Category: Student life

Sticking to your budget during the first few weeks

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Starting uni is super exciting but it can also be a lot to manage in your first few weeks!

Here are some quick tips to help you find where to grab your groceries, public transport, get tips for making tasty and budget-friendly meals and discover where to get your caffeine fix without breaking the bank.

Local supermarkets: convenient and affordable options

Going to the bigger supermarkets can be the cheapest way to get your food shop as smaller shops can be more expensive. Here are some great options close to Frenchay campus:

ASDA Filton Superstore – located in the Abbeywood Retail Park (between a 15-20 min walk from campus)

Sainsbury’s – located on Fox Den Road (around a 15 min walk from campus)

Lidl – also located on Fox Den Road (10-15 min walk from campus)

Aldi – brand new this June and located on Fox Den Road (roughly a 15 min walk from campus)

While it’s totally up to you where you’d like to shop, Lidl and Aldi tend to be the cheapest followed by Asda then Sainsbury’s (with a Nectar card!).

Navigating Bristol with ease

There are lots of ways to get around Bristol but the cheapest way is using the buses which come right to campus!

First Bus: The main bus operator in Bristol, offering several routes connecting UWE campuses with the city centre and surrounding areas. The First Bus app includes a journey planner and offers live bus times.

Student Bus Pass: Consider purchasing a student bus pass for unlimited travel. First Bus offers term and annual passes at discounted rates for students.

M1/M3/M4 Metrobus: These rapid bus services connect Frenchay Campus with the city centre and Cribbs Causeway (the local shopping mall). It’s fast, reliable, and runs right through to the early hours to ensure you get back to campus cheaply and safely after a night out.

Food and drink

The cheapest options for food and drink are of course to make your own and bring it to campus but we also know the first weeks of uni can be a little hectic so here’s some quick tips for making your Frenchay ‘on campus’ purchases as cheap as possible!

Coffee: At £1.85 for a latte Greggs is the cheapest option, followed by the independent cafés (The Atrium, The Grill and Wild Kitchen) at £3.05 for a latte. Starbucks and Costa are also available but tend to be the most expensive options.  The Student’s Union is also a fairly cheap option.

The Fresh Fruit and Veg stall located in the Undercroft has a wide selection of fruit, vegetables and salad from local suppliers. Organic and Fairtrade goods are sourced where possible and everything is very reasonably priced and their trademark bowls of fruit or veg are only £1!

And of course, if you have been organised and got yourself to the supermarket, here are some great recipes to get you started!

Budget Recipes: Explore budget-friendly recipes from websites like BBC Good Food or Mob’s Easy & Cheap Student Recipes

How to find part-time work

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Student living costs are at an all time high and 64% of students in 2023 said that their maintenance loan wasn’t enough to cover their living expenses. With that in mind, you may be thinking about getting a part-time job alongside your studies to support yourself financially.

What work can I do?

Anything you like! But if you’re looking for some ideas, here are some popular jobs among students and the pros and cons:

  • Bar work – this can often be flexible enough to fit around your lectures as lots of shifts will be in the evening however the hours can be very late, and customers can be tricky.
  • Service industry – this includes working in cafes, restaurants, fast food chains and hotels. Again, this can often be flexible enough to work around your uni schedule and might even come with perks like free food. However, bear in mind that hours can be long, and you can often be on your feet for hours.
  • Retail – this includes working in a supermarket or shop and can be stacking shelves, helping customers, doing stock takes and working the till. Again, this is flexible work to fit around studies and you can often request more hours over the festive period. However, it can involve lots of weekend work and hours can vary week to week.
  • Tutoring – this involves meeting with younger students and helping them with different topics such as maths, English, science etc. This can often be online so no travel costs and the pay can be much higher than other jobs. However, you’ll need good reliable internet and somewhere that feels private enough to conduct the tutor sessions.  

How do I find work?

Okay so you’ve got an idea of what you’d like to do… how do you find a job?

