From education to employment

Applications open for unique University of Bristol taster course

The Access to Bristol course is designed to encourage and inspire pupils who might not otherwise consider going onto higher education.

It’s open to anyone studying for A-levels or equivalent at state schools and colleges within an hour’s journey from the University.

Access to Bristol requires students to attend a series of sessions, held at the University on Wednesday afternoons during the Autumn and Spring term, studying one of 29 subject streams.

Each session is designed to give students an idea of what it is like to study at the University, working with academics and current students who can offer advice and guidance about higher education and their chosen area of study.

Spaces on Access to Bristol are in high demand as, upon completion of the scheme, participants are guaranteed a contextual level offer or interview at the University of Bristol, should they later decide to apply for a place and meet the entry requirements. Many students are also eligible for the Access to Bristol bursary.

Doug Jennings, Deputy Head of Home Recruitment and Conversion, said: “Access to Bristol is about giving students an exciting and challenging experience of higher education. For many, it helps them to make that final decision about the subject they wish to study and see that university is a viable option.

“The scheme is designed to help local pupils prepare for university life as a whole – from writing a good application to managing their finances, and we are so pleased that applications continue to grow year on year.”

Of the 728 students who took part last year, 122 students will begin their studies at the University later this month.

The University of Bristol has run Access to Bristol since 2006. In that time, over 4,000 students have completed the course and over 600 have gone on to study at the University.

Applications for the 2019/20 scheme are open until 27 September 2019. More information is available on the Access to Bristol webpage.

The University also runs Pathways to Health Sciences, which is similar to Access to Bristol. It concentrates on Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science; taking place over an 18-month period and offering specialised advice and guidance sessions for students interested in these careers.


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