Next Step Bristol: eligibility, deadline and what it gives you
Next Step Bristol is a free programme run by the University of Bristol for Year 13 students from Asian, Black or mixed heritage backgrounds at state schools. It runs in the autumn with around five online sessions and one campus day, covering UCAS, student finance and interview support for Medicine and Dentistry applicants. Students who complete it are guaranteed an interview for Medicine or Dentistry at Bristol.
- 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 Next Step 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
- Priority goes to students who are also first generation, FSM-eligible, care-experienced, carers, refugees or from an IMD quintile 1 or 2 area
- Travel bursary for the campus day
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 and be from an Asian, Black or mixed heritage background
- Be in Year 13 at a state school or college
- Identify as Asian, Black or of mixed heritage including one of these groups
- Meet Bristol's GCSE requirements and be on track for the contextual offer
- Not have taken part in another Bristol outreach programme
There are no contextual criteria: anyone who meets the requirements above can apply.
Dates
- Applications open
- Not published for 2027/28, 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 and a campus day
- Apply to university
- UCAS deadline 15 October 2027 for 2028 entry
How to apply
Apply through the Next Step Bristol page. It is run by Bristol Widening Participation team with student societies. Questions go to next-step-bristol@bristol.ac.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Does Next Step 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 Next Step Bristol?
Attend a state school anywhere in the UK and be from an Asian, Black or mixed heritage background. You need to be in Year 13 at a state school or college, identify as Asian, Black or of mixed heritage including one of these groups, meet Bristol's GCSE requirements and be on track for the contextual offer, not have taken part in another Bristol outreach programme.
When is the Next Step Bristol deadline?
This cycle's closing date has not been published. Not published, previous rounds closed at the start of October. Applications not published for 2027/28, expression of interest open now.
What offer do Next Step 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
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