The University of Bristol began as University College, Bristol, which opened on 10 October 1876 at 32 Park Row; its royal charter took effect on 24 May 1909. The university says University College was the first higher education institution in England to admit women on an equal basis to men.
Its academic schools sit in three faculties: Arts, Law and Social Sciences; Health and Life Sciences; and Science and Engineering. For 2024/25 it reports 31,132 students, including 10,903 international students, and 9,055 staff. Outside the UK it operates the University of Bristol Mumbai Enterprise Campus, which the campus website describes as UGC approved, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Professor Evelyn Welch is Vice-Chancellor and President.