University of Bristol
A research-intensive city university that publishes exactly how it scores applications for each course.
- Students
- 31,132
- International
- 35%
- of students
- Tuition
- £26,500
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1876
About Bristol
The University of Bristol was founded in 1876 as University College, Bristol, received its royal charter in 1909, and was the first higher education institution in England to admit women on an equal basis to men. Today it has about 31,000 students, more than a third of them international, and is organised into three faculties: Arts, Law and Social Sciences; Health and Life Sciences; and Science and Engineering.
Bristol is highly competitive, attracting on average eight applicants for every place, and it is one of the UK's top five universities for research according to REF 2021. Its admissions are unusually transparent: for many courses, published admissions statements explain that applications are scored on GCSE and A-level results (for example, 20% GCSE and 80% A-level for Economics), with the personal statement used only to separate applicants with identical scores.
The university counts 13 Nobel Prize winners among its community and is home to a highly rated start-up hub. It suits students who want a research-intensive university in a lively, creative city, and who have strong grades: typical offers run from AAA to A*AA for many popular courses, with contextual offers for eligible applicants.
Vim promovet insitam
“[Learning] promotes one's innate power” — university motto
Why students choose Bristol
Bristol ranks in the UK top ten in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (8th in the UK, 57th in the world).
Admissions statements for each course spell out exactly how applications are scored, so applicants know what matters.
Bristol is the 6th most targeted university by top UK recruiters (High Fliers Research 2026), and over 40% of its programmes are accredited by professional bodies.
The University of Bristol Bursary pays up to £2,500 a year to UK students with household income of £50,000 or less, with no separate application.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Bristol does not publish an overall offer rate on its admissions pages; it states that it attracts on average eight applicants for every place.
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels | Course-specific typical offers, e.g. AAA (History), A*AA including Mathematics (Economics), A*AA including A* in Mathematics (Computer Science), A*AA or A*A*B (Law); contextual offers are lower, e.g. AAB for Economics, Computer Science and Law, ABB for History |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Course-specific, e.g. 36 points with 18 at HL (History), 38 points with 18 at HL including Mathematics (Economics) |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 88 Each course sets an English profile. Profile G (e.g. Economics): IELTS 6.5 with 7.0 in reading and listening and no skill below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 88 (R24 L22 S22 W22) for tests up to 20 January 2026. Profile B (e.g. History): IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 elsewhere, or TOEFL iBT 95. |
Deadlines
- UCAS (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
Courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
All other courses; Bristol may accept later applications to some courses.
The 15 October 2026 and 13 January 2027 dates are the UCAS deadlines for 2027 entry. Bristol may accept applications to some courses after January, but check with the admissions team first.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS. For many courses, a central admissions team scores applications on GCSE and A-level (or equivalent) results; the personal statement and reference are only used when applicants cannot otherwise be separated. Law also weighs the LNAT; Medicine and Dentistry use the UCAT and further selection.
What admissions looks for
- Strong academic results: for courses such as Economics, applications are scored 20% on GCSE and 80% on achieved or predicted A-levels.
- Required subjects at the right grade, such as Mathematics for Economics and an A* in Mathematics for Computer Science.
- For Law, the LNAT score alongside GCSE and A-level results.
- Where scores tie, a personal statement that shows motivation and understanding of the subject.
Tips for applying to Bristol
- 1 Read the admissions statement for your course before applying: it tells you exactly how your GCSEs, A-levels and any test are weighted.
- 2 Don't neglect GCSEs: they can count for a fifth of your score on grade-ranked courses.
- 3 Check whether you qualify for a contextual offer: for Economics, Computer Science and Law it is AAB instead of A*AA.
- 4 International applicants should look at the Think Big Scholarships, Bristol's flagship scheme for international students.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
The University of Bristol Bursary gives UK students with household income of £50,000 or below up to £2,500 a year, assessed automatically via Student Finance. There are Futures Scholarships for UK students, a Standalone Bursary for care leavers, estranged and bereaved students, and Think Big Scholarships towards tuition for international students. International fees increase each year in line with expected inflation.
