University of Bristol, Bristol, England is one of the top public research universities. It has an enrollment figure of approximately 27,000 and is well known for its excellent Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, and Law. The admissions are very competitive with an acceptance rate of around 12%. Bristol boasts a graduation rate of about 85%, and its graduates receive average starting salaries of approximately GBP £28,000–32,000 (INR 29–33 lakhs) per year.
University of Glasgow, located in Glasgow, Scotland, is one of the oldest and most well-known world research universities in the UK. It is slightly larger with approximately 35,000 students. The university is well known for its programs in Medicine, Veterinary Science, Business, Engineering, and Humanities. Admissions are moderately selective, and the acceptance rate is close to 15%. The graduation rate is around 84%, and the average starting salary of Glasgow graduates is around GBP £27,000–31,000 (INR 28–32 lakhs) per year.
| University of Bristol | University of Glasgow | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.1 Out of 10 | 6.2 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 15 The Guardian 2026 # 51 QS World University 2026 # 80 Times Higher Education 2026 | # 24 The Guardian 2026 # 79 QS World University 2026 # 84 Times Higher Education 2026 |
| Subject Strength | # 100 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 59 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 152 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 44 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -168 PG Programs -112 Doctorate Programs -49 | UG Programs -30 PG Programs -78 Doctorate Programs -6 |
| Acceptance Rate | 12.0 % | 28.0 % |
| Exam Score | GRE-316 IELTS-6.5 PTE-67 SAT-650 TOEFL-103 | GMAT-600 GRE-304 IELTS-6.5 PTE-59 TOEFL-110 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 45952 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 20100 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 9720 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 31510 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 33619 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 9623 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Ranked #61 in QS world University Rankings ; #49 in Graduate Employment Ranking Top Recruiters Are : Atkins, IBM, MI5, AstraZeneca, BT, HSBC, PwC, KPMG, Deloitte etc Bristol University Graduates & Alumni Salaries - By Degree
| Graduate Employability Ranking: #131-140, |
| application requirements | academic transcripts; 2 academic references; translations of relevant documents; personal statement/essay; research proposal; poof of English language proficiency | International applicants must fulfill country-specific requirements, |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.5/10 Read 17 reviews | 7.8/10 Read 42 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 10 for Computer Science by The Guardian 2026 # 101 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025 # 134 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 | # 20 for Computer Science by The Guardian 2026 # 142 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 # 151 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 67/90TOEFL - 88/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 90/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -51252 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
| application dates | May 31, 2026 (Think Big Postgraduate Scholarships) Aug 27, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) | Nov 5, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Dec 17, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Feb 4, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Mar 25, 2026 (Round 4 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) May 13, 2026 (Round 5 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Jul 8, 2026 (Round 6 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Bristol | University of Glasgow |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1876 | 1451 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | :1 | 5:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 47% Male, 53% Female | 0% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | Located in Bristol, England; a gateway to the South West; provides easy access to Bath, Cardiff, surrounding countryside, etc. Students can take a hike to Mendip Hills, discover Glastonbury, Cotswolds, Forest of Dean, local beaches at Weston-super-Mare, Brean Down and Sand Bay, etc. | It has three campuses Gilmore hills, Garscube, and Dumfries. The main campus is Gillmore hills located within Glasgow’s West End, three miles from the city center. Garscube campus is 4 miles from main campus and Dumfries campus is surrounded by gardens and parkland in Southwest of Scottland. |
| Library | 10 libraries; 45,000 meters of printed stock; millions of books, ebooks, journals, manuscripts, etc; special collections with materials dating from the 11th century to the present day | 2.5 million books and journals. 1,8532,00 ebooks and 50,00 journals. There is an additional archival collection as well. |
