Facilities

Information Services
Information Services is responsible for central IT services, library services, learning technology support, administrative computing and the Institute for Learning and Research Technology.
There are several computer rooms located around the precinct, some offering 24-hour access and at least one with a ramp, lift and toilet facilities for those with impaired mobility. There are also computer rooms in most of the halls of residence. The computers in all computer rooms provide access to electronic mail, the world wide web, word-processing and other software applications, as well as connections to multi-user University computers.

All undergraduates are eligible for an email account and have an account set up automatically before they start their programme. Many departments make programme materials and other information available on the web.

The University offers ResNet (Residential Networking) services, connecting individual study bedrooms to the University network and the Internet. Most of the University's accommodation, including the halls of residence, has an Ethernet service providing a permanent connection. Some of the smaller student houses connect via a dialup service over an internal phone line.

Library services are provided at thirteen branches and clusters of PCs are available, for general use, in the Arts and Social Sciences library on Tyndall Avenue. Branch libraries covering Medicine, Science, Engineering, Education, Geography and Law are housed in the same buildings as the departments they serve. You are therefore always close to the books and information that you need and a quiet place to study.

The libraries have over a million items in stock and the University subscribes to over 7,000 periodicals, including 4,000 electronic journals. Every year about 25,000 books and bound periodicals are added to stock. A wide range of electronic sources of information is also provided, including full text and bibliographic databases. The library catalogue is available via the web from any networked PC.

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology (ILRT) runs a variety of national Internet services and other IT projects. Although the Institute does not offer user support, students are encouraged to explore the subject-based services at its website.

Information Services provides a range of help and enquiry facilities, including printed and web documentation, enquiry desks in some branch libraries and knowledgeable and friendly staff who can help with your information or computing queries in person or via telephone, Minicom or email.


Students' Union
Bristol have one of the largest Union buildings in the country. All full-time students are entitled to be members of the University Union, which is affiliated to the National Union of Students. The Union represents its members to the University, the city and the media. It also offers general and welfare advice and information. The Union provides facilities for over 170 clubs and societies.
The Union houses one of the largest venues for gigs in Bristol, a supermarket, a travel shop, Epigram (the student newspaper), two theatres, three bars (including the Epi bar), Café Zuma, a launderette, a hairdresser, music practice rooms, BURST radio station, study rooms and a wide range of meeting rooms for use by societies.

The Union has very active sports clubs with impressive national results, a large Student Community Action centre which sends student volunteers into the city, and its own charity fund-raising body, RAG. The Union is run by student officers elected by a cross-campus ballot.

The Students' Union is run by students for students, and as such it is a constantly changing community. Any student can start and run clubs and can be involved right through to the top levels of representation. Or you can just join in for fun!

Under section 22(2)(c) of the Education Act 1994, a student has the right not to become a member of the Union. Students who exercise this right are still entitled to use the facilities, join clubs and societies and stand as representatives on Senate, but they may not hold office, nor are they entitled to representation.

Informal tours of the Union, with opportunities to talk to students about Bristol, can be arranged by telephoning the President on (0117) 954 5800 or (0117) 954 5864. The Union also publishes an Alternative Prospectus (£3.00 including postage) which can be obtained by writing to: The General Office, University of Bristol Union, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1LN.

The Arts and Cultural Opportunities

The University has a number of artistic venues:

The Wickham Theatre is located in the Department of Drama and is used for productions by the Department and by small-scale visiting companies. The 300-seat Winston Theatre in the Union is used by student companies such as Dramsoc (the Dramatic Society) and Opsoc (the Operatic Society); together these companies organise Bristol's contributions to the Edinburgh Festival. The theatre also doubles as the Union's debating chamber;

The Victoria Rooms, which contains a 700-seat auditorium (theatre/concert hall) and a smaller Recital Room, is also the home of the Department of Music. It is the venue for lunchtime concerts and the larger, evening concerts by the University orchestras and choirs;

The Great Hall [in the Wills Memorial Building] is used occasionally for organ recitals and other musical events;

The Recital Room is ideal for smaller-scale activities such as Early Music and programmes using the new chamber organ and harpsichord.
Membership of University choirs, orchestras and ensembles is open to all students whether reading Music or not. Auditions (where necessary) are held at the start of each session and full details of the concert programme are available from the Department of Music.

