Bristol, United Kingdom

University of Bristol

University type: university
University status: public

Bachelor's
Studies
full-time studies
part-time studies
Accounting and FinanceStudies in English
Accounting and ManagementStudies in English
Aerospace EngineeringStudies in English
Ancient HistoryStudies in English
AnthropologyStudies in English
Applied AnatomyStudies in English
Archaeology and AnthropologyStudies in English
BiochemistryStudies in English
Biochemistry with Medical BiochemistryStudies in English
Biochemistry with Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyStudies in English
BiologyStudies in English
Biomedical ScienceStudies in English
Cancer Biology and ImmunologyStudies in English
Cellular and Molecular MedicineStudies in English
Chemical PhysicsStudies in English
ChemistryStudies in English
Chemistry with Scientific ComputingStudies in English
Childhood StudiesStudies in English
Childhood Studies with ManagementStudies in English
Childhood Studies with Quantitative Research MethodsStudies in English
Civil EngineeringStudies in English
Classical StudiesStudies in English
ClassicsStudies in English
Computer ScienceStudies in English
Computer Science and ElectronicsStudies in English
CriminologyStudies in English
Criminology with Quantitative Research MethodsStudies in English
Czech and FrenchStudies in English
Czech and GermanStudies in English
Czech and ItalianStudies in English
Czech and PortugueseStudies in English
Czech and RussianStudies in English
Czech and SpanishStudies in English
Dental Hygiene and TherapyStudies in English
DentistryStudies in English
EconomicsStudies in English
Economics and AccountingStudies in English
Economics and EconometricsStudies in English
Economics and FinanceStudies in English
Economics and ManagementStudies in English
Economics and MathematicsStudies in English
Economics and PoliticsStudies in English
EducationStudies in English
Education StudiesStudies in English
Electrical and Electronic EngineeringStudies in English
Engineering MathematicsStudies in English
EnglishStudies in English
English and Classical StudiesStudies in English
English and CzechStudies in English
English and FrenchStudies in English
English and GermanStudies in English
English and HistoryStudies in English
English and ItalianStudies in English
English and PhilosophyStudies in English
English and PortugueseStudies in English
English and RussianStudies in English
English and SpanishStudies in English
English Literature and Community EngagementStudies in English
Environmental GeoscienceStudies in English
Film and EnglishStudies in English
Film and FrenchStudies in English
Film and GermanStudies in English
Film and ItalianStudies in English
Film and PortugueseStudies in English
Film and SpanishStudies in English
Film and TelevisionStudies in English
FinanceStudies in English
French and GermanStudies in English
French and ItalianStudies in English
French and PortugueseStudies in English
French and RussianStudies in English
French and SpanishStudies in English
French StudiesStudies in English
Gateway to DentistryStudies in English
Gateway to MedicineStudies in English
Gateway to Veterinary ScienceStudies in English
GeographyStudies in English
Geography with Quantitative Research MethodsStudies in English
GeologyStudies in English
GeophysicsStudies in English
German and ItalianStudies in English
German and PortugueseStudies in English
German and RussianStudies in English
German and SpanishStudies in English
German StudiesStudies in English
Hispanic StudiesStudies in English
HistoryStudies in English
History and CzechStudies in English
History and FrenchStudies in English
History and GermanStudies in English
History and ItalianStudies in English
History and PortugueseStudies in English
History and RussianStudies in English
History and SpanishStudies in English
History of ArtStudies in English
History of Art and FrenchStudies in English
History of Art and GermanStudies in English
History of Art and ItalianStudies in English
History of Art and PortugueseStudies in English
History of Art and RussianStudies in English
History of Art and SpanishStudies in English
International Business ManagementStudies in English
International Business Management and FrenchStudies in English
International Business Management and GermanStudies in English
International Business Management and SpanishStudies in English
International Social and Public PolicyStudies in English
Italian and PortugueseStudies in English
Italian and RussianStudies in English
Italian and SpanishStudies in English
Italian studiesStudies in English
LawStudies in English
Law and FrenchStudies in English
Law and GermanStudies in English
Law and SpanishStudies in English
Liberal ArtsStudies in English
ManagementStudies in English
MarketingStudies in English
MathematicsStudies in English
Mathematics and Computer ScienceStudies in English
Mathematics and PhilosophyStudies in English
Mathematics and PhysicsStudies in English
Mathematics with StatisticsStudies in English
Mathematics with Statistics for FinanceStudies in English
Mechanical and Electrical EngineeringStudies in English
Mechanical EngineeringStudies in English
Medical MicrobiologyStudies in English
MedicineStudies in English
Modern LanguagesStudies in English
MusicStudies in English
Music and CzechStudies in English
Music and FrenchStudies in English
Music and GermanStudies in English
Music and ItalianStudies in English
Music and PortugueseStudies in English
Music and RussianStudies in English
Music and SpanishStudies in English
NeuroscienceStudies in English
Palaeontology and EvolutionStudies in English
PharmacologyStudies in English
PhilosophyStudies in English
Philosophy and EconomicsStudies in English
Philosophy and FrenchStudies in English
Philosophy and GermanStudies in English
Philosophy and ItalianStudies in English
Philosophy and PoliticsStudies in English
Philosophy and PortugueseStudies in English
Philosophy and RussianStudies in English
Philosophy and SpanishStudies in English
Philosophy and TheologyStudies in English
PhysicsStudies in English
Physics and PhilosophyStudies in English
Physics with AstrophysicsStudies in English
Physics with Scientific ComputingStudies in English
Physiological ScienceStudies in English
Plant sciencesStudies in English
Politics and FrenchStudies in English
Politics and GermanStudies in English
Politics and International RelationsStudies in English
Politics and ItalianStudies in English
Politics and PortugueseStudies in English
Politics and RussianStudies in English
Politics and SociologyStudies in English
Politics and SpanishStudies in English
Politics with Quantitative Research MethodsStudies in English
Portuguese and RussianStudies in English
PsychologyStudies in English
Psychology in EducationStudies in English
Religion and TheologyStudies in English
Russian StudiesStudies in English
Social PolicyStudies in English
Social Policy and PoliticsStudies in English
Social Policy and SociologyStudies in English
Social Policy with CriminologyStudies in English
Social Policy with ManagementStudies in English
Social Policy with Quantitative Research MethodsStudies in English
SociologyStudies in English
Sociology and PhilosophyStudies in English
Sociology with Quantitative Research MethodsStudies in English
Spanish and PortugueseStudies in English
Spanish and RussianStudies in English
Spanish StudiesStudies in English
Theatre and EnglishStudies in English
Theatre and FilmStudies in English
Theatre and FrenchStudies in English
Theatre and GermanStudies in English
Theatre and ItalianStudies in English
Theatre and Performance StudiesStudies in English
Theatre and PortugueseStudies in English
Theatre and SpanishStudies in English
Theology and SociologyStudies in English
Veterinary Nursing and Bioveterinary ScienceStudies in English
Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal BehaviourStudies in English
Veterinary ScienceStudies in English
Virology and ImmunologyStudies in English
ZoologyStudies in English

