Subjects and study guides
Browse subjects to see the faculty, units and study guides.
Academic Language and Development
If you would like to develop your academic English language skills, the Centre for Academic Language and Development offers a range of optional units. These units are designed to complement and enhance your UK studies.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Centre for Academic Language and Development study guide.
Accounting and Finance
Learn about accounting institutions (such as audit firms) and techniques, financial trading and investment, and the regulations and structures that support the market. Develop your understanding of current events through research-led teaching by academic experts in the field.
Faculty
Social Sciences and Law
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Accounting and Finance study guide.
Aerospace Engineering
Learn about the fundamentals of aerospace engineering: aerodynamics, dynamics and control, and structures and materials. You will learn through practical examples, and can apply these principles to computing, systems engineering and design.
Faculty
Engineering
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Aerospace Engineering study guide.
Anatomy
Anatomy is the study of structure from cell to tissue to whole organism. Applied anatomy examines relationships between structure and function. The expertise of teaching staff and wealth of varied resources across these subject specialities offer a learning experience unique to Bristol.
Faculty
Health Sciences
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Anatomy study guide.
Anthropology and Archaeology
Gain an exciting, interdisciplinary perspective on what it means to be human, using archaeology and social, biological and linguistic anthropology. You'll learn first-hand from the knowledge and experience of our expert staff.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Archaeology and Anthropology study guide.
Biochemistry
Develop your understanding of biochemistry through units on topics such as infection and immunity, neurophysiology, pharmacology and physiology. Learn from ground-breaking research and contribute to work that could have a significant impact on future generations.
Faculty
Life Sciences
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Biochemistry study guide.
Biological Sciences
Studying biology at Bristol exposes you to the breadth of biological sciences, from enzymes to ecosystems. Gain knowledge of the diversity, evolution and functions of living organisms and the interactions between animals, microbes and plants.
Faculty
Life Sciences
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Biological Sciences study guide.
Cellular and Molecular Medicine
We teach students how to become successful scientists, in an environment where we undertake world class research. You can study the cellular and molecular basis of human diseases and learn skills in recombinant DNA technology, which underpins research in many cutting-edge laboratories.
Faculty
Life Sciences
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Cellular and Molecular Medicine study guide.
Chemistry
Study fundamental concepts in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry and applications in areas such as analytical, environmental, materials and theoretical chemistry. Bristol is ranked 3rd for Chemistry research quality (Times Good University Guide 2022).
Faculty
Science
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Chemistry study guide.
Civil Engineering
Get a strong foundation in engineering, including mathematics, structures, soil and fluid mechanics, computing and surveying, and learn how to design large and unique structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams and coastal defences.
Faculty
Engineering
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Civil Engineering study guide.
Classics and Ancient History
Our specialisms are as diverse as our academic and student community, focusing on everything from literature and visual art to mythology, archaeology, and history. The vision behind our research also informs our approach to teaching, so that students benefit from the department's world-leading, innovative research.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Classics and Ancient History study guide.
Computer Science
Gain a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of computer science, such as the principles of algorithms and the imperative, functional and object-oriented paradigms of programming. The department is a hub for the UK's IT and creative industries, with diverse classes encouraging first-hand student research.
Faculty
Engineering
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Computer Science study guide.
We advise applicants to also review the Engineering Mathematics and Technology study guide. That School provides classes on Artificial Intelligence, biorobotics, robotics, and other related fields.
Cultural Studies
At the School of Modern Languages, we are passionate about Cultural Studies – particularly the literature, film, societies and shifting worldviews of the non-Anglophone Western world and its cultural relationship with the Global South. We specialise in French, Spanish, Latin American, Italian, German, and Russian culture, and also engage with Lusophone, Czech, North African, and Islamic culture. With our state-of-the-art multimedia centre, we offer an outstanding environment in which to pursue cultural studies.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Cultural Studies study guide.
Czech
At Bristol you can study the influence of Europe and the Czechs' cultural and social experience from the nineteenth century to the present day. You will gain knowledge of the closely related Slovak language and Slovak culture.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Russian and Czech study guide.
Earth Sciences
Learn about environmental geoscience, geology, geophysics, and palaeontology and evolution through field work, practicals, lab work and tutorials. Our school has some of the UK's best laboratories, with academic staff who are leaders in volcanology, palaeobiology, experimental petrology and seismology.
