The University of Bristol is a public research university in Bristol, England. In 2024/25 it had 31,132 students, of whom 10,903 were international.[1] It is ranked 57th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 8th among UK universities in that table.[2]
For 2026/27 the undergraduate fee for UK students is £9,790.[3] International undergraduate fees are set per programme and run from £25,500 to £49,700 a year, with most programmes between £25,500 and £33,400.[4] Undergraduates apply through UCAS; the English level depends on the course.[5][6]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Bristol |
| Location | Bristol, England (Beacon House, Queens Road, Bristol BS8 1QU)[1] |
| Type | Public research university[7] |
| Founded | 1876, as University College, Bristol; royal charter granted in 1909[7] |
| Students, 2024/25 | 31,132 according to the university; Wikipedia, citing national higher-education statistics, gives 32,435[1] |
| International students, 2024/25 | 10,903[1] |
| Staff, 2024/25 | 9,055[1] |
| Faculties | Arts, Law and Social Sciences; Science and Engineering; Health and Life Sciences[7] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 57th in the world, 8th in the UK[2] |
| Undergraduate tuition 2026/27, UK students | £9,790 per year[3] |
| Undergraduate tuition 2026/27, international students | £25,500 to £49,700 per year, depending on programme[4] |
| Undergraduate application | Through UCAS; institution code BRISL B78[5] |
| English language | Set per course by profile; IELTS Academic overall from 6.0 to 7.5 across the profiles[6] |
| Official website | bristol.ac.uk |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University of Bristol
The university traces its history to University College, Bristol, founded in 1876. It received its royal charter in 1909.[7] The university itself says it was the first higher education institution in England to admit women on an equal basis with men.[1]
It has no single campus; most activity is in the University Precinct in the city centre.[7] In 2024/25 it reported 31,132 students, 10,903 of them international, and 9,055 staff.[1] Wikipedia, which cites national statistics, gives a higher total of 32,435 students (30,510 full-time equivalent) for the same year, so the figure depends on who counts and how.[7]
Teaching is organised in three faculties: Arts, Law and Social Sciences; Science and Engineering; and Health and Life Sciences. The last one includes the dental, medical and veterinary schools.[7]
How is the University of Bristol ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Bristol is 57th in the world and 8th in the UK. QS lists 1,504 universities from 106 countries, 93 of them in the UK.[2] The university also reports a record number of its subjects in the world top 20 and UK top five in the QS subject rankings, and 19th place in the QS sustainability ranking.[2]
Our UK table has listed Bristol at world rank 51 and in ninth place within the UK; the QS 2027 position is 57th worldwide and 8th in the UK. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. See the UK ranking and how we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Bristol?
Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes sit in three faculties.[7] Examples from the 2026/27 fee list show the range of undergraduate degrees: Anthropology, Classics, Economics, Computer Science, Medicine (MBChB), Dental Surgery (BDS) and Veterinary Science (BVSc).[4]
- Arts, Law and Social Sciences: includes the Business School and the Law School.[7]
- Science and Engineering: includes Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and the engineering schools.[7]
- Health and Life Sciences: includes the dental, medical and veterinary schools and the biological and psychological sciences.[7]
The list includes bachelor’s degrees (BA, BSc, BEng) and integrated master’s degrees such as MEng and MSci.[4]
How much does the University of Bristol cost in 2026/27?
| Student group | Undergraduate fee per year, 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| UK students (Home) | £9,790 |
| International: most arts and social science programmes | £25,500 to £33,400 |
| International: science and engineering programmes (examples) | £31,300 to £33,400 |
| International: Veterinary Science (BVSc) | £41,900 |
| International: Medicine (MBChB) | £45,800 |
| International: Dental Surgery (BDS) | £49,700 |
The home fee of £9,790 is confirmed for 2026/27 for students from the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man; the university estimates about £30,156 for a three-year course starting in 2026.[3] For international undergraduates the fee for each programme is listed by the university. Across its 2026/27 list the amounts are £25,500, £28,200, £31,300 and £33,400 for most programmes, with higher fees for Veterinary Science (£41,900), Medicine (£45,800) and Dental Surgery (£49,700).[4] Medicine, dentistry and veterinary degrees keep the same fee for every year of the programme.[4]
Postgraduate taught
International postgraduate taught fees also vary by programme. Examples for 2026/27 from the university’s list include £29,400 for LLM programmes in law, £28,200 for the MSc in Education, £36,600 for the MSc in Computer Science and £39,000 for the MSc in Finance and Investment.[8]
Tuition is only part of the bill: for rent and living costs, see our UK guide.
How do you apply to the University of Bristol?
Undergraduate applications, including those from international students, go through UCAS. Bristol’s institution code is BRISL B78, and you can apply for up to five courses on the UCAS form. Applicants to medicine, dentistry or veterinary courses can use only four of the five choices.[5]
- International Foundation Programme: you apply directly to the University of Bristol, not through UCAS.[5]
- Veterinary Science, accelerated graduate entry: applications go through VMCAS.[5]
- ATAS: some international students who need a visa for MEng or MSci science and engineering courses may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate; nationals of the EU/EEA and several other countries are exempt.[5]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by course. Check the UCAS dates and your course page before you apply.
Which English level do you need?
Bristol sets English requirements in nine profiles, A to H plus one for its international programme. The profile for your course is shown on the course page.[6] In IELTS Academic for UKVI, the strictest profile (A) asks for 7.5 overall with 7.0 in every skill,[9] while a less demanding one (F) asks for 6.0 overall, with listening or speaking at 6.5 and no skill below 6.0.[10]
You do not need to have reached the level before you apply; the university decides on your academic qualifications first and may set a target grade in the offer. Tests should be taken within two years of the programme start. If you fall short, options include a university pre-sessional course.[6]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are the University of Bristol’s tuition fees for international students?
For undergraduates starting in 2026/27 the fee depends on the programme and ranges from £25,500 to £49,700 a year. Most programmes are £25,500 to £33,400; Veterinary Science is £41,900, Medicine £45,800 and Dental Surgery £49,700.[4]
What is the UK (Home) fee at the University of Bristol?
£9,790 per year for 2026/27, for students from the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.[3]
How is the University of Bristol ranked?
It is 57th in the world and 8th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[2]
How do I apply as an international undergraduate?
Apply through UCAS with institution code BRISL B78. Only the International Foundation Programme is applied for directly with the university.[5]
More about studying in United Kingdom (UK)
- United Kingdom (UK): best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in United Kingdom (UK)
- Durham University
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Queen Mary University of London
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Birmingham
- University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Exeter
- University of Glasgow
- University of Leeds
- University of Manchester
- University of Nottingham
- University of Oxford
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- University of Warwick
- University of York
Sources
[1] University of Bristol: Facts and figures (student numbers for 2024/25; page without a date)
[2] University of Bristol: Ranked 8th in UK in latest QS World University Rankings (press release issued 18 June 2026)
[3] University of Bristol: Undergraduate fees and funding (page without a date)
[4] University of Bristol: 2026/27 overseas undergraduate tuition fees, students starting in 2026/27 (page without a date)
[5] University of Bristol: International applications (undergraduate) (page without a date)
[6] University of Bristol: English language requirements for study (page without a date)
[7] Wikipedia: University of Bristol (history, faculties and campus; student total cites national statistics for 2024/25)
[8] University of Bristol: Overseas postgraduate taught tuition fees, students starting in 2026/27 (page without a date)
[9] University of Bristol: English language Profile A (page without a date)
[10] University of Bristol: English language Profile F (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.