University of the West of England facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
University of the West of England

Coat of arms
Other names	UWE Bristol, UWE
Motto	Light Liberty Learning.
Type	Public research university
Established	1595 - Merchant Venturers Navigation School 1853 - Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Training Institution for School Mistresses 1894 - Merchant Venturers Technical College 1969 – Bristol Polytechnic 1992 - University Status
Endowment	£2.3 million (2018)
Budget	£379 million (2019/20)
Chancellor	Sir Ian Carruthers
Vice-Chancellor	Steven West
Administrative staff	4,318 (2023)
Students	39,912 (2022/23)
Undergraduates	25,887(2022/23)
Postgraduates	14,025 (2022/23)
Location	Bristol , England, UK 51°30′01″N 2°32′51″W / 51.50021°N 2.54749°W / 51.50021; -2.54749
Campus	Frenchay Campus, City Campus, Glenside Campus, Gloucester Campus
Colours
Affiliations	Bristol Old Vic Theatre School EUA AMBA Universities UK Association of Commonwealth Universities University Alliance

The University of the West of England (also known as UWE Bristol) is a large public university. It focuses on research and is located in and around Bristol, England, UK. With over 39,912 students and 4,300 staff, it is the biggest higher education provider in the South West of England.

The university was first known as the Bristol Polytechnic in 1969. It became a university in 1992 and changed its name to the University of the West of England, Bristol. Like the University of Bristol and University of Bath, its history goes back to the Merchant Venturers' Technical College. This college started as a school in 1595.

UWE Bristol has several campuses in the Greater Bristol area. Frenchay Campus is the largest, with most courses taught there. City Campus focuses on creative subjects. It includes Bower Ashton Studios, Arnolfini, Spike Island, and Watershed. The university also works with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Frenchay Campus and Glenside Campus are home to most health and applied science courses.

Discover UWE Bristol's Past

How UWE Bristol Began

The University of the West of England's story began a long time ago. It started with the Merchant Venturers Navigation School in 1595.

In 1894, this school became the Merchant Venturers Technical College. A few years later, the University of Bristol was formed from parts of this college. In 1960, the college helped create the Bristol College of Science and Technology. This later became the University of Bath in 1965.

The technical college then became Bristol Polytechnic in 1970. Its main campus was at Ashley Down.

Bower Ashton Studios started in 1969 as the West of England College of Art. This was once the art school of the Royal West of England Academy. Other campuses like St Matthias, Redland, Ashley Down, Unity Street, and Frenchay joined Bristol Polytechnic around 1976.

Becoming a University

The institution officially became a university in 1992. This happened because of a law called the Further and Higher Education Act, 1992. It then took its current name. The Avon and Gloucestershire College of Health joined in 1996. This is now Glenside Campus. Hartpury campus also joined in 1997.

A Fresh New Look

In 2016, UWE Bristol launched a new look. This included a new logo. It was part of their plan called "Strategy 2020."

Explore UWE Bristol's Campuses

Frenchay (north), Glenside & St Matthias (east) and Bower Ashton (south). Right: Bristol within England.

A view of the UWE campus at Frenchay

The new engineering building at night

Frenchay Campus: The Main Hub

Frenchay Campus is UWE Bristol's biggest campus. It is named after the nearby village of Frenchay. The campus is about 4 miles north of Bristol city centre.

In 2006, a new sports centre opened at Frenchay. In 2008, UWE Bristol bought more land next to it. This added 70 acres to the campus.

Big changes happened at Frenchay in 2012. The Bristol Robotics Laboratory opened. It is the largest robotics lab in Europe. Also, the UWE Bristol International College started. This college helps international students prepare for degree courses.

The Students' Union opened its new building in 2015. It brought all student services together.

In 2016, Future Space opened. This is a place for new high-tech companies. It is next to the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. UWE Bristol is one of only four UK universities with a University Enterprise Zone. This zone provides space for over 70 businesses.