Get your CV together – if you haven’t got one yet, there are some great free templates you can get online and savethestudent has a great guide to writing a CV. The Careers Team here at UWE are also an excellent resource to help with CV writing, feedback, interview prep and career advice.

Job searching – part time jobs are advertised in lots of different places although this is now mostly online. Here are some places to look:

How do I balance everything?

Balancing a part-time job and studies can be tricky so here are some tips to help you manage:

  • Be clear about what hours you are free/able to work and check if your potential employer can accommodate this.
  • Check with your potential employer if you’re going to be able to take holiday when needed (for example, around exams).
  • Use a planner! Whether it’s on your phone or a paper diary, ensure you plan your week so you know what you’ve got coming up for both uni and work.  
  • Rest and relaxation! Make sure you’ve got time to rest, recuperate and enjoy yourself.

Finally, if you do get a job, remember you are liable to pay Income Tax and National Insurance contributions on your earnings. Also, if you are an EU or International student there may be restrictions on the number of hours you can work and the type of work you can do. Here’s some further info on everything you need to consider.

How to build the ultimate university experience

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Where to start? Well, a good place would be to ask what is the ultimate university experience? Put reaaaaally simply, being at university is a unique experience because there are so many opportunities right at your fingertips.

You probably won’t be in a position again where it’s so easy try a new sport, instrument or hobby and be planning to study abroad whilst also speaking to a careers advisor about an summer internship.

That might sound overwhelming, and you absolutely don’t need to be doing all of these things at once, but if you want to it’s all out there waiting for you!

The ultimate university experience will be unique to you, but is available to everyone, it just takes patience, commitment and a bit of a can-do attitude.

So, we’re here to share tips on how to manage your “build”, starting with the tools and parts you’ll need to get started!

Forget hammers, screwdrivers and tape measures – what you’ll need first, is to make sure you’re fully registered and have access to Blackboard, MYUWE, Outlook and the UWE app. These will allow you to actively engage in university life and more importantly your course.

Taking an active role in your course will really underpin the rest of your time at university. So, prepare for timetable sessions, turn up to lectures and engage with feedback and discussions with your coursemates and tutors. And it goes without saying – complete your assignments!

If anything is holding you back from doing these things make sure you ask for help. There is so much support out there, from study specific guidance and workshops, to support with your mental health.

Once you feel you have your course under control, you’ll then have some time and headspace to think about the other activities which will contribute to your ultimate university experience.

We’ve listed some ideas here but really university is about getting out there and doing it yourself. So, go and find out what’s going on and try new things!

  • Joining a club or society is a great way to meet new people and try new things. And at the start of term there’s so many taster sessions taking place with can give you an insight into what to expect before fully committing. You can also reach out to societies and clubs on social media if you want to find out more.
  • If you’re interested in international travel there are so many different opportunities available to you – including overseas study and volunteering – so make sure you check out our global experiences and get in touch with the team if you have any questions.
  • Already thinking about life after uni? Then make the most of our Careers Service! They organise events, run workshops and you can book 1-2-1 appointments for more support. They also have a brilliant Career Toolkit full of useful resources to help you with your career plans. Why not sign up for one of their events or workshops?
  • You could also boost your employability by considering an internship or placement. Not only does it help you develop your skills and experience, but it’s a fab way to learn more about different workplaces and the direction you want to take your future career.
  • Why not think about giving something back to the community? Volunteering is the perfect way to make the most of your talents, meet new people, and gain new experiences.
  • If your build is going well and you have some thoughts about how the student experience could be improved, why not become a student rep or joining the Student Consultation Panel? Your work can make a real difference for both current and future students.

We could go on and on about all the opportunities available to help build your ultimate university experience, but as we’ve said -this is all about you taking your experience into your own hands and finding out for yourself what the ultimate university experience means to you.

For most people, university life only lasts three or four years, so get out there and do everything you can to really make the most of your time here.

Practical tips for saving money as a student

Author Student Communications | Posted on

If you’re feeling nervous about budgeting while you’re at uni – don’t panic! Here are some simple things you can do to save money while still making the most of everything that UWE Bristol has to offer.

