Why I chose to stay at UWE Bristol for postgraduate study

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By Hannah, UWE Bristol graduate

Hannah joined UWE Bristol in 2019 to study BA(Hons) English Language and Linguistics, graduating in 2022. Here she shares why she decided on UWE Bristol for her Master’s in Digital Marketing and why it made sense for her to stay here for postgraduate study.

Choosing postgrad study to support my career direction

By the end of my undergraduate course, I’d become interested in a career in marketing, so I started considering marketing courses at postgraduate level. I talked to academic staff for advice on which course would suit my career aims best. They were so helpful in my decision making and soon after I applied to study a Master’s in Digital Marketing at UWE Bristol.

I wanted to go straight from my undergraduate to my postgraduate degree without time out because I knew which career I was aiming for and wanted to move towards this. Also, I felt it might be harder to come back to study if I started working first, so I was keen to stay in the studying mindset for another year.

My dream career

My dream career is to work in marketing in the exciting, fast-paced world of F1. I’m super motivated by my goal as I love everything about F1. The marketing is so rich considering all the sponsors, car design, race suits, the special liveries. It would also be a dream to travel around the world following race cars during the season. F1 is a spectacle so marketing plays a huge role and it’s something I can’t wait to get involved in.

How my master’s will support me to get into my dream career

As an incredibly competitive, male-dominated industry, I knew it would be tough to break into F1, so I realised a master’s would give me the edge. Having now completed my course, I’m confident it has. I have all the skills I need to step into a high-pressure marketing role in F1.

With the sport having a high reliance on technology, I think the digital focus of my qualification will add value to my CV. I’ve also gained useful skills such as Photoshop, web design, and search engine optimisation tactics.

Plus, I created a marketing portfolio to showcase my best work, which is something I can take to interviews to show employers what I can achieve. I’m confident all that I’ve learnt will stand me in good stead when applying for F1 jobs.

“As an incredibly competitive, male-dominated industry, I knew it would be tough to break into F1, so I realised a master’s would give me the edge.”

Why go anywhere else?

When I was thinking about where to study at postgrad level, I realised I felt happy and settled in Bristol already. I’d fallen in love with the city; I had an amazing group of friends; a lovely place to live. I’d created this great student life that I loved. So, when I found the right postgrad course for me at UWE Bristol, the question dawned on me, ‘why go anywhere else?’

Everything I needed was here and by staying at UWE Bristol I could move seamlessly into postgrad study. That really appealed to me, and I know now that I made the right decision as it helped me to excel at my course.

“I’d created this great student life that I loved. So, when I found the right postgrad course for me at UWE Bristol, the question dawned on me ‘why go anywhere else?’ “

What studying at master’s level has given me

While I enjoyed my undergrad, I would say I loved my postgrad. In your undergrad you learn great skills, but a master’s takes you to the next level and prepares you for your career. I felt really connected to my course and I’ve learned even more at master’s level. A master’s can really set you apart from the competition too, giving you the edge so you stand out from others.

What’s next for me?

Now that I’ve finished my master’s, I’m looking to get work experience with a reputable brand in F1. I can’t wait to break into the industry. I look forward to updating you in the future on my progress. Watch this space!”

Why I love studying at UWE Bristol

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By Abigail, BA(Hons) Sociology

From the moment I stepped onto UWE Bristol’s Frenchay Campus at an Open Day, I knew that this University was the perfect place for me.

A connected student community

The first thing that stood out to me was the sense of community. As UWE Bristol is a campus university, everything is all in one place and it feels like its own little community of students. All buildings are within walking distance of one another, which makes rolling out of bed ten minutes before a lecture possible. The campus has fantastic facilities including the Students’ Union shop which stocks all the essentials, the Centre for Sport, the Health Centre, several food and drink outlets such as Greggs, Subway, Starbucks, the Atrium Café and The Grill, and the Students’ Union itself.

Getting involved at the Students’ Union

During my time at UWE Bristol, I’ve spent a lot of time at the Students’ Union. Regular events for students are held there, with some highlights being the quiz nights, drag shows and sports event screenings. The Student Life team also put on events all throughout the year, with the aim of bringing the student community together. These events include free or discounted trips to attractions in Bristol, such as Ninja Warrior, the Harbourside and the Bristol Hippodrome, as well as events on campus, including pizza and games nights.

Before coming to university, one of my biggest worries was that I would feel lonely or that I would struggle to meet people with similar interests, however, I was proved wrong. There is always an event or an activity happening on campus and there is always something for everyone.

There is always an event or an activity happening on campus and there is always something for everyone.

Within walking distance of Frenchay Campus, there are a number of large supermarkets and restaurants, as well as two shopping centres (Cabot Circus and Cribbs Causeway) a short bus journey away. Activities such as bowling, mini golf and the cinema are also nearby, which can be used as a great icebreaker when getting to know new friends.

My accommodation on campus

During my first year at UWE Bristol, I lived in on-campus accommodation at the Student Village. Student Village accommodation consists of flats of six en-suite bedrooms and a communal kitchen/living area. This accommodation was very sociable, and the communal courtyards in between the different accommodation blocks meant that it was easy to meet people from different flats as well as your own.

The accommodation felt safe and secure with card access to all buildings, flats and individual bedrooms, and there were always numbers to call or staff to speak to if there was a problem. Also, the ease of walking to the on-campus library from my accommodation meant that after those late-night study sessions, it was never a long walk back.

My course

Another highlight of my time here was the course itself. I studied BA(Hons) Sociology, beginning the course in the middle of Covid-19. The support from all academic staff during my entire course was fantastic, and they have an open-door policy with their students. It was clear that the academic staff saw the importance of forming positive relationships with the students, as well as amongst the students themselves, as my course leader often arranged course events including meals, theatre visits and course-related trips to Bristol city centre.

