University of the West of England

History

• The University of the West of England (UWE) began life as the Merchant Venturer's Navigation School in 1595. In 1969, in a merger with an art college, Bristol Polytechnic came into being.
• The 1990s saw mergers with two health colleges before university status in 1992.
• The emphasis over the years has been on building links with employers ranging from Aardman and Airbus to the Wellcome Foundation and the World Bank.
• The University doubled the size of its campus in 2008.
• Further major partnership with BBC and Hewlett Packard in 2011.

Location and transport

• Four campuses around Bristol, plus Health Education Centre in Gloucester.
• Discounted bus service for UWE students.
• Bristol Parkway, intercity station, only minutes from main Frenchay campus. London 75 minutes by train.

Entry standards

• For physiotherapy, law and media, students need around 300–340 tariff points. For building around 280 and biological sciences around 300.
• UWE accepts a wide range of other qualifications such as the new Advanced and Progression Diploma, National Diplomas and Diploma in HE Access courses.

Student mix

• Of a total of 28,197 students, 1,659 are from non-EU countries.
• Male 44%, female 56%.

Course flexibility

• More than 600 courses to choose from.
• Many courses may be studied either full-time (with or without a sandwich placement year) or part-time, and students may switch between modes if their circumstances change.
• Most of the programmes are modular. Students collect credits for each module until they have gained the number they need for their degree or diploma.

Teaching standards

• UWE has consistently scored 'excellent' in the teaching assessments carried out by the Quality Assurance Agency.
• UWE featured in the top 12 in student satisfaction in 18 out of 40 subject groups featured in the National Student Survey.
• Over the past six years, five Bristol UWE lecturers have received prestigious awards from the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme for excellence in teaching.

Research standards

• More than a third of research either world-leading or internationally excellent (RAE 2008).
• More than 60% of research either world-leading or internationally excellent in biomedicine, art and design and cultural and media studies.
• Doubled its research funding from Government, one of the biggest winners in the UK.

Academic strengths

• The university courses are supported by partnership arrangements that provide opportunities for students.
• Recent Ofsted report rated the primary, secondary and further education initial teacher training (ITT) courses  as outstanding – the top grade available.
• Rated the fourth best university in the UK for Architecture according to a survey in the Architects' Journal.
• One of the fastest growing universities for research in 2008 Research Assessment Exercise with high scores in Creative Media and Biomedical Sciences.

Student facilities, including library and computing

• Libraries on all campuses.
• Computing – 1,800 workstations including 580 in libraries. There are wi-fi zones in all libraries and a number of communal rooms.
• All student rooms wired for internet access.
• All students are given 24-hour access to library (during term time), computer and internet facilities.
• Frenchay library contains a number of advance bookable IT stations and bookable rooms for presentation procedure practice or group study, containing IT and AV facilities.

Disability services

Students' union

• The UWE Students Union provides an independent Advice Service, Jobshop, Nursery and Lettings Agency for students.
• The Union trains over 500 student representatives who feedback to the University.
• The Union also works with top clubs in the city centre to put on club and society nights, as well as student events on campus.
• Also home to over 80 of clubs and societies ranging from rugby to drama organised by students for students.
• There are many cultural networks supported by the Union.

Sport

• An active Students Union with opportunities to play in around 40 sports competitively.
• Sports teams are supported by a team of professional coaches to compete in the British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championships.
• Sports bursary award and support programme for talented athletes.
• The Centre for Sport provides extensive facilities including two state of the art fitness suites, indoor climbing wall, squash courts and water based astro pitch and many more!
• A comprehensive programme of friendly Social Sports to engage all abilities in sport.

Recent/prospective new builds

• £85-million student village and sports centre opened on the Frenchay Campus in 2006.
• £11.5 million in Bower Ashton Campus (Art Media and Design).
• New nursery at Frenchay Campus.
• New architecture and product design building.
• £300-million investment programme.

Availability of part-time work

• The Students' Union JobShop helps students to find the right job to fit round their studies.
• The employers are aware of study commitments, holiday periods and exams!
• The JobShop also offers tips on specific job hunting and advice on employment rights, tax, National Insurance, etc.

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