The University of Bristol is a Russell Group institution based in the south-west of England. It was established in 1876 and is known for its research output. The university is an internationally renowned institution, attracting thousands of students worldwide and hosting a diverse, active research community. It was ranked 15th in the UK according to the 2026 Complete University Guide rankings.
With over 30,000 students at the university, Bristol offers learners the opportunity to collaborate with academics at the cutting-edge of their field and access modern research, study and recreational facilities. It offers more than 600 different postgraduate programmes from its campus site, found at the heart of Bristol.
The city of Bristol has quickly become one of the UK's most well-known student cities due to its attractive mix of arts, culture, nightlife and tech activity. With a high quality of living and a welcoming, cosmopolitan atmosphere, Bristol makes the perfect backdrop to the university's vibrant academic community.
Postgraduate students at the University of Bristol will join an extensive alumni network that spans the globe, including famous scientists, actors and writers such as Paul Dirac, Simon Pegg, Will Poulter and Julia Donaldson.
The University of Bristol maintains a range of postgraduate accommodation options around the centre of the city, meaning students can study and live close to the campus and enjoy Bristol's social scene.
Bristol also offers some postgraduate students guaranteed accommodation if they meet the criteria and make their application to accommodation before the specified deadline. This guarantee is available to international postgraduate students and intercalated postgraduate students, as well as other postgraduate learners.
The university also has dedicated resources which are available to help students locate private rented accommodation around Bristol.
Bristol is one of the UK's most popular cities, for new residents and students alike, due to its growing reputation as a hub for arts, culture, tech and nightlife. The city is less than 2 hours from London by train, and students can choose to live in a number of vibrant, welcoming residences – each with their own distinctive charm.
Festivals, events and al-fresco living on Bristol's famous harbour make for an enjoyable student lifestyle around studies at one of the UK's most prestigious institutions.
The University of Bristol offers postgraduates a range of scholarships and bursaries to choose from to help cover the cost of their studies. These awards can range from part and full coverage of tuition fees to direct payments of various amounts, to cover student living costs. You can search for scholarships, awards and bursaries offered by the university on their website.
Scholarships and bursaries for Bristol students can be accessed through the university directly, through the university's partnerships with other institutions and businesses, or through external organisations.
The university is also home to one of the highest concentrations of PhD and doctoral training funding of anywhere in the Uk offering a wide range of funded postgraduate research opportunities and skill development pathways. Research funding fully covers tuition fees and offers a stipend for living costs in most cases.
Bristol offers postgraduate students a variety of study options ranging across taught and research programmes, as well as professional doctorates.
Taught master's programmes at the university lead to a range of qualifications including MSc, MA and LLM. Students at Bristol can also pursue postgraduate diplomas or postgraduate certificates over a shorter period of time than a full master's degree.
Bristol also offers a comprehensive range of research degrees, supported by the university's funded Doctoral Training Centres and partnerships. These are primarily PhD programmes, but the university is always developing its selection of professional and extended doctorate programmes. It's also possible to study a master's degree by research.
Students at the University of Bristol will be able to learn from and collaborate with world-leading academics, working at the centre of an active research community. The university maintains a rich network of institutional and industrial relationships which span around the world, allowing students to access enhanced career and networking opportunities.
The University of Bristol offers its students one of the best graduate employment rates across UK universities, having been rated 11th in the UK for employment outcomes according to the QS World Graduate Employability Rankings 2026.
This integration allows students to develop valued professional skills and build useful connections before they graduate. The university's connections to hundreds of businesses and organisations means that students can complete courses that are developed in collaboration with industry leaders.
The University of Bristol Careers Service provides students with a range of services to support their employability. These include:
