By Bethany Banks, Second Year, English
September 2024 – The opening of Metal Works
This year for many first-year students began with a move to Metal Works, a brand new student accommodation which opened at the beginning of this academic year.
Located in Bedminster, the accommodation is a towering, modern block, conveniently located next to the high streets of Bedminster, the bustling harbourside and city centre. However, students were left waiting for their move-in day to actually come, as the opening was delayed, leaving freshers in the lurch with a late start to the university experience, and seemingly nowhere to live until after Welcome Week.
This led to an uproar from students and parents alike, causing concerns about students and the experience of isolation, having no initial place to live or meet each other. At an already stressful time, this was sure to make the transition into university life that much harder.
First year Zoology student Thomas Hardyman lived in Metal Works this year, and when speaking to Epigram, said ‘Although luckily I was able to sleep at a friend’s house, it was still reasonably annoying and I felt I missed out on a formative university experience.’ However, Thomas was able to recognise the positives of Metal Works, as he reflected that ‘the shared experience of being in a new accommodation far from the main campus, as well as missing Freshers Week, definitely seemed to bring my flat closer together.’
Although the delayed start initially disrupted students' university experience, for some, it ultimately fostered a stronger sense of connection among them.
December 2024 – Bristol named 12th most sustainable university in the world
Certainly a positive achievement, in December the University of Bristol was named as the 12th most sustainable university in the world by the QS World Sustainability Rankings 2025. With the Green Party ‘winning every council seat available inside their target parliamentary constituency of Bristol Central’ and becoming ‘the largest party on Bristol City Council’ earlier in May, it was great to see the university only add to Bristol’s reputation as a sustainable place to live.
Some of the features that earnt the university 12th spot include Green Labs certifications for all laboratories on campus, and the university’s beautiful Botanical Gardens, a great place to bask in the sun after a tough exam season, and try and spot some wildlife in the upcoming summer months!
January 2025 – Forced swim tests finally banned
Continuing the theme of the University’s approach to wildlife, in January the use of Forced Swim Tests were finally banned after much outrage and protesting at their continued use. The Forced Swim Test is a practice that places small rodents such as rats into inescapable cylinders of water, and has faced scrutiny for many years, deemed as ‘cruel and useless’ by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
PETA were involved in the frequent protesting of the test within the university campus, leading demonstrations such as ‘Dr Killsalot’ or the ‘Head of Animal Torture’, an activist dressed in a lab coat, goggles, and gloves, calling for an end to the practice by Beacon House on Queen’s Road.
The test has long been a controversial way to ‘investigate the neurobiology of stress’, and was finally deemed obsolete under increasing pressure from students and activists alike.
March 2025 – Derby Day
Derby Day is Bristol SU’s biggest sports festival, and went ahead this March featuring 25 sports, 10 universities, and hundreds of students for an action-packed day of sporting competition and fun.
Bristol triumphed in many sporting events, including a Men’s Lacrosse win over Cardiff, and the Men and Women’s teams for Basketball, the Bristol Spartans, reigning supreme.
Epigram spoke to Jed Hurrell, a second-year Business Management student, and Social Secretary of University of Bristol Men’s Rugby, about Derby Day and what makes it such a special day in the world of Bristol sports. He described Derby Day as ‘always lots of fun’, saying ‘it’s always cool to see the university as a collective get behind each other and support all the teams.’ It’s the sense of community and camaraderie that makes Derby Day so important to Bristol students, not just the chance to triumph against rival teams!
In typical rugby fashion, Hurrell highlighted the pros of ‘good beers’, along with ‘good vibes’, making it a ‘good day out’ to be had by all, sporty or not!
April 2024 – Bristol Reach University Challenge Semi-Finals
Continuing with the theme of competition success, this April saw the Bristol team come far in University Challenge, reaching the semi-finals, another near-miss after 2023’s place as runner-up.
The team was made up of Captain Kevin Flanagan, who is studying for a PhD in AI, Ted Warner, a MSci Biology student, Olivia Watts, an Organic Chemistry PhD student, Bridie Rogers, a Medicine student and Reserve player Nathaniel Joyce, a MSci Biology student.
The team had an excellent run this series, managing to beat some formidable opponents, including Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, Exeter and the Open University. Bristol’s players came in strong with a wide breadth of knowledge, from music, to physics, to the tradition of tea ceremonies.
Whilst the coveted first place wasn’t quite clinched this year, it can be said that certainly, Bristol are not far off now.
The internship dilemma: Can students afford to work for free?
Student gambling: The invisible cards on the table
Overall, this academic year has seen some huge changes and developments for the University of Bristol, from new accommodations to new awards in sustainability, to sporting and intellectual success. As students unwind and the term comes to a close, all that is left to do is prepare for the next academic year, which is sure to be even bigger and better!
Featured Image: Epigram / Harriet Sanderson
What were your highlights this academic year?
