Situated in the South West of England, the University of Bristol is a red brick Russell group research university which currently educates over 30,000 students. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of Bristol university to help you decide if it’s the right place for you!
Bristol city location
The University of Bristol is spread all over the city, with faculties and schools in the Tyndalls Park Road area as well as in the city centre, and (in the case of the Veterinary School) at the Langford Campus, located in a village outside Bristol. Student accommodation halls can also be found throughout the city, with some a short walk from the main campus and others a bus ride away. This is something to take into account when choosing universities. Whilst some might prefer a uni that’s all one campus, where you can just roll out of bed at 8:45 for your 9am lecture, others prefer the bustle and openness of a city.
In first year, this also means that the halls themselves are quite varied. Some are located right in the centre, near shopping centres and bars and music venues, whereas others are right on the Clifton Downs, giving students plenty of green spaces to explore. I liked having this choice, and being able to see such a variety of surroundings when I visited my friends in their halls.
Bristol University’s reputation
The University of Bristol consistently ranks in the world’s top 100 and UK’s top ten universities in league tables that draw on information about both research and teaching. Graduates from Bristol uni are also the 5th most targeted by top UK recruiters (High Fliers Research). Although rankings and prestige are important to bear in mind when choosing a university, it’s also crucial to consider your own preferences; how you feel about the course, the location, whether the teaching and assessment style suits you.
Resources at Bristol Uni
With 9 libraries, six academic faculties and over 200 undergraduate courses, the University of Bristol has plenty of resources to support students during their studies. Bristol is also one of only two universities in the UK to offer a full NHS GP practice on site through their Student Health Service.
As well as this, the University helps broaden students’ horizons by offering study abroad schemes – every year, more than 500 Bristol students travel overseas to study or work abroad as part of their degree. Plus, their Global Lounge team helps students looking to work, study or volunteer abroad over summer to find a scheme. Lots of my friends made the most of these opportunities and had an amazing time!
The Students’ Union
Led by students for students, the Bristol SU offers students a chance to get involved and enrich their university experience. With over 300 societies and 60 sports clubs, there’s so much you can choose from. Events are run throughout the year, and during Welcome Week there’s always something going on. The SU’ s Volunteering Hub and Jobshop page helps students find opportunities all over the city, and (thankfully) the SU lettings takes some of the stress out of flat hunting.
Deciding which university to go to is tricky, but hopefully this article has given you some of the information you need to decide whether Bristol University is good and suits you. If you’re joining UoB in September, or are a current student looking to try new things, check out out article on the best student societies to join.