Faculty
Science
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Earth Sciences study guide.
Economics
Economics at Bristol develops your analytical and quantitative skills, preparing you for a wide range of careers in economics and beyond. We teach economics in a technically rigorous way, covering macro and micro-economics, mathematics, statistics and econometrics.
Faculty
Social Sciences and Law
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Economics study guide.
Education
Explore how learning happens at all ages, from very young children to older adults, and how education can change societies and individuals. You will develop expertise in UK education and study global, international and comparative educational perspectives.
Faculty
Social Sciences and Law
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Education study guide.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Use cutting-edge technology to address some of the major concerns of the modern world. Gain knowledge of mathematics, computing, analogue and digital electronics, electromagnetics, power electronics and control, allowing you to work in industries such as consumer electronics, alternative energy and transport, medical engineering and communications.
Faculty
Engineering
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Electrical and Electronic Engineering study guide.
Engineering Mathematics and Technology
Develop your knowledge of mathematical analysis, modelling and scientific computation and their application to engineering. We focus on real-world problem solving, spanning many different application areas from robotics and social media to medicine and environmental modelling.
Faculty
Engineering
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Engineering Mathematics and Technology study guide.
English Literature
Develop your skills close reading, critical and theoretical approaches and the conventions of academic writing while studying texts from the full breadth and range of literature written in English. The Department of English at Bristol has a distinguished history in the field of literary studies and is consistently ranked as one of the top departments of English in the UK.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. English Literature study guide.
Film and Television
Bristol was among the first universities in the UK to offer film and television at degree level, and this commitment to the screen continues today. Learning from leading scholars and practitioners, you can explore the history of film and television and consider theoretical perspectives.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Film and Television study guide.
French
French is a truly global language, spoken by hundreds of millions of people in more than 30 countries. The department encourages synergy between research and teaching, resulting in a vibrant learning environment.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. French study guide.
Geographical Sciences
Whether you study human geography (cultural, economic and social geography) or physical geography (glaciology, hydrology and environmental change), you will develop skills in specialised computer software, statistics and data collection in the field. Our reputation reflects our expertise and interdisciplinary courses.
Faculty
Science
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Geographical Sciences study guide.
German
Bristol offers a dynamic environment in which to pursue the study of modern languages and cultures. The Department of German has an impressive reputation for teaching and research.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. German study guide.
Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
Discover artists, musicians and writers and discuss important cultural issues in the Portuguese and Spanish-speaking worlds. You'll be part of a supportive community sharing academic, cultural and social interests.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies study guide.
History
Become an active history scholar by engaging directly with primary sources, such as personal archival material, photographs, films and magazines, as you study themes in medieval, early modern and contemporary history. Our academic staff's research has a direct impact on teaching, with the latest thinking shaping undergraduate units.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. History study guide.
History of Art
We combine rigorous research with public engagement projects and collaboration with top arts institutions in the UK and abroad. We aim to turn students into practising art historians, teaching them to write art history for themselves and developing the professional skills needed for a wide set of careers.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. History of Art study guide.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Bristol's innovation courses help you to develop your academic specialism and apply it in an innovative and entrepreneurial way in a rapidly changing world. The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is designed to encourage teamworking, project work and sharing ideas.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Innovation and Entrepreneurship study guide.
Italian
Italy embraces both tradition and innovation. Studying at Bristol lets you engage with the complexity of this country and its history, by exploring Italian language and society from the Middle Ages to the present.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Italian study guide.
Languages and Linguistics
At the School of Modern Languages, we have a passion for languages and linguistics! You can study a range of European and Asian languages, through our University Wide Language Programme (UWLP) and Modern Languages (MODL) units. The School also offers a variety of general and language-specific linguistics units.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Languages and Linguistics study guide.
Law
The University of Bristol Law School offers an empowering education, supported by established professional links at local, national and global levels. Learn the foundations of legal knowledge and explore the most challenging legal questions facing today's global society.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Law study guide.
