PROSPECTIVE UNDERGRADUATES

Applying to Bristol

Studying at Bristol

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Prospective undergraduates

MeerkatWe realise that deciding upon the right university is a more difficult decision than ever before. You are paying a large sum up front and want the best possible value. We are confident that the School of Biological Sciences at Bristol gives you that value and delivers an education of the highest order. A 98% satisfaction rating in the 2011 National Student Survey supports our belief that we are achieving the high educational goals we set ourselves. Our staff have diverse research interests across the biological spectrum and we transmit our passion for the life sciences to our students; this is what research-led teaching is all about.

Five reasons to study at Bristol:

  1. Teaching: We offer first-rate teaching, rated excellent by HEFCE. It is "research led", meaning that ALL our lecturers are doing cutting edge research and our students have the opportunity to get engaged in that research. We have no "teaching only" staff. Our courses progress from building a solid foundation in biology to covering the latest cutting-edge topics in the life sciences. Our degree programmes are flexible, and all students complete field courses or laboratory workshops and independent research projects chosen from a wide range of options. Final year project work is frequently published in the world's leading scientific journals.

  2. Research: We conduct world-class research, which underpins our teaching excellence. Because many of our staff are international leaders in their research fields, they are able to deliver up-to-date perspectives on the latest advances in biology. You will be taught molecular biology by one of the leaders of the multi-million pound UK wheat genome project. You will be taught behavioural ecology by international-award-winning professors. The list goes on.

  3. Diversity: Our diverse degree programmes are based around traditional strengths in whole organism biology (e.g. behaviour, ecology), as well as excellence in cell and molecular biology. Our passionate belief is that the big advances in biology come from interdisciplinarity and attacking problems from multiple levels, and our teaching reflects that necessary breadth.

  4. Location: Bristol is also the base for other areas of biological expertise, such as the BBC Natural History Unit, the At-Bristol centre of science, art and nature, Bristol Zoological Gardens and the University of Bristol Botanic Gardens. It's even possible to walk from the School to a National Nature Reserve, Leigh Woods, and the spectacular Avon Gorge, a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest on account of its unique range of endemic species.

  5. Quality of Life: Bristol is a historical, cultural and well-connected city that is large enough to be vibrant, yet small enough to be friendly. It's a 'green capital', leading the way on environmental issues and sustainability, with excellent public transport (although you can cycle or walk to most places of interest). Bristol is also a technology hub, second only to Silicon Valley in microchip design. It is easy to travel to London, while also having access to the amazing countryside of South-west England (the Mendips, Devon, Cornwall), the Cotswolds, South Wales and the Wye Valley.

Find out more about the School from Professor Innes Cuthill, Head of School