Integrated Master's degree
Studies
full-time studies
part-time studies
Aerospace EngineeringStudies in English
Anthropology with InnovationStudies in English
BiochemistryStudies in English
Biochemistry with Medical BiochemistryStudies in English
Biochemistry with Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyStudies in English
BiologyStudies in English
Chemical PhysicsStudies in English
ChemistryStudies in English
Chemistry with Scientific ComputingStudies in English
Childhood Studies with InnovationStudies in English
Childhood Studies with Quantitative Research MethodsStudies in English
Civil EngineeringStudies in English
Computer ScienceStudies in English
Computer Science and ElectronicsStudies in English
Computer Science with InnovationStudies in English
Criminology with Quantitative Research MethodsStudies in English
Economics with InnovationStudies in English
Electrical and Electronic EngineeringStudies in English
Electrical and Electronic Engineering with InnovationStudies in English
Engineering DesignStudies in English
Engineering MathematicsStudies in English
Environmental GeoscienceStudies in English
Film and Television with InnovationStudies in English
Geography with InnovationStudies in English
Geography with Quantitative Research MethodsStudies in English
GeologyStudies in English
GeophysicsStudies in English
History with InnovationStudies in English
Liberal ArtsStudies in English
Management with InnovationStudies in English
MathematicsStudies in English
Mathematics and Computer ScienceStudies in English
Mathematics and PhilosophyStudies in English
Mathematics and PhysicsStudies in English
Mathematics with StatisticsStudies in English
Mechanical and Electrical EngineeringStudies in English
Mechanical EngineeringStudies in English
Music with InnovationStudies in English
NeuroscienceStudies in English
Palaeontology and EvolutionStudies in English
PharmacologyStudies in English
PhysicsStudies in English
Physics and PhilosophyStudies in English
Physics with AstrophysicsStudies in English
Physics with InnovationStudies in English
Physics with Scientific ComputingStudies in English
Physiological ScienceStudies in English
Plant sciencesStudies in English
Politics with Quantitative Research MethodsStudies in English
PsychologyStudies in English
Psychology and NeuroscienceStudies in English
Psychology with InnovationStudies in English
Religion and TheologyStudies in English
Social Policy with InnovationStudies in English
Social Policy with Quantitative Research MethodsStudies in English
Sociology with Quantitative Research MethodsStudies in English
Theatre with InnovationStudies in English
Theoretical PhysicsStudies in English
ZoologyStudies in English

