How to Apply to Business at the University of Bristol: A-Level, IB and AP Requirements for BSc Business and Management, and Routes and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

The University of Bristol’s BSc Business and Management has UCAS course code N200 (institution code B78) and runs for three years full-time. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Bristol’s official information, for students at high schools in China (including A-level, IB and AP students at international schools), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. The course

• Location: Years 1 and 2 on the Clifton campus, then the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus from Year 3, which Bristol says has closer links with business.
• Content:
  • Year 1: core units in marketing, management, accounting and finance, and statistics;
  • Year 2: four mandatory units plus options;
  • Year 3: a core dissertation plus options such as human resource management, corporate social responsibility, management accounting, management consultancy and brands.
• Other courses in the same admissions statement: Business and Management with Study Abroad (N201), MSci Business and Management with Innovation (N204), International Business Management (N120) and its study-abroad versions, Marketing (N500) and more.
• BSc Accounting and Finance (NN43): a separate admissions statement, three years, which also covers Finance (N300) and Economics and Accounting (LN14).

2. Entry requirements: A-level, IB and GCSE

• Business and Management (N200):
  • A-level standard offer AAA or A*AB, with no required subjects;
  • IB 36 points with 18 at Higher Level;
  • GCSE Mathematics at 6/B (Bristol’s “higher numeracy requirement”).
• Accounting and Finance (NN43):
  • A-level AAA including Mathematics, or A*AB with an A in Mathematics;
  • IB 36 with 18 at HL, including Mathematics at 6 HL (AA or AI) or 7 SL (AA).
• Selection: applications are scored and ranked on academic record, 20% GCSE and 80% A-level (or equivalent). Personal statements and references are not normally considered; they may be used only when many applicants share the same score, looking for interest in the discipline, independence and responsibility, and outstanding achievement. Applicants are not routinely interviewed.
• Other: deferred applications (for example, applying in 2026/27 for 2028 entry) are treated the same as others; resits are considered; applicants unsuitable for the original course may be offered consideration for a related course.

3. Students at high schools in China

• Diploma plus AP: applicants with the Senior High School Graduation Diploma (or a US-accredited school diploma) and at least three AP tests are considered. The standard requirement is 5 in AP tests with a strong school transcript. Required subjects must be met with AP, and any course asking for maths needs AP Calculus BC at 5, which applies to Accounting and Finance. The China page does not mention direct entry with the Gaokao.
• International Foundation Programme: students who complete Bristol’s one-year IFP, or a suitable partner foundation, and meet the degree requirements will be considered. The IFP’s Business and Economics pathway prepares students for economics, finance, management and related degrees.
• International school students: apply with A-levels or the IB as above.
• University students: one year at a recognised Chinese university is considered for Year 1 entry.

4. Students at Canadian high schools

• British Columbia, Yukon and Nunavut: the Grade 12 Senior Secondary Diploma with an 85%–90% average in five grade 12 subjects.
• Ontario: the Grade 12 diploma with an 80%–90% average in six grade 12 U or M courses, studied in person (no online or distance learning).
• Alberta, Saskatchewan and others: 80%–90% in five grade 12 subjects.
• Business has a GCSE maths requirement and Accounting and Finance a higher one, so Canadian students should do well in grade 12 math.

5. Transfer students

• Both the management and the accounting and finance admissions statements say transfers into these courses are not considered in any circumstances. Applicants with university study apply for Year 1 and must meet the entry requirements.

6. English requirements

• Business and Management: if English is not your first language, one of IELTS 6.5 overall with 7.0 in reading and listening and no score below 6.0, GCSE English Language at C/4, or another Profile level G qualification.
• Accounting and Finance: also Profile level G.

7. Tuition and scholarships

• Tuition (first year, 2027 entry): £10,050 for home students and £29,300 for international students (the same for Business and Management and Accounting and Finance). International fees rise annually in line with expected inflation.
• Think Big Scholarships: Bristol’s flagship awards for students paying international fees, worth £6,500 or £13,000 a year for up to four years. The 2026-entry round closed on 10 April 2026; check Bristol for the 2027 timetable.

8. Timeline (September 2027 entry)

• 1 September 2026: UCAS applications can be submitted.
• 13 January 2027: UCAS January deadline; applications received by then are guaranteed equal consideration.
• Because of high demand, Bristol may hold some applications until May; those submitted by the January deadline receive a decision by the UCAS May deadline at the latest, most of them sooner.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• International school students: AAA or A*AB at A-level (including Mathematics for Accounting and Finance) or 36 IB with 18 at HL; GCSE Mathematics 6/B matters, since GCSEs count for 20% of the score
• Senior high school students: diploma plus three APs (normally 5; AP Calculus BC at 5 for Accounting and Finance), or Bristol’s IFP Business and Economics pathway
• IELTS 6.5 (7.0 in reading and listening, 6.0 in others)
• Apply through UCAS by 13 January; grades decide, and the personal statement is normally used only to break ties

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• BC: an 85%–90% average in five grade 12 subjects, with strong math
• Apply through UCAS by 13 January and look out for Think Big Scholarships

Transfer students:

• No transfers; applicants with one year of university apply for Year 1 and must still meet GCSE and A-level (or equivalent) requirements

Sources: University of Bristol, BSc Business and Management (2027 entry); Business and Management courses; International Business Management courses; BSc Accounting and Finance; Management admissions statement (PDF); Accounting and finance admissions statement (PDF); China country information; Canada country information; Application dates; International Foundation Programme pathways; International scholarships. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Bristol for the latest details.