The University of Bristol is a university in Bristol, England. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876. Bristol ranks as one of the top 10 universities in the United Kingdom according to most published league tables and receives the most applications per place for any British University. The University has an annual turnover of £260m and is the largest independent employer in Bristol.