I am in my third year at the University of Bristol and feel that I can write an honest review about being a student here.
COURSES AVAILABLE
There are a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses available to study including Bachelors and Masters Degrees as well as Doctorates and ... Read review
Advantages: Beautiful city, top university, friendly peole, great night life, loads to see and do Disadvantages: Oxbridge rejects may put people off, the cost of living is high once you are in private housing
...year at the University of Bristol and feel that I can write an honest review about being a student here.
COURSES AVAILABLE There are a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses available to study including Bachelors and Masters Degrees as well as Doctorates and Higher Doctorates. The six faculties are:- - Faculty of Arts - Faculty of Engineering - Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Science ...LIFE The city of Bristol has a wide range of night life to suit everyone?s taste. Whether you prefer a cosy night in a small local pub such as the Cory Tap, live jazz music free at the union or the jazz bars on Park Street, lively bars such as Joe Publics, Henry J Beans, Green House, big night clubs like Oceana, Syndicate and The Carling Academy, strip clubs and cocktail bars. There really is something for everyone?s taste of music too- dance, ... more
I am in my third year at the University of Bristol and feel that I can write an honest review about being a student here.
COURSES AVAILABLE There are a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses available to study including Bachelors and Masters Degrees as well as Doctorates and Higher Doctorates. The six faculties are:- - Faculty of Arts - Faculty of Engineering - Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Science - Faculty of Science - Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry - Faculty of Social Sciences and Law
TEACHING The standard of teaching in my department and most others is exceptionally good. Generally speaking, the lecturers are at the forefront of research and are therefore extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the subject they are teaching. They can recommend the most up to date literature to read which puts students in good stead for exams and having knowledge about the current scientific debates. On my course lectures are normally easy to follow, although there is the odd lecturer who is boring or makes the lectures hard to follow. The lectures are usually written on power point and are put on 'blackboard' (an online learning resource) afterwards so if you missed parts (or missed the whole lecture!) you can down load it afterwards.
WORK LOAD Since the university is consistently at the top of the league tables it is understandable that students are given a large work load in order to push themselves and reach their potential academically.
HALLS OF RESIDENCE The university is a city based university rather than a campus based one which means that the halls of residences are in various places around the city. There are two main places where they are however. About half of the halls are at Stoke Bishop which is 1.5 miles away from the university (35 min walk). Most of the other halls are in Clifton (15 mins walk from uni) and there are a few others closer to the university such as large student houses for first years. The halls vary in price just like any university and there is a good choice of catered and self-catered, en-suite or shared bathroom rooms. The university offers special halls for post graduates, couples and families which is good as they try and cater for all budgets and needs. The Stoke Bishop halls can seem quite isolated as they are far from the university and the town centre. The nearest supermarket is a 20 min walk away as they recently closed the student one which was based up there as it was running at a loss. The 35 min walk can seem like a chore but when you are walking with friends it is actually quite social and helps you keep fit! If you are in halls at Stoke Bishop I would recommend bringing your bike and cycling as it is only 10 mins to university as it is all down hill. The way back up is slightly longer as the hill is quite steep. The advantage to the Stoke Bishop halls are how close they are to the downs. The downs offer beautiful open space - parts of which over look the Clifton suspension bridge. Students will flock to the downs as soon as there is a warm sunny day for BBQs, picnics and frisbee. There are also a dedicated number of runners who will be out there jogging in most weather!
PRIVATE HOUSING Once you finish your first year most people move out of halls and into private accommodation. A few people can stay in halls but they normally take up a position to organise social events there or become a tutor. Most people move into private accommodation. There is plenty around and most students live in Redland, Clifton or by Gloucester Road. Housing however is expensive with the average price per person being £320 a month excluding bills for internet, gas and water. Obviously rent and rates do vary and there are some ok houses for £300 a month and some very nice ones for £350 a month. However, renting after your first year is expensive as land lords know they can get away with it due to the high number of students from private schools who's parents can afford the rent.
