Information for international applicants

1. Are your programmes available to international applicants?
2. What are the entry requirements and overseas equivalent qualifications for international applicants?

1. Are your programmes available to international applicants?

The majority of our programmes are available to international applicants. This will be stated in the programme information. Please be aware that part-time programmes may be offered to all applicants but may not be available to international applicants depending on your visa restrictions.

2. What are the entry requirements and overseas equivalent qualifications for international applicants?

Entry requirements vary depending on the programme, and they are listed in each of the programme details. Entry requirements are normally given according to the UK system, but we accept international equivalents for all courses open to international applicants. You should check the International Office A-Z country information page for details on equivalent grades. Please contact the International Recruitment Office should you have any queries regarding international equivalents at iro@bristol.ac.uk.

1. Do I need to take a language test?
2. What score do I need to get in a language test in order to be eligible to apply?
3. I have not yet sat a language test or received my results. Can I still apply?
4. Once I receive my language results, how can I submit them?
5. Does the University offer any language support?

1. Do I need to take a language test?

If your first language is not English, you will need to reach a suitable standard in an approved test of English for entry to a postgraduate programme. We recommend you take the IELTS test, but we also accept TOEFL and the Cambridge ESOL. You can consult the University's English Language Policy for further information, including details of other accepted tests.

Please note that language certificates should not be more than two years old.

Exemptions to our language requirement may apply to those applicants who have spent at least three years studying at an approved English speaking higher education institution. Please confirm this with the relevant Department should you feel this applies to you.

2. What score do I need to get in a language test in order to be eligible to apply?

The standard requirement is 6.5 (according to the IELTS test), but some programmes have higher requirements. Please consult individual programme information for details. You will find we list our requirements according to the IELTS test, but you can find equivalent scores for other language tests in the English Language Policy.

3. I have not yet sat a language test or received my results. Can I still apply?

You are still welcome to apply to the University; however, please indicate on your application form the date you are anticipating taking your language test or receiving your results. If an offer of study is made to you in the meantime, it is likely to include a condition that you achieve the minimum required score in your language test before coming to study at Bristol.

4. Once I receive my language results, how can I submit them?

Please see how to submit supporting documents for details.

5. Does the University offer any language support?

There are pre-sessional English language courses available through the University's Centre for English Language and Foundation Studies, which are designed to develop the language and study skills needed in an English speaking University environment. The Centre also offers a new Pre-Masters course in English for Academic Purposes. These courses are optional, and are not normally an alternative to achieving the required score in an accepted language test for entry on to our programmes.

1. Is there an application fee?
2. What tuition fees do I need to pay and how do I pay them?
3. Do I have to pay a fee deposit?
4. Am I classed as an overseas or UK/EU fee payer?
5. Are there any scholarships available for international applicants?

1. Is there an application fee?

We charge a non-refundable application fee of £50 for the following programmes:

• MSc in Accounting, Finance and Management
• Graduate Diploma in Economics
• MSc in Economics
• MSc in Economics, Accounting and Finance
• MSc in Economics and Econometrics
• MSc in Economics and Finance
• MSc in Economics and Public Policy
• MSc in Economics, Finance and Management
• MSc in Finance and Investment
• MSc in Management

If you are applying to one of these programmes, you will be prompted to make this payment. Payment can be made by debit or credit card only.

Please note: your application for any of the above programmes will not be reviewed until the application fee has been received.

2. What tuition fees do I need to pay and how do I pay them?

Tuition fees are charged according to the programme of study. You can find programme-specific tuition fees listed in all of the programme details. There is also a tuition fee schedule listing all programmes.

Tuition fees normally rise annually, broadly in line with inflation. There are two different rates of fees charged: those for UK/EU students, and those for overseas students. Please see our fee status section for further information on the different rates.

Fees may be paid in full or in installments. Please see tuition fee guidance for more information and details of how to pay.

3. Do I have to pay a tuition fee deposit?

Tuition fee deposits are compulsory for all international students who are self-funded. We expect this will help with your visa application. For all other students, fee deposits are optional. Details of how to pay the deposit will be sent out to you with your offer pack if your application is successful.

4. Am I classed as an overseas or UK/EU fee payer?

The University has to assess fee status according to the fee status legislation provided by UKCISA. We make a decision on your fee status only once your application has been received and processed, and an offer of study is made to you. Unfortunately fee status regulations are complex and not always straight forward. Fee status depends on a number of factors, including residency and immigration. You can see the legislation we use to determine fee status, and work out your own fee status by consulting the UKCISA website.

If you feel you have a more complicated case, please feel free to contact us for advice, however please be aware that a decision on fee status is only made once you have applied and only if an offer of study is made to you.

5. Are there any scholarships available for international applicants?

There may be scholarships and funding available for some programmes. For any Department-allocated funding, please see the relevant Departmental website. For general scholarships and funding information, please see the Student Funding Office or the scholarship search engine. It is also advisable for applicants to investigate funding opportunities offered by other external sources.

Our International Office also have a small number of scholarships available for international students, which are available for taught courses only. Please see the International Office fees and finances page for further information.

1. How can I find out about applying for a visa?
2. What is ATAS? How do I know if it affects me?

1. How can I find out about applying for a visa?

Our International Advice and Support Office offers advice on visa applications and other aspects of immigration. In order to obtain a visa, you will need to apply as appropriate.

2. What is ATAS? How do I know if it affects me?

ATAS stands for Academic Technology Approval Scheme. This scheme affects certain international applicants for selected postgraduate programmes. If this affects you, you will need to obtain an ATAS certificate before applying for your visa.

Please see our International Office immigration information for details on the ATAS scheme and how it works.

1. What sort of support is available for international students at Bristol?
2. Where can I go for further information?

1. What sort of support is available for international students at Bristol?

Our International Advice and Support Office provide comprehensive information and support on many aspects of international life at Bristol, including immigration and visa advice, arrival information and social events. You can drop in to the office, and/or make an appointment if required. They also produce a guide which you will be sent if you decide to come and study at Bristol, as well as welcome events and orientation.

The University Union also has over 170 student societies which include country-specific societies for you to join.

There are also many other support services available at the University for students.

2. Where can I go for further information?

Please feel free to contact us at pg-admissions@bristol.ac.uk if you cannot find the information you need online. We can answer your query directly, or refer you on if necessary.