University of Bristol

Overview

The University of Bristol received its royal charter in 1909 and grew out of University College, Bristol, which opened in 1876. It is based in the centre of Bristol, a port city in the southwest of England, with most academic buildings close together on and around the hill above the harbour. The university covers arts, social sciences, law, science, engineering, health sciences and veterinary science.

How to apply for 2027

Apply through UCAS with institution code BRISL B78. The main deadline for 2027 entry is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time. Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science follow the 15 October 2026 deadline used across the UK for those subjects. US applicants send AP and SAT results using College Board code 5371.

Bristol generally does not require standardized tests. The exceptions are Law, which needs the LNAT, and Medicine and Dentistry, which need the UCAT. Check your course page for any interview; our MMI preparation guide explains the format many medical schools use.

Requirements for US applicants

Bristol's US route is more flexible than many UK universities. It asks for a high school diploma with a GPA of at least 3.2, or 3.4 for competitive courses, plus three additional qualifications chosen from this list:

• SAT Reading and Writing of at least 650, or ACT of at least 28.
• AP tests at 4 or higher (Bristol notes that 5 is more common in offers).
• AP classes taken over two semesters in Grade 11 or 12.
• Honors classes taken in both semesters of Grade 12.
• Dual enrolment or college courses, IB Higher Level courses, or A levels.

Any course with a mathematics requirement needs AP Calculus BC at 5. An associate's degree is accepted for direct entry, and a completed first year at a US university can be considered for entry to first year. Bristol also publishes a downloadable USA country guide for 2027 entry.

Canadian students should check the entry requirements on their course page and Bristol's international pages, or contact the Americas office, since the provincial rules are set out separately.

Costs, loans and visas

Bristol states that US citizens and nationals may apply for federal or private student loans for study there. Tuition for international students is listed on each course page and on the university's undergraduate fees page. Students who need a visa apply for the UK Student visa.

For an overview of how UCAS, offers and conditions work across the UK, see our United Kingdom guide. Students heading into science or engineering may want to check their calculus foundations with our first-year calculus guide.