Master's
Studies
full-time studies
part-time studies
Accounting and FinanceStudies in English
Accounting, Finance and ManagementStudies in English
Advanced CompositesStudies in English
Advanced Microelectronic Systems EngineeringStudies in English
Advanced Quantitative MethodsStudies in English
Aerial RoboticsStudies in English
Aerospace EngineeringStudies in English
AnthropologyStudies in English
Anthropology and ArchaeologyStudies in English
Applied NeuropsychologyStudies in English
Banking and Finance LawStudies in English
Banking, Regulation and Financial StabilityStudies in English
BiochemistryStudies in English
BioinformaticsStudies in English
Biological SciencesStudies in English
Biomedical EngineeringStudies in English
Biomedical ScienceStudies in English
Black HumanitiesStudies in English
Cellular and Molecular MedicineStudies in English
ChemistryStudies in English
Chinese to English TranslationStudies in English
Civil EngineeringStudies in English
Classics and Ancient HistoryStudies in English
Climate Change Science and PolicyStudies in English
Clinical NeuropsychologyStudies in English
Commercial LawStudies in English
Communication Networks and Signal ProcessingStudies in English
Company Law and Corporate GovernanceStudies in English
Comparative Literatures and CulturesStudies in English
Composition of Music for Film and TelevisionStudies in English
Computer ScienceStudies in English
Contemporary IdentitiesStudies in English
Creative WritingStudies in English
Dental StudiesStudies in English
Development and SecurityStudies in English
Digital HealthStudies in English
Disability StudiesStudies in English
Earth SciencesStudies in English
Earthquake Engineering and Infrastructure ResilienceStudies in English
East Asian Development and the Global EconomyStudies in English
EconomicsStudies in English
Economics and FinanceStudies in English
Economics, Finance and ManagementStudies in English
Education (Inclusive Education)Studies in English
Education (Leadership and Policy)Studies in English
Education (Learning, Technology and Society)Studies in English
Education (Mathematics Education)Studies in English
Education (Neuroscience and Education)Studies in English
Education (Open Pathway)Studies in English
Education (Policy and International Development)Studies in English
Education (Teaching and Learning)Studies in English
Education (Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages)Studies in English
EducationalStudies in English
Electrical and Electronic EngineeringStudies in English
Engineering MathematicsStudies in English
Engineering with ManagementStudies in English
English LiteratureStudies in English
Environmental Policy and ManagementStudies in English
EpidemiologyStudies in English
European and Global GovernanceStudies in English
Experimental PsychologyStudies in English
Film and TelevisionStudies in English
Finance and InvestmentStudies in English
Finance Technology with Data ScienceStudies in English
French StudiesStudies in English
Gender and International RelationsStudies in English
Geographical Sciences (Human Geography)Studies in English
Geographical Sciences (Physical Geography)Studies in English
German StudiesStudies in English
Global Environmental ChallengesStudies in English
Global Operations and Supply Chain ManagementStudies in English
Global Political EconomyStudies in English
Global Wildlife Health and ConservationStudies in English
Health and WellbeingStudies in English
Health SciencesStudies in English
Healthcare ManagementStudies in English
Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American StudiesStudies in English
HistoryStudies in English
History of ArtStudies in English
Human Geography (Society and Space)Studies in English
Human Resource Management and the Future of WorkStudies in English
Image, Video Communications and Signal ProcessingStudies in English
Innovation and EntrepreneurshipStudies in English
International DevelopmentStudies in English
International RelationsStudies in English
International SecurityStudies in English
Italian studiesStudies in English
LawStudies in English
Law - International LawStudies in English
Law - International Law and International RelationsStudies in English
Law (Banking and Finance Law)Studies in English
Law (Commercial Law)Studies in English
Law (European Legal Studies)Studies in English
Law (General Legal Studies)Studies in English
Law (Health, Law and Society)Studies in English
Law (Human Rights Law)Studies in English
Law (International Commercial Law)Studies in English
Law (Labour Law and Corporate Governance)Studies in English
Law (Law and Globalisation)Studies in English
Law (Public Law)Studies in English
Logic and Philosophy of MathematicsStudies in English
ManagementStudies in English
Management (CSR and Sustainability)Studies in English
Management (Digitalisation and Big Data)Studies in English
Management (Entrepreneurship and Innovation)Studies in English
Management (International Business)Studies in English
Management (International HRM)Studies in English
Management (Marketing)Studies in English
MarketingStudies in English
Mathematical SciencesStudies in English
MathematicsStudies in English
Mathematics of CybersecurityStudies in English
Mechanical EngineeringStudies in English
Medieval StudiesStudies in English
Migration and Mobility StudiesStudies in English
Molecular NeuroscienceStudies in English
MusicStudies in English
Nanoscience and Functional NanomaterialsStudies in English
Nuclear Science and EngineeringStudies in English
Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public HealthStudies in English
Optical Communications and Signal ProcessingStudies in English
Oral and Dental SciencesStudies in English
Oral MedicineStudies in English
Orthopaedic SurgeryStudies in English
PaleobiologyStudies in English
Perfusion ScienceStudies in English
PhilosophyStudies in English
Philosophy and History of ScienceStudies in English
Philosophy of Biological and Cognitive SciencesStudies in English
Philosophy of PhysicsStudies in English
PhysicsStudies in English
Physiology, Pharmacology and NeuroscienceStudies in English
Policy ResearchStudies in English
Population Health SciencesStudies in English
PsychologyStudies in English
Psychology of EducationStudies in English
Public HeathStudies in English
Public PolicyStudies in English
ReligionStudies in English
Religion and TheologyStudies in English
Reproduction and DevelopmentStudies in EnglishStudies online
RoboticsStudies in English
Russian StudiesStudies in English
Security, Conflict and Human RightsStudies in English
Social and Cultural TheoryStudies in English
Social Science Research Methods (Politics)Studies in English
Social Science Research Methods (Sociology)Studies in English
Social WorkStudies in English
Socio-Legal StudiesStudies in English
SociologyStudies in English
Stem Cells and RegenerationStudies in EnglishStudies online
Strategy, Change and LeadershipStudies in English
Sustainable FuturesStudies in English
Teaching and Learning for Health ProfessionalsStudies in English
Teaching English to Speakers of other LanguagesStudies in English
Theatre and PerformanceStudies in English
TranslationStudies in EnglishStudies online
Translational Cardiovascular MedicineStudies in English
Translational Health SciencesStudies in English
VolcanologyStudies in English

