Guidance for online applications
This page guides you through completing our online application form. You can upload documents, request references and save your application to work on it later. Once submitted, you can check the progress of your application and view and respond to our admission decision online.
Create your account
You will need to provide a user name and password so you can return to your application at any time before submission.
Please provide a current email address when creating your profile. We will use this address to communicate with you about your application. Applicants should be aware that we automatically communicate with the profile email address noted on the application. If an agent registers their email address as the profile email address, we will not automatically communicate information to the applicant. It will be the responsibility of the agent to inform you of any contact concerning your application as we can only communicate with email addresses listed on the application form.
If you change your email address, you can amend it within your account by using the 'Profile' button in the top navigation bar of the form.
If you forget your login details, you can use the 'Forgot your user name or password?' link on the login page to reset your password.
Making multiple applications
You can apply to more than one postgraduate programme at the University.
For some of our programmes, you can select a second choice of programme when starting your application.
If you want to apply for more than one programme and no second choice is available, you can make a second application by creating a new profile. You can use the same email address for multiple applications, but each application will need to be made with a unique username. Make sure you keep a record of the username you have entered for each application to avoid confusion.
If you receive more than one offer of admission, you should only accept your preferred option and decline the rest.
Starting your application
Please read the application instructions, via the link on the left of the application screen.
You should also review the relevant admissions statement for the programme you are applying for. This statement contains information about required documents and how they relate to the outcome of your application.
Once you have logged in to the system, select the 'Start application' button. You will see a list of options in the left-hand navigation bar.
Select 'Programme choice' to begin. You will need to complete this section first.
Complete each section as it appears. If you would like to pause and save your work, use the 'Save' button located at the top and bottom of each screen.
Move to the next section of the application form using the 'Save and Continue' button.
Left-hand navigation
Application
Please complete all application form sections. Use the 'Save and Continue' button to navigate through the sections of the application form you need to complete.
You can also use the 'Save' button at the top and bottom of each screen to save details you have entered without moving to another section.
You do not have to complete the application in one sitting or from one computer. Always log out at the end of each session (top right of the screen), as the system will lock you out if you navigate away from the page. If this happens, you should restart your computer.
You may access the application as many times as you like with your username and password.
Supporting documents and references
You will be directed to add supporting documents to your application, such as academic transcripts and references, as you proceed through the form.
If you already have your references, you can upload them directly using 'References Section 1'. Alternatively, you can use the application form to send your referee a request asking them to submit the reference online.
Once you save this page and continue, the system will direct you to the 'Referee List' in 'References Section 2' where you must identify your referees and choose whether they will be submitting their reference via our online system. If they are submitting electronically, we will need their organisation email address.
Please see our advice on submitting documents and references on our Submit supporting documents page.
Check your application
When you select the option to 'Check Your Application', the system will identify any incomplete sections in your application. You can click on any listed question to be transferred directly to that section.
Please note that this option refers only to the minimum number of questions required. There may be other questions that you should answer; please review your application carefully.
Downloadable forms
Some programmes will require you to complete additional forms. As you work through the application, the system will prompt you to complete forms relevant to the programme you are applying to. These are available in the 'Downloadable Forms' section of the application.
Print button
Use this button to print your application form for your records. You will be able to log in to view your submitted application at any time.
Top navigation
Dashboard
Use this button to go to the home page of your application.
Profile
Use this button to update your profile details. Your email address in your profile needs to be an active address that you check regularly. We will use this address to let you know the outcome of your application and to communicate with you about your application progress and visa (if applicable). You can amend your email address at any time.
Technical Support
Use this button if you need help using the online application form.
Logging out
In the interest of security, you must log out of your application once your work is complete. You should use the 'Log out' button to do this. Please don't just close the tab or browser window, as this will lock you out of the application system. After you have logged out, we recommend that you close your web browser.
Submitting your application
You may only submit your application once.
When you have completed your application, use the 'Check Your Application' feature in the left-hand navigation bar to check whether you have completed all the relevant questions. The system will highlight any that still need completing.
Please review your responses and answer questions accurately. When you submit your application your responses will become the official property of the University of Bristol and our admission decision will be based on the information provided.
After you have finished checking your application, you can begin the submission process. Please select 'Submit Application' at the top of the page. You will be asked to confirm and to digitally sign your application. Once the University has received this, you will get a confirmation message.
Changing or adding to your application after submission
Once submitted, you cannot make any further changes to your application - apart from uploading supporting documents in the 'Post submission uploads' section.
If you need to make any other updates or amendments, please contact the appropriate admissions office immediately.
You may be asked to submit a fees questionnaire relating to your fee status. If you have been asked to do this, use the 'Downloadable Forms' section (left hand navigation) to download the questionnaire. Complete the form, save it and upload in the 'Post submission uploads' section.
Additional guidance to help you submit a completed online application
Acceptable file formats
To upload files successfully, files must:
- be smaller than 4MB
- be in one of these formats: DOC, DOCX, WPD, RTF, XLS, XLSF, PDF or TXT
- include the three- or four-letter file extension appropriate to its format (that is, the letters after the ‘.’)
- not be password protected
- not contain macros
Image files (such as .gif and .jpg) are not accepted by the system and should be converted to .pdf format before uploading. PDF conversion software is widely available on the internet.
As you can only upload one file per section, please ensure you collate as many pages and documents as possible (up to 1 MB) into a single file (e.g. a transcript and a translation) before uploading.
Scanning documents and file sizes
You cannot upload a file that is larger than 4MB.
To minimise file size when scanning:
When scanning, please ensure the scan is of a high enough quality that we are able to read it, but note that this does not always mean it needs to be the highest resolution. Where possible, you may also be able to reduce the file size by scanning to PDF or GIF rather than JPG; and/or using functions on your scanner such as 'Compact PDF' tools.
To reduce the file size of a DOC, DOCX or RTF:
Rather than copying and pasting images, charts or graphic files into your document, insert them using ‘Insert’ then ‘Picture’. Ensure the images you insert are of appropriate dimensions and not high resolution. To reduce the resolution of images that are already inserted, open the document in Microsoft Word, click on any image, choose ‘Picture Tools Format’ then ‘Compress Pictures’ and select a lower resolution.
PDFs
If you are using Adobe Acrobat PDF creation software (such as Adobe Acrobat Pro), reduce the size of the PDF by selecting 'reduce file size' in the 'document' menu.
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat PDF creation software, open the PDF using PDF reader software (such as Adobe Reader or similar) and reduce the PDF size by printing it to another PDF.
Some scanners will scan directly to PDF. If you are unable to scan directly to PDF, save documents as .gif or .jpg image files and then convert them to a PDF.
Mac users
If you are using a Mac to complete the online application, please note that the file name must include the appropriate three- or four-letter extension (eg .pdf). Please do not attempt to upload a document that is password-protected or contains macros. This will cause the process to fail.
Error message when trying to login
When you log in, you may see this error message: an error has occurred.
You either have more than one connection to this website or you did not properly log out of your last session. Please close all browser windows, then open a new browser window to access this site.
If after closing all browser windows the message still appears, you may need to clear your computer's cache.
Alternatively, you will be able to access your application without clearing your cache by opening an Incognito window (Google Chrome), InPrivate mode (Internet Explorer), Private Window (Mozilla Firefox) or turn on Private Browsing (Safari).
Help and support
If you have any problems with your online application, please contact choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk.