Access to Bristol

The Access to Bristol scheme is for students taking A-levels, BTECs, Access to HE courses or equivalents. Taking part shows a commitment to further study that will strengthen your application when you apply to university. On completion, you will be guaranteed an offer/interview and a contextual offer from Bristol, a top-ten UK University (QS World University Rankings 2020).

Access to Bristol subject streams

Students attend a series of sessions, held at the University on Wednesday afternoons during the autumn or spring term. You will choose to study one of 29 subject streams, representing many of the degree subjects available at Bristol.

You will get an idea of what it is like to study at the University of Bristol, working with academics and current students who can offer advice and guidance about higher education and their subject area.

For more information on each subject stream, including whether it runs in Autumn term or Spring term, take a look at our 2019/20 Access to Bristol brochure (PDF, 3,081kB).‌ 

What are the benefits of Access to Bristol?

As well as providing you with a chance to explore the subject you’re interested in at a deeper level, Access to Bristol will give you an unique insight into student life at Bristol. You'll gain first-hand experience of what it will be like studying at one of Britain's top universities and opportunities to find out more information about the services and support that the University of Bristol has to offer its students.

You will also benefit from:

• A guaranteed offer at contextual level;
• Access to Bristol bursary.

Guaranteed Offer at contextual level

Successful completion of the Access to Bristol scheme will guarantee you an offer from the University of Bristol provided that you meet the full entry requirements of the course you apply for.

You will be eligible for a contextual offer for all undergraduate courses, which is usually two grades lower than the typical offer. If the course holds interviews or auditions as part of the selection process you will be guaranteed an interview (e.g. Medicine or Dentistry) or audition. The interview for Medicine/Dentistry will only be guaranteed if your predicted grades meet the contextual entry requirements and you meet the GCSE subject requirements.

Access to Bristol Bursary

If you successfully complete the Access to Bristol scheme and firmly accept your offer to study at the University of Bristol you may be eligible for the Access to Bristol bursary, which consists of:

• A full tuition fee waiver for your first year of study;
• A maintenance bursary of £3,855 for each year of your course.

To be considered for the bursary you need to be a Home UK student and have a household income of £25,000 or below. No bursary is paid in any year where you are entitled to NHS funding as part of your course.

The Access to Bristol bursary and Guaranteed Offer reflect our commitment to attracting the very best students to the University of Bristol and demonstrates how highly we regard those students who complete the Access to Bristol scheme.