1. Accept your offer

We make offers on a rolling basis. We aim to make an offer within four weeks of receiving your completed application and supporting documents. 

Once we offer you a place, you must formally accept it by email. When we receive your acceptance we will send you a confirmation and pre-arrival letter by email, which will include information about living and studying in Bristol.

2. Apply for your visa

Full year students

If you do not hold a UK/Irish passport and will be studying at Bristol for more than 6 months, you must apply for a Student visa. We will send you a CAS (confirmation of acceptance for studies) around 3 months before the start of your programme. You will need the number on your CAS to apply for your visa.

Single semester students

If you are entering the UK with a passport from outside the EU and will be studying at Bristol for one semester only, depending on your nationality you may need to obtain either a Standard Visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to travelling. Please see our website for full details about travelling into the UK to study for up to 6 months to ensure that you fully understand the requirements and conditions of both the Standard Visitor visa route and ETA.  

Students who require a Standard Visitor visa will need to apply in advance of their arrival and will be sent a letter to support their application approximately two months prior to the start of the semester.  

All students entering the UK with a passport from outside the EU, are now able to apply for an ETA in advance of their arrival. We recommend applying for an ETA, even if you intend to arrive before the 8th January 2025, to cover you in case you are delayed arriving or if you intend to do any travelling during the semester. 

Check if you need to apply for a visitor visa or ETA before coming to the UK 

If you are entering the UK with a passport from the EU, Iceland, Lichenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you will not need a Standard Visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK for programmes beginning in January 2025. 

You will be able to apply for an ETA from the 5th March 2025 and will require one to enter the UK from the 2nd April 2025.   

More information about this can be found on the Standard Visitor visa page  

Irish citizens

Irish passport holders do not need to get a visa and should follow the advice on the Common Travel Area webpage.

If you have any questions about applying for a visa, contact Student Visas.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees and refunds

*Please note this information is only relevant to students who are entering the UK on a Student visa from certain nationalities.

If you are an EU or Swiss national, you may be eligible for an IHS refund if you have an EHIC card covering your stay. Please refer to the guidance on the Student visas webpages to check whether this applies to you and what this would mean during your stay in the UK. 

If you have any questions regarding your particular circumstances or need assistance, please contact Student Visas.

3. Apply for accommodation

Once you have accepted your place on a Study Abroad programme, you will receive more information about accommodation and how to apply.

University accommodation

Autumn semester (September start) exchange students from institutions outside of Europe and all non-exchange students are guaranteed an offer of a place in University accommodation, if you apply by the deadline. Exchange students from institutions within Europe are not guaranteed an offer but are still welcome to apply and also given support to find private accommodation.

January entry non-exchange students are guaranteed an offer of a place in University accommodation. January entry exchange students are not guaranteed an offer, but we make every effort to place as many students as possible in a University residence or help you find private accommodation. 

If you have any questions about this, contact the Centre for Study Abroad Inbound team.

Private rented accommodation

After the first year at university, most UK students live in private accommodation. If you prefer an independent lifestyle, you could look for rented accommodation in the private sector. 

More information about living in privately rented accommodation.

4. Prepare for your arrival in Bristol

Find information for new international students and details of our Welcome Lounge where you can meet other students and get practical advice.

Travel to Bristol 

You will need to arrange your own travel to Bristol. There are many ways to get to Bristol from the airport/station using public transport. Buses and coaches are generally the cheapest means of travel in the UK. You can find further guidance on the travel to Bristol page.  

Settling into Life in Bristol 

As you are settling into the city, you may find it helpful to look through our information about Food in Bristol, including top recommendations, large supermarkets and food delivery services.  

If you have any questions about life in Bristol and the steps to follow after you apply for your Study Abroad programme, please contact us at cfsa-inbound@bristol.ac.uk and we would be happy to help.  

Welcome Week 

Study Abroad Welcome Week happens at the start of term, shortly after you arrive, beginning with a mandatory Welcome talk. You must attend Welcome Week so please refer to the study abroad dates to ensure that you know when it is taking place. This will give you the information you need to help you settle into Bristol and finalise your unit choices. The Centre for Study Abroad Inbound team will send you more information about welcome events before the start of term.