1. Budgeting is key

Creating and sticking to a budget is the first step toward managing your finances at uni. You can download Savethestudent’s free money cheat sheet to get started, or you can use the Blackbullion app which is specifically designed for students (and FREE for UWE students), providing financial education and tools to help you manage your money better.

2. Make the most of student discounts

Take advantage of student discounts available at various retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Invest in a TOTUM card, which offers discounts on food, travel, and more. Additionally, platforms like UNiDAYS and Student Beans provide access to numerous discounts online.

3. Cook at home

Eating out can quickly drain your budget. Save money by cooking at home and meal prepping. Plan your meals for the week, create a shopping list, and stick to it. Buying groceries in bulk and sharing this with friends or flatmates can be a good way to cut costs. There are some amazing cheap recipes out there such as Mob Kitchen’s student recipes.

4. Use public transport

Using public transport can be cost-effective and convenient. UWE offers discounted bus passes through First Bus, providing unlimited travel on most routes around the city. Buses and coaches are usually much cheaper than trains but if trains are your only option, consider investing in a 16-25 Railcard as it offers a third off rail fares.

5. Buy second-hand

Use the UWE library where you can for your textbooks but if you still need to buy books, check sites like eBay or Unidbooks. Things you need for your flat can be bought on Facebook marketplace or the Sustainability Hub on Frenchay campus and of course for clothing, check apps like Vinted or the various charity shops around Bristol.

6. Limit subscription services

Subscription services for streaming, music, and other entertainment can soon add up. Assess which ones you truly need and consider sharing accounts with friends or family to split the cost. Many services also offer student discounts or special rates so don’t forget to use these!

7. Take advantage of free or low cost events

UWE is hosting lots of free events, workshops, and activities for students. These can be great opportunities to socialise without spending lots of money. Keep an eye out on the Student Life webpages, the UWE SU website and the events page! Additionally, if you’re looking to explore the local area, museums, galleries, and cultural sites around Bristol often offer free or discounted entry to students!

Using music to improve your student experience

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Did you know we have a team of Student Experience Coaches here at uni to support you?

They’re available to help you with a whole range of issues that you might be experiencing, including time and workload management, dealing with stress or anxiety, helping you set and achieve your goals and learning how to juggle home and university life.

There are coaches based within each of our schools, and Paul Mahon is the coach working within the School of Computing and Creative Technologies.

He hosts drop-in sessions at Frenchay Library (Level 2) Monday to Friday, 11:00 to 14:00. Alternatively, email at experiencecoach@uwe.ac.uk

He’s keen to help you draw on your hobbies and interests to help improve your university experience, and has written the below blog post about how he believes music can be a fantastic tool for learning and development.

Paul says: “Here at UWE we see the integration of music into coaching practices as a unique and useful approach to supporting you on your educational journey. Music, with its profound ability to evoke emotions, stimulate creativity, and enhance focus, serves as a valuable ally in the realm of student experience coaching.”

  • Setting the tone for success – Music possesses the remarkable ability to set the tone and atmosphere of a coaching session. By carefully selecting appropriate music, I can create an environment which helps encourage introspection, relaxation, or motivation, depending on what we’re trying to achieve.
  • Facilitating emotional expression and exploration – My work as a coach often involves delving into emotions, aspirations, and obstacles. Here, music serves as a powerful medium for emotional expression and exploration. Certain songs or genres resonate with people on a deeply personal level, allowing them to articulate their feelings and experiences more freely. Through guided listening exercises, I can encourage you to explore your emotions, gain insight into your thought patterns, and develop strategies for emotional regulation and resilience.
  • Boosting creativity and problem-solving – Creativity lies at the heart of both music and effective coaching. Incorporating music into my sessions can stimulate divergent thinking, spark imagination, and inspire innovative solutions to academic and personal challenges. Encouraging you to create a playlist that reflects your goals, aspirations, and moods can foster a sense of ownership and creativity. Additionally, collaborative music-making activities at the Centre for Music, such as singing, jamming, songwriting and improvisation, can cultivate teamwork, communication skills, and adaptability – essential qualities for success in the academic and professional spheres.
  • Enhancing focus and productivity – In an era marked by constant distractions and information overload, maintaining focus and productivity is a common challenge for many of you. Music, particularly instrumental tracks or ambient sounds, can act as a powerful tool for enhancing concentration and cognitive performance. Whether used as background music during study sessions or as a means of transitioning into a state of deep focus, carefully curated playlists can help overcome procrastination, reduce stress, and optimize your learning environment.
  • Fostering connection and community – Music has the innate ability to bring people together and foster a sense of belonging and connection. Joining music-related activities gives you the chance to connect with others, share interests, and build a supportive community.

