University of Bristol

Institution Profile

The student experience

We attract students from all over the world, creating a rich and exciting international community. We are also lucky to be located in a vibrant, dynamic city with a reputation for creativity and sustainability. With a choice of over 200 degree courses covering a broad range of subjects, our students engage with intellectually challenging courses that encourage independence of mind.

A Bristol degree is highly attractive to employers: we offer our students a high-quality, research-led education, and enhance our global reputation by recruiting the best academics. Bristol is ranked fifth most targeted university by top UK employers (source: High Fliers 2024).

Our courses are shaped by the very latest thinking, and our students work on real-life projects with academics who are experts in their field. As well as teaching the facts, our researchers pass on their knowledge, enthusiasm and experience.

Bristol is small enough to feel warm and friendly, with Wellbeing Advisors in both University residences and academic schools to support our students, personal tutors and additional support services. It's also big enough to provide outstanding extracurricular opportunities, including a host of clubs, sporting activities and community and volunteering groups.

We continually invest in new and existing facilities, training and technology. Our libraries, IT facilities and informal study spaces keep students connected and support independent learning. We have a comprehensive network of support services to ensure that our students can get help and advice on all aspects of university life – academic, personal, financial and practical – if and when they need it.



School and college visits

We attend a variety of events organised by schools and colleges across the country, from exhibition-style HE fairs to talks, assemblies and presentations. We know how important these events are in the school calendar and we are committed to supporting such activity in order to support as many students as possible. If you would like to request attendance at an upcoming event, please complete our online booking form. We aren’t usually able to attend events with less than 6 weeks notice.

Campus tours

We run tours of the Clifton campus led by our current students. The tours will give you an overview of central University buildings and the opportunity to ask current students about their experience studying at Bristol.  Our tours run in winter and summer. Please check our campus tour webpage for further details.

If you are unable to visit the campus in-person, feel free to use our Virtual Tour.

University of Bristol campus image

Post 16 programmes

Our Widening Participation team offer a range of opportunities to students taking A-levels or equivalent to help them make informed decisions about university.

Our post-16 programmes are designed to support state-educated students from underrepresented, disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds to access Higher Education. We prioritise working with students who meet our widening participation eligibility criteria listed on each programme's webpage.

Participants who successfully complete Access to Bristol, Insight into Bristol, Discover Bristol, Bristol Scholars, Next Step Bristol, Virtual Summer School, or our Mature Pathway to Bristol may be eligible to receive admissions benefits such as a Guaranteed Contextual Offer or Guaranteed Interview (where applicable).

Virtual resources

The University of Bristol has reproduced a range of subject-specific online resources for students, teachers and advisors. We also offer guidance on key topics such as writing personal statements, choosing a university and understanding admissions. To access the resources, please complete the access form via our webpages for students, or for teachers and advisors.

Get in touch

For anything related to widening participation, please email [email protected]

For anything related to school visits and events, please email [email protected]

For general queries, please email [email protected]

Forthcoming events

9 Upcoming events

Bristol is one of the most popular and successful universities in the UK, ranked 51st in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2026.