We welcome applications from the UK and overseas. All applications are considered on their individual merit and we aim to identify candidates who have the ability and potential to succeed on our degree courses. You need to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) www.ucas.ac.uk and we suggest that you apply as early as possible in the academic year. We start processing applications in October for entry in the autumn of the following year.

If we think that you have the ability and potential to succeed, then we will invite you to one of our Admissions Days. These happen on Wednesdays, from early November through to March, and are designed to allow you to find out about our courses and the University. It also enables us to find out more about you. The day includes a film about Computing at Bristol, demonstrations, and opportunities to talk to staff. You will be given lunch and you are welcome to bring along family or friends.

Following your visit we will make a decision as to whether we can offer you a place. This will be either unconditional or conditional on you obtaining minimum grades in any qualifications that you are taking. We will write to you giving our decision and you will then receive an official decision from UCAS. We do not expect overseas applicants to attend an Admissions Day if it is not convenient. Individual visits can be arranged if we decide to make you an offer.

Typically we require that you have three A-levels in relevant subjects. By its nature Computer Science requires a level of mathematical maturity, and so we require one of your A-levels (or equivalent) to be in Mathematics.

Having the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee the offer of a place but rather ensures entry to the selection process.
Our typical A-level grade requirements are:

Computer Science: AAA (incl. Mathematics).

Mathematics and Computer Science: A or A* grades in three relevant A level subjects (incl. Mathematics) and preferably one of the following: Further Mathematics, STEP or AEA Mathematics. See this page from the Department of Mathematics for further advice.

Computer Science and Electronics: AAA incl. Mathematics & Physics (Physics A Level may be substituted with an Electronics A Level)

We offer both the Computer Science and the Computer Science and Electronics degrees with an optional third year to Study in Continental Europe, for which you will also need a good corresponding language qualification at either GCSE or A-level.

We also welcome applications from candidates with equivalent qualifications. For example, we accept Scottish Highers, and the International and European Baccalaureates.

For vocational qualifications such as the BTEC National Diploma in IT Practitioners (Software Development) or Electronics, we ask for DDD, but also require further evidence of mathematical ability. We recommend all such students take an additional Mathematics A-level, alongside their BTEC qualification.

Details with examples of typical grade offers are shown below.

International Baccalaureate with 37 points, 6 6 6 (at high level, inc Maths).
BTEC National Diploma such as
Software Engineering, Electronics or related subject with overall grades DDD (including an A in Maths A-level or equivalent standard).
Scottish Highers AAAAA and Advanced Highers AAA
European Baccalaureate with overall average 85% (with 85% in Maths).
Irish Leaving Certificate with AAAAAB, including Mathematics.
French Baccalaureate with overall average 15 (with 15 in Maths).
German Abitur with overall average 1.2 (with 15 in Maths).
Access Pass Engineering/IT course with 45 credits at level 3 including options Higher Mathematics and Higher Mathematics with Statistics if offered and ideally with AS-level Mathematics