, with everything on offer from jazz clubs to drum and bass nights. There are frequent concerts at Colston Hall, the Hippodrome, the Victoria Rooms and various other venues. The Watershed offers a great variety of art-house films and there are fantastic shopping facilities at Cabot Circus, the city's bustling new shopping precinct. Other attractions include the Clifton Suspension Bridge, The SS GreatBritain, Bristol Zoo and the nearby Roman city of Bath.

Moving On

The University Careers Service offers workshops and events on employability skills, work experience, and also advertises jobs, internships and placements. These services are available to both current students and Bristol graduates.

Various TV shows are shot around Bristol and Skins was filmed around University hangouts such as College Green and Rocotillos. The 2006 film Starter for Ten was also shot at locations around Bristol University. Bristol has many notable alumni including Dick King Smith, Derren Brown, David Walliams, James Blunt and Albert II Prince of Monaco.

Is Bristol the place for you?

If you like being in a bustling city centre then Bristol is a good choice. Bristol has an excellent reputation for engineering, music, humanities, maths and a variety of other subjects. If you prefer the idea of a campus university, look at York and Warwick. If you'd rather not be on a campus but Bristol is a little too big, then take a look at Durham. If London is the place for you then Kings College London might be a good alternative.