Next Step Bristol

The expression of interest form is now open for Next Step Bristol 2026-27

About the programme
A guaranteed contextual offer
How to apply
Eligibility

About the programme

This programme is a collaboration between current students, societies and the Widening Participation team.

You will receive advice, information and support during your final year of school or college and we will support your transition to becoming a University of Bristol student via a series of virtual events.

Examples of events include a programme launch, with a student panel for your questions; transparent conversations about the lived experience of Asian and Black students at Bristol; academic taster sessions and student-led society events. You will also receive support with your UCAS and student finance applications and, where applicable, support with interviews (for Medicine and Dentistry applicants) and information about the support you can receive when you are a student at the University of Bristol.

Dates and times

All virtual events will run during after-school hours and in less busy periods of your school year. Throughout the year there will likely be four online sessions and the opportunity to attend one on-campus event with a travel bursary to support your attendance. Exact dates and times will be confirmed upon joining the programme.

A guaranteed contextual offer to the University of Bristol

If you successfully complete the Next Step Bristol scheme, and depending on the course(s) that you choose to apply for, you may be eligible for a guaranteed contextual offer or interview to study at Bristol provided you meet the contextual entry requirements for that course.

For courses that do not routinely interview as part of the admissions process, you will be guaranteed a contextual offer (typically two A-Level grades below standard entry requirements) to study at Bristol provided you are studying any specified A-Level subjects and meet any additional requirements for your chosen course (e.g. GCSE or equivalent grades).

Applicants must still complete any admissions tests such as the UCAT/ LNAT/ SAQ (and score above a threshold set lower than standard entry) in order to receive the guaranteed offer/ guaranteed interview. 

For courses that require an interview as part of the admissions process, such as Medicine or Dentistry, you will be guaranteed an interview for that course provided you are predicted to meet or exceed the contextual entry requirements for that course; you meet any GCSE or equivalent requirements; and you have completed any relevant aptitude test such as the UCAT (and scored above a threshold set lower than standard entry) by the appropriate deadline. Following interview, you may be made an offer at the contextual level. 

This benefit can apply to multiple courses should you choose to submit multiple course applications to Bristol.

Please note that terms and conditions apply.

How to apply

Next Step Bristol applications are now closed for 2025-26.

Please complete this form, to be notified when applicants open for the 2026-27 Next Step Bristol programme. 

We expect to receive a high number of applications.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must meet all of the essential criteria: 

• Are a resident in the UK and eligible for home fee status; 
• Currently attend a state (non fee-paying) school, sixth form, or college; 
• Be in your final year of A-level study (or equivalent); 
• Have applied or will apply for a course at the University of Bristol via UCAS. You may be offered a place on the programme before you submit your UCAS application; 
• Have the academic ability to study at the University of Bristol, including meeting, or having the potential to meet, all entry requirements for your chosen course (including any GCSE requirements  and/ or contextual entry requirements, where applicable); 
• Have not participated in any other University of Bristol outreach programme (including Access to Bristol, Bristol Scholars, Insight Into Bristol, Virtual Summer School, and Discover Bristol); 
• Identify as Asian, Black, or of mixed heritage featuring one of these groups, as these communities remain underrepresented at the University of Bristol. We will also consider applications from students who identify as belonging to another racially minoritised ethnic group where these students meet multiple priority criteria (below). 

Find out more about our accepted qualifications. 

This programme is often oversubscribed. Priority will be given to applicants who meet one or more of our additional criteria (below). The more of the criteria you meet, the more likely you are to secure a place on the programme: 

• are from a racially minoritised ethnic group that is underrepresented in the faculty where the applicant is applying (Asian Pakistani; Asian Bangladeshi; Black Caribbean; Black African; mixed backgrounds featuring one of these groups); 
• are part of the first generation in their family to go to university; 
• live in an IMD quintile 1 or 2 area as defined by your home postcode; 
• are or have been eligible for free school meals; 
• attend an aspiring state school or college (More information is available on our contextual offers page); 
• be considered a mature student (over 21 years old when you will begin your degree); 
• have spent three or more months in local authority care; 
• are currently an estranged student; 
• are from Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen and Boater (GTRSB) communities; 
• are from any other racially minoritised ethnic background; 
• are a Young Carer; 
• are a Refugee who has been granted refugee status by the UK Home Office; 
• have a disability; 
• have a parent or carer who currently serves in the UK Armed Forces, or who has done so in the past. 

We offer a wide range of outreach programmes and interventions designed to support post-16 students from diverse, underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds. If you’re not eligible for this programme, you may still be able to take part in another. Explore our other outreach opportunities here.