All students are able to access support from their Student Experience Coach. They offer face-to-face or virtual appointments via MS Teams, so find out more and book your place.

How to recycle at UWE Bristol

Author Student Communications | Posted on

It’s safe to say we are very proud of our campuses and green spaces at UWE. As a university, we are really trying to do our bit for the environment and create areas for wildlife, as well as spaces in which our student community can live, work and play in.
We have the aim of recycling 80% of the waste we produce, and we need your help to hit these targets and keep campuses looking fresh and clean. For us, for you, as well as for our neighbours and for the local critters.

What we need from you

When you joined us at UWE, you agreed to be responsible for the regular removal of waste and recycling from bedrooms and common areas. We don’t want rubbish to build up for you, not only is it unhygienic but it encourages pests and really impacts your enjoyment of your accommodation. We also don’t want poorly-managed waste to be blown across campus, not only does it ruin all of the Ground’s Team hard work, it also impacts the local environment and local communities. We have a great relationship with our neighbours and our mess in their gardens and community bins is really annoying for them.

How to recycle at UWE

  • For the central large industrial bins, please recycle your:
  • Paper, including magazines and newspapers
  • Cardboard
  • Cans for food or drink, foil and metal lids
  • Plastic bottles and other plastic containers
  • Glass bottles and jars (not broken glass)
  • Food waste
  • You can also recycle old batteries at the Frenchay Customer Service Desks.


This recycled waste is then collected from the bins several times a week.


Try not to just chuck rubbish in any old bin! If they are not sorted properly then the entire bin has to go to landfill, which we’d hate to see.


For anything that can’t be recycled (aka general waste) these go in the general bins outside your accommodation. It’s collected on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday.


Remember, please don’t use public or community bins. As we mentioned, we love our next-door neighbours. Filling up their bins or causing a mess is a real nuisance for the local residential areas.

If you want to recycle any other unwanted items that are still in good condition, we have a Sustainability Hub on Frenchay campus that take a range of items including clothing, books, household items and small electrical items. For every item you donate, you get tokens to spend in the hub. Since opening in 2023, over 4,300 items have been swapped – equating to eight tonnes of planet-heating greenhouse gases saved.

As well as this, there are loads of other ways to recycle and consume more sustainability on campus:

  • Placement uniform swap shops at Glenside campus each week
  • Swap shop events on all campuses run by the Students’ Union
  • Tech phone and laptop recycling service (OMS Tech secure drop of point in the Sustainability Hub)
  • Clothes and electrical mending workshops and crafting sessions
  • Vintage clothing shop ‘Pecks Apparel’ to be found on the patio outside OneZone, Frenchay
  • Monthly repair café at the School of Engineering

Are you struggling to recycle?

If you have any problems with your recycling; it’s building up, or you don’t know what to do with it, please report it to the Customer Service Desk or email accommodation@uwe.ac.uk, they will be able to help you out.

Living off campus?

If you live in student accommodation away from campus, your local authority will be the best source of information on how to recycle. When you first move into your accommodation, it’s a good idea to find out when your bin day is and what goes in each bin. You can ask the council to replace lost or broken bins and use their website to find out what you can recycle.

