Founded in 1876, the University of Bristol was the first higher education institution in the UK to admit men and women on an equal basis. The University is linked to 13 Nobel Prize winners, including former Chancellor Sir Winston Churchill and the current Chancellor Sir Paul Nurse.
Bristol's outstanding academic community attracts the brightest students from around the world. Over 30,000 undergraduates and postgraduates currently study at the University. Around 33% of students are international.
A Bristol degree equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed. Students engage in intellectually challenging courses in a comprehensive choice of subjects. Teaching is informed by the University's cutting-edge research and strong employer connections.
Bristol is at the forefront of global research. It is a member of the Russell Group of UK research-intensive universities and the Worldwide Universities Network.
The University brings together academics who are experts in their fields. Their research tackles some of the world’s biggest challenges in areas such as epidemiology, human rights and cybersecurity.
Sustainability is central to the University. Bristol was the first UK university to declare a climate emergency and aims to become carbon neutral by 2030. It has an ambitious green strategy and leads the way in environmental research.
Bristol graduates are sought after by employers worldwide. Students benefit from the University’s strong industry connections and tailored careers support.
The Careers Service provide expert advice during your degree and for up to three years after graduation. Support is available whether you plan to stay in the UK or return to your home country after your studies.
Regular events include employer presentations, networking opportunities, workshops and careers fairs. Bristol also offers a range of professional partnerships, internship schemes and enterprise support.
The University supports international students before and during their time in the UK.
Bristol can help with your academic development throughout your degree. Support includes study skills training, academic language support, and personal tutors or supervisors.
At Bristol, there's always someone to talk to. The Student Wellbeing Service, Residential Life team and Student Counselling Service are here to help.
Other services include the University Day Nursery, Disability Services and the Multifaith Chaplaincy.
Bristol's friendly Accommodation Office will help you feel at home. There is a range of residences across the city to suit different needs and budgets, from historic shared townhouses to modern city centre flats. Residences are safe and welcoming, with pastoral staff and security services. There are also lots of opportunities to get involved in sports and social events.
Dedicated advisors can also offer help and expertise when choosing private accommodation.
The University is home to many libraries. These offer study spaces, specialist subject librarians, and online research and learning resources. There are also plenty of study centres across campus for group or private study, many of which open during evenings and weekends.
All Bristol students have access to high-quality and convenient IT facilities, including powered study spaces, printers, and free wireless internet on campus. The IT Service Desk offers advice and support on and off campus, as well as dedicated laptop and mobile clinics.
Bristol has a full National Health Service doctors’ practice on campus, with experienced staff. The University provides many other healthcare resources, including free Student Health App. Medical facilities are also available off-campus nearby.
The University campus is at the heart of Bristol in south-west England. The city is known for its historic architecture, beautiful parks and vibrant cultural scene. It's big enough to be exciting, but small enough to be safe and friendly.
The University’s Global Lounge is a cultural hub located at the heart of the campus, where students can connect, learn from each other and find out about opportunities. Regular social events and activities celebrate different cultures and strengthen the university’s diverse community.
Bristol is proudly multicultural. The city welcomes people from more than 185 countries and at least 45 religions. Its compact, diverse neighbourhoods embody the best of British culture from day to night.
Facilities on campus include a two-floor gym, fitness classes, a double-sided sports hall, studios and a swimming pool. At our outdoor centre, Coombe Dingle Sports Complex, you can play cricket, football, hockey, lacrosse, netball, rugby, tennis and more.
Every student at Bristol is a member of the Students’ Union, Bristol SU. The SU offers impartial, confidential advice and representation.
Bristol SU also supports a wide range of student societies and clubs. More than 300 societies are available, covering a wide range of interests and hobbies.
There are over 50 country-specific and religious societies. You can also develop skills while helping the community with extensive volunteering opportunities.
Many courses and programmes are accredited by professional bodies, societies, and institutes. This means your degree will be recognised widely around the world.
Many courses and programmes are accredited by professional bodies, societies, and institutes. This means your degree will be recognised widely around the world.
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By TopUniversities
Dropped 6 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | 51 | 57 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
Dropped 2 places compared to 2026
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 78 | 80 | 82 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 10 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 96 | 105 | 115 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 98 | 91 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Based on 95 reviews
Amidst the bustling student life on (and off) campus, deeply engaging studies, and the buzz of beginning a new chapter in your life, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed at the start of your university experience. However, what particularly stands out to me about UoB is the accessibility of information that staff members and various organisations within the university provide. Staff are always offering to provide guidance where necessary and there are a multitude of organisations to help students in regards to future employment, mental and physical health conditions, and general wellbeing. University of Bristol builds futures for its students and their efforts make a lasting impact on students.
The tutors at the University of Bristol are excellent. Most professors take the time to remember my name and they go above and beyond in office hours. The law library is well stocked and the city is vibrant and student friendly. My only critique is that many law research internships are reserved for local students. This feels exclusionary for those of us from elsewhere who also want to gain experience. Overall I would still recommend Bristol for its supportive and intellectually rigorous environment.
The University of Bristol strikes a strong balance between the social and academic aspects of university life. The Students� Union and student services regularly share events and activities that help create a supportive environment for study, while individual departments organise initiatives that bridge the gap between academic subjects and everyday life. In my experience studying History, there are clear links between the course and the city itself, reflecting a wider, university-wide engagement with Bristol�s past. The only factor that has stopped me from giving Bristol a 5-star review is its well-known unreliability with accommodation. I would recommend that you carefully research private and university accommodation, and be prepared to be flexible/make sacrifices. Ultimately, there is no bad place to live, as long as you are in Bristol!
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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