Liberal Arts
Our rich and challenging liberal arts programme allows you to explore the Arts and Humanities while building crucial skills in analysis and communication that will be valuable to you throughout your degree and beyond. Liberal Arts students have the unique advantage of being able to choose units from throughout the Faculty of Arts, which is home to the School of Humanities, the School of Arts, and the School of Modern Languages.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to Liberal Arts subject pathway students. Liberal Arts study guide.
Management
Our world leading academics are asking critical questions about the needs of business, government and our wider society, and will share their first-hand experience of real-life management and marketing challenges with you. We teach our students think critically and creatively about business, management and marketing, the provide the skills to succeed in the real world.
Faculty
Social Sciences and Law
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Management study guide.
Mathematics
Our mathematics courses are informed by cutting-edge research in fundamental mathematical abstractions, statistics and practical applications to global problems. Our international staff are engaged in globally relevant research in areas such as cybersecurity, climate change and data science.
Faculty
Science
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Mathematics study guide.
Mechanical Engineering
Gain a diverse set of professional engineering and management skills in the fields of design and manufacture, dynamics and control, materials and thermofluids. The department is an international centre of excellence and among the top percentile of UK engineering departments.
Faculty
Engineering
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Mechanical Engineering study guide.
Music
We offer a broad range of units in musicology and composition, across diverse styles and genres. Our teaching and music-making takes place in the magnificent 19th-century Victoria Rooms, a familiar Bristol landmark with a 530-seat auditorium.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Music study guide.
Philosophy
Learn the basics of logic, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy, and explore your own interests through special units. The Department of Philosophy is considered one of the UK's best and has a reputation for high-quality research across the subject.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Philosophy study guide.
Physics
Learn about the fundamental building blocks and forces of nature and how quantum physics and relativity help us understand the world around us. The School of Physics has high teaching standards and teaches modern science at the cutting edge of theory and experiment.
Faculty
Science
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Physics study guide.
Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Physiology explores all of the major mammalian body systems from a molecular level up to whole body responses. At Bristol you will benefit from research-active teaching staff, well-equipped labs, and collaborations with experts in psychology and philosophy.
Pharmacology at Bristol investigates drug development and design through the lens of single cells, organs and the whole body. You will have access to world-class academics, modern facilities and inspirational teaching.
Neuroscience explores the workings of the brain, from molecules to neural systems, and learn the techniques that have enabled advances in understanding the nervous system. You'll learn in practical lessons in state-of-the-art dissection labs, working with high-fidelity Human Patient Simulators.
Faculty
Life Sciences
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience study guide.
Policy Studies
Explore the theories and practice of social policy, childhood studies and criminology, viewing real-world challenges in a global context and drawing on social, political, public policy and economic theories. As a student in the School of Policy Studies you will learn from inspirational lecturers at the forefront of their fields.
Faculty
Social Sciences and Law
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Policy Studies study guide.
Psychological Science
Our courses are taught by leading academics and contain frequent lab work, allowing you to approach psychology from a research angle. Our research spans developmental, social, cognitive and biological psychology, neuropsychology, and vision science.
Faculty
Health Sciences
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Psychological Science study guide.
Religion and Theology
The Department of Religion and Theology is among the top departments in the UK in the discipline (ranked 6th in the Complete University Guide 2021). Our teaching spans Buddhism, Christian history and theology, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Chinese and Japanese religions.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Religion and Theology study guide.
Russian
Our department is a major centre for research in Russian, Slavonic and East European Languages and offers a lively environment for studying their history, literature and societies.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Russian and Czech study guide.
Sociology, Politics and International Studies
In Sociology you will study fascinating topics such as the media, religion, political participation, marriage, family and interpersonal relationships. We pride ourselves on an engaged environment led by prominent academics, sociologists and political scientists.
In Politics and International Studies you will learn the politics of individual countries and governments and the relationships between states, communities and individuals, alongside more abstract issues such as the nature of power and justice. You will benefit from research-informed teaching and political societies.
Faculty
Social Sciences and Law
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Sociology, Politics and International Studies study guide.
Theatre
Build your knowledge and practical skills by exploring critical and historical frameworks alongside practical workshops. Our department is home to a well-equipped studio theatre, our museum-accredited archive (the Theatre Collection), and many active practitioners who show work at venues including Shakespeare's Globe and the South Bank Centre.
Faculty
Arts
Study guide
Find out which units are available to study abroad students. Theatre study guide.