Founded in 1872, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1909, the University has had plenty of time to build and maintain its strong reputation as a teaching and research institution. At Bristol we have students and staff from well over 120 countries who contribute strongly to the international feel of the institution. The cosmopolitan nature of the University is mirrored in the city too, with its restaurants, food shops, cultural societies and festivals all stemming from a large, permanently resident and highly participative international community.