NIGHT LIFE The city of Bristol has a wide range of night life to suit everyone?s taste. Whether you prefer a cosy night in a small local pub such as the Cory Tap, live jazz music free at the union or the jazz bars on Park Street, lively bars such as Joe Publics, Henry J Beans, Green House, big night clubs like Oceana, Syndicate and The Carling Academy, strip clubs and cocktail bars. There really is something for everyone?s taste of music too- dance, indie, rock, 80?s, drum and bass, cheese, jazz just to name a few. For students the bars and clubs have special student deals throughout the week on cheap drinks and entry. They are very student friendly and put up with the MANY fancy dress nights out that we students are so fond of. In my experience, I have never felt threatened on a night out by crime and it is very rare that you here of people that have. I would therefore say that because the bars and clubs are student friendly, you always feel safe.
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES The university has a huge range of societies and clubs that you can join. They range from - Competitive and non-competitive sports at different levels ranging from football and rugby to karate, ultimate Frisbee and sky diving. - Music at different levels and abilities- choirs, orchestras, barber shop bands, live music societies ? the list could go on for ever. - Arts and crafts- pottery, knitting, anime club, film clubs? - Volunteering- amnesty international, Oxfam, children in need, RAG - Languages and culture, - Political, - Religious - The list is pretty exhaustive??
The clubs that I have joined are the Swimming Team and I was a member of the canoeing and kayaking club for a year. In my experience the clubs have been very welcoming to fresher?s and newcomers and friendly to everyone. They are really accommodating whatever your ability and the social sides have been excellent. The clubs and societies are a really good way to meet new people outside of your course and halls of residence. The prices are student friendly (the swimming club was £20 for a year!).
SHOPPING The City is an excellent place for shopping. If you prefer high street stores you can eat your heart out at Topshop, Primark, Miss Selfridges, Gap etc at the new Cabot Circus shopping centre (one of the biggest in the south of England). If small individual shops are more of your thing then there are loads of unusual shops in Clifton Village, Gloucester Road and along Park Street. Plus there is a market every Saturday in Broad mead in the town centre for nice arty gifts. If you like trawling charity shops, the ones in Clifton village are superb as the area is quite wealthy so there is always some nice (often designer!) clothes in those ones.
GETTING AROUND The City has a good public transport system with the halls in Stoke Bishop connected by bus to the university, city centre and the main train station (Temple Meads). The prices are ok - £2.20 for a single, but obviously not as cheap as London. You can buy a week?s travel card though and get a student discount on this. Temple Meads train station is well connected with trains to many UK cities. The train to London takes 1 hour 45 mins. There is a bus from near the university, outside Temple Meads and from the city centre to Bristol International Airport. This only costs £5. The airport is not huge but has a range of destinations to fly to. If you are an international student though it is probably more likely you will fly into London and get the train to Bristol.
REPUTATION The university has a good reputation amongst employers who recognize that the university is prestigious. There is sometimes a feeling of ?upper class? as there are many Oxbridge rejects and the intake from private schools is around ~40%. However, this seems inevitable in a top university and to be honest apart from the odd snobby person, this has not bothered me at all and in fact has been a privilege to mix with people from all back grounds and walks of life.
OVERVIEW Other all the university is a top UK institution and I would say apply here if you have the grades. The education is excellent and the city is beautiful with plenty of open space and great night life with something to suit everyone?s taste. The only down side is that it is renown for Oxbridge rejects but this has not bothered me at all.
Advantages: Excellent, well recognised Univeristy, great social life, Biology excellent Disadvantages: Hilly, fairly expensive accomodation
I loved my time at Bristol Uni, and wish I had another year to go. In my first year I was in halls in Stoke Bishop, which involved a 40 minute trek in to uni everyday. There are halls in Clifton, only 10 minutes away, which also allow you to experience the nightlife more easily, however, most students are based in Stoke Bishop. There is a student bus which operates in the evening taking 'jolly' loads of students into town if you get bored with your ... ...to Temple Meads Station and Bristol International (Easy Jet etc......). The university is also very close to an A&E, so feel free to drink your heart out.