For a guide of what rubbish goes in what bin, visit this link for Bristol City Council and visit this link for South Gloucestershire Council.
Bristol Waste also has this really helpful page just for students.
As a city, Bristol has been number one for recycling rates since 2014. Now you’re one of us, help us hit our targets and keep our city clean.


For more information on sustainability and how to do your bit at UWE, follow this link.

Let’s focus on mental health

Author Student Communications | Posted on

We all know how important the topic of mental health is, and it’s particularly important for uni students.

You might be living away from home for the first time. Trying to juggle your academic studies, socialising and earning some money. Experiencing feelings of overwhelm, stress and loneliness.

All of this means that UWE needs to be doing everything we can to ensure your mental health is one of our top priorities.

Which is why we are one of 96 universities across the UK to have joined the Student Minds University Mental Health Charter Programme. It aims to improve mental health support for both students and staff in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Student Minds is the UK’s student mental health charity and the Charter brings together universities committed to making mental health and wellbeing a university-wide priority to share practice and create cultural change.

It means we can work with these other universities to share good practice and make sure we are doing everything we possibly can to improve our approach to supporting your mental health.

You can read more about it in this news article published when we joined the charter programme.

So, what do we need from you? Well, as part of this work we’re asking you to complete an anonymous online survey to evaluate the charter programme and help shape the future direction of this work. The survey is open until the 1st December 2023.

You can read some further FAQs about this survey below – make sure you check them out before you open the survey.

What is this research project about?

This research is funded by Student Minds. We are exploring how organisations participating in the University Mental Health Charter understand and experience the process. We want to capture this data to feedback to Student Minds and to help them better understand how the Charter is implemented and improve it for future use.

Why have I been invited to take part?

You have been invited to take part because you are a student in an UMHC participating university and your experiences and perspectives are valuable to us in researching and learning about the issues described above. Five universities are participating as case studies, and surveys are being sent to students withing these universities

Do I have to take part?

No. It is your decision whether or not to participate in the research project. You have one week to decide.

What will happen if I take part?

You will be invited to complete an online survey via email, sent to you by the UMHC Staff Lead at your university. By clicking on the link in the email, you will be taken to the survey (which should take about 30 minutes to complete) to talk about and reflect on your experiences of your university and your understanding of the services it provides regarding mental health.

How will information/data be collected?

Information will be collected by Online Surveys.

How will my data be used?

Information collected will be examined and analysed by the research team to provide valuable learning about experiences at universities that are signed up to the University Mental Health Charter.

What measures are in place to protect the anonymity of my data?

Data from these surveys will be compiled into data sets and not attributed to a specific person, but rather compiled data from the university (the surveys are being sent to five participating universities). Surveys are sent out by email by the UMHC Staff Lead and the results stored in Online Surveys are anonymised.

How will my data be stored and what measures are in place to protect its security?

The survey data will be downloaded from Online Surveys, encrypted and stored securely on the UCLan system.

Our data protection guidelines comply fully with GDPR. The University processes personal data as part of its research and teaching activities in accordance with the lawful basis of ‘public task’, and in accordance with the University’s purpose of “advancing education, learning and research for the public benefit”. Under UK data protection legislation, the University acts as the Data Controller for personal data collected as part of the University’s research. The University privacy notice for research participants can be found on the attached link: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/data_protection/privacy-notice-research-participants.php

How long will my data be stored for?

Digital data transferred from paper-based materials will be kept securely for 7 years. As the link to the surveys are sent by email from the UMHC Staff Lead at your university we will not be storing your contact details.

Who will have access to my data?

Three researchers from UCLan will have access to the data.

Will my data be archived for use in other research projects in the future?

No, it will not.

Are there any risks in taking part?

There are no perceived disadvantages or risks involved in participation. If you should experience any distress or discomfort (mental, emotional or physical) or disadvantage as part of the research, you should make this known to the researcher(s) immediately. Should any sensitive subjects arise during survey completion, you can opt out of the study at any time (see ‘What will happen if I want to stop taking part?’) We are not collecting health-related data on participants.

Are there any benefits from taking part?