The new Bristol Business School building was finished in 2017. It houses the Bristol Business School and Bristol Law School.

A new, modern engineering building opened in June 2020. It has teaching and research facilities. It is used for engineering subjects.

City Campus: Creative Arts Hub

City Campus includes Bower Ashton Studios, Spike Island, Arnolfini and Watershed. These places focus on creative and cultural subjects.

Bower Ashton Studios

Bower Ashton Studios is home to creative subjects. It is next to the Ashton Court estate. The West of England College of Art moved here in 1969. It became part of Bristol Polytechnic in 1970.

Every June, the campus holds a degree show. Students show their final projects to visitors.

Glenside Campus: Health and Science

The main building of Glenside Hospital

Glenside Campus is where the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences is located. It is in the suburb of Fishponds. This faculty was created in 1996. It combined several health colleges with UWE Bristol's existing health faculty. The Glenside Museum is also on this campus.

The Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences has several departments:

• Department of Allied Health Professions
• Department of Applied Sciences
• Department of Health and Social Sciences
• Department of Nursing and Midwifery

It offers many courses in areas like Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, and Social Work.

St Matthias Campus: A Former Site

The main building at St Matthias

St Matthias Campus was in Fishponds, Bristol. It had beautiful Victorian Gothic buildings. This campus used to house various creative arts and humanities departments.

UWE Bristol closed the campus in September 2014. The departments moved to new facilities at Frenchay campus. The site was later sold for housing and a Steiner School.

How UWE Bristol is Organized

University Structure

Hartpury College

The university is divided into four main faculties. These are then split into smaller departments:

• Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education
  • Department of Arts and Cultural Industries
  • School of Art and Design
  • Department of Education and Childhood
  • School of Film and Journalism
  • Bristol School of Animation (Partner School)
  • Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (Partner School)
• Faculty of Business and Law
  • Bristol Business School
    • Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance
    • Department of Business and Management
  • Bristol Law School
• Faculty of Environment and Technology
  • Department of Architecture and the Built Environment
  • Department of Computer Science and Creative Technologies
  • Department of Engineering Design and Mathematics
  • Department of Geography and Environmental Management
• Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences
  • Department of Allied Health Professions
  • Department of Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences
  • Department of Health and Social Sciences
  • Department of Nursing and Midwifery
• Hartpury College (Partner Faculty)
  • Sport
  • Equine
  • Agriculture
  • Professional
  • Veterinary nursing

School of Art and Design

Bower Ashton Studios

The School of Art and Design is part of the Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education. It is next to the Ashton Court estate in Bower Ashton. The West of England College of Art moved into its purpose-built home in 1969. It was previously the art school of the Royal West of England Academy.

Department of Education and Childhood

The Department of Education and Childhood trains future teachers. Its history comes from teacher training colleges at Redland and St Matthias. These became part of Bristol Polytechnic in 1969. A new building for this department was finished in 2000 at Frenchay campus.

The department offers degrees for teaching young children or primary school students. It also has courses for teachers who want to improve their skills.

UWE Bristol's Coat of Arms

The university's coat of arms has special symbols. The top shows a ship's mast and rigging. This reminds us of Bristol's sea history and the Navigation School. The flaming basket means guidance, hope, and a desire for learning.

The shield in the middle has a wavy line. This stands for the Avon and Severn rivers. The unicorn comes from the City of Bristol's symbols. The sea stag is from the former County of Avon. Both wear a crown of King Edgar. He was crowned in Bath Abbey in 973. The wavy lines in circles mean the fountain of knowledge.

The unicorn and sea stag each hold an apple tree. This is the tree of knowledge. It comes from the coat of arms of the Council for National Academic Awards. This council used to approve degrees from Bristol Polytechnic.

The university's motto is Light, Liberty, Learning. This quote from Disraeli matches the symbols. The fire basket is "Light." The Bristol and Avon creatures are "Liberty." The trees of knowledge are "Learning."

