The University is located in the centre of Bristol, a thriving modern city which is home to over 35,000 students. Bristol strikes an unusual balance - it offers all of the facilities of a big city, but is small enough to enjoy living in. Many students - and staff - who have joined the University over the years have chosen to make Bristol their permanent home. The city's location also provides easy access to London, as well as favourite areas - the countryside, mountains and beaches - in the South West and Wales.

WORKING
Computing at Bristol is based in a modern building immediately adjacent to one of Bristol's liveliest areas. This houses well-equipped student laboratories, state-of-the-art research laboratories, and staff offices surrounding a large atrium. For most of the day the atrium is a hive of activity, with students meeting, relaxing, discussing project work, or using the wireless internet access. Immediately outside, the streets are full of cafes, shops, bars and clubs, and here life goes on into the small hours. Within ten minutes walk are Bristol's harbourside, Clifton village, and Whiteladies road, all similarly vibrant areas providing a home to thousands of students.

Merchant Venturers Building

LIVING
Most first-year students take advantage of a guaranteed place in a university hall of residence. You may find yourself living in a hall near Clifton Village or a little further away near the Downs - a large area of open parkland frequented by people playing football or frisbee, running, flying kites or just relaxing. In subsequent years, most students take advantage of the wide range of accommodation - both individual rooms and shared houses - within the central areas of the city surrounding the University. The student areas are all within walking distance of the city's bars, pubs, restaurants and clubs.

PLAYING
The University has a thriving Student Union with a vast range of clubs and societies enabling you to pursue your current interests and to take up new ones. You can also take advantage of more than 50 sports clubs catering for everyone from novices to serious athletes for whom advanced training is provided by the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health. Within two minutes walk from the department is a new on-site sports centre, and there is also a 38-acre sports complex with many indoor and outdoor facilities including floodlit artificial pitches and indoor tennis courts. In the city, annual events include music festivals like the Bristol festival and St Pauls Carnival. Bristol is also home to the Old Vic Theatre, Brief Encounters Film Festival and the International Balloon Fiesta.