Open Units

Open units are units which are outside of a student’s subject discipline(s) that are available in many undergraduate programmes (subject to space and timetabling constraints). Typically, these units are interdisciplinary and do not have any pre- or co-requisites.

The University's Open Units scheme allows students on undergraduate degree programmes the opportunity to broaden their education by undertaking units which are of wide interest, often dealing with current interdisciplinary issues of societal concern such as climate change or global health.

Under the scheme single honours students will normally be able to choose to undertake open unit/s of at least 20 credit points across the programme, except where this is not practicable. The year(s) of study in the programme in which a student can undertake open units will be determined by the academic school in which the degree is based.

Bristol Futures Units Timetable 2024/25 (PDF, 64kB)

Bristol Futures Open Units Guidance and Criteria (PDF, 115kB) 

Bristol Futures Open Units Contacts (PDF, 125kB)

Guidance is available for students on how to select open units.‌

Staff in Departments/Schools should email ssio-systems@bristol.ac.uk or aqpo-info@bristol.ac.uk