Looking after your wellbeing
At Bristol, we want you to live university life to the full. We have invested in our student services to provide you with the very best support on all aspects of university life. With our help, you can focus on your studies and ensure you get the most from your time at Bristol.
A holistic approach to health
Our dedicated Student Services team provides specialist advice and guidance to help you solve any personal, practical or academic difficulties you may have. You may want to seek advice on financial support, consult a GP, or just find a friendly, sympathetic person to talk to. Our professional staff can advise on a variety of welfare matters.
A healthy body and mind
Bristol is one of only two universities in the UK to offer a full NHS GP practice that is managed by the University and is located on campus. The vast majority of students are registered with the practice and have access to a range of services that are designed specifically for student needs.
Difficulties can occur at any time in your life, especially during periods of transition such as your student years, when it may help to engage with the Student Counselling Service. It provides a wide range of services including supported self-help, a resource library, workshops, individual counselling and therapeutic groups. Following an initial assessment, you will receive professional advice about what support is appropriate for your needs.
Disability support
Disability Services work across the University with academic schools and with other support services, including external providers, to support students with a disability throughout their time at the University. Our disability advisers help with funding applications, arrange assessments of needs and work with you to accommodate your requirements.
Before applying to Bristol, it is important to consider the requirements of your chosen course, to seek advice about the potential impact of your disability on how you need to study and to investigate possible funding. We recommend that you contact Disability Services early in the application process so that we can start planning the support you need before you begin your studies.
Financial support
Our Student Funding Office provides information on bursaries and scholarships, as well as advice on budgeting. Our experienced staff help students through financial difficulties and offer guidance on managing your money.
Personal support
All students have access to a personal tutor or student welfare adviser in their academic school who can advise on academic or pastoral problems. Or you can contact Just Ask, the advice and representation service run by the Students’ Union. Equipped with local knowledge and experience, professional staff and student sabbatical officers provide direct support or refer you to an appropriate source of advice.
Supporting young people in care
The challenges facing a young person in local authority care seeking to secure a place in higher education may be different from those of the vast majority of students. The University is committed to supporting students who have been in care and has been awarded the Buttle Trust Quality Mark in recognition of this support. We offer all care leavers guidance and support throughout all stages of their time at Bristol. For more information, please contact our widening participation team at wpur-office@bristol.ac.uk.
Faith and spiritual support
The Multifaith Chaplaincy Centre provides a place for prayer and reflection within the University and the team offers support to all members of the University, regardless of belief or background. Throughout the week, the centre hosts a number of worship/meditation groups following various faith traditions, as well as lunches and other opportunities to explore issues of faith and spirituality.
Support for international students
Help and advice about immigration, arriving in the UK and settling into the city and University is available from our International Advice and Support Service.
Supportive childcare
The University nursery is based on the main campus. It is open on weekdays throughout the year (except Bank Holidays and certain other days) and offers ten half-day sessions per week.
Keeping you safe
We take safety issues seriously and are one of the first universities to have been awarded the police certification of a 'secured environment'. On arrival, all students receive a briefing about keeping safe, and we have our own full-time police officer on site.
We do not tolerate any form of bullying, harassment or victimisation; we are committed to providing a fair and equitable environment in which students can study and socialise.
Student health and safety
The University of Bristol takes the responsibility to protect the health and safety of its students very seriously. Health and safety responsibilities are actively embraced in order to meet legal duties for securing the health and safety of employees and others affected by the University's activities. The University asks for the co-operation of all staff and student members in meeting these obligations and creating a safe and healthy environment in which to work and study.
Student agreement
Students do have responsibilities to comply with health and safety instructions and not to misuse or damage equipment provided. These are outlined in the the University rules and regulations for students. Students may be responsible for the consequences should they neglect to carry out a task in a way that is required for the health and safety of others.
Individual academic schools will have their own health and safety procedures relevant to a particular course. Students will be informed of these procedures and local rules which relate to specific activities, equipment or protective clothing, at induction and/or during the course of their studies as applicable.