Study Abroad (Subject pathway)

Find out about the Study Abroad (Subject pathway) programme and how to apply.

Programme details

This programme allows you to continue to specialise in your core academic subject while you're at Bristol. You will take the majority of your units (classes) in your host department, with the option to take a small number of credits in another academic area of interest.

Application deadlines 2025/26

You must apply and send the Centre for Study Abroad Inbound team your supporting documents by:

  • 8 June 2025 - full year and autumn semester (September 2025 entry)
  • 19 October 2025 - spring semester (January 2026 entry)

Who can apply

You can check with your home university or the Centre for Study Abroad Inbound team about which Study Abroad programme you should apply for.

Students on the Study Abroad (Subject pathway) programme will be nominated by their home university to a department at Bristol which best matches their current degree programme. If you have already been nominated for a programme at Bristol by your home university, this information is included in your nomination email.

Direct-enrol students and independent applicants should apply for the Study Abroad (General pathway) programme.

How to apply

1. Check you are eligible

To be eligible you must meet both:

2. Choose your units

You will select most of your units (a minimum 40 out of 60 credits) within your host department at Bristol. It may also be possible to register for a small number of units from another department. 

Read the guidance on choosing your units

Read through the guidance on how to choose your units before you start your application to Bristol. The guidance will take you through how our Study Guides work and which levels are most suitable for you, depending on your academic background.

Check the subject Study Guides

Every subject at Bristol has a specific list of units that are open to Study Abroad students. Not all units in every subject are open to Study Abroad students. Check the subject Study Guide for the subject you have been nominated to. If you click on a unit in the Study Guides this will take you to a more detailed overview of the unit including; a unit description, assessment details and teaching weeks.

Study Guides will start to be published from April onwards for the following academic year.

‌3. Complete a Learning Agreement

You need to complete a Learning Agreement after choosing your units. You will need to upload this to your application along with your other supporting documents. Check with your home university if they have a Learning Agreement template that they would like you to use. If not, you can download and complete a Bristol Learning Agreement template 2025-26 (Office document, 52kB).

4. Apply

Applications are now open for the 2025/26 academic year.

Apply to the Subject Pathway programme

Please note that applications must be completed before the relevant application deadline.

When completing the online application form, you will need to upload copies of the following:

  • scanned copies of official transcripts from all universities you have attended, translated into English
  • evidence of English language proficiency
  • a colour copy of the personal details page of your passport
  • a copy of your Learning Agreement.

If you do not meet the academic requirement, you must also submit:

  • a letter of recommendation from a member of the academic staff at your institution
  • a statement from you on why your average does not accurately reflect your academic ability and your motivations for studying abroad.

These additional documents should be submitted by email to: cfsa-inbound@bristol.ac.uk 

Please note that we cannot guarantee your acceptance onto the Study Abroad programme if you do not meet our requirements. Each application will be reviewed to assess your suitability for the programme.

After you apply

Find out what you need to do after you apply.

When will I hear more about my application?

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.

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