Mature Pathway to Bristol

Applications for the Mature Pathway to Bristol (2026 entry) programme have not opened yet. If you’d like to be notified when applications open, please complete this expression of interest form.

About the programme

The Mature Pathway to Bristol consists of a range of online sessions which offer information and guidance on UCAS, personal statements, student funding, study skills, careers and employability, and the range of support available to students at the University of Bristol. Participants of the pathway will also have the opportunity to engage with current students to learn more about their course and wider university life. These sessions are delivered in collaboration with current students, central student services, and the Widening Participation team.

Guaranteed Offer or Guaranteed Interview

Students applying to the University with an Access to HE course will be considered for a guaranteed offer or guaranteed interview (for courses that routinely interview such as Medicine or Dentistry). We refer to your qualification type on your UCAS form to determine whether you meet this criterion.
 
Successfully completing the Mature Pathway to Bristol programme extends the consideration of a guaranteed interview to our BDT Dental Therapy and BDH Dental Hygiene courses.
 
Please note that completing this programme does not further enhance or lower any existing Access to HE entry requirements to study at Bristol, as our Access to HE requirements are already set at a contextual level as standard across our undergraduate courses. The guaranteed offer does not apply to any of our CertHE courses.
 
Further information can be found on our Guaranteed Offers webpage.

Dates and times

Sessions will run from November through to July, with most sessions taking place online and in the evening.  Exact dates and times will be confirmed upon joining the programme.

Students will also be supported to attend one of our Offer Holder days in Spring 2026 where they can explore our university campus and meet current staff and students.

Please note that terms and conditions apply. 

How to apply

Applications will open online in Summer 2025. If you’d like to be notified when applications open, please complete the expression of interest form.

Please note, this programme is for those applying for 2026 entry.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible to apply for this programme, applicants must meet all of the following criteria: 

• be resident in the UK and eligible for Home fee student status;
• be completing an eligible Access to Higher Education (Access to HE) qualification during your participation on the programme - you can check the suitability of your Access course by contacting mature-students@bristol.ac.uk;
• be aged 21 and over when starting an undergraduate degree;
• have applied or will apply for an undergraduate course at the University of Bristol via UCAS (you may be offered a place on the programme before you submit your UCAS application). 

Find out more about our accepted qualifications.

Accessibility statement

We want to provide a positive and equitable experience to all participants on our outreach programmes. This involves providing reasonable adjustments to help individuals who may need additional support due to a disability, health condition or specific learning difference. Please let us know on your application form if you would like to request any reasonable adjustments to support you to participate in this programme.