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University of Bristol

Bristol, United Kingdom

  • Cost of Living£ 20,064
  • Tuition Fee From£ 4,700
  • Country Rank-
  • Batch Strength27,375
  • Global Diversity28%
  • Gender Ratio44:56

Overview

About

The University of Bristol is a red-brick research university located in Bristol, England. Although it can be traced back to a Merchant Venturers' school founded in 1595 and University College, Bristol, which had been around since 1876, it obtained its royal charter in 1909. Over 600+ undergraduate and postgraduate courses are offered by Bristol's six academic faculties, most of which are located in the Tyndalls Park neighbourhood. Each faculty is made up of numerous schools and departments. 

 

In 2020-2021, the university earned a total of £752.0 million, of which £169.8 million came from grants and contracts for research and the university is Bristol's largest independent employer. There are currently 44 fellows of the Royal Society, 21 fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences, 13 fellows of the British Academy, and 13 fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering. There are 1,65,000 alumni from the university, including 13 Nobel laureates. The alumni members have unlimited access to libraries, exclusive savings, and the use of fitness centres and swimming pools. Simon Pegg (Actor and Writer), Paul Dirac (Recipient of Nobel Prize in Physics),  Jonathan Evans (Former MI5 Director), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (Former South African Minister of Health), Paul Dirac (Physicist and Nobel Prize winner), and others are part of the alumni.

 

Learn More About: University of Bristol Acceptance Rate

Ranking

According to the 2016 Round University Ranking, Bristol is rated 47th in the globe and 6th in the UK. In 2017, the university ranked 76th in the world, according to the US News & World Report. Scimago Institutions Rankings placed it 120th out of all universities in the globe in 2019. Bristol was ranked 64th overall and 8th in the UK in 2019 by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Ranking of World Universities. 

 

Bristol was ranked ninth in the UK and 58th globally overall in the 2021 QS World University Rankings. The university also ranked 58th globally and 9th in the UK in the 2021 QS World University Rankings for Graduate Employability, which takes into account reputation with employers. In 2015, recruiters from the country's top corporations ranked Bristol as the ninth-best university in the UK for the calibre of its graduates. In the 2020 Times Higher Education World University Ranking, Bristol was ranked 10th in the UK and 87th overall. 

 

Bristol is a member of the "Sutton 13" group of top-ranked institutions in the UK and was ranked 10th overall in the UK in The Sunday Times’ 10-year (1998 - 2007) average ranking of British universities based on sustained league table performance. The university boasts the sixth-highest percentage of "excellent honours" of any UK university, according to data from The Sunday Times. It is one of just four UK universities (the others being Oxford, UCL, and Manchester) to receive an Excellent rating across all seven departments according to the 2010 Centre for Higher Education Development's Excellence Rankings. Take a look at the University of Bristol rankings in 2024 below -

 

  • #55 - QS 2024 - World University Ranking 
  • #81 - Times Higher Education 2024
  • #15 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - University Ranking UK
  • #17 - The Guardian 2024 - University Rankings

 

Course Rankings:

One may see that the engineering and business courses offered by the Bristol are fairly well-liked after carefully examining the subject rankings by different ranking companies. Its engineering programmes have been named among the top 10 programmes in the UK. Its Electrical & Electronic, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering degrees have been listed among the top 10 courses in the UK by The Complete University Guide and The Guardian.

 

The university’s Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Biological Sciences, Mathematics, and Psychology programmes all placed in the top 5 in The Times rating for their respective fields in 2008.  Bristol was ranked fourth Guardian University Guide for Business and Management Studies and is particularly good in the social sciences, particularly in economics, finance, and management. In 2011, The Guardian also placed Bristol first in the UK for music and third in the UK for geography, slightly behind Oxford in second place. Bristol was ranked fifth for German, fourth for Russian, third for mechanical and civil engineering, third for music, and second for drama in The Complete University Guide 2013. Here are some of the University of Bristol courses ranked in 2022 & 2023 -

 

Business Courses:

  • #14 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Business and Management Studies UK
  • #13 - The Guardian 2024 - Business and Management
  • #41 - The Guardian 2024 - Guardian Economics Rankings

 

Engineering Courses:

  • #2 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
  • #4 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Civil Engineering Ranking
  • #11 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • #4 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Mechanical Engineering Ranking

 

Medicine & Health Sciences Courses:

  • #6 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Medicine Rankings
  • #11 - The Guardian 2024 - Guardian Medicine Rankings

 

 Law Courses

  • #8 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Law Rankings
  • #15 - The Guardian 2024 - Guardian Law Rankings

 

Humanities & Social Sciences Courses

  • #10 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Psychology Rankings
  • #7 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Sociology Rankings
  • #15 - The Guardian 2024 - Guardian Politics Rankings
  • #24 - The Guardian 2024 - Guardian Sociology and Social Policy Rankings

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2025

#54

-

2023

#61

#93

2022

#62

#93

2021

#62

#92

Facilities

Over 208 buildings are used for academic, sporting, and administrative functions at the university. The Faculty of Arts and the biological sciences building are located on Clifton Campus. The site also offers 3,000 study spaces spread across three study centres. Computer labs are well-equipped on campus, and eight out of nine top-tier university libraries are located here. In the region of South West England, the university libraries have the largest collection of books and journals. Academic buildings and divisions for UG and PG students can be found on the 255-hectare Langford Campus. The Bristol Veterinary School is on the campus. Glance through the University of Bristol facilities in detail -

 

Academic Libraries:

The largest academic collection in the southwest of England is housed in the more than 1.4 million printed books and journals that are available in Bristol University’s nine libraries.

