The largest city in the south-west of England, Bristol is an exciting, multicultural place with a lot to offer students. Take a look at our top 6 reasons why you should study in Bristol!
1. It’s a creative city
Bristol is one of the UK’s biggest media hubs outside of London, and the huge number of creative companies based in the city means that there is an inspiring community of artists, designers, photographers, writers, gamers and more.
There are lots of opportunities to immerse yourself in this creative atmosphere: you could spend time at the Arnolfini, one of Europe’s leading centres for contemporary arts; watch an independent film at The Watershed; or go to an exhibition at Spike Island.
2. It’s home to famous street art
The artistic nature of people in Bristol is displayed all across the city in the form of incredible street art. See No Evil is the UK’s largest permanent street art project, so if you take a walk anywhere in Bristol you won’t get far before stopping to admire a giant mural or impressive piece of graffiti.
The famous street artist Banksy is from Bristol, and his work can be seen dotted around the city — you can even go on a Banksy walking tour, a unique way to get to know the city!
3. You can enjoy a fun music scene
Another great reason why you should study in Bristol is that there is always something happening. Bristol is home to a musical genre called “trip hop”, which mixes electronic music with hip-hop, and has gathered a huge following since it originated in the 1990s. It is also the UK city that pioneered drum and bass music, and clubs like Motion host excellent DJs.
For something more classical, you could check out St George’s Bristol and The Victoria Rooms, where you can see fantastic orchestral recitals.
4. There a lots of cool festivals
The city hosts lots of music festivals such as Bristol Harbour Festival, Bristol Sounds, Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival, and the Bristol Folk Festival. And, of course, the world-famous Glastonbury Festival takes place just down the road!
It’s not just music festivals that are popular in Bristol – there is a festival for almost every interest, even hot air balloons! The 4-day Bristol International Balloon Fiesta takes place every August and attracts over 130 balloons from around the world. It’s a unique sight, and it’s free to attend!
5. It’s very eco-friendly
Named the greenest city in the UK by property company Good Move, Bristol is a very environmentally friendly place to live.
During the survey, CO2 emissions, renewable energy use and recycling levels were all considered; an amazing 44% of the city’s household waste is recycled!
Bristol has over 400 gardens and parks, including Brandon Hill, College Green and Clifton Down. Make sure you also take in the incredible views from the Clifton Suspension Bridge, a Bristol landmark.
6. It’s easy to explore the countryside
While Bristol itself offers many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, if you want to get out of the city, then you can explore the incredibly beautiful countryside without travelling far.
There are several ‘Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ nearby, including the Mendip Hills, which are great for outdoor activities like rock-climbing and abseiling, and the Cotswolds with its pretty English villages.
Study in Bristol
If you’ve read our 6 reasons why you should study in Bristol and you’re interested, then read on to see how you can earn a degree there.
With Kaplan Pathways, you have access to 2 great universities in Bristol:
For progression to the University of Bristol, you can take the University’s International Foundation Programme on campus in Bristol, or study a Foundation Certificate at our flagship college: Kaplan International College London.
Alternatively, you can study a pathway course on campus at UWE Bristol’s International College, and progress to a degree at UWE Bristol.
