Insight into Bristol

Applications for Insight into Bristol 2026 will open in January 2026. To receive an email reminder when applications open, please complete the expression of interest form.

About the programme
A guaranteed contextual offer
Eligibility criteria

About the programme

Participants in the summer school will get the opportunity to experience student life at the University of Bristol by:

• staying in student accommodation
• meeting similar students from across the UK
• exploring the City of Bristol
• attending academic sessions in an assigned subject stream delivered by our world-leading academics
• getting to know current University of Bristol students, including some of our student societies
• taking part in social activities throughout the week
• receiving information, advice and guidance to equip you to navigate to a top UK university

Dates and times

The summer school will take place in the latter half of July 2026 on the University of Bristol campus with accommodation provided.

Accessibility on the Summer School

We want to provide a positive and equitable experience to all participants on our outreach programmes.  This involves providing reasonable adjustments to support individuals who may need additional support due to a disability, health condition or specific learning difference.  It’s vital that you share details of any support you need as soon as possible so that we can agree adjustments with you to enable you to participate fully in the programme.  To help you identify support you might require, we have provided details on the more practical aspects of the outreach programme below: 

• Travelling around campus independently.  This can require walking for durations of up to 20 minutes across distances of up to 1 mile between sites. You may also be navigating busy, congested and/or loud areas in and around campus.
• Engaging in 1:1/small/large group discussions with other students. This can involve discussion on various topics which can be political, controversial and sometimes with adult and/or emotionally difficult themes.
• Participating in on-line sessions, switching cameras on when directed by staff to do so.
• Staying overnight in on-campus accommodation.

Guaranteed contextual offer

If you successfully complete the Insight Into Bristol scheme, and depending on the course(s) that you choose to apply for, you may be eligible for a guaranteed contextual offer or interview to study at Bristol provided you meet the contextual entry requirements for that course.

For courses that do not routinely interview as part of the admissions process, you will be guaranteed a contextual offer (typically two A-Level grades below standard entry requirements) to study at Bristol provided you are studying any specified A-Level subjects and meet any additional requirements for your chosen course (e.g. GCSE or equivalent grades).

Applicants must still complete any admissions tests such as the UCAT/ LNAT/ SAQ (and score above a threshold) in order to receive the guaranteed offer/ guaranteed interview. 

For courses that require an interview as part of the admissions process, such as Medicine or Dentistry, you will be guaranteed an interview for that course provided you are predicted to meet or exceed the contextual entry requirements for that course; you meet any GCSE or equivalent requirements; and you have completed any relevant aptitude test such as the UCAT (and scored above a threshold) by the appropriate deadline. Following interview, you may be made an offer at the contextual level. 

This benefit can apply to multiple courses should you choose to submit multiple course applications to Bristol.

Please note that terms and conditions apply.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must meet all of the essential criteria: 

• Be eligible for home fee status; 
• Currently attend a state (non fee-paying) school, sixth form, or college;
• be in year 12 (or equivalent level of study) in the 2025-26 academic year (and under 18 during the summer school dates); 
• Have the academic ability to study at the University of Bristol, including meeting, or having the potential to meet, all entry requirements for your chosen subject stream  (including any GCSE requirements  and/ or contextual entry requirements, where applicable);
• Have not participated in any other University of Bristol outreach programme (including Access to Bristol, Bristol Scholars, Next Step Bristol, Virtual Summer School, and Discover Bristol); 
• Identify as Asian, Black, or of mixed heritage featuring one of these groups. We will also consider applications from students who identify as belonging to another racially minoritised ethnic group where these students meet multiple priority criteria (below). 

This programme is often oversubscribed. Priority will be given to applicants who meet one or more of our additional criteria (below). The more of the criteria you meet, the more likely you are to secure a place on the programme: 

• are from a racially minoritised ethnic group that is underrepresented at the University of Bristol (Asian Pakistani; Asian Bangladeshi; Black Caribbean; Black African; mixed backgrounds featuring one of these groups); 
• are part of the first generation in their family to go to university; 
• live in an IMD quintile 1 or 2 area as defined by your home postcode; 
• are or have been eligible for free school meals; 
• attend an aspiring state school or college (more information is available on our contextual offers page); 
• have spent three or more months in local authority care; 
• are currently an estranged student; 
• are from Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen and Boater (GTRSB) communities; 
• are from any other racially minoritised ethnic background; 
• are a Young Carer; 
• are a Refugee who has been granted refugee status by the UK Home Office; 
• have a disability; 
• have a parent or carer who currently serves in the UK Armed Forces, or who has done so in the past. 

We offer a wide range of outreach programmes and interventions designed to support post-16 students from underrepresented, disadvantaged, and margenalised backgrounds. If you’re not eligible for this programme, you may still be able to take part in another. Explore our other outreach opportunities here.