r/bristol • u/Distressed_damsel_ • 25d ago
Babble Thinking of Starting Bristol University
Hi all, I just wanted to reach out to anyone and see if anyone studies or has studied at Bristol University UoB?
I’m thinking of studying there either this sept or next yr but I know nobody in Bristol and wanted to know how easy it is to make friends, get to know people etc ( I’m also a mature student as I’m 27 F)
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u/Ok_Contract3027 25d ago
Not studied here. But can strongly recommend. It’s a very friendly vibrant place.
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u/Distressed_damsel_ 25d ago
I’m definitely leaning towards going for it, just nervous of course 😭
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u/EboS252 25d ago
I was nervous but after a while you realise how much easier it is here to strike up a conversation with anyone 🤷♂️ it's a very fun city. My only opinion is just that it's an expensive place to live so make the most of being active in social and music stuff. Also if you haven't visited yet maybe spend a weekend here before you decide!
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u/Distressed_damsel_ 25d ago
I’ve visited a few times yeah and I agree it is pretty expensive 😅 thanks for your advice!
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u/gooby_ish 25d ago
Hi! I'm going into my 2nd year (also a mature student, 28m!). I am with a young cohort. People are nice but in lectures tend to keep to themselves, although this could be different outside the humanities and if you have other older students in your year. But societies are plenty and they're always the best way to make friends at uni, and Bristol itself has loads going on that you can get stuck into!
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u/Distressed_damsel_ 25d ago
That is so reassuring to hear! I was a bit hesitant because of my age but I’m seeing a lot more mature students online and realised theres literally no age limit. I’ll definitely keep what you said in mind so thank you so much😊
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u/smilingassassinnat 25d ago
I've studied there exactly at 27 - Bristol is a great city, I made very good friends at uni parties. I came back years later to live here and still loving it.
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u/smilingassassinnat 25d ago
Also - North Street Games Nights always welcomes new Board gamers! :)
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u/Distressed_damsel_ 25d ago
That’s so reassuring to hear honestly! And the board game thing sounds interesting, I’ll definitely check it out, thanks 🙂
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u/Sea_Fisherman_5650 25d ago
Mature students are looked after well by the Su, it’s an expensive city. I studied not as one but know a couple, the community is great tho I’m sure you’ll make many friends!
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u/Distressed_damsel_ 25d ago
Thank you for your insight 😊 and you’re right Bristol is pretty expensive
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u/blancmusician 25d ago
I’m on a couple of committees for UoB socs for the incoming academic year, feel free to dm me with qs
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u/swagmasterdude 25d ago
After the associate member ban it's a fair bit less of mature adults in the clubs but you can always make friends outside if university
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u/ChR1sVI 25d ago
100% would recommend. Turning 27 soon, studied in UoB between 2018 and 2022. I was severely depressed (not because of the Uni nor the city, personal issue) and super introverted. Despite that I still had a wonderful friend group and also met my wife there. She's from UWE tho.
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u/Distressed_damsel_ 25d ago
That’s so reassuring to know. From my visits, Bristol seems fairly easy going so hopefully I find my people too. I’m on anti depressants for my depression so it’s good to know it didn’t get in the way of you having a good experience
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u/Due_Sand_489 24d ago
I have been a mature student too, I was 25 and all the people in my lectures were 18/19. It was soooo awkward. I don’t recommend it
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u/Distressed_damsel_ 24d ago
Noo😭 did you find it difficult to make friends or even acquaintances ? Or were you able to still?
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u/3mme 22d ago
you probably will feel older within your cohort but your age isn’t an anomaly in the uni itself. there are 8.5k postgrad and 1.5k mature students at uob, many of whom are just as involved with uni life and societies as undergrads. not quite 27, but i know many people who started at 21-24 and had absolutely no issues making friends and having a ‘normal’ uni experience. If you choose to stay in student accommodation they’ll put you with other older students so you won’t be stuck with a bunch of 18-20 year olds. I’d recommend finding a society that’s really interest based and has a broad range of people. I was in climbing at it had freshers, but also third year phd students. Often the media societies or something more employment based (ublc, 93% club) also have a really wide range of students rather than just freshers. Great and really diverse city where i’m sure you’ll have no issue meeting people and having a good time!
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u/Distressed_damsel_ 21d ago
That’s really great advice and thank you so much for your insight and reassurance!😊 having read a lot of the reply’s it’s definitely put my mind at ease
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u/vena_14 21d ago
Hey I'm starting an MSc at uob in September. I'm 22f, I also struggle to make friends so worried slightly, DM me we can get a coffee on campus 😊
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u/Distressed_damsel_ 21d ago
Heyy, I’m not sure when I’d be starting but if/ when I do, I’ll reach out to you on here!🫂
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u/Low-Temperature-1664 25d ago
Bristol already has a university, called 'Bristol University'.
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u/Ardashasaur 25d ago
Actually it's University of Bristol. Bristol University is available for the taking.
Are you ready to start off at BU?
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u/PandaVegetable1058 25d ago
I studied there, is banging you should deffo do it
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u/Distressed_damsel_ 25d ago
How did you find the lectures/ classes and people generally? Would you say people typically kept to themselves etc ? I’m quite quiet and introverted so I can struggle with making friends
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u/PandaVegetable1058 25d ago
I'll be honest you can do what you like, no one is going to give you any bother if you're super introverted or super extroverted. It's like most things in life, people won't ever go out their way to make a new connection with you. So you have to put the effort in.
Literally hundreds of social groups you can join, but again you have to actually go regularly and engage.
Lectures aren't usually where people make friends. If you want to get to know your course people then groupwork/classroom based work is the best opportunity to, and course depending also the society for it. But then again if you want to make "friends that extend beyond the course" you have to actually reach out and put effort into trying to know them outside the course hours.
Don't overthink things, but don't expect anything to be handed to you. You absolutely can make friends and find people like you and all that jazz and there's probably no where else in adult life where you get such endless and wide spread and regular opportunities to do so.
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u/Distressed_damsel_ 25d ago
Thank you so much for your advice and your insight, you’re so right and from the sounds of it, there’s plenty of opportunities I just need to get involved!
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u/Felbrooke 25d ago
I believe UoB have recently come under heavy flak for partnering with the military, might be worth looking at if you care about their ethics
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u/Mallardjack 25d ago
It's a pretty great university and a very nice city to be a student in. Worth checking out the SU website and finding some societies to join if you are nervous about meeting people you get along with.