There are no anticipated benefits to you from taking part. Participants may find the survey engaging and interesting and that they will gain a greater understanding of how they understand the Charter. The results of the survey will also be fed back to Student Minds for their annual report and to help them improve the Charter.

What will happen to the results of the study?

Findings from this research will be published in report(s) which will be made available to participants. They may also be published in journals and, if requested, copies of these articles will also be made available to participants. As explained above, data will be anonymised and not personally attributable to you, and you will not be identifiable from the publicly available findings.

What will happen if I want to stop taking part?

You are free to stop participating at any time by simply closing the browser window the survey is open on your device. You do not need to give any explanation for why you wish to withdraw from the study.

After you click submit the data will be added to the database anonymously, and so it will not be possible to withdraw it, as the data relating to you as you will not be personally identifiable.

What if I am unhappy or if there is a problem?

If you are unhappy with anything to do with the evaluation, or if there is a problem, please feel free to let us know by contacting Dr. Alan Farrier (AFarrier@uclan.ac.uk) and we will try to help. If you remain unhappy, or have a complaint which you feel you cannot come to us with, then please contact the Research Governance Unit at OfficerForEthics@uclan.ac.uk.

The University strives to maintain the highest standards of rigour in the processing of your data. However, if you have any concerns about the way in which the University processes your personal data, it is important that you are aware of your right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office by calling 0303 123 1113.

Who can I contact if I have further questions?

Dr. Alan Farrier (AFarrier@uclan.ac.uk)

Introducing: your MOVE membership

Author Student Communications | Posted on

by Student Communications

There’s lots of benefits of being a UWE Bristol student, but did you know a MOVE membership is one of them – and it’s completely FREE!?

What is the UWE MOVE Programme?

The MOVE Programme offers over 100 FREE activities per week, catering to a wide range of interests. From football to yoga, aerial hoop to swimming, and so much more. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether you’ve done it before or are giving it a go for the first time. Oh, and did we mention it’s also completely FREE for UWE Students!

The best part is you don’t even have to move (pun intended) that far to take part – sessions take place at Frenchay, Glenside and City Campus, as well as a range of facilities across Bristol. It’s all about supporting your physical, mental, and social well-being – the perfect way to stay balanced in your busy student life.

Our programme is designed to provide a relaxed and welcoming environment where you can be yourself, meet like-minded individuals, and discover new passions.

How to get started (it’s super easy!):

It couldn’t be easier for you to dive into your first UWE MOVE experience. To get started, all you need to do is download the UWE Sport app or visit the MOVE website. Simply log in with your email address and PIN code (if you haven’t received it yet, follow this link) – and you’re ready to go!

Once logged in, you can explore the diverse range of activities and reserve your spot in any session that catches your eye. Click on the ‘Book a MOVE session’ tab to view what’s taking place that week; sessions are split into two groups for ease of viewing (Frenchay Campus/around Bristol) – but don’t worry, as a MOVE member you can attend anything you fancy, regardless of which campus you’re studying at.

If you are already a gym member at UWE your PIN number is the same, so no need to request a new one. If you’re having trouble with your PIN code or haven’t received it, you can retrieve your PIN here. Please note, some phones are not compatible with the app. If you are not able to download the app, please use this webpage.

The sessions are tailored to all, so don’t be afraid to try something new! Welcoming instructors will guide you every step of the way.

Remember, it’s all about having fun and being part of a friendly community:

The UWE MOVE team firmly believe that being active should be enjoyable and inclusive. It’s not all about working up a sweat; it’s about forming connections, boosting your well-being, and creating unforgettable memories.

Stay tuned for updates:

Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing exciting updates, including new activities, special events, and ways to get involved. Keep an eye on your inbox and be sure to follow UWE MOVE on social media to stay up to date with the latest news.

If you have any questions or need assistance with anything, feel free to reach out to the friendly team at move@uwe.ac.uk – they’re here to ensure that your UWE MOVE experience is nothing short of extraordinary.

Go and join the MOVEment!

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