Outreach and widening participation

Opportunities for schools, young people and mature students.

Outreach and widening participation

Our outreach and widening participation offer provides programmes and opportunities to students from underrepresented backgrounds.

These opportunities give you a taste of what it is like to study at the University of Bristol, and support you to access university.

 

Find out about our open days

Programmes and resources

Post -16 activities

Programmes, summer schools and conferences giving a taste of what it is like to study at Bristol. For students currently taking A-levels, BTECs, an Access to HE Diploma or equivalent qualifications. 

Pre-16 activities

Teachers can book a curriculum support workshops for your students and explore activities from our partners.

Virtual resources for students

Sign up for resources including academic subject lectures, reading lists, podcasts, talks about student life and virtual events.

Resources for schools

Offer information

Contextual offers

A contextual offer is an offer that is up to two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. You could be eligible for a contextual offer if you are from a background historically less likely to come to Bristol.

Check if you are eligible.

Guaranteed offers

A guaranteed offer is the guarantee of being made an offer or offered an interview. You will be considered for a guaranteed offer or interview from the University of Bristol if you meet our criteria.

Check if you are eligible.

Information for students

Asian, Black and other minority ethnic students

Discover the opportunities and support you can access before, during and beyond University. 

Mature students

If you are aged 21 and over, find out about finding a course, applying, events, funding and careers support. 

Local and commuting students

Advice on travel options, finding study facilities on campus and becoming a student in your hometown. 

Care leavers

If you have expereince being in care, find out about contextual offers, funding, accommodation and further support. 

Estranged students

If you are under 25 and have limited or no communication with either of your parents, find out about student funding, accomodation and further support. 

Student stories

Hear from current global majority students:

  • why they chose Bristol
  • experiences of settling into university life and the city
  • what advice they would give their past selves.
A student dress in a red open day t-shirt with a clipboard, leads a group of young people. There are historic and contemporary buildings and parked bikes in the background.

Open days and visits

Get a feel for the University by visiting us at an open day or attending a campus tour.

These events allow you to talk to current students and staff, explore the University and city and find out what it’s like to be a student here.

Events and school visits

Talk to staff and current students about our courses, admissions and university life at a UCAS discovery event or request our attendance at an upcoming event at your school. 

A woman stands with a female student who is dressed in a red event hoodie and is holding a form. They stand in a historic university building having a conversation.
female student standing in a classroom front of green chalk board and smiling. Students are seated in the foreground facing her.

Opportunities for students and staff

Students currently studying at the University of Bristol can:

  • get paid to become a Student Ambassador,
  • become a widening participation tutor,
  • collaborate on a range of different projects,
  • get support from the student inclusion team,
  • get peer mentoring and skills development for postgraduate study. 

Staff and Postgraduate researchers can join an active outreach session for school students.

Access and participation strategy

Access and participation plan summary

The 'Access and participation plan' sets out how higher education providers will improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups to access, succeed in and progress from higher education.

Read the Access and participation plan 2025-26 to 2028-29 summary (PDF, 146kB)

Equality, diversity and inclusion report

We want Bristol to be an inclusive place to study by creating an environment where people can be themselves and do their best. This report shows the progress made promoting equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Bristol.

R‌ead the annual equality, diversity and inclusion report.

Contact

Request a talk or workshop at your school, or ask us a specific outreach-related question.