 

Collections and Archives:

Among the archives and special collections housed at the University are the Brunel Collection and the Penguin Archive. The certified museum and research facility Theatre Collection is devoted to the study of British theatre history. The University's Botanic Garden's plant collections are heavily utilised in the classroom, and the Geology Museum is home to more than 100,000 specimens, some of which are of significant global significance. Many other departments have their own particular collections and archives.

 

Studying Areas:

All across the university, there are areas designated for studying that are quiet, conducive to group work, or more sociable. Students can also utilise more than 2,000 PCs, including those in the study areas with 24-hour access.

 

IT Assistance:

Students can receive assistance and guidance from the IT Service Desk. They provide mobile and dedicated laptop clinics. IT teams on-campus assist with teaching and research activities. 

Notable Alumni

Anna Maria Anders
Anna Maria Anders
Senator and a Minister in Poland
Percy Anstey
Percy Anstey
Economist
Julie Myerson
Julie Myerson
Novelist

Courses

Admission

Acceptance Rate

The University of Bristol acceptance rate is 63% only. Hence students who are wishing to get here should demonstrate great scores and submit documents on time. The number is a clear indication that only 67 students out of 100 are given a go-ahead.

 

The University of Bristol's acceptance rate should be examined through the lens of its prestigious reputation and exceptional academic programmes. As an institution that draws large numbers of highly competitive applicants, Bristol upholds meticulously selective admission standards. Though this allows Bristol to maintain a lower acceptance rate compared to other universities, admission selectivity alone does not determine institutional quality. Aspiring students should assess Bristol based on its high-calibre education and wealth of opportunities, not just acceptance data. Cross-university differences in applicant pools and academic rigour contextualise admission competition at a given school.

 

Entry Requirements

Both UG and PG programmes have different application procedures. Students applying for undergraduate studies can use the UCAS Portal and postgraduate studies can be applied through the University Application Portal. The application fee for undergraduate students is £20 - £25 and upto £50 for postgraduate students. The following University of Bristol entry requirements should be submitted when applying to a university as an international student -


 

Application Portal

UG: UCAS

PG: University website

Acceptance Rate

67%

English Language Requirement

IELTS:  7.5

TOEFL: 103

Additional Documents

Transcripts

2-3 LORs

SOP

Proof of Financial Stability

 

Fees

Take a look at the University of Bristol fees for some of the top courses -

  • M.Sc Data Science: £30,500
  • M.Sc Management: £29,200 /Yr
  • M.Sc Accounting and Finance: £30,500 /Yr
  • M.Sc Finance and Investment: £34,300 /Yr
  • M.Sc Computer Science: £30,500 /Yr
  • M.Sc Public Health: £24,900 /Yr
  • Law & Legal Studies: £19,500 - £22,200
  • Psychology: £4,700 - £27,200 

 

Placements

More than 600 University of Bristol placements abroad are facilitated annually by the university's Global Opportunities Team. For instance, if a student is pursuing a degree in modern languages, the third year will be spent abroad in a nation or countries where the chosen language is spoken. As a student studying at a partner university, teaching English, or doing a job placement, students get the chance to personally discover the culture and community. There are alternatives for studying or working abroad with a number of non-language degrees.

 

The university offers a variety of courses with the chance to work in the industry to provide practical experience and improve employability. The Faculty of Engineering offers a specialised Student Industrial Liaison Office (ILO) that organises industrial mentoring and summer internships, as well as lectures by engineers in the industry, to give students an understanding of working in the Engineering field. Over 60 businesses, including Airbus, JLR, Toshiba, and Arup, have close ties to and partnerships with the ILO. Students studying chemistry have previously been placed with organisations including BP, Shell, and Kodak.

 

Students from the university can always participate in a range of summer internship programmes or Easter insight weeks during their free time. These can include helping a local small or medium-sized business or working for a huge worldwide firm. Each opportunity will have distinct prerequisites and be accessible to students at various points in their academic careers, but they all offer beneficial chances for skill development. Local businesses may give the university’s students the opportunity to work part-time while they are enrolled in classes. These aid in expanding students’ horizons and in helping them apply what they've learned outside of the classroom.

 

Scholarship

The University of Bristol has announced financial aid in global education by allocating £3 million to the Think Big Scholarship Programme for 2024. This new initiative aims to empower exceptional international students to pursue studies at Bristol, regardless of financial constraints or national origin. By providing needs-based scholarships to qualifying applicants from around the world, the university aims to create pathways to opportunity for bright international minds seeking world-class education in the UK. With the Think Big Programme, Bristol affirms its ethos of academic excellence paired with global inclusivity.

 

Name Of The Scholarship

Eligibility

Grant

Think Big Scholarships

Both UG and PG students

6,500 to GBP 26,000

Finances

Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the University of Bristol. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!

 

Accommodation

There are several student accommodations in Bristol near Anglia Ruskin University that are fully equipped for your needs. Student accommodation near University Of Bristol offers a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.

UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from an array of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are inexpensive and fully furnished with 24/7 staff support.

Cost of Living

Bristol is home to a variety of neighbourhoods that are sure to appeal to all types of students, whether it be the lively Gloucester Road with its many bars and cafes or the quiet Bishopston and St Andrews. Additionally, it is small, which makes riding and walking a breeze. Students who plan on moving to this city need to curate a budget to get an idea of the living expenses they may incur while living there. Here is a breakdown of the cost of living in Bristol to make it easier for students to get an estimate of the costs on a monthly basis -

 

Item

Cost (Per Month)

Off-Campus Accommodation

£932

On-Campus Accommodation

£944

Transportation

£84

Food 

£414

Entertainment

£36

Groceries

£136

Clothes

£70

Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation (Per Month)

£1,672

Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation (Per Month)

£1,684

Annual Cost of Living

£20,064

 

FAQs