Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or above
Location: Europe, United Kingdom
GPA: 3.0

Program Overview

Designed for undergraduate students studying medicine, pre-med, health sciences, biomedical sciences, biological sciences or aligned subjects, this program is ideal if you are looking for a hands-on study abroad experience in STEM subjects. This three-week summer school focuses on three main academic themes: biomedical sciences techniques, exploring the systems of the body, and clinical and scientific inquiry. This is a hands-on summer school - you will complete supervised experiments and research in small groups in one of the UK’s leading research institutions.

In addition to your academic work, the University of Bristol will also organize a variety of fun social activities around Bristol, led by current University of Bristol students. This may include dinners out, a local boat tour, and evening socials. You will also have the opportunity to join day trips to popular tourist venues in the local region.

Bristol is the United Kingdom’s eighth most populous city (approximately 450,000) and the most populated city in South West England. Located about two hours by train west of London, Bristol is one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the South of England, hosting a wide variety of visual arts, theatre, specialty shopping and live music. It is a thriving, modern city that takes pride in its long history. Bristol is also a vantage point for seeing many of England’s famous sights. Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Stonehenge, Bath, and the southwest coast of England are all within a day’s travel

Dates and Deadlines

 
Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Summer 2025 03/01/2025

07/06/2025

07/26/2025

This program has a rolling admission application process: GEO staff will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Decisions about your enrollment will be made after you submit a complete application. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early.

Successful applicants will receive a nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements. 

Applying for this program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.

Note: Admissions decisions are made by Bristol on a rolling basis and applications may close early if all spaces are filled.

Academic Details

Over three weeks, you will complete lab sessions focused on:

  • Biochemistry
  • DNA workshop
  • Histology
  • Microbiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology
  • Developing your communication and teamwork skills
  • Learning advanced techniques in scientific presentation and tissue preparation
  • Undertaking project design and problem solving
  • Learning about human physiological recordings.

Please note that some of these sessions include the use of animal tissue.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive 10 Bristol academic credits, equivalent to 4 UO quarter credits.

Note about Financial Aid: The minimum summer enrollment in order to be eligible for financial aid is 6 UO credits. In order to use UO financial aid while on this program, students would need to enroll in at least 2 regular UO summer credits as well. These can be taken any time over the summer as long as they do not conflict with Bristol program classes.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Additional Requirements

Students must be studying medicine, pre-med, health sciences, biomedical sciences, biological sciences or aligned subjects in order to be eligible for the program

Housing Description

You will stay in a single room in a University residence with shared bathrooms. Bed linens are provided but towels are not. Bristol's secure residences have laundry facilities on-site and 24/7 duty teams. A half-board catered meal plan (typically breakfast and dinner) is also included. The residences also have shared kitchens where students can cook their own meals.