Finding a progressive research environment

The University of Bristol is in the top rank of UK research universities. We have world-class research teams and facilities across the 45 departments and 15 research centres that make up our six academic faculties - Arts, Engineering, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Medicine and Dentistry, Science, and Social Sciences and Law.

In the most recent UK Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 15 of our departments were awarded the highest grade of 5*, with a further 21 graded 5. Over 75% of our academic staff work in these highly rated departments. We are continuing to strengthen our position through our innovative research strategy, and a ten-year, £250 million capital programme to create new and improved facilities.

New facilities already in operation include the £28 million, state-of-the-art Dorothy Hodgkin Building, one of the world's leading centres for neuroendocrinological research, and the recently opened £18.5 million Bristol Laboratory for Advanced Dynamics Enginering (BLADE). Successful bids to develop two new national Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning will also lead to £21 million of investment in Chemistry and Medical Sciences facilities.

The University works hard to attract research funding from a wide range of partners. For instance, we have recently been awarded 14 academic fellowships, each worth £125,000 over five years, in a competition run by the Research Councils UK (RCUK). To encourage innovation amongst our research teams we have set up the Bristol Enterprise Network (BEN), designed to drive and encourage a spirit of enterprise throughout the University and beyond. As a researcher, this provides you with expert assistance for exploring the commercial opportunities of your work.

For an insight into some of the University's current research activities, have a look at our on-line re:search magazine.

This supportive infrastructure of funding, facilities and expertise means that we have created a lively research-intensive environment where the very best of UK and international research talent can develop and build fulfilling careers.

Interested in our annual report?