A Bristol institution with broad appeal, the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) offers a wide subject mix across three campuses in a sought-after student city. At the main site, Frenchay, the university is investing more than £300 million to provide facilities fit for its growing numbers; it is now the largest university in the region, taking in nearly 40,000 students. That hasn’t stopped it from charging towards its net-zero emissions target — it ranks 11th in the People & Planet league table based on environmental and ethical performance. The creative City campus is spread across four sites in the heart of Bristol, one at Bower Ashton and three of them contemporary art centres: Spike Island, Arnolfini and Watershed. In Fishponds, a 15-minute bus ride from the city centre, the Glenside health campus has beautiful grounds. Diverse, cultural and with epic nightlife, Bristol’s just-big-enough charm is hard to beat.

What is UWE Bristol’s reputation? 

UWE Bristol, which traces its roots to 1595, when it was founded as a merchant navigation school, gained university status in 1992. It holds a silver rating overall from the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), underpinned by a gold award for the student experience and silver for student outcomes. Assessors commended it for “embedding outstanding teaching, feedback and assessment practices that are highly effective and tailored to supporting students' learning, progression, and attainment … Course content and delivery inspire students to actively engage in and commit their learning, and stretch students to knowledge and skills to their fullest potential.”

Results of the National Student Survey show the university has yet to return to its pre-pandemic heights of student satisfaction, when it ranked in the top ten for the broad experience and 11th for teaching quality; now occupies a bottom-half position for both. In turn it has lost some ground in our main academic ranking, where it has a track record of holding its own, usually in the top half and close to the top ten modern universities. It slipped to 72nd last year, but a four-place gain this year brings it closer to its previous form.

More than three-quarters (76 per cent) of the work it submitted for assessment in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent, with the best results in architecture, built environment and planning; allied health subjects; communication and media studies; engineering; and law.

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?

Several courses are closing, including business and law, environmental science (integrated master’s), wildlife ecology and conservation science (integrated master’s), and public health (specialist community public health nursing). Among the new programmes for 2024 (subject to approval) are: integrated master’s in optometry, architecture with foundation year, creative and professional writing (copywriting), applied criminal justice (top up), and data science.

What are UWE Bristol’s entry requirements – and my chances of getting in?

Courses require from 104 to 144 Ucas tariff points. A contextual offer policy was introduced in 2022 and provides to eligible students a 16-point reduction in the standard requirements. Those entering on a foundation year course qualify for an eight-point reduction. Only 5 per cent of entrants in 2023 secured their places through clearing.

What are the graduate prospects?

More than three quarters of graduates (76.2 per cent) were in high-skilled jobs or further study 15 months after leaving UWE Bristol, according to the latest Graduate Outcomes survey, placing the university 60th for graduate prospects. The type of work placements available range from a full “sandwich” year to shorter or part-time opportunities of 60 to 100 hours with organisations including Disney, the NHS, Nike and PWC. Course content is shaped by industry partners such as Aardman, Airbus and Lloyds Banking Group. Volunteering is well supported too, with strong links to the Think Pacific project in Fiji.

What is UWE Bristol’s campus like?

The students’ union, various sports facilities, a 24-hour library and the recently added engineering building are all on the Frenchay campus. At City, modern design studios are part of a £37 million investment in new facilities to help to prepare students for jobs in the creative industries. The Fabrication Centre and the Centre for Print Research are at Bower Ashton, as are flexible workshops and collaborative learning areas. The £5 million optometry and clinical skills centre on the Glenside campus is in a grade II listed former NHS laundry and contains a practical learning space for trainee paramedics, occupational therapy students, nurses and students of optometry.

Everything you need to know about UWE Bristol’s student life and wellbeing support

There is a walled garden to relieve mental fatigue on the Frenchay campus, which also has fitness suites, a sports hall, an indoor climbing wall, squash courts and an all-weather pitch. Training for football, American football and rugby teams, among others, is held at the £4.5 million Hillside Gardens complex a few miles away, where there are artificial and grass pitches and covered spectator seating. And through the free Move programme students can access more than 100 weekly activities, from aerial hoop to squash and intramural leagues. Creative life thrives on the Bower Ashton site, where there is a shared studio space with working artists, as well as talks, workshops and opportunities to exhibit work. 

UWE’s wellbeing service includes access to counselling, a chaplain and an out-of-hours team. Courses such as peer-assisted learning workshops help students to build resilience.

What do the students say?

“UWE Bristol is a lively, engaging and fun university where all are welcome and embraced. Across the campuses there’s a real sense of community and belonging, creating an environment where students thrive and discover how to be the best version of themselves.”
Kolawole Olure, chair of the board of trustees, director and president of the students' union, and environmental health graduate

What about student accommodation at UWE Bristol?

The accommodation guarantee at all three campuses (Frenchay, 3,020; Glenside, 376; and City, 1,893) applies only to students who meet the application deadline. In September 2022, about 500 students were left waiting to be housed because of the pressure on spaces, though this event has not been repeated since.

How diverse and inclusive is UWE Bristol?

UWE Bristol is 69th overall in our social inclusion index. Only 7 per cent of its students come from grammar or independent schools and the university ranks in the top 30 for its recruitment of white working class males (6.7 per cent of the intake). Nearly one in five students (18.9 per cent) are from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at UWE Bristol

About 27 per cent of students received financial aid in 2024 in the form of bursaries and scholarships or from the Student Support Fund. The £500 low-income bursary is paid every year of study, subject to annual assessment. There is extra support for students who are parents or carers, or who have left care or are estranged from their families. Subject-specific or individually funded scholarships are also offered, based on merit and widening participation criteria.