Access to Bristol
The Access to Bristol scheme is an initiative that provides local students with an unprecedented opportunity to experience life at the University of Bristol, gaining access to its academic expertise and facilities.
Benefits
Attending the Access to Bristol scheme will show a commitment to study that will stand students in good stead when they apply to university through UCAS. The scheme is designed as a curriculum enrichment opportunity for students studying A-levels or equivalents and is open to all students in the first or second year of A-level study; the exception to this is the Law stream which is a two-year programme and so only open to students currently in year 12. Participants attend a series of sessions at the University on Wednesday afternoons, studying one of nineteen subject streams.
What is involved?
The sessions give students an insight into what it is like to study at the University of Bristol. They will be working with current students and academics at the University, who will be on hand to offer advice and guidance about higher education in their chosen area of study. The sessions are also designed to give participants fresh insight into their own studies at A-level.
Who can apply?
The Access to Bristol scheme is very popular and we anticipate high demand for places. In cases where there are more applicants per place on a particular stream, applications will be subject to a selection process, where priority will be given to those who meet all or most of the following categories:
- Local students (resident in BA, BS or other local postcodes and attending state school or college);
- Those with the academic ability to study at the University of Bristol;
- Those who are part of the first generation in their family to go to university;
- Those living in a Low Participation Area (LPA).
Subjects on offer for 2013/14:
- Animal Sciences*
- Archaeology and Anthropology*
- Arts and Humanities***
- Biomedical Sciences***
- Chemistry*
- Earth Sciences**
- Economics, Finance and Management***
- Engineering*
- English Literature***
- Film and Theatre**
- Geography**
- Historical Studies***
- Law
- Mathematics**
- Modern Languages**
- Natural Sciences**
- Politics**
- Psychology***
- Social Policy**
- Sociology**
- Sociology, Social Policy and Politics*
- Theology, Religious Studies.and Philosophy*
* = Streams running in the Spring Term
** = Streams running in the Autumn Term
*** = Streams running in the Spring and Autumn Terms -
Sessions will take place on the following dates:
Autumn
October 16, 23
November 6, 13, 20, 27
December 4, 11
Spring
January 29
February 5,12, 26
March 5, 12, 19
April 2
Access to Bristol Bursary
We are delighted to offer a linked bursary scheme for Access to Bristol participants. If you complete the Access to Bristol programme and firmly accept an offer to study at the University of Bristol, you will be considered for our enhanced financial support package if you have a residual household income of £25,000 or below. This consists of:
- A full tuition fee waiver, plus;
- A bursary to assist with your expenditure over the academic year valued at £3,750
Further information is available about the Access to Bristol bursary.
The bursary shows just how committed we are to attracting the very best students to the University. It is also evidence of how highly we regard those students who complete the Access to Bristol scheme.
Here at Bristol, we have a dedicated student funding team who can advise you on how to fund your studies. Further information is available from the Student Funding Office.
Guaranteed offer
Students who successfully complete the Access to Bristol scheme will receive a guaranteed offer from the University of Bristol provided that they meet the following criteria:
- meet the required entry grade criteria for their course, including GCSEs
- have studied all pre-requisite subjects
AND - have made their Access to Bristol application before the first deadline for the scheme
Where a course holds interviews or auditions for selection, Access to Bristol 'graduates' who meet the criteria listed above, will be offered a guaranteed interview or audition.
These guarantees further highlight how highly we regard those students who complete the Access to Bristol scheme.
How to apply
Further information about the Access to Bristol scheme and the subject streams on offer is available in the 2013/14 Access to Bristol booklet (PDF, 1.0 MB).
The deadline for applications to the 2013/2014 has now passed and we are no longer accepting applications at this stage.If you are interested in applying for Law, please refer to our separate Pathways to Law information.
If you have students who are interested in participating in the Access to Bristol scheme, or if you would like any more information please email schools-colleges-liaison@bristol.ac.uk or telephone (0117) 331 7603.