The support from all the academic staff during my entire course was fantastic.

The main thing that drew me to this course specifically was that the modules are developed and tailored to suit the interests of both the students and lecturers. The lecture content allowed for flexibility, depending on what the students were interested in. Also the lecturers were always super passionate about their subject – a great way to keep students engaged.

Assignment styles are also structured to suit all abilities, including presentations, essays, blogs and case studies. As someone who did not get on with formal exams in my Sixth Form, this was ideal for me. I always felt valued and respected by all staff at UWE Bristol, and students’ interests were always put first.

Living in Bristol

Bristol played a large role in my university experience too. It’s such a diverse city. From the amazing nightlife to the quaint cafés, the restaurants and bars and the museums and art, there is something for everyone. I have really enjoyed exploring a new city, and I’m still finding new things to do and see in and around the city.

Bristol played a large role in my university experience too.

Throughout the year, Bristol holds a range of events including the famous Bristol Balloon Fiesta, the Harbourside Festival, Bristol Pride, the Light Festival, and Bristol Sounds. Coming from a small market town, it’s been great to attend some of these large-scale events and really immerse myself in city life.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Bristol also has a wide range of green spaces, such as Clifton Downs (with incredible views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge), Brandon Hill, and Ashton Court Estate. Closer to Frenchay Campus, Stoke Park and Snuff Mills there are also lovely green spaces – the perfect place for a walk to de-stress from the academic pressures of university.  

My biggest piece of advice to anyone applying for university is to attend an Open Day if you can. Before visiting UWE Bristol, I had no idea where I wanted to go, but visiting the University gave me a gut feeling that this was the place for me. I’m happy to confirm that this feeling was right. Everything I’ve mentioned in this blog has contributed to the fantastic experience I’ve had at UWE Bristol, and I hope gives you an idea of what life at UWE Bristol is like.

My biggest piece of advice to anyone applying for university is to attend an Open Day if you can.

Discover more about student life at UWE Bristol.

Why I love living in Bristol

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By Laura, MSc Science Communication student

MSc Science Communication student, Laura, shares what she loves about living in Bristol.

“During my six years studying in Bristol, I’ve got to know the area well and I’d love to tell you about some of my favourite parts of the city.

A city full of green spaces

Firstly, Bristol has loads of green spaces. My top three are Stoke Park, Blaise Castle Estate, and Ashton Court Estate. Stoke Park is full of woodlands and green fields. I regularly go foraging in the woodlands for plants such as wild garlic as it’s a great topping for nachos (top tip: when foraging only take what you need).

In the summer, Stoke Park is a beautiful place for a picnic where you can enjoy wonderful views while soaking up the sun. Plus, there’s an area in the park where goats roam, and if you’re lucky they’ll come and say hello so you can get your animal fix.

Blaise Castle Estate is a little further than Stoke Park from Frenchay Campus, but it’s worth the journey. The castle sits in the gardens on top of a hill surrounded by woodland, and my favourite spot – an out crop that overlooks a valley – is near here. I’ve spent many evenings watching the sky change from blue to red as the sun sets. It’s a very calming place to go whenever you need some time out.

Ashton Court is in the south of Bristol, and I love visiting during spring to watch the deer as they shed their antlers. There’s also a lovely café there selling cakes and sandwiches, which always go down nicely after a walk.

A cycling city

As well as having plenty of green spaces, Bristol also has lots of cycle lanes and paths so it’s easy to get around in a cheap and environmentally friendly way. The Strawberry line is one of my favourite cycle paths. It’s an old railway line that runs for 9 miles. I cycled along it with a friend, on our way to Cheddar Gorge, and it felt like we were cycling through another world as we passed lots of flowers, birds, and butterflies on both sides of the track.

Fun outdoor activities

About a 30-minute drive from Bristol city centre is Clevedon tidal pool, which is a free outdoor swimming pool overlooking the sea. One cold February day, I even plucked up the courage to have a plunge in the tidal pool with a friend. It was freezing cold, so we were only in the water for a few minutes, but it was such good fun – and it was amazing to look out into the sea as we were swimming.

Independent shopping

Finally, Gloucester Road is one of my favourite roads ever. You could go for ten days out on Gloucester Road and each of them would be different. It’s known for being one of the biggest independent high streets in Europe – it’s full of quirky cafés, pubs, charity shops and many other independent businesses.

My favourite Gloucester Road day out is a charity shop crawl. For this, I need to keep a whole day free as there are at least fifteen charity shops. The shops all have different vibes too so there are loads of different treasures to be found. There’s everything from high-end charity shops which are great for brands, to budget shops where you’ll find plenty of bargains.

This blog only really scratches the surface of the adventures you can have in Bristol, but I hope that I’ve given you a good idea of what it’s like to be a student in such a unique city.”

Experience UWE Bristol through the eyes of our students

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Welcome to our student views blog

Choosing where you want to spend the next three years of your life – or longer – isn’t easy. So you need an opinion you can trust. You’ll want to hear from the students who actually study here.

Our eager team of students have joined together to tell you about their experiences of living and studying at UWE Bristol.

Through a series of podcast, blogs and short films they’ll tell you about the whole university experience in their own words. From the clubs and societies they’ve joined, to living in Bristol and the accommodation and facilities on offer here. Find out how they felt about coming to university at the start, the challenges they may have faced and the advice they have to offer.

Keep an eye out for regular posts and articles designed to help you experience UWE Bristol through the eyes of our students and give you an insight into what it’s really like to study here.

 

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