If you are an animal lover, go to Bristol Zoo; a movie lover, there are cinemas a plenty - the Watershed plays lots of arty/foreign films; a music lover, there are venues playing everything and anything; a food lover, loads of great restaurants with a variety of prices.
I did psychology and zoology ...
kb1532 02.07.2004 (03.07.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bristol University
Advantages: Being an old university, students benefit from the experience of the departments/faculties Disadvantages: expensive to live, friends thinking Bristol is full of Oxbridge rejects
...first wrote my opinion of Bristol University, so its about time i explain whats happened here in the last year. Finally, the construction of the new sports building is under way, and it should be ready by the beginning of the next academic year (oct 2002). It will replace the appalling excuse for a sports centre that is currently in Woodland house. The new building should hold a new fully equiped gym, which is a BIG improvement. There should also ... ...cash (its expensive here) Bristol definitely a good bet.
My original opinion (contains info not mentioned above);
As a first year, just finishing my first term, I thought that I would write this opinion while I can still remember my initial impression of Bristol university life, before getting too bogged down with work.
I'm not a huge fan of Bristol city centre, but since its quite a hike from the uni and the halls, I never really have to go there ...
fairydust 06.12.2000 (27.02.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bristol University
Advantages: good reputation; lovely department staff; good student support Disadvantages: facilities, student accommodation, high living expenses
When I first arrived in Bristol and saw the Wills Memorial Building - the law building, I was in awe of its architecture and when I visited the rest of the campus, I knew I had made the right choice of coming here to study instead of the other two universities that I've turned down. MY COURSE:
I studied an MSc in Development and Security which is a taught postgraduate course in the Politics Department. My year's intake for taught postgrads was 150, ... ...and thus better bags than Bristol even though they're the far richer university. Instead, this freshers fair was just upping the carbon foot print through lots of plastic bags containing mostly paper and nothing much else.
I was part of the Postgraduate Union's marketing team and from that experience I did not think that the PGU was that great. It was full of inexperienced people who were not very good at organising but good at talking about it. ...
lysfong 29.05.2007 (07.04.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bristol University
Advantages: Beautiful city with good night life. Disadvantages: Many - see above!
I applied to Bristol University in 1999 and started an undergraduate degree in the October of that year. I did not have a very good experience at all. The university is ideal if you originate from a rich background, preferably having been treated to a private education. I however, did not belong to this upper-class mentality and did not find the institution very welcoming for state school students.
I know for a fact that the university is very sensitive ... ...and the head of my department before finally deciding that I didn't want to waste three years of my life in such an elitist place. There is a very snobby and conservative feel to Bristol, a university which is teeming with Oxbridge rejects.
I am now at Sheffield University and am utterly astounded at the difference between these two universities. Sheffield is tremedously more friendly and more eager to welcome students from ALL backgrounds. Please ...
Eudora 12.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Bristol University
Advantages: So many opportunities Disadvantages: Snobbish reputation (undeserved)
I'm a first year law student at the University of Bristol, and i'm having the time of my life! If you are interested in studying here (which i strongly recommend if you are dedicated - to working hard and playing hard!) one word of warning - it rains LOTS and there is a large amount of walking to and from the University buildings - so pick your Halls of Residence CAREFULLY. I'm in Durdham and my boyfriend calls it a penthouse appartment! But it's ... ...a god-send! The reputation of being Oxbridge reject university just is unfair. I personally did not apply to either of the most elitist universities in the UK, and have found many of my contemparies did not either. There is a Sloaney element, however it is small and can be easily avoided! ...
franki 10.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Bristol University
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For more information on the Access to Bristol 'taster sessions' please view link below:
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I attended a Sutton Trust Summer School at BristolUniversity last summer and i can honestly say it was one of the funnest weeks of the whole summer.
Applying:
I heard about the Sutton Trust Summer Schoo through the high achievers group at my college, there are several criteria you need to fulfil to make you eligible such as coming from a low income family and your parents not having been to university but to be honest i'm not sure the term "underprivileged" was quite correct- if you recieve EMA you should be fine to apply. There were also grades you needed to have achieved at GCSE i think it was 5 A/A* to get in.
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