150 years young
Through 2026 we're celebrating 150 years since the founding of University College Bristol.
In October 1876, University College Bristol opened its doors.
Thanks to campaigners from across the city, Bristolians could access higher education for the first time.
In a world of rapid industrial and societal transformation, University College Bristol created space for curiosity, ingenuity and intellectual debate, responding to the challenges of the present and shaping the future through research, innovation and education.
Much has changed over the last 150 years. But the University of Bristol’s place in its city, the support of its partners and champions, and its role in shaping an ever-changing world, remains constant.
In 2026, as the University of Bristol prepares to open new campuses in Temple Quarter and Mumbai, we invite our community to celebrate our 150th birthday by joining us at events in Bristol and around the world and learning more about our history and future.
Sign up to the University of Bristol’s public events mailing list
Sign up to the University of Bristol’s public events mailing list and be the first to learn more about opportunities to celebrate with us on Saturday 10 October 2026.
The programme
Through our 150th year, we are opening the doors to our campuses, telling the stories of our university and our city, and bringing our community together to celebrate our past and shape our future.
Understanding our past
University archivists are exploring the history of University College Bristol – the people that made it possible, and the academics and students that have made their mark over the years.
Inviting you in
You’re invited to join us on Saturday 10 October for a birthday celebration, where we’ll throw open the doors to our Clifton and Temple Quarter Enterprise campuses for a day of exploration, creativity and discovery.
Shaping our future
We invite you to help us imagine the university of the future, and to support us in building the foundations for future research breakthroughs and transformative education opportunities.
Discover how you're enabling transformative research and student support.
Find out more and join us
Our flagship celebration is on Saturday 10 October 2026 and the full programme will be published on this page in June 2026.
To be the first to hear about our plans for this day, and to register for ticketed tours and events, you can:
- Sign up to our public events mailing list
- Update your contact details on our database, if you are a Bristol graduate
- Hear about events through internal emails, if you are a Bristol student or staff member
