University of the West of England

SUMMARY

The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is a public research university located in Bristol in South West England, UK. With a student body numbering in the tens of thousands and a portfolio of undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses, the institution combines a heritage of vocational education dating back to the 16th century with a modern mission centred on research, enterprise and workforce development.

HISTORY

UWE Bristol traces its origins to the Merchant Venturers’ Navigation School, established in 1595, which was the first significant educational foundation in Bristol. Over time, it evolved through several iterations, including the Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Training Institution for School Mistresses in 1853, marking the beginning of more structured educational offerings. In 1894, the Navigation School became the Merchant Venturers’ Technical College, marking the start of formal technical education in the city. This transformation laid the groundwork for UWE’s future role in shaping vocational education.

By the 20th century, the institution was known as Bristol Polytechnic, a polytechnic offering a variety of vocational courses. It continued to grow and diversify, catering to the emerging needs of industry, technology, and education. With the 1992 Further and Higher Education Act, Bristol Polytechnic gained university status and became the University of the West of England. This marked a significant shift as the institution expanded its reach and began offering a broader range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

UWE Bristol continued to grow and diversify its academic offerings. The university expanded by incorporating several health and vocational colleges, including the Avon & Gloucestershire College of Health, and developed multiple campuses, such as the large Frenchay and Glenside campuses. This growth was designed to meet the increasing demand for higher education in the region. The 21st century saw UWE Bristol embark on significant redevelopment and modernisation projects, especially in terms of campus facilities, research, and its global outlook. The university’s emphasis on research excellence grew, particularly in fields such as robotics and sustainability, which were supported by partnerships with local industry and academic institutions.

In recent years, UWE Bristol has made strategic moves to enhance its research capabilities, especially through the establishment of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory in partnership with the University of Bristol. This development underscores the university’s commitment to technological innovation, providing students with cutting-edge resources and opportunities to engage in high-impact research projects. The university’s rebranding efforts and development of new research-led initiatives, such as Strategy 2020, demonstrate UWE Bristol’s ongoing commitment to positioning itself as a global leader in higher education. With an increasing focus on industry collaborations and enterprise, UWE Bristol continues to expand its influence both locally and internationally.

VISION

The vision for UWE Bristol is focused on transforming futures and empowering students to make a difference in the world. It is rooted in the belief that higher education should have a real-world impact. The university aims to provide an inclusive, innovative, and enterprising environment where students, staff, and partners can come together to shape solutions for the future. The founder’s vision for the university emphasised the importance of education that was practical, relevant, and responsive to the needs of industry. UWE Bristol continues to uphold this vision through its focus on employability, hands-on learning, and professional connections. The university remains committed to developing students who are not only academically successful but also capable of thriving in the workplace.

TOP DESIGN COURSES

BA(Hons) Fashion Textiles is an industry-focused course that develops creative, technical and professional skills across fashion and textile design. You’ll explore the full spectrum of fashion textiles, and will have the opportunity to specialise into one of three pathways: Fashion Design, Textile Design or Fashion Textile Futures. You’ll develop studio, technical and digital skills in both fashion and textile design, translating 2D ideas into 3D through garment construction, textile print, knit, embroidery, pattern cutting and fashion futures. Alongside core subject skills, you’ll also gain transferrable ones like collaboration, communication, and project management; work with industry experts on live studio briefs and gain hands-on experience with an optional year in industry or to take part in international exchanges to places like Hong Kong or Berlin; and have access to dedicated studio spaces, specialist workshop facilities, and extensive library resources.

BA(Hons) Interior Design degree teaches you the professional skills you need to work in the interior design industry. You’ll be based at Bower Ashton Studios, as part of City Campus, which includes renowned contemporary arts centres Spike Island, Arnolfini and Watershed. Exceptional facilities and resources include industry standard digital studios and fabrication workshops. This is a technical learning course, with a focus on lighting, heating, ventilation and acoustics. You’ll learn to work with traditional tools and the latest technology, and develop the skills to design lighting, furniture, materials and entire interior projects. Regular guest lectures and events will help you explore work opportunities; develop your own independent projects and follow live briefs set and assessed by professionals in the field.  You can also take on work experience and placements throughout the degree, including international exchange.

PGCE Secondary Art and Design with International Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS) develops your skills in teaching art and design in international schools. UWE Bristol’s iQTS develops committed, collaborative, adaptable and solution-focused teachers, through high-quality training in international spaces. The institute put learners at the heart of teaching, celebrating difference to help transform the lives of children and young people in our global society. Study iQTS (PGCE) Secondary Art and Design (11-16) and you’ll benefit from high-quality, evidence-based training, where you’ll study online and put your learning into practice in the classroom.  The iQTS is a new online, internationally focused teaching qualification launched by the UK Government in 2022. On successful completion, the Department for Education (DfE) in England, will automatically award you Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), qualifying you to teach in schools in England.

JOB INTEGRATION SERVICES

UWE Bristol places a strong emphasis on graduate employability and integrates work experience opportunities throughout its courses. The Careers & Enterprise service plays a pivotal role in supporting students and graduates with job placements, internships, and professional development opportunities. The university maintains close relationships with employers, offering students a direct link to the job market. Through initiatives like the Employer Mentoring Scheme and Careers Fairs, UWE Bristol connects students with top employers in their fields. The university also provides  career guidance, interview coaching, CV workshops, and access to job vacancy databases.

REFERENCES

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17. “Glenside Campus – Campus and facilities | UWE Bristol”. www.uwe.ac.uk.
18. Glenside Museum. Glenside Museum. 
19. “St Mathias Campus, Bristol”. Focus On Design.
20.  “Jeff Clements MBE”. Designer Bookbinders. 
21.  A Terrible Beauty: British Artists in the First World War. Bristol: Sansom and Company.