Our degree courses

Our degree courses

The University offers Single Honours degrees or a combination of two subjects in a Joint Honours degree.

Most of our courses take three or four years of full-time study to complete and are modular in structure. Dentistry, Medicine and Veterinary Science are longer in duration and take five or six years to complete. Most science and engineering courses offer a choice of four-year Integrated Masters (MEng, MSci) as well as the three-year Bachelors (BEng, BSc) courses.

Our courses comprise mandatory and optional units which allow choice, usually within the subject area, but you may also be able to take one or more optional units in a different subject, enabling you to develop interests in areas related to your main study course or other study areas.

Undergraduate degrees

Undergraduate degree courses lead to the award of either a Bachelors or Integrated Masters degree. Generally social sciences and arts courses (apart from modern languages degrees) take three years to complete and lead to a Bachelors (BA, BSc or LLB) degree. Most science, engineering and some medical sciences schools now offer a choice of four-year Integrated Masters (MEng, MSci) or three-year Bachelors (BEng, BSc) courses. Success in the first year will influence your ability to progress to the Integrated Masters course. If you are in doubt about which course to choose, we recommend that you apply for the Masters course to secure four years of financial support, since funding bodies may refuse a subsequent extension of study.

Studying part-time

A part-time course is ideal if you need to balance studying for a degree with other commitments. We offer specific part-time degrees, including BA English Literature and Community Engagement. Many of our full-time degrees may also be studied part time. Please see the relevant subject entry for details.

Courses with Study in Industry

We offer a number of science, medical science and engineering courses that include a year of industrial experience. The first two years of these courses are normally the same as the corresponding Honours degree courses. The third year, however, is spent gaining valuable experience in industry, before resuming your course for the final year. These courses provide excellent opportunities to broaden your experience and develop skills that will be of interest to potential employers.

Courses with time spent abroad

Many of our courses offer the opportunity to study or work in a different country as part of your degree, which enhances your personal development and career prospects.

BSc with a preliminary year of study

In Chemistry and Physics we offer courses with a preliminary year of study. These four-year courses are suitable for applicants who wish to study science, but also need to improve their level of attainment in the sciences. You do need the equivalent of good GCSE passes in sciences and mathematics for entry onto these courses.

Online and distance learning

Unfortunately we do not offer any of our undergraduate degree courses by online or distance learning.

Exchange opportunities

Adding a global dimension

While studying at Bristol, you may have the option of spending time abroad as part of your degree. Many employers, keen to expand in the global marketplace, are increasingly looking for graduates with cross-cultural experience and those students who have studied or worked abroad are in the perfect position to take advantage this.

Every year, more than 500 Bristol students go abroad as part of their degree, to destinations ranging from Paris and Copenhagen to California and Singapore. Depending on your degree course, you have the choice of working and/or studying abroad for anything from three and 12 months.

The Study Abroad team will provide practical advice before you leave for your placement and support you while you’re abroad. Just look for degree courses that include 'with Study in Continental Europe' or 'with Study Abroad' in the title, or talk to your prospective University school about the opportunities they offer.

Study placements

The University has over 150 exchange links with outstanding universities around the world such as Sciences Po Paris, the University of Chicago and the University of Toronto.

Within Europe you apply to study through the European Commission-sponsored Erasmus programme, spending either a half or full academic year at a top EU university, and receiving a generous grant to help with travel and living costs.

Many excellent exchange opportunities are also available outside the EU, in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, Colombia and China. Full academic credit is earned during your time abroad and will contribute towards your final degree.

Working abroad

Some students have the option of taking part in a work placement of between three and 12 months in an EU country. Again, this forms an integrated part of your degree course and you can apply for a grant to help with any additional costs involved in working abroad. In the past, Bristol students have worked for companies such as Clifford Chance in Madrid, Air France in Paris and M&C Saatchi in Berlin.

Students who are unable to take up the opportunity to study or work overseas can still benefit from the network of exchange partnerships. There is a constant flow of international exchange students arriving at the University, who bring with them their own cultural and educational experiences, enhancing the university environment for all our undergraduates.

Study and Work Abroad website