University of Bristol

Through agreements made by the College with seven British universities and one Irish university, a select group of Chicago students can study for the autumn term or, in some cases, for an academic year in Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland.

The University of Bristol is the newest of the “old” civic universities. It was established as a university in 1909 through an amalgamation of older institutions including University College, Bristol (founded 1876) and Bristol Medical School (founded 1833). It has a student body of over 21,000 students, approximately two-thirds of them undergraduates. Bristol’s academic strengths are spread out over a number of fields though sciences (especially life sciences and mathematics) are a traditional strength. The admission competition for regular British students is normally stiff. The lively city of Bristol, located on the Avon River near the west coast of England at approximately the same latitude as London, is of medieval origin (with Roman antecedents). Though it was a major port through most of its existence, the silting up of the tidal Avon now limits the access of larger vessels to its harbors. Students may go for the Autumn Quarter or for the Academic Year.

Bristol provides housing in student residence halls (assuming a timely submission of the housing application).

Students can choose to study for either the Fall Term or for the entire academic year. That decision must be made by the time your application is turned into Study Abroad.

Study abroad students remain registered as full-time students in the College. They receive full credit for their work. Course titles, units of credit, and grades are placed on the College transcript. Since the use of these credits in a specific degree program is variable, students should consult with their academic adviser and program chair to determine the exact distribution of credits.

Participants in the British and Irish programs pay regular College tuition and a nonrefundable study abroad administrative fee. The tuition is paid in conformity with the home campus payment schedule, and the nonrefundable study abroad administrative fee is submitted when accepting a place in a program. Students pay accommodation costs while in Great Britain or Ireland, either directly to the host university or, if the student is not living in university housing, to a landlord. Precise figures for the British and Irish programs for the 2024–2025 year are listed below:

Autumn or Academic Year tuition: as set by the Bursar’s Office

Study abroad administrative fee: $675

Out-of-pocket expenses include:

• round-trip airfare to and from the program site
• passport/visa fees
• transportation on site
• accommodation
• meals
• course materials
• personal entertainment and travel
• communications (most students bring or buy a cell phone)
• health insurance and upfront payments for care
• other miscellaneous expenses

Study abroad students retain their financial aid eligibility. For more information about financial aid resources, please see our Tuition, Fees, and Funding section.

The British and Irish programs are open to University of Chicago undergraduate students only. Applications from outside the University are not accepted.

These programs are designed for undergraduates in good academic and disciplinary standing who are beyond their second year in the College upon arrival in the UK or Ireland. Because there is a limit on the number of students who can participate in the British and Irish programs, admission is highly competitive. Applicants should present a solid academic transcript as well as sound academic reasons for wishing to study in England, Scotland, or Ireland. Students are expected to have conscientiously pursued general education requirements, and to have begun coursework in their major subject by the end of their second year. It is especially desirable that their transcript, which will show coursework through autumn quarter of the application year, presents at least one course in their major. British/Irish university students are more specialized at the same point in their university careers, so prerequisites for our visiting students are often rigid.

On the application, students are asked to rank five of the universities according to their preferences. If this initial application is approved, students then complete forms specific to the university to which they are applying. The College forwards this second application to the host university, which reserves the right of final decision.

Students wishing to apply to British/Irish programs must meet with Eric Benjaminson as a requirement of the application process. Students who do not arrange such a meeting before the close of the application cycle will not be considered.

To discuss the University of Bristol program and the possibility of participating, please contact Eric Benjaminson.