Before the University of Bristol, there was University College, Bristol

University College, Bristol existed from 1876 to 1909 and was the precursor to the University of Bristol.

Its history can be traced back to the efforts of John Percival, headmaster of Clifton College, to press for the establishment of such an institution. In 1872, Percival wrote to the Oxford colleges observing that the provinces lacked a university culture. The following year he produced a pamphlet called ‘The Connection of the Universities and the Great Towns’, which was well received by Benjamin Jowett, Master of Balliol College, Oxford. Jowett was to become a significant figure, both philosophically and financially, in the establishment of University College, Bristol.

How our strategy is structured

Our mission explains why we exist, our reason for being and what we do.

Our vision states where we want to be, and what we set out to achieve by 2030.

Our future success will depend upon our three pillars – the University’s core activities and areas of strength.

The pillars are in turn dependent on us making the best use of our resources, which we term our enablers.

Embedded within all our activities in the pillars are our cross-cutters – three key areas of focus.

In everything we do, we must remain true to our values. These encapsulate how we do things and are what make us the University of Bristol.

Building our future together