Doctoral studiesmore »
Accounting and Finance Studies in English
Advanced Composites Studies in English
Advanced Quantitative Methods Studies in English
Aerosol Science Studies in English
Aerospace Engineering Studies in English
Anthropology and Archaeology Studies in English
Biochemistry Studies in English
Biological Sciences Studies in English
Cellular and Molecular Medicine Studies in English
Chemistry Studies in English
Civil Engineering Studies in English
Classics and Ancient History Studies in English
Composites Manufacture Studies in English
Computational Statistics and Data Science: Compass Studies in English
Computer Science Studies in English
Creative Writing Studies in English
Cyber Security Studies in English
Digital Health and Care Studies in English
Disability Studies Studies in English
Dynamic Molecular Cell Biology Studies in English
Earth Sciences Studies in English
Economics Studies in English
Education Studies in English
Education (Learning, Leadership and Policy) Studies in English
Educational Psychology Studies in English
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Studies in English
Engineering Mathematics Studies in English
English Literature Studies in English
Exercise, Nutrition and Health Studies in English
Film and Television Studies in English
French Studies Studies in English
Future Innovation in non-Destructive Evaluation Studies in English
Geographical Sciences (Human Geography) Studies in English
Geographical Sciences (Physical Geography) Studies in English
German Studies Studies in English
Global Political Economy Studies in English
Health and Wellbeing Studies in English
Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies Studies in English
History Studies in English
History of Art Studies in English
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Studies in English
Integrative Cardiovascular Science Studies in English
Interactive Artificial Intelligence Studies in English
Italian Studies Studies in English
Law Studies in English
Management Studies in English
Mathematics Studies in English
Mechanical Engineering Studies in English
Medieval Studies Studies in English
Molecular, Genetic and Lifecourse Epidemiology Studies in English
Music Studies in English
Oral and Dental Sciences Studies in English
Orthodontics Studies in English
Philosophy Studies in English
Physics Studies in English
Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience Studies in English
Population Health Sciences Studies in English
Psychology Studies in English
Quantum Engineering Studies in English
Religion and Theology Studies in English
Robotics and Autonomous Systems Studies in English
Russian Studies Studies in English
Security, Conflict and Human Rights Studies in English
Social Policy Studies in English
Social Work Studies in English
Sociology, Politics and International Studies Studies in English
Sustainable Futures Studies in English
Technology Enhanced Chemical Synthesis Studies in English
Theatre and Performance Studies in English
Translation Studies in English
Translational Health Sciences Studies in English
Veterinary Science Studies in English

