Discover Bristol: eligibility, deadline and what it gives you
Discover Bristol is a free online programme run by the University of Bristol for Year 13 students at state schools who are eligible for free school meals or live in an IMD quintile 1 or 2 postcode. It has five online sessions from October to November covering Bristol, UCAS and personal statements, funding, study skills and careers. Students who complete it and apply to Bristol are guaranteed an interview for Medicine or Dentistry.
- Closes
- Opens soon
- For
- Year 13 students, medicine and dentistry
- Where
- Anywhere in the UK
- Gives you
- Guaranteed interview, then ABB instead of AAA
What you get
Completing Discover Bristol gives you a guaranteed interview and an offer of ABB instead of AAA for medicine and dentistry.
- Guaranteed interview for Medicine or Dentistry
- After interview the offer may be made at the contextual level: ABB with an A in Chemistry
- Applies to every Bristol course you apply for
To get it, you must
- Be predicted the contextual grades and meet the GCSE requirements
- Score above Bristol's UCAT threshold
Who can apply
You need to
- Attend a state school anywhere in the UK
- Be in Year 13 at a state school or college
- Meet Bristol's GCSE requirements and be on track for the contextual offer
- Not have taken part in another Bristol outreach programme
Plus at least one of
- Free school meals
- Deprived postcode
What it involves
- Apply to Bristol through UCAS by 15 October
Dates
- Applications open
- Summer 2027, expression of interest open now
- Applications close
- Not published, previous rounds closed at the start of October
- Programme runs
- Oct to Nov 2027, five online sessions after school
- Apply to university
- UCAS deadline 15 October 2027 for 2028 entry
How to apply
Apply through the Discover Bristol page. It is run by Bristol Widening Participation team with current students.
Frequently asked questions
Does Discover Bristol guarantee an interview?
Yes, if you complete the programme and meet its academic conditions. Guaranteed interview for Medicine or Dentistry.
Who is eligible for Discover Bristol?
Attend a state school anywhere in the UK. You need to be in Year 13 at a state school or college, meet Bristol's GCSE requirements and be on track for the contextual offer, not have taken part in another Bristol outreach programme, and meet at least one of its widening participation criteria, such as free school meals, deprived postcode.
When is the Discover Bristol deadline?
This cycle's closing date has not been published. Not published, previous rounds closed at the start of October. Applications summer 2027, expression of interest open now.
What offer do Discover Bristol students get?
Students who complete the programme are made an offer of ABB instead of AAA. After interview the offer may be made at the contextual level: ABB with an A in Chemistry
Not sure this one fits?
The widening participation explorer lists all 60 UK programmes and filters them by where you live, your year group and your background.
Open the explorer