Bristol University - In Depth

Founded: 1876, charter granted 1909.

Site: University precinct F mile from city centre.

How to get there: City well-served by rail (mainline west to Bristol Parkway) and coach; close to M4 (for London, Heathrow and South Wales) and M5 (Birmingham and the North and West Country). Within city, good bus services around city; many students use bikes. SU organises evening shuttle bus around key sites; free late-night bus for women students from library and union.

Academic features: Many science courses include year in industry or year abroad. Courses in deaf studies and early childhood studies.

Awarding body: Bristol University. Main undergraduate awards: BA, BDS, BEng, MEng, BSc, MSci, BVSc. LLB, MBChB.

Length of courses: 3 years; 4 years (MEng, MSci and degrees involving languages, study abroad or industrial experience, MBChB graduate entry); 5 years (MBChB, BDS, BVSc, MEng); 6 years (MBChB, BDS with pre-medical/dental year).

Library & information services: Main library (arts and social sciences) and 12 branch libraries. 1.25 million volumes, 6300 periodicals, 3000 electronic journals, 2250 study places. Late night opening in arts and social sciences library. Short loan collections for heavily used books. Annual expenditure on information provision, £135 per (FTE) student. User service and guided tours for new students; open learning centre to develop personal and computing skills. Library and IT services merged. Many computer rooms in university precinct (some open 24 hours/day) and in halls of residence; ratio workstations to students 1:10, access to library and internet from 1300 points. IT support from undergraduate helpdesk, ResNet help; information handling skills courses (including web searching, databases etc).

Specialist collections: including original notebooks and sketch books of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, complete collection of election manifestos since 1892.

Study abroad: 12% of students spend a period abroad, in all faculties including medicine. Student exchanges to 170 european universities and colleges through Socrates/Erasmus; links with 70+ european universities through Santander and Coimbra groups (academic, cultural & socio-economic ties); possibilities for exchanges in countries outside Europe.

Student advice & services: Health centre, chaplains, day nursery, counselling service, adviser to international students. Initiative to provide access for deaf students.

Amenities: Three theatres, university bookshop. Active SU with bars, restaurants, recreational facilities.

Sporting facilities: Indoor swimming pool, fitness training facilities, squash courts, sports centre. playing fields including indoor tennis centre, 2 synthetic pitches (one water-based) and grass pitches for all outdoor sports.

Accommodation: 90+% of first years in university accommodation, 33% of all students. 3900 places available (300 in shared rooms): 1900 catered places £3010-£3349 for 38-week year (£2505-£2650 if sharing); 2000 self-catering places £2102-£2951 for 38-week year (from £1424 if sharing). Most students live in privately owned accommodation after first year: £55-£65 per week plus bills for self-catering and £75-£90 full-board. 4% of first degree students live at home.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £5500 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term-time work: University allows term-time work for full-time students; limit of 10-12 hours per week. Some work available on campus in bars, offices, library; also student employment office helps find work off campus.

Financial help: Government funds for home students in greatest financial difficulty. Own funds also for help with childcare, commuting or disability costs; SU fund for international students with childcare needs. Also hardship loans and short term loans available. Apply for help to Student Finance Office.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005), except £13,785 clinical fee for self-funded students on veterinary science. International students pay £9000 pa (classroom), £11,700 (lab-based), £21,800 (clinical).