UWE Bristol's Academic Achievements

Rankings and Reputation

UWE Bristol was ranked among the top 25 universities in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2021. It is one of only four UK universities with a University Enterprise Zone. This zone provides space for over 70 businesses. It also has the largest robotics lab in the UK.

In 2018, the university received a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework. This is a government review of teaching quality. In 2017, UWE Bristol was ranked among the top 150 universities in the world under 50 years old.

Research at UWE Bristol

UWE Bristol does a lot of important research. In 2014, 57 percent of its research was judged to be "world leading" or "internationally excellent." This shows strong work in health, nursing, communications, and media studies. Other strong areas include architecture, engineering, art, and computer science.

In 2010, UWE Bristol started an online library for its research. This is called the UWE Bristol Research Repository. It is open access, meaning anyone can read it.

Bristol Robotics Laboratory and Future Space

Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) is the largest robotics lab of its kind in the UK. It opened on May 10, 2012. It is a partnership between UWE and the University of Bristol.

The BRL is home to many experts and businesses. They work on new robots, smart systems, and bio-engineering. The lab has special spaces and two "Flying Arenas" for testing robots.

Future Space is a place for new businesses. It is next to the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. It can house up to 70 high-tech startup companies. It is part of the West of England University Enterprise Zone. This zone helps new companies grow. It focuses on robotics, biotechnology, and biomedicine. Future Space opened in 2016.

Student Life at UWE Bristol

Students' Union

The logo of the University of the West of England - Students' Union at UWE

The Students' Union at UWE is based at Frenchay campus. It started in 1971. It is run by five student officers. These officers are elected by the students each year. The new Students' Union building opened in 2015. It has a bar, a coffee shop, and two shops at Frenchay Campus. There are also student union facilities at Glenside Campus and Bower Ashton Studios. The student radio station, Hub Radio, has a studio on campus.

Where Students Live

In 2006, Frenchay Student Village opened. It provides housing for 1,932 students on campus. There is also housing at Glenside. UWE Bristol also works with UNITE Student Housing. They provide 1,500 more places in Bristol City Centre. All housing at UWE is self-catering.

In 2014, Wallscourt Park opened on Frenchay Campus. In 2023, some students faced delays with new accommodation. They were offered places in Cheltenham and Gloucester. UWE confirmed 87 students started in Cheltenham and 47 in Gloucester. The university plans to move them back to UWE as soon as possible.

Main student halls of residence:

Student Village – Frenchay Campus

• Brecon Court
• Cotswold Court
• Mendip Court
• Quantock Court

Frenchay Campus

• Wallscourt Park

Glenside Campus

• Glenside (on Glenside campus)
• The Hollies (opposite Glenside Campus)

Bristol City Centre

• Marketgate (owned by Unite Group)
• Nelson and Drake House (owned by Unite Group)
• Blenheim Court (owned by Unite Group)
• Phoenix Court (owned by Unite Group)
• Transom House (owned by Host students)

Sports at UWE Bristol

The University of the West of England Boat Club is the university's rowing club.

The UWE Bullets are the university's American Football team. They won the British Universities American Football League championship between 2022 and 2024.

Famous People from UWE Bristol

• Silas Adekunle – a business person
• Angellica Bell – TV and radio presenter
• Bear Grylls – adventurer and TV presenter
• Miranda Hart – comedian
• Russell Howard – comedian
• CY Leung – a political leader in Hong Kong
• Lady Davina Lewis – a member of the British Royal Family
• Richard Long – sculptor
• Jamie Oliver – keyboardist for the band Lostprophets
• Pete Reed – Olympic rower
• Jack Russell – cricketer
• Christopher Sadler – animator director for Aardman Animations
• Simon Shaw – England rugby player

Notable Teachers at UWE Bristol

• Alison Assiter – professor of feminist theory
• Victoria Clarke
• Richard Coates
• Owen Holland
• Aaron Schuman
• Peter Howells
• Stephen J. Hunt
• Julie Kent
• Howard Newby
• Steven West