University of Bristol

Overview

The University of Bristol is a traditional university, founded in 1876, and received its Royal Charter in 1909. The University is internationally distinguished and one of the very best in the UK. It is also: a thriving international community dedicated to learning, discovery and enterprise; situated in the heart of Bristol; a major force in the life and economy of south-west England; a world leader in research and a member of the Russell Group of universities. International students currently make up 16 per cent of the student body. Coming from over 100 countries, these students both benefit and add greatly to the educational and social experience of life at the University of Bristol.
The University is located in Bristol, England. It received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876. It is one of the original "red brick" universities and ranks as one of the top 10 universities in the United Kingdom, according to most published league tables, and receives more applications than any other British University. It  has an annual turnover of £260m and is the largest independent employer in Bristol.
The University is a member of the Russell Group, European-wide Coimbra Group and the Worldwide Universities Network, of which the University's Vice-Chancellor Prof Eric Thomas is the current Chair. The most recent Research Assessment Exercise gave 15 departments a 5* rating.
Bristol has around 23,000 students and culturally, there are lots of things going on in in the city. The population is cosmopolitan so the city follows suit. Bristol is a hilly city and students tend to get around on foot, so be prepared for this. As you walk, you can take in the beautiful buildings and green space around you.
Bristol International Airport is 20 minutes away from the city centre, and London is 90 minutes away by train. Students coming to Bristol may like to consider flying in to Bristol's airport.

Ranking

League tables generally place Bristol within the top ten universities in the United Kingdom. The 2011 University League Table published by The Times placed Bristol 14th, The 2008 Sunday Times placed Bristol 10th and The Good University Guide placed Bristol 7th. Internationally, The Times Higher Education Supplement placed Bristol 64th in the world in 2006 and 37th in 2007. Another international ranking, the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Ranking of World Universities, placed Bristol 62nd globally in 2007. According to data published in The Telegraph Bristol has the third-highest percentage of 'good honours' of any UK university, behind Oxford and Cambridge.
The University of Bristol is highly successful with the overall quality of its teaching emerging as Excellent from the rigorous UK government's independent teaching assessment process. It is also acknowledged by the UK government, research bodies, funding agencies and industry as a leading centre for enterprise, innovation and research. The UK government's most recent Research Assessment Exercise placed over 95 per cent of Bristol's subject areas in the top grades (5*, 5 and 4). These research strengths feed into teaching and learning and ensure that students are taught by people who are among the leading authorities in their field.

Courses

Postgraduate Course Finder

Services for International Students

All undergraduate and taught postgraduate students are assigned a Personal Tutor, a named member of academic staff within their department, to whom they can turn for help and advice on both academic and personal matters.
Personal Tutors will meet their students regularly, either individually or in groups, and students may request a one-to-one meeting at any time. Students are encouraged to discuss any problems at an early stage. Where appropriate, Personal Tutors may refer students to other support services inside or outside the University of Bristol.
Further information is available on the role of Personal Tutors.
Additional information on our services for International Students can be found on our Student Services page.

Accommodation

Accommodation is guaranteed for all new, single, full-time international students who accept an academic place at Bristol by the deadline. Students may also apply for University accommodation for subsequent years if they wish.
The University of Bristol provides approximately 4000 residential places for students, with almost two thirds of first year places in catered halls. Self-catering accommodation can be found in student houses and halls, some of which are arranged as flats. Some residences are in the city centre while others are situated at the edge of the city near parkland with lovely views across the Avon Gorge. A regular bus service connects the halls with the University and other parts of the city.
The Accommodation Office deals with all applications for University of Bristol accommodation. It also provides an information and advice service on accommodation matters, including family accommodation. Private accommodation is also available and costs around £65-£95 per week, excluding services.

Campus

The University of Bristol is situated in a lively area of the city and although it is not a campus university, the majority of its buildings are only a few minutes' walk from each other. A precinct map is available and below are directions to Senate House by different forms of transport. Senate House contains most of the administrative offices of the University of Bristol and is situated near the centre of the precinct.

Health centre

The Students' Health Service offers full general practice care to all University of Bristol students and their families who live within the practice area.
During vacations surgeries are held from 9.30am to 12 noon and 2pm to 4.30pm every weekday.
All consultations are absolutely confidential and information will not be given to University staff, parents or other interested parties without the express permission of the patient.

Welfare support

International Student Advisers exist to help all international students get the most out of their time at Bristol, providing services such as: Advice on a range of matters including immigration (under British Law the two International Student Advisers are the only people in the University of Bristol permitted to give advice on immigration issues), visa renewals, work permits and family issues. A reception and introductory programme for new international students. Help and support with personal problems. A programme of visits to places of interest. Publications including a term newsletter and an International Students Handbook. Website: www.bris.ac.uk/internationalcentre/studentsupport

Location

Bristol's modern facilities are linked by a good public transport network. Bristol International Airport is 20 minutes away by shuttle bus or taxi and London is just 90 minutes away by train. There is easy access to the popular holiday destinations of the south-west coastal region, the Cotswolds and Wales. Bristol is a multicultural city of festivals and carnivals, clubs and DJs, architecture and park land, business and new technology, theatres and museums, artists and animators, music and film. It has been officially designated a 'Centre of Culture' by the Government. Bristol is the largest city in the south-west with a population of over 400,000 and is the region’s leading centre for business, culture and education.
The city’s economic strength arises from engineering, aerospace technology, financial services, media and tourism.
There has been a port here for a thousand years. The historic docks have been redeveloped for leisure and arts, and there is more open space per head of population here than in any other English city. This is nonetheless a modern city with excellent transport networks. Day trips to the coast and London are easily achievable and travel further afield is easy due to the expansion of the International Airport.

Entry Requirements

For undergraduate programmes, GCE A level, some examples:
AAA for veterinary science, law
AAB medicine, economics, politics
AAB/ABB engineering, biochemistry.
Equivalent grades for other qualifications are accepted.
Postgraduate programmes:
A good Bachelor degree. Relevant research experience for some PhD programmes.
General English Language requirements: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 600/250/100 with TWE 5.0 but please note that some subjects require higher grades.
International Foundation Year:                                                                                                   Academic Study in English:
IELTS 4.5 with 4.0 in writing or TOEFL 500/173 with 2.5 in TWE/Essay Rating. Undergraduates must also have a good high school pass and postgraduates a good first degree.
Academic Study in English with Mathematics:
IELTS 5.5 with 5.0 in writing or TOEFL 550/213 with 3.5 in TWE/Essay Rating. Undergraduates must also have a good high school pass and postgraduates a good first degree. Applicants must also have evidence of a good standard in mathematics.
Foundation Studies:
IELTS 6.0 with 5.0 in each part of the test or TOEFL 577/233 with 4.0 in TWE/Essay Rating. Undergraduates must also have a good high school pass and postgraduates a good first degree.  
URL: www.bris.ac.uk