The History of Art Department and the University Art Lectures Committee are among those who arrange lecture programmes of general interest.

Awards of £200 per annum are available on a competitive basis for students of exceptional talent in music, drama or other cultural activities.


Sport, Exercise and Health

First-rate facilities
The University's brilliant new Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health is part of a network of sports facilities catering for everyone from casual exercisers looking for fun and fitness to star competitors aiming for international success.

The Centre is located at the heart of the University precinct. It offers a state-of-the-art fitness suite ('The Pulse'); two exercise studios; a weights room; a main sports hall for badminton, five-a-side football, basketball, netball and volleyball; a balcony that doubles as a jogging track; expert advice on fitness and diet; and a range of therapies from massage to osteopathy. There is a host of classes and activities to choose from every day, and plenty of space to relax with friends afterwards.

Just along the road at Bristol Grammar School are four glass-backed squash courts that are available to students, while the Students' Union Building incorporates a fine, 33-metre pool for everything from recreational and competitive swimming to water polo and canoe practice.

Outdoor activities are equally well catered for. The University's magnificent, 38-acre Coombe Dingle Sports Complex offers outstanding tennis facilities (indoor as well as outdoor), international-standard hockey pitches and first-class provision for football, cricket and netball.

The highly successful Boat Club trains at Saltford on the River Avon, while the Sailing Club, whose members in recent years have included two world champions and an Olympic gold medallist, use the superb facilities at Axbridge.

Where the University lacks its own facilities, it is usually because they are available close by with preferential arrangements for students. Thus students have easy access to what may be the UK's finest indoor climbing centre, special rates at two local golf clubs and the chance to try their hand at real tennis and rackets.

Sports clubs for every interest

Numerous sports clubs operate under the umbrella of the University Athletic Union. There were 52 at the last count, covering everything from snooker to surfing. Bristol has a tradition of entering the British Universities Sports Association championships in as many sports as possible, and it has a proud record of success, invariably finishing in the national top ten for both men's and women's sport.

Encouraging sporting excellence

Those with special talents, a record of success and serious sporting aspirations can apply to join the University's Advanced Sports Squad. Members receive professional help with fitness, nutrition, mental preparation and time management, plus free physiotherapy and other sports medicine support. Some training kit may be provided and some of the costs of training and participation may be covered. Among the international sportsmen and women who have been members of the squad are Kyran Bracken and Alex King (rugby), Nick Fletcher and Rachel Duckett (fencing), Matthew Barker and Nick Nieland (athletics), Helen Rayne (rowing) and Brian Clifton (weightlifting).

A few Lloyd Robinson Sports Scholarships are available to really outstanding sportsmen and women who can also demonstrate financial need. Successful applicants receive either £750 or £1,000 for up to three years and are required to become members of the Advanced Sports Squad.

Prospective students can apply to become members of the Advanced Sports Squad or Lloyd Robinson Sports Scholars before coming to the University. Provisional acceptance is then dependent on the student being offered an academic place in the normal way.

Schools and colleges can also nominate students with exceptional sporting talents for an award of £500 per annum. See Cultural and Sports Awards.

Athletic Union
The Athletic Union is responsible for the organisation of the 52 sports clubs in the Union. These range from traditional team sports to gliding and surfing. It is policy to enter the British Universities Sports Association championships in as many sports as possible. Bristol has a proud record of success, and in the overall university rankings, invariably finishes within the top ten for both men's and women's sport.

The Armed Services
All three armed services have contingents attached to the University. If you are interested in the armed services, get in touch with the Undergraduate Admissions Office which can supply contact names and addresses.