| Campus Life | 350 societies, sports clubs, groups & support networks; Indoor Sports Centre (consisting of gyms, studios, sports halls, etc.); swimming pool; University Boathouse. | There are over 200 student clubs and societies. It has 4 media groups including a magazine, a radio station, a newspaper, and a television. All of these have won some national awards. Wellbeing and fitness clubs along with over 50 sports clubs are offered to students. Two major student unions and one student representative council offer support and help to the freshman. |
| Hostel | #Rent and Bills - $9720 | #Rooms - $7135 |
| Famous Alumni | 13 Nobel Prize winners; Simon Pegg (Writer & Actor); Jonathan Evans (Former Head of MI5); Alastair Stewart (Journalist); Paul Dirac (Physicist & Nobel Prize winner); Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (Former South African Minister of Health); Parambrata Chattopadhyay (Indian Film Actor & Director); William Jack Poulter (Actor). | Seven Nobel prize winners, Scotland’s first minister, and a prime minister are a part of the alumni community. Some of the famous names are Adam Smith (economist), Nicola Sturgeon (First minister of Scotland), Kenneth Calman (Chancellor University of Glasgow), Willson Thomas (mathematician), Gerard Butler (Actor), Henry Campbell (Former PM of UK), Edwin Morgan (poet), etc. |
| City Life | The largest city in the South West; 90 minutes from London; Known for Georgian architecture, gritty graffiti, harbourside living, etc.; Economy based on creative media, electronics, aerospace industries; Home to 30 art galleries; Famous attractions include Bristol Zoo Gardens, At-Bristol, Bristol Harbour, St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol Cathedral, Clifton Suspension Bridge, Cheddar Gorge. | The city of Glasgow offers botanic gardens, live music, museums, parks, theatres, and a lot more to explore. It is also considered as a shoppers paradise offering high-end brands to vintage wares. Finneiston neighborhood is the city’s food quarter catering to every foodie’s need and demand. It is UK’s first UNESCO city of music and offers a buzzing nightlife with pubs, bars, and ballroom. The unemployment rate is around 5,7%. |
University of Bristol vs University of Glasgow
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both the University of Bristol and the University of Glasgow are top UK research universities and Russell Group members, although internationally Bristol tends to be slightly higher-ranked. According to the QS World University Rankings 2026, Bristol is ranked 51 worldwide, whereas Glasgow is ranked 79. Bristol is especially well-respected in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Law, and Social Sciences, whereas Glasgow is renowned internationally in Medicine, Veterinary Science, Life Sciences, Arts & Humanities, and Education.
General Information
The University of Bristol was established in 1876 and has its campus in the bustling city of Bristol, England. It has approximately 30,000 students enrolled and is famous for its collegiate campus, academic intensity, and close ties with industry. The University of Glasgow, established in 1451, is among the oldest English-speaking universities, boasting a student population of more than 35,000 on its main campus in Glasgow, Scotland, and is both esteemed for its rich history and contemporary research productivity.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Both institutions are competitive. Bristol's acceptance rate is approximately 12% in general, but with greater competition for courses such as Law, Medicine, and Engineering. Glasgow is marginally more open at 15%, although its best courses like Veterinary Medicine, Medicine, and Life Sciences are extremely competitive.
Research Impact & Facilities
Both are research-driven universities with international collaborations. Bristol has a reputation for research contributions in engineering, quantum technologies, aerospace, and policy studies, having close connections to industries in southwest England. Glasgow has a strong reputation for biomedical research, veterinary science, life sciences, and the arts, enjoying access to first-rate research facilities such as the Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre and intense collaboration in the healthcare and creative industries.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both are public universities with the same tuition fees for domestic and international students, although living expenses in Bristol are slightly higher than those in Glasgow. Both offer a generous array of scholarships, bursaries, and financial assistance, especially for postgraduate and international students.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Bristol graduates are strongly represented in the fields of business, law, finance, technology, and politics with strong employer identification throughout the UK and internationally. Glasgow graduates are highly represented in healthcare, research, education, arts, and government with specific influence in Scotland and international academic circles.
