Study Abroad (General pathway)

Programme details

This programme allows you to choose units (classes) from across the University to create a personalised academic programme. You can take units in your major and minor, as well as other subjects that interest you.

Our faculties offer a wide variety of subjects. You can choose to take all of your units in one subject or mix and match across our faculties to create a diverse and intellectually stimulating programme.

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.

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 (those whose home university is partnered with Bristol but not for exchange) and independent applicants (any student from any university that is not partnered with Bristol) should apply for the Study Abroad (General pathway) programme.

How to apply

1. Check you are eligible

To be eligible you must meet both:

• the academic requirements
• the English language requirements

2. Choose your units

You can select all of your units (classes) in one subject or combine units from across different subjects to create a customised programme of study. On your application form you will need to tell us which units you would like to study.

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

We provide a full list of Study Guides on our website to help you identify all the units available to you as a Study Abroad student at Bristol. We also provide a number of study themes for our General pathway students who would like to connect their unit choices across our faculties through a broader topic.

If you click on a unit in one of our Study Guides/themes 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 in March for the following academic year.

3. Apply

Applications for the 2026/27 academic year are now open. Please click the link below to apply.

Apply Now

Please note that applications must be completed and submitted 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

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

• an academic reference written by a faculty member at your home university
• a personal statement written by you explaining the circumstances that affected your academic performance

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.