Tag: student life

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.