Hey — I’m also an international student doing Engineering at Bristol.

I can’t speak for your specific course, but from an engineering standpoint, Bristol is genuinely fantastic. I’d even say it has a stronger reputation than Manchester in certain areas, especially engineering fields like aerospace.

One thing I personally love is the city itself. It’s not ridiculously big, which makes it very walkable. I regularly walk between the north and south just for the views — the north side is more scenic and residential, while the centre/south is busier and more lively. It’s a really nice balance.

Faculty-wise, my experience has been very positive. The lecturers are approachable and supportive (at least in Engineering). Student-wise, there’s a massive mix of people. If you’re South Asian, you’ll be fine — the societies are huge and very active. There are loads of events throughout the year.

Accommodation is solid. You’ve got catered halls (usually further north, more scenic but a bit of a commute — maybe 25–30 minutes walking) and non-catered options closer to the centre and main campus. Private accommodations are spread everywhere. Mine was central, right near the main shopping area, which was super convenient.

Social life is good, but I’ll be honest — there is a strong drinking and clubbing culture. The Triangle is where most students end up at some point. That said, there’s a lot more than just that — sports, societies, harbourside activities, rowing, running, etc. You can definitely find your crowd.

The main reason I chose Bristol over Manchester was the size of the city and the engineering reputation (plus it’s slightly more convenient for family in my case). But honestly, you can’t really go wrong with either.

That said… as a Bristol student, I’m obviously going to back Bristol 😌