Before the University of Bristol, there was University College, Bristol, which existed from 1876 to 1909.

 

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.

 

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 gaUniversity College, Bristol finally opened its doors at 9 am onTuesday 10 October ses.

 

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 HO 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.

 

Resources for new students Find out how the Bristol Doctoral College can support you as you settle into research life and our wonderful city.

 

Current research students We're here to support your development and enhance your experience with training, events and opportunities.

 

Events and opportunities Connect and collaborate with other postgraduate researchers through our programme of regular and one-off events and activities.

 

Study at Bristol Learn more about your options for postgraduate study, see our research programmes, and details of fees or funding & scholarships.

 

Personal and professional development The Personal and Professional Development (PPD) programme supports you to become an outstanding researcher.

 

Doctoral Partnerships Our collaborative partnerships enhance research training experience and create opportunities for our PGR community.

 

Doctoral training centres Bristol has one of the largest concentrations of funding and support for PhD research training in the UK with 30+ bodies offering funded opportunities.

 

Be More Empowered for Success PGR This programme plays a key role in influencing positive change for home Black, Asian and minority ethnic PGRs.

 

Academic schools by faculty

Arts, Law and Social Sciences

• Centre for Academic Language and Development
• Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• School of Arts
• School of Economics
• School of Education
• School of Humanities
• School of Modern Languages
• School for Policy Studies
• School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies
• University of Bristol Business School
• University of Bristol Law School

• Bristol Dental School
• Bristol Medical School
• Bristol Veterinary School
• Health Professions Education
• School of Anatomy
• School of Biochemistry
• School of Biological Sciences
• School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
• School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience
• School of Psychological Science

Science and Engineering

 

• School of Chemistry
• School of Civil. Aerospace, and Design Engineering
• School of Computer Science
• School of Earth Sciences
• School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
• School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology
• School of Geographical Sciences
• School of Mathematics
• School of Physics

Rankings and reputation

Bristol consistently ranks in the world's top 100 and UK's top ten universities in league tables that draw on information about both research and teaching excellence. We are one of the most popular UK universities, attracting on average eight top-quality applicants for every place, and our graduates are among the most sought-after by employers across the globe.

 

• Top ten UK university (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• Top five university for research (2021 REF)
• Home to the top start-up hub in the UK and Ireland (FT Statista 2024)
• One of the 5 most targeted by top UK recruiters (High Fliers Research)
• 25 subjects highly ranked in the world's top 100 (QS World Subject Rankings 2025)
• 13 Nobel Prize Winners linked to the University - including our current Chancellor, Sir Paul Nurse
• Joint seventh for UK graduate employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
• Ranked ninth in Europe for teaching
• University of Bristol alumni are among the highest paid graduates in the UK

Over 40 per cent of our teaching programmes are accredited by professional bodies, who consistently acknowledge the excellence of our research-rich curriculum, our learning environment and our learning outcomes.