In the heart of Bristol in some of its most exclusive residential neighborhoods, the award-winning University of Bristol is a core part of life in this popular city in the South West of England. Ranked one of the best places to live in the UK, and one of the best places to be a student, Bristol is a great destination to study, live, and have fun.
University of Bristol English Language Pathway Program









About the Program
Program Advisor

At a Glance
Stay Healthy & Safe While You Study Abroad
Hyunyoung Oh
The Advanced English Language Skill class was small with foreign exchange students, so there were many opportunities to get talk and build confidence because we mainly worked in pairs.
University of Bristol SAF Alumni

About the University
University of Bristol
Physically in the heart of Bristol and in some of its most exclusive residential neighborhoods, the University of Bristol is a core part of life in this popular city in the South West of England.
Ranked one of the best places to live and one of the best places to be a student, Bristol is extremely popular with students both British and international, who attend to study hard and play hard. Bristol is cosmopolitan, bursting with history and culture for everyone. From its cinemas and galleries to its pubs and traditional English tea rooms; from its historic buildings to its modern environmentally conscience edifices, Bristol inspires students to honor tradition while looking to the future.
Learn more at the University of Bristol's official website.
Academics

University of Bristol's Academic Approach
The pre-sessional English programs train you, as a high achieving English language learner, in small groups of 12 to 15 students. You are expected to take an active part in interactive classroom activities, including pair and group work, peer reviews, seminars, and presentations.
You prepare reading and listening texts in advance of class and complete homework as a follow-up to classwork. You are also encouraged to take advantage of any and all online learning environments offered, including the interactive academic grammar.
Courses
To progress to academic program studies, you need to successfully complete the pre-sessional language pathway program.
You apply for either a six- or 10-week pre-sessional program based on your English proficiency score at the time of application and considering the academic program department/major entry requirements, you hope to progress to.
(So if you have 6.0 (overall) IELTS score and want to take academic history courses (6.5 min. requirement), you need to complete the six-week pre-sessional program as a condition of your admission).
You take an end of pre-sessional program assessment to evaluate your English proficiency level improvement.
Classroom Hours
You have 20 hours of classroom time each week. The 10-week course offers 40 credit points; the six-week course offers 20 credit points.
*SAF program fee tuition rate is based upon 20 hours of language instruction per week
Language Levels
Bristol's 10-week course starts in June and the six-week course starts in July. After this, you may take regular university classes with other study abroad students in September.
Elective Courses
Lectures on life in Britain and subjects of academic and cultural interest will be introduced.
Get To Know Our Application Process
From academics to visa requirements, our structured process helps you choose the right program and university for your goals. Complete a strong application, and prepare for success abroad.
Personalize Your Study Abroad Plan With Your SAF Counselor
Each student has unique academic goals for a study abroad experience. As you think about studying abroad, your SAF Counselor will help you plan for success and support you every step of the way.
Application Requirements
The requirements outlined in this section include the language proficiency scores you may need to demonstrate your language skills, a guide to the GPA range and other academic prerequisites required by your host university, and a list of documentation and other application materials you will need to finalize your application. You may need to supply additional information throughout the process, and you will be alerted through your emails and SAF Student Portal if this is the case for you.
Language Test Score Requirements
To prove your language proficiency, you can use any of the following:
Language (STABEL) program
6-week pre-sessional:
- IELTS Academic for UKVI: 6.0 *This is a different test to the standard Academic IELTS and is required for the issuance of a combined CAS for your visa *From authorized test centers only *Minimum sub-score 5.5
10-week pre-sessional:
- IELTS Academic for UKVI: 5.5 *This is a different test to the standard Academic IELTS and is required for the issuance of a combined CAS for your visa *From authorized test centers only *Minimum sub-score 5.0
Program Dates
When studying abroad, you will want to consider the time of year and how long you are away. Most programs follow the host university's academic calendar.
The dates shown below are general estimates, and as you get closer to the start of the term, you will get more detailed information from SAF. If you have any questions, your Student Counsellor and Program Specialist are always here to support you and point you to the correct information.
Summer 10 Week Language Pathway + Academic Fall 2023
Program dates:
Application Deadline:
Fees Starting From:
Summer 10 Week Language Pathway 2023 + Academic Fall 2023 + Academic Spring 2024
Program dates:
Application Deadline:
Fees Starting From:
Summer 6 Week Pathway 2023 + Academic Fall 2023
Program dates:
Application Deadline:
Fees Starting From:
Summer 6 Week Pathway 2023 + Academic Fall 2023 + Academic Spring 2024
Program dates:
Application Deadline:
Fees Starting From:
Housing Information

On-campus dormitory
While studying in Bristol, you live in Manor Hall, an on-campus, self-catered dormitory less than 20 minutes from the campus. You have a single room in a shared apartment. The bathroom is shared, there are common rooms on every floor, and you have access to a shared laundry room. Your housing has sports facilities and bicycle storage, too.
The SAF program fee includes break-stay housing if you are continuing into the academic program, but it does not include early arrival housing.
About Bristol

Why Bristol
Bristol is a cosmopolitan, dynamic city, bursting with history and culture and celebrated for its creativity and sustainability. As home to the BBC, the Ministry of defense, and Airbus, it has a competitive international workforce. Its strong engineering roots reach back to Brunel, who built the city's iconic Suspension Bridge across the Avon Gorge.
The Student Experience

Survival Tips for a Student Abroad
Today, I will give you some tips that can be useful when you're living by yourself in the UK
Orientation
Advising and Support
The process of studying abroad could quickly feel overwhelming, but we have been doing this for decades and do everything we can to support you through it.
Many SAF staff are alumni and have walked this path. They have real-life experience to draw on as they advise and support you through every step of our comprehensive services. They’re in your corner, taking care of all the details and explaining what you need to do next.
Take the first step in your study abroad journey by scheduling a consultation with your closest Student Counselor. You can discuss your for-credit academic courses and language programs and explore internships, research programs, and study tours. When you know what you want to do, we guide you through the pre-program steps, help you arrange your visa and transport, and finalize your accommodation or digital experience.
Get To Know Our Application Process
From academics to visa requirements, our structured process helps you choose the right program and university for your goals. Complete a strong application, and prepare for success abroad.
Personalize Your Study Abroad Plan With Your SAF Counselor
Each student has unique academic goals for a study abroad experience. As you think about studying abroad, your SAF Counselor will help you plan for success and support you every step of the way.
Commonly Asked Questions About Studying Abroad
Commonly Asked Questions About Academic & Concurrent Programs
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Why Travel With SAF?
Studying abroad is an unforgettable experience, one that stays with you in your career, your contacts, your future. It can define you. At any of our prestigious university partners, you can build personalized for-credit programs that can last up to a whole year.
