Senate House
Tyndall Avenue
Bristol BS8 1TH

Tel 0117 928 9000

admissions@bristol.ac.uk

www.bristol.ac.uk

Sunday Times ranking 10 (9)

Teaching excellence 65.5%

Student satisfaction 71.8%

Head teacher ranking 5 (6)

Peer ranking 7 (9)

Research quality 74.2%

A/AS-level points 437

A-levels for entry 90%

Unemployment 4.5%

Firsts and 2:1s 82.3%

Student/staff ratio 14.4:1

Dropout rate 4% (5%)

World ranking 64=

Undergraduates 11,523 (4,324)

Postgraduates 2,709 (5,076)

Teaching staff 1,070

Applications/places 37,862/3,661; 10.3:1 (+15.6%)

Clearing entry 3%

Bursaries 32%: £725-£1,135

Scholarships 100: £515-£2,560

EU/overseas 3%/9%

Mature 6.2%

State school 65%

Lowest social classes 16%

Low-participation areas 6%

Live in 30% (98%) £68-£146

Whatever way you analyse it, Bristol is one of Britain’s very best universities. Once again in our top 10, it is an academically distinctive institution set in a vibrant, student-oriented city. It is, therefore, one of the most difficult universities to get into. Already with more than 10 applications per place, this year’s 15% surge in numbers seeking a berth will make winning one an even tougher task.

However, Bristol continues its efforts to broaden its intake to include more local students and more from disadvantaged backgrounds. Those recruited from a Bristol or Bath postcode will earn a £1,025 bursary in addition to any means-tested funding they might qualify for (which in itself can reach £1,135 a year).

The university, which incurred the wrath of independent school heads, who claimed it favoured state school applicants, is bullish about its recruitment strategy. “Every potential student should be confident that their application will be assessed fairly,” it told us. “Widening participation is aimed at maintaining standards, behaving equitably and building a diverse community of learning.” In fact, independent pupils account for 35% of the intake, one of the highest proportions outside of Oxbridge.

Bristol has enjoyed one of the best reputations among leading (state and independent) heads in the three years of our unique head teachers’ survey of the best universities, this year ranking fifth just behind Oxbridge and local rival, Bath.

Its strengths lie across all faculties and in the coming year two centres of excellence for teaching and learning – areas of outstanding academic achievement identified by the funding council – open in chemistry and the medical sciences. Bristol has just spent £50m on making the chemistry facilities comparable to any in the UK.

A recent NME magazine poll said students enjoyed the best social life of any in the UK. And that’s before the students’ union gets the costly makeover in the pipeline. Bristol is one of five centres of cultural excellence (a government-conferred distinction) and has a buzzing waterfront of pubs, clubs and arts venues. There are more than 3,500 university rooms and no shortage of places in the wider city.

Open days November 7 (mature students).

Student view Tobin Webb, students’ union president:

USP Interacting with world-class academics and peers.

Worst feature Public transport is poor.

Location We are in the most aesthetically pleasing part of the city.

Social scene A diverse selection on offer from music to the arts.

Rated excellent (25) Anatomy and physiology; applied social work; archeology; chemistry; civil engineering; drama, dance and cinematics; economics; education; electrical and electronic engineering; English; geography; Iberian languages and studies; law; maths, statistics and operational research; mechanical, aeronautical and manufacturing engineering (aerospace engineering); mechanical engineering; molecular biosciences; organismal biosciences; pharmacology and pharmacy; philosophy; physics and astronomy; politics; psychology; teacher training; veterinary medicine.

Degree of student satisfaction: 71.8%

Civil, Chemical and other Engineering 81.5; Medical Science and Pharmacy 79.4; Biology and related Sciences 77.9; Mechanically-based Engineering 77.4; Physical Science 76.2; Electronic and Electric Engineering 75.3; Law 75.0;Philosophy, Theology and Religious studies 74.0; Physical Geography and Environmental Science 74.0; Computer Science 74.0; European Languages and Area studies 73.6; English-based studies 73.1; History and Archeology 72.9; Politics 70.5; Performing Arts 69.7; Mathematical Sciences 69.7; Economics 69.0; Psychology 68.4; Veterinary Sciences 66.2; Finance and Accounting 65.5; Sociology, Social Policy and Anthropology 65.2; Medicine and Dentistry 61.6; Social Work 56.3

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