Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon
Skip to main content

Student looking away smilingLast updated June 2024

The University

The University of Bristol is one of the most popular and highly ranked universities in the UK, with a diverse community of over 30,000 talented students from more than 150 countries. Here, you will experience outstanding teaching shaped by our cutting-edge research and learn from academics at the forefront of their fields. Living and studying at the heart of Bristol, one of Europe’s most exciting, creative cities, you will find a world of opportunities right outside the lecture theatre.

Bristol has been named among the best places to live in the UK by The Sunday Times in 2023. It's a cultural capital that will quickly feel like home. In south-west England, just 90 minutes from London, Bristol offers more than 1,000 years of history to explore. Much of student life revolves around the main University campus and Bristol Students’ Union. You'll join a lively, close-knit community of students and have the opportunity to attend events and activities across the city.

Exchange Information

  • Undergraduate level exchange only.
  • Academic Year: September - May (Autumn semester: September - December; Spring Semester: January - May)
  • Minimum/maximum course load: 60 credits per semester (this cannot be exceeded). Students may take 50 credits per semester if agreed by their home university. Each unit can be either 10 or 20 credits, however they do not offer many 10 credit units.
  • Course numbering: the first number in the unit code indicates which year the unit is taught in. e.g. SPOL20050 is a second year unit.
  • GPA requirement: 5.0 (out of 9.0 GPA)
  • You must have flexibility with regards to courses, as your classes may be confirmed only after you arrive at Bristol.
  • You may choose classes from a variety of departments or concentrate in just one or two areas.
  • For some departments, it is advised students study at Bristol for the full-year
  • Music  - classes are extremely limited, and you may not be admitted to classes within the Music Department even if you have secured academic entry to the University of Bristol.
  • Psychology is taught as an experimental science rather than a social science at Bristol. Students taking Psychology courses are generally required to have a strong background in Chemistry, Biology and Neuroscience. Please note that the School of Psychological Science recommends that students only undertake one 3rd year unit per semester. If students are able to come to Bristol for the full academic year this would give them a wider range of unit choices as the school does not offer a large number of 2nd or 3rd year units in each semester.
  • Computer Science courses are only available at 3rd year and Master level. Therefore, Computer Science courses will only be suitable for students who have already completed 3 years of their Computer Science degree
  • Accommodation options range from self-catered student houses in Clifton (near the University) to large catered halls of residence in Stoke Bishop (35 minutes walk across open parkland). You will be able to apply for accommodation after you have accepted your offer to study at Bristol. You are guaranteed University accommodation if you are coming to Bristol for a full academic year or the Autumn semester.

Relevant links

Exchange Experiences

Further Information

For further information about Otago Global Student Exchange please email exchange@otago.ac.nz

Back to top