- Up to £2,500 per year (household income £50,000 or below)
- University of Bristol Bursary
- About £30,961
- Estimated 3-year Home tuition, 2027 starters
Academics
Economics (BSc)
A*AA including Mathematics, with applications ranked on a published GCSE/A-level scoring formula.
Computer Science (BSc)
A*AA including an A* in Mathematics; overseas fee £34,700 for the first year (2027 entry).
Law (LLB)
A*AA or A*A*B plus the LNAT, with many variants including Law and French, German or Spanish and study abroad.
Medicine (MBChB)
UCAT required and a 15 October UCAS deadline; overseas fee £47,600 for the first year (2027 entry).
Film and Television (BA)
Part of Bristol's theatre and film tradition, whose drama graduates include Simon Pegg, David Walliams and Sarah Kane.
Veterinary Science (BVSc)
One of Bristol's professional clinical degrees, with an October UCAS deadline.
Research
- Bristol is a top-five UK university for research according to REF 2021 and earned £353 million in research income in 2024/25.
- Nobel laureate Cecil Powell carried out his physics research at the university's H. H. Wills Physics Laboratory.
- Bristol reports hosting the top start-up hub in the UK and Ireland (FT Statista 2024).
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
Bristol is the 6th most targeted university by top UK graduate recruiters (High Fliers Research 2026).
Student life
Bristol's landmark is the Wills Memorial Building at the top of Park Street, and the university is investing in its Clifton campus and a new Temple Quarter campus. More than a third of its 31,000 students are international, giving the student body a mixed, global feel. Bristol's drama and film courses have produced well-known comedians, actors and writers. Students reported average living costs of about £1,401 a month in 2025/26, with rent the largest item at around £776 a month.
- The Wills Memorial Building tower is the university's landmark at the top of Park Street.
- More than a third of students are international (10,903 in 2024/25).
- Chancellor Sir Paul Nurse is one of 13 Nobel Prize winners linked to the university.
- Over 40% of teaching programmes are accredited by professional bodies.
Housing. New full-time first-year undergraduates who firmly accept their offer and apply for accommodation by the 30 June guarantee deadline are guaranteed a University room offer, though not necessarily in their preferred residence.
Location
Bristol is a large city in south-west England. The university's historic buildings, including the Wills Memorial Building on Park Street, are close to the city centre, and a new Temple Quarter campus is being developed. Undergraduates reported average living costs of about £1,401 a month in 2025/26, lower than London but still significant.
Nearest airport: Bristol Airport (BRS)
Notable alumni
- PD Paul DiracNobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist; BSc in electrical engineering and BA in mathematics from Bristol
- SP Simon PeggActor and writer; BA in theatre, film and television
- DW David WalliamsComedian and children's author; drama graduate
- SK Sarah KanePlaywright; studied drama
- CM Chris MorrisSatirist and filmmaker; zoology graduate
- HC Hugh CornwellSinger and guitarist, founding member of The Stranglers; biochemistry graduate
Frequently asked questions
How hard is it to get into the University of Bristol?
Bristol attracts on average eight applicants per place and does not publish an overall offer rate. Typical offers for popular courses run from AAA to A*AA.
Does Bristol read the personal statement?
For many courses, such as Economics and Law, Bristol's admissions statements say the personal statement and reference are not normally considered; they are used only when applicants have the same academic score.
What is the Bristol application deadline for 2027 entry?
13 January 2027 via UCAS for most courses, and 15 October 2026 for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science.
Does Bristol require the LNAT or UCAT?
Yes: the LNAT for Law LLB courses and the UCAT for Medicine and Dentistry.
How much are Bristol's fees for international students?
For students starting in 2027/28, first-year overseas fees range from £26,500 (Law) to £51,600 (Dentistry), for example £29,300 for Economics and £34,700 for Computer Science. Fees then rise each year in line with expected inflation.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- University of Bristol News: ranked 8th in UK in QS World University Rankings 2027 (18 June 2026)
- University of Bristol: Rankings and reputation
- THE World University Rankings 2026
- ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026
- University of Bristol: Facts and figures
- University of Bristol: Entry requirements and qualifications
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