University of the West of England

COVID update

Applications for the autumn intake at UWE are still open and the university is working hard to make sure no applicants are negatively impacted by the institution’s current closure or exam delays.

UWE Bristol is closely monitoring the situation with attention given to factors which may impact on future students and the university is taking precautions to support students during this time.

A wider number of English tests will be accepted by the university across the next intakes, including LanguageCert and Duolingo. The university will also be offering all offer holders free UWE online English tests.

Pre-Sessional English Programmes have been moved online to support students across global time zones and full refunds will be offered to any student who is unable to join due to COVID-19.

Scholarships will still be available to international students and are based on a number of merit-based qualifying activities. For up to date information, applicants can visit UWE Bristol’s COVID-19 FAQ’s.

University Growth and Improvements

UWE Bristol is continuously improving its offering to students, both in terms of teaching and courses, and the campus environment. With over GBP 300 million being invested in facilities onsite up to 2020, including:

• GBP 7 million redevelopment of the university’s science labs, for student research and undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
• GBP 55 million investment in a new business school building, which will offer 5,500 students the opportunity to gain hands on experience and work in a collaborative space.
• GBP 5 million investment in a new optometry and clinical skills centre, providing students with a practical learning space for trainee optometrists, paramedics and occupational therapy.
• Over GBP 10 million investment in the university’s City campus bringing cutting edge resources for the universities award winning film studios.

UWE Bristol offers over 600 courses across a huge breadth of subjects, at undergraduate, postgraduate, professional or short course level, and teaching across these disciplines is rated as excellent. UWE Bristol was awarded a gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework, the highest standard available. The university’s expert academics are leaders in their field, and a number of them have been awarded National Teaching Fellowships to recognise their work.

As well as dedicated staff, UWE Bristol provides excellent facilities to support students in a productive learning environment, from libraries and work spaces to practical laboratories. There are also extensive online resources, and mentoring and tutoring options that can help students tailor support to their academic needs.

All this has led to excellent feedback in student surveys, with 88 per cent of students satisfied with their university experience (National Student Survey 2019), placing it in the top ten of all UK universities. UWE Bristol is continuously improving this offer to students through its Learning 2020 agenda, a series of aspirations to ensure teaching continues to be of the highest standard. With focuses on innovative learning environments, building communities and practice-based learning, it puts student needs at the heart of the university’s offering.

There are fourteen departments at UWE Bristol across four faculties:

Arts, Creative Industries and Education

The faculty has 6000 students and 445 staff. The department of Art and Design offers courses such as Curating, Graphic Design and Fashion Textiles, and was ranked 4^th in the UK for Filmmaking. The department of Art and Design offers courses including Illustration and Fashion Communication. The department of Creative and Cultural Industries offers courses such as History and Creative and Professional Writing. The department of Education and Childhood courses include Early Childhood Development.

Business and Law

The faculty is based in a GBP 55 million building. The Bristol Business School is home to the Bristol MBA, as well as courses including Marketing, Banking and Finance, and Accounting and Finance. The Bristol Law School prepares students for a future practising law, with courses such as European and International Law and Business and Law.

Environment and Technology

The faculty has over 6000 students and 450 staff. The department of Architecture and the Built Environment offers courses including Architecture, which is ranked 6^th in the UK, Real Estate and interior architecture. The department of Computer Science and Creative Technologies offers courses including Audio and Music Technology and Games Technology. The department of Engineering Design and Mathematics offers courses like Aerospace Engineering and Robotics. The department of Geography and Environmental Management’s courses vary from Data Science to Sustainable Development.

Health and Applied Sciences

The department of Allied Health Professionals includes specialisations in Oncology, Occupational Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation. The department of Applied Sciences offers courses such as Public Health and Forensic Science. The department of Health and Social Sciences offers courses including Criminology and Politics and International Relations.

Entrance requirements vary based on where a student is applying from and what course they are applying for. There are some general guidelines for applying across the university, including English Language requirements:

Undergraduate

Students will need an IELTS score of 6.0 (with 5.5 in each component), a TOEFL iBT score of 80 or above (including a minimum of 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in speaking), a Cambridge CPE or CAE at grade C if taken before 2015 or 169 overall (with no less than 162 in each skill) if after 2015 or a Pearson score of 50 (with at least 51 in each component).

Postgraduate

Students will need an IELTS score of 6.5 (with 5.5 in each component), a TOEFL iBT score of 90 or above (including a minimum of 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in speaking), a Cambridge CPE or CAE at grade C if taken before 2015 or 176 overall (with no less that 162 in each skill) if after 2015, or a Pearson score of 58 (with at least 51 in each component).

A number of other qualifications will also be considered and UWE offers a Pre-Sessional English course for students who don’t meet the requirements.

As well as English proficiency, students will also need to have relevant qualifications, and applicants will need to check by country what qualifications are accepted.

Pathway Courses

UWE works in partnership with Kaplan to offer pathways to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes through the UWE Bristol International college which is integrated into the university campus.

There are a number of scholarships available for international students.

Undergraduate

The International Business Scholarship is awarded to international students who are enrolled on the BA (Hons) International Business Programme. It offers 50 per cent tuition fees for the first year of study to one student, and GBP 1500 off tuition fees to a further four students. Applicants must meet the course requirements, be self-funded and have been offered a place to apply.

Postgraduate

The Chancellor’s and Millennium Scholarships award 50 per cent tuition fees to one student each. The awarded scholar will be required to undertake an internship with the International Office, and contribute as an ambassador for the university.

The MBA Scholarship awards 50 per cent tuition fees for international students undertaking the MBA. Applicants must have at least three years’ experience in an organisation, as well as relevant qualifications and meet English language requirements.

The Faculty of Health and Applied Science MSc Scholarship offers three students 50 per cent tuition fees to undertake study of an eligible MSc in the faculty.

The Faculty of Health and Applied Science’s Dean’s Scholarship offers one student full tuition fees for an eligible MSc in the faculty.

International Sport Scholarship

If you are a high performing athlete, UWE Bristol offers exceptional opportunities to pursue your sporting ambitions with International Sport Scholarships offering 30 per cent tuition fee discount plus a comprehensive performance sport support package. Recipients of this are required to become university ambassadors and perform the associated duties over the course of their programme.

Academic Facilities

The exceptional academic facilities offer students the chance to get practical experience whilst studying their course, and include: animation studios, mock courtrooms, greenhouse, crime scene house, laboratories, games studio and a flight simulator, with new state-of-the-art facilities being added every year.

Libraries

There are libraries on every campus, which are open to all students and include a range of online and print resources. Students also have access to a range of study spaces for both quiet and collaborative work. Frenchay Library is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for student use.

Accommodation

For students who wish to live in university accommodation, there are a range of options available across the campuses at a competitive rate. Living in campus accommodation can be a great way to meet new people and be part of the active community on campus.

Student Union

The Student Union recently had a GBP 10 million investment to move the entire offering to one location on campus. With a bar, café, terraces, meeting areas and seating, it is the heart of student life on campus. Students can join one of the over 140 networks, societies and clubs that are affiliated with the Student Union, a great place to pursue new interests with like-minded people.

Sports

The Centre for Sport has excellent facilities including fitness suites, a sports hall, squash courts, climbing wall and astro pitches. The Hillside Gardens multi-sports pitches opened in 2018, home to the football, lacrosse, rugby and American football teams.