Study in Bristol
Bristol has two universities, the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England. The University of Bristol is one of the most highly regarded in the UK, and it was ranked within the top 5% of universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2019.
Their aim to equip their students with the means to succeed in a competitive global market is proving successful, being ranked fourth in a list of universities most targeted by graduate employers (The Graduate Market, 2018, High Fliers Research).
The University of the West of England has recently invested £300 million in state-of-the-art facilities. It has consistently climbed the rankings, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and a growing reputation in world-leading research.
The university's ranking has seen it placed 24th out of 121 UK institutions in the 2023 Guardian League Table.
Student life in Bristol
Bristol is excellent for cultural pursuits, be it learning the history of this important city at the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery or catching a performance at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic or one of the many smaller theatres that dot the city. Examples of the distinctively oriental Bristol Byzantine architectural style of the 19c can still be found, with the Granary on Welsh Bank being a particularly striking example.
In 2008, the colossal Cabot Circus shopping centre opened, housing most of the major high street retailers, though also on the side streets, all manner of boutiques and independent shops can be found. Bristol achieved Purple Flag status for the excellence and safety of its nightlife, and the choice is indeed astounding, whether you catch some live jazz at The Old Duke, rock at the Fleece, indie at Louisiana or banging dance tunes at the Club Motion, you will find something to entice you.
Historically, Bristol was a very significant port, being the base of much trading and exploration, though the docks have now been redeveloped as heritage sites. Its burgeoning modern economy has been dominated by the creative media, technology and aerospace industries. One of the biggest aerospace centres in the UK is based in the region, with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN located at Filton Airfield. Bristol is also significant for the design and manufacture of computer chips, making the area a kind of English Silicon Valley. In the world of media Bristol is the home of the much beloved Aardman Animations who made the Wallace and Gromit films, as well as being the regional headquarters of BBC West and BBC Natural History Unit (Where David Attenborough’s highly regarded documentaries were produced).
Should you need a break from this lively metropolis, the spectacular natural beauty of Wales, Somerset and the Cotswolds are all in easy reach by train. According to a survey by the Guardian, Bristol is in the top 10 places to live in Britain, and this can be seen in the fact that 50% of students choose to live and work in Bristol after completing their studies. Perhaps you too will stay after an unforgettable student experience.
