According to the Guardian, the University of Bristol was founded as a university college in 1876, with just 99 students. It was the first in the country to admit women and men on an equal footing. Today it has around 23,000 students, including some 11,500 full-time undergraduates, and a top academic reputation. The main body of the university is located in the heart of Bristol city centre, which boasts a great live music and club scene. Independent school intake is traditionally high: only 64.2 % of young full-time undergraduate entrants were drawn from the state sector in 2004/5 (HESA data). An active widening participation strategy is in place, however, and last year the university's Law Enrichment Programme won a Universities UK award for Best Practice in Widening Participation. A group of young mothers took part in a three-week course covering such issues as the Sexual Offences Bill, domestic violence and the legal rights of young people. The aim was to raise awareness of these issues and promote aspirations towards higher education.

Fees
£3,000 a year for all full-time undergraduate courses and PGCEs.

Bursaries
Students receiving full maintenance grant will receive a bursary package worth up to £1,100 a year. ?700 a year bursary package for those on partial grant. Additional top-up bursaries of £1,000 a year for local students receiving state support. Around 100 Great Western scholarships of £500 to £2,500 a year for academic high-fliers in certain subject areas (levels dependent on family income). Likely to increase in line with inflation.

Accommodation
Guaranteed for non-local first years; contact accommodation services for exact terms. Average weekly rents are £108 for catered accommodation and £68.50 for self-catering.

Contact
Tel: 0117 928 9000 (switchboard); 0117 925 0177 (prospectus)
Email: admissions@bristol.ac.uk
Web: www.bris.ac.uk
Accommodation: accom-office@bris.ac.uk

All text and data courtesy of The Guardian