Why Bristol is strong on merit‑based support

The University of Bristol is a popular choice for international school students interested in Engineering, Computer Science, Law, Economics, Medicine and the Arts. Bristol’s “Think Big” scholarships and other awards make it one of the more scholarship‑friendly Russell Group universities for IGCSE, A Level and IB graduates.

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1. Think Big Undergraduate Scholarships

Most popular for:
International (overseas‑fee) students across a wide range of undergraduate programmes.

Coverage

• Scholarships typically provide tuition fee discounts of varying amounts (for example several thousand pounds per year).
• Some awards may be renewable for multiple years.

Eligibility

• Classified as an overseas‑fee payer.
• Holding an offer for an eligible undergraduate course at Bristol.
• Strong academic background with high predicted or achieved grades.

How many & odds

• Bristol offers a meaningful number of awards each year, but demand is still high; expect competitive but realistic odds for strong applicants.

How to apply

• Apply for admission via UCAS.
• Submit a separate Think Big scholarship application, usually including:
  • Short essays or statements of motivation
  • Details of academic achievements and extracurriculars

Deadlines & duration

• Scholarship deadlines are usually in the spring before entry.
• Many awards apply to the first year, with potential continuation subject to performance.

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2. Other Bristol Faculty & Subject‑Specific Scholarships

Some Bristol faculties and schools offer extra scholarships, for example in:

• Engineering & Technology
• Science
• Social Sciences and Law

Coverage

• Additional fee discounts or one‑off awards for outstanding entrants.

Eligibility & application

• Often based on:
  • Entry grades
  • Specific subject combinations
  • Performance in first‑year exams
• Details and application processes vary; check each faculty’s scholarship page.

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3. Bursaries for Home‑Fee Students

For UK‑domiciled students with home‑fee status, Bristol provides:

• Bursaries and widening‑participation support based on household income and school background.

Overseas‑fee students are usually not eligible for these.

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4. External & Home‑Country Scholarships

Many international Bristol students also secure:

• Home‑government scholarships (e.g. Gulf states, Singapore, Malaysia, etc.).
• Corporate sponsorships for Engineering, IT, Finance or Public Policy degrees.

These can combine with Bristol’s own awards to meaningfully reduce total cost.

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Strategy & timelines for IGCSE, A Level & IB students

• Target grades of AAA or above at A Level or IB 36–40+, depending on programme.
• Apply via UCAS by the January deadline.
• Submit Think Big scholarship applications and any other faculty awards well before the advertised closing dates.
• In parallel, explore:
  • Home‑country sponsors
  • Other UK universities with similar or better scholarship offers.

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How Tutopiya can help with Bristol‑aligned scholarship plans

Tutopiya assists students by:

• Strengthening performance in relevant A Level/IB subjects (e.g. Maths, Sciences, Economics, essay‑based subjects).
• Helping compare Bristol’s Think Big scheme with alternatives at Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and European universities.

If Bristol is on your shortlist, we can help you maximise your chances of both admission and funding, and ensure your wider plan includes sensible financial backups.