University College, Bristol existed from 1876 to 1909 and was the precursor to the University of Bristol.

Its history can be traced back to the efforts of John Percival, headmaster of Clifton College, to press for the establishment of such an institution. In 1872, Percival wrote to the Oxford colleges observing that the provinces lacked a university culture. The following year he produced a pamphlet called 'The Connection of the Universities and the Great Towns', which was well received by Benjamin Jowett, Master of Balliol College, Oxford. Jowett was to become a significant figure, both philosophically and financially, in the establishment of University College, Bristol.

In June 1874, a meeting took place at Bristol's Victoria Rooms 'to promote a School of Science and Literature for the West of England'. Percival and Jowett spoke at the meeting, and won the support of Albert Fry and Lewis Fry, members of an influential and affluent local family.

University College, Bristol finally opened its doors at 9 am on Tuesday 10 October 1876 in rented premises at 32 Park Row. Initially there were two professors and five lecturers offering courses in 15 subjects. The College was open to men and women on the same basis (except in medicine). During the first session, 99 day students registered (30 men and 69 women) and 238 evening ones (143 men and 95 women).

Alfred Marshall, a groundbreaking economist, served as Principal of the College until 1881. He taught evening classes while his wife, Mary Paley, the first woman lecturer, taught during the day. Her fee was deducted from her husband's salary. The second Principal was William Ramsay, discoverer of the so-called noble gases. He left in 1887 (and received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1904), but remained influential in the College's efforts to become a university with its own Royal Charter. His successor was Conwy Lloyd Morgan, a geologist and zoologist who also became a pioneering experimental psychologist. He, too, was closely involved in the campaign for full university status, and would eventually become the University of Bristol's first Vice-Chancellor.

For University College, Bristol, life was a financial struggle, although in 1890 it received a £2,000 boost from the local Technical Instruction Committee. There was more good news in 1893 when the Bristol Medical School, which had been created in 1833, was formally incorporated into the College. Further encouragement came in 1896, when Commissioners from the Treasury reported that 'there is evidently vigorous life in the place, and the work done is of the University type'. The foundation of the University College Colston Society in 1899 was another highly significant development, drawing a broad spectrum of influential figures into supporting the College.

The campaign for a Charter gained momentum in 1904 with the appointment of Morris Travers as Professor of Chemistry. Travers, who had been recommended for the job by former Principal, William Ramsay, was an energetic and decisive man who set about gaining financial and political support for Bristol's plans. He was backed by some powerful individuals, including Lewis Fry, Chairman of the College Council, R B (later Lord) Haldane and members of the Wills family.

By 1906, Lewis Fry felt ready to put the plan to promote a university for Bristol on a formal footing, and an executive committee was formed. However, problems continued - Travers left to direct a research institute in India that year, and it proved very difficult to lift the College's endowment above the total of £30,000 that had been donated by members of the Wills and Fry families.

Everything changed on 14 January 1908, when H O Wills promised to donate £100,000 - a massive sum - provided that a Charter was granted within two years. The Wills gift set off a chain reaction, and more money was raised within 24 hours than had been attracted during the previous three decades.

Now things really started to move. After years of discussion, it was agreed that the Merchant Venturers' College and elements of the University College - formerly rivals - would merge to form a new Faculty of Engineering. Furthermore, the City Council offered the proceeds of a penny rate (some £7,000 a year), subject to a Charter being obtained. Best of all, when a petition for a Charter was submitted to the Privy Council, it met with royal favour.

On 24 May 1909, 33 years after University College opened, the Charter, approved by King Edward VII, came into effect. It was a day of celebration across Bristol and the beginning of the story told in our University timeline.

University website:
www.bristol.ac.uk

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