University of Bristol
Situated in south-west England, the city of Bristol boasts the dynamic energy of a large city while maintaining a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere, ensuring students feel at home. The university’s main campus is centrally located, providing easy access to all the city has to offer.
Fast Facts
Location
- Bristol, England
Number of students
- 29,992 of which 9,994 international students from 183 different countries
Faculties
- Arts
- Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Science
- Social Sciences and Law
Notable Alumni
The University is associated with no fewer than 13 Nobel Laureates, including its current Chancellor, Sir Paul Nurse, who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2001. Other, well-known alumni of the University include:
- Paul Dirac – Nobel prize winning theoretical physicist
- Albert II, Prince of Monaco
- James Blunt – Singer, songwriter
- Emily Watson – Actress and two-time Academy Award nominee
- David Walliams – Comedian, actor and best-selling children’s author
- Jonathan Evans – Former head of MI5
- Bruce MacFarlane Hood – Experimental Psychologist and Philosopher
Member of the Russell Group
Key strengths in teaching and research
- Chemistry (1st)
- Physics (5th)
- Engineering (6th)
- Mathematical Sciences (4th)
- Computer Science and Informatics (7th)
- Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (2nd)
- Biological Sciences (8th)
- Geography and Environmental Studies (1st)
- Law (3rd)
- Economics and Econometrics (7th)
- Modern Languages and Linguistics (4th)
Research
The 2021 REF* confirmed that the University of Bristol ranks 5th in the UK for research quality overall with the above 10 subjects areas in the UK’s top 10. 94% of Bristol’s research is rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
*The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is an internationally recognised system for assessing the quality of research at UK universities. How universities perform in the REF determines the amount of research funding they receive.
QS World University Rankings, 2025
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
UK High Fliers – The Graduate Market, 2023
Location
Bristol, located in the south-west of England, is one of the UK’s most popular student cities. It is a lively and creative city with a friendly, welcoming and laid-back vibe. It blends the energy of a big city with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, helping students quickly feel at home. Bristol boasts a vibrant cultural, music, and leisure scene, featuring numerous events, exhibitions, and festivals throughout the year.
The university’s main Clifton campus is centrally located, providing easy access to all that Bristol has to offer. With over 350 clubs and societies, the university caters to nearly every interest.
All international students are guaranteed accommodation for their first year, provided they meet the criteria and deadlines. The university’s housing is organized into three student villages, offering a variety of self-catered and half-board options.
Spotlight on Research
As a research-intensive university, the University of Bristol is committed to conducting research that significantly impacts global society. Known for its originality , distinctiveness, significance and rigour, Bristol’s research translates into real-world benefits. Here are some examples of how Bristol’s research makes a difference.
Cabot Institute for the Environment
The Cabot Institute for the Environment at the University of Bristol is a diverse community of experts, united by a common cause: protecting our environment and identifying ways of living better with our changing planet. The Institute addresses challenges under six themes which are introduced in this video by Dr Ryerson Christie (Natural Hazards & Disasters), Professor Thorsten Wagener (Water), Dr Maria Paula Escobar-Tello (Food Security), Dr Paul Harper (Low Carbon Energy), Dr Jo House (Environmental Change) and Dr Sean Fox (City Futures).
Project REWIRE: Revolutionising Semiconductor Technology for a Net Zero Future
The University of Bristol’s £11m REWIRE Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) is at the forefront of semiconductor research. Partnering with Cambridge, Warwick, and industry leaders like BMW and Bosch, REWIRE is developing next generation ultrawide bandgap semiconductors essential for achieving netzero and advancing electricvehicle technology. Led by Professor Martin Kuball and co-led by Professor Palie Smart, Dr Minhao Zhang, and Dr Nikolaos Stylos, this cutting-edge research enhances global supply chain resilience and positions the UK as a leader in sustainable technology.
How do birds deal with turbulence?
Scientists from the University of Bristol and the Royal Veterinary College have discovered the mechanics that allow birds to fly in gusty conditions – findings which could inform the development of bio-inspired small-scale aircraft and UAVs.
The Classics and Cyber Security - Lessons from the Ancient World
Researchers at the University of Bristol are exploring the intersection of technology and cyber security, emphasizing the sociotechnical perspective, which recognizes the deep interconnection between technology and society. Examining ancient texts like the Homeric epics reveals that concerns about technology’s potential harm are timeless. Questions of sociotechnology are therefore important to classical and contemporary human life: without understanding how technology is developed from a human perspective, we’re never going to develop technologies in a sociotechnical way.
Research-led teaching at the University of Bristol Law School
Bristol law degrees are underpinned by research from world-leading academics – ranked third best in the UK for excellence in legal research according to the THE analysis of REF 2021. This video introduces the research-rich teaching culture at the University of Bristol Law School.
Spotlight on the University
Did you know?
- Research conducted at the University of Bristol into mobile communications technologies and systems led to the development of the first mobile phone.
- The University has one of the most advanced and fastest supercomputers in the country, capable of over 200 trillion calculations per second.
- The University was founded in 1876 as University College, Bristol It was the first higher education institution in England to admit women on an equal basis to men.
- Sir Winston Churchill was Chancellor of the University of Bristol between 1929 and 1965.
- Dorothy Hodgkin was Chancellor of the University of Bristol from 1971 to 1988. She was the first British woman to win the Nobel Price for Science.
Employability
- According to the Graduate Market in 2024 report, which surveyed 100 of the most successful organisations in the UK, from Microsoft to Morgan Stanley, graduates from the University of Bristol are the fifth most sought after by top employers.
Source: bristol.ac.uk
Financial Support & Scholarships
The University of Bristol offers a range of scholarships for international students. In addition, each country may have different scholarships and student loan options available. For more information, please contact the Inova Education team. As experts in this field, we can help you identify the funding opportunities available to you.
