Bristol University is located in Bristol-on-Avon in southwest England. Its history can be traced back to Bristol University College, which was founded by 1876. 1909 was granted a royal charter. The school is one of the six "red brick" institutions of higher learning in Britain and a member of the Russell University Group of British universities. Bristol is a truly international university. Bristol University ranks among the best in the annual rankings of major British newspapers. In the widely recognized ranking of British universities published by The Times in 2008 and 2007, Bristol University ranked 8th and 7th respectively.