How popular isUniversity of Bristol?
In September 2026, people searched for University of Bristol by name about 135,000 times worldwide, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 6.1% of all global globally sought UK university searches, placing University of Bristol eighth out of 12 universities. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about globally sought UK universities, University of Bristol appeared in two of the five answers and was the 11th most recommended of the 12.
University of Bristol is the eighth most searched of 12 competitors and the 11th most recommended in AI answers.
University of EdinburghShare of searches 16.5%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
University of WarwickShare of searches 16.5%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 9th
London School of EconomicsShare of searches 11%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
University of ManchesterShare of searches 11%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 8th
University of BristolShare of searches 6.1%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 11th
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Top globally sought UK universities in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, University of Bristol was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. University of Bristol is the 11th most recommended of the 12.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
University of Edinburgh5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
University of Oxford5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
University of Cambridge5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
UCL5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Imperial College London4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
London School of Economics3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
University of Warwick2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
University of Manchester2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Durham University2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
University of Bristol2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about globally sought UK universities
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which UK university should I go to?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best UK universities?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best UK university for an international degree?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“uk universities”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“uk university ranking”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Which globally sought UK universities compete with University of Bristol?
Share of searches by month for University of Edinburgh, University of Warwick, London School of Economics, University of Manchester, Durham University, University of St Andrews, University of Oxford, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, UCL. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | University of Edinburgh | University of Warwick | London School of Economics | University of Manchester | Durham University | University of St Andrews | University of Oxford | University of Bristol | University of Cambridge | UCL | Imperial College London | King's College London |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 13.9% | 17% | 11.4% | 11.4% | 9.3% | 7.6% | 10% | 6.2% | 7.6% | 4.7% | 0.59% | 0.46% |
| Nov 2025 | 16.1% | 16.1% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 11.4% | 5.9% | 8.8% | 4.4% | 0.59% | 0.65% |
| Dec 2025 | 15.8% | 12.9% | 10.6% | 10.6% | 8.6% | 8.6% | 11.2% | 7% | 8.6% | 4.7% | 0.79% | 0.52% |
| Jan 2026 | 13.3% | 16.3% | 10.9% | 10.9% | 8.9% | 7.3% | 11.5% | 5.9% | 8.9% | 4.9% | 0.69% | 0.65% |
| Feb 2026 | 14.8% | 14.8% | 12.1% | 12.1% | 8.1% | 6.6% | 10.5% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 5% | 0.66% | 0.49% |
| Mar 2026 | 14.1% | 14.1% | 11.5% | 11.5% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 12.2% | 6.3% | 7.7% | 5.8% | 0.77% | 0.57% |
| Apr 2026 | 14.7% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 8% | 8% | 12.6% | 5.4% | 8% | 6% | 0.66% | 0.59% |
| May 2026 | 17.3% | 14.1% | 11.5% | 9.5% | 7.8% | 7.8% | 12.1% | 5.2% | 7.8% | 5.8% | 0.63% | 0.57% |
| Jun 2026 | 14.3% | 14.3% | 11.7% | 11.7% | 7.8% | 7.8% | 12.2% | 6.4% | 7.8% | 4.8% | 0.74% | 0.47% |
| Jul 2026 | 15.1% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 6.7% | 8.3% | 12.8% | 5.6% | 8.3% | 5.1% | 0.67% | 0.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 15.4% | 15.4% | 10.3% | 10.3% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 10.9% | 5.6% | 8.5% | 5.2% | 0.69% | 0.62% |
| Sep 2026 | 16.5% | 16.5% | 11% | 11% | 9% | 9% | 7.9% | 6.1% | 6.1% | 5.5% | 0.74% | 0.54% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 16.5% | 368K | +22.3% | +1.1 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 16.5% | 368K | +22.3% | +1.1 points | |
| 3, moved from 4th to 3rd | 11% | 246K | +22.4% | +0.7 pointsmoved from 4th to 3rd | |
| 4, moved from 5th to 4th | 11% | 246K | +22.4% | +0.7 pointsmoved from 5th to 4th | |
| 5, moved from 6th to 5th | 9% | 201K | +21.8% | +0.5 pointsmoved from 6th to 5th | |
| 6, moved from 8th to 6th | 9% | 201K | +21.8% | +0.5 pointsmoved from 8th to 6th | |
| 7, moved from 3rd to 7th | 7.9% | 177K | -16.9% | -3 pointsmoved from 3rd to 7th | |
| 8, moved from 9th to 8th | 6.1% | 135K | +22.7% | +0.4 pointsmoved from 9th to 8th | |
| 9, moved from 7th to 9th | 6.1% | 135K | -18.2% | -2.4 pointsmoved from 7th to 9th | |
| 10, held 10th | 5.5% | 124K | +22.3% | +0.4 points | |
| 11, held 11th | 0.74% | 16.5K | +22.2% | 0 points | |
| 12, held 12th | 0.54% | 12.1K | 0% | -0.1 points |
16.5%
Held 1st. 368K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +1.1 points.
16.5%
Held 2nd. 368K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +1.1 points.
Moved from 4th to 3rd. 246K estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
Moved from 5th to 4th. 246K estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
Moved from 6th to 5th. 201K estimated branded searches, +21.8% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.
Moved from 8th to 6th. 201K estimated branded searches, +21.8% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.
7.9%
Moved from 3rd to 7th. 177K estimated branded searches, -16.9% vs prior month. Share -3 points.
6.1%
Moved from 9th to 8th. 135K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.
6.1%
Moved from 7th to 9th. 135K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -2.4 points.
10.
UCL5.5%
Held 10th. 124K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.
0.74%
Held 11th. 16.5K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
0.54%
Held 12th. 12.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
Compare popularity between University of Bristol and its closest rivals

University of Bristol vs Durham University: compare popularity
University of Bristol vs University of St Andrews: compare popularity
University of Bristol vs University of Oxford: compare popularity
University of Bristol vs University of Cambridge: compare popularity
University of Bristol vs UCL: compare popularity- Compare University of Bristol with any brand
Every comparison with University of Bristol
11 comparisons
- Durham University vs University of Bristol
- London School of Economics vs University of Bristol
- University of Bristol vs University of Cambridge
- University of Bristol vs University of Edinburgh
- University of Bristol vs University of Manchester
- University of Bristol vs University of Oxford
- University of Bristol vs University of St Andrews
- University of Bristol vs University of Warwick
- UCL vs University of Bristol
- Imperial College London vs University of Bristol
- King's College London vs University of Bristol
How has branded search demand for University of Bristol changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for University of Bristol worldwide held steady at 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, University of Bristol’s share of searches among globally sought UK universities worldwide peaked at 7% in December 2025 and was lowest at 5.2% in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, University of Bristol rose from 9th to 8th among globally sought UK universities worldwide.
How did search popularity change for globally sought UK universities worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes

In September 2026, London School of Economics overtook University of Oxford to rank 3rd among globally sought UK universities worldwide, with 11% of the searches.

In September 2026, University of Manchester overtook University of Oxford to rank 4th among globally sought UK universities worldwide, with 11% of the searches.

In September 2026, Durham University overtook University of Oxford to rank 5th among globally sought UK universities worldwide, with 9% of the searches.

In September 2026, University of St Andrews overtook University of Oxford and University of Cambridge to rank 6th among globally sought UK universities worldwide, with 9% of the searches.

In September 2026, University of Edinburgh gained share of searches among globally sought UK universities worldwide, from 15.4% to 16.5%.

In September 2026, University of Warwick gained share of searches among globally sought UK universities worldwide, from 15.4% to 16.5%.
How are University of Bristol’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using University of Bristol’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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