The University of Bristol is a red brick research university in Bristol, England. It received its royal charter in 1909, although it can trace its roots to a Merchant Venturers’ school founded in 1595 and University College, Bristol, which had been in existence since 1876. It was the first higher education institution in England to admit women on an equal basis to men. The University organises its academic affairs in some 25 academic schools which are arranged into six faculties.