If you’ve secured a place at UWE Bristol (congrats!) then you might already know a bit about our amazing city and all it has to offer.
As a Student Comms team, we’ve got over 40 years’ experience living in Bristol, and in this time the city has been through big changes. If you haven’t had a chance to visit yet – and especially if you’ve found your way to us through clearing – we thought we’d introduce Bristol and why we love it so much.
1. Be a tourist and check out the sights 📸
Make your friends from home jealous by sharing selfies with our world-famous landmarks. Marvel at Clifton Suspension Bridge, get a few snaps in Clifton Wood, or have a peaceful moment at Arnos Vale Cemetery. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is not only a mean feat of engineering but provides the perfect backdrop for that “I’ve arrived in Bristol!” selfie – it’s what Brunel would’ve wanted 😉
Bristol is over 650 years old, and with that history comes so much to explore. You could check out Cabot Tower, set in the beautiful parkland of Brandon Hill (climb the tower itself for unrivalled views of the city) and the iconic Bristol harbourside – home to the S.S. Great Britain.
Known for quirky independents to Michelin-starred gems, Bristol has it all! There’s a strong focus on local, organic and ethical food. Grab some of Bristol’s best street food at St. Nicks Market or head to Cargo at Wapping Wharf – home to a host of independent eateries.
4. Get out in nature
Bristol is overflowing with green spaces to chill, study and meet friends in. Countryside surrounds the city on all sides and in-between – highlights close to our campuses include the beautiful Ashton Court, Stoke Park and Snuff Mills, and in the city centre, Queen Square, Victoria Park and the Downs are all worth a visit.
5. Connect to local culture
Street art, museums, history – Bristol’s culture is as vibrant and diverse as our city is. Get to know the heart of Bristol by catching an independent film at Watershed, seeing some live jazz at The Old Juke; or booking yourself onto a Banksy walking tour to get those snaps for the grid.
6. Get to a festival (there’s one for pretty much everything)
From big clubs with top DJs to gigs, underground speakeasies, regular comedy nights and karaoke – and a huge LGBTQ+ scene – Bristol nightlife is lit! Bristol’s also been awarded the Purple Flag status in recognition of our efforts to keep our city a vibrant and safe place to enjoy at night.
8. Take up a new sport
Across the city you’ll find opportunities for climbing, sailing, cycling and so much more. We recommend trying your hand at paddle boarding down the harbour or heading to the outskirts of the city where you’ll find The Wave; a popular year-round inland-surfing destination. Ashton Gate Stadium also houses Bristol City Football club and Bristol Bears if you want to cheer on our local teams!
9. Shop independent
Gloucester Road, Stokes Croft and Montpelier fall just outside the main city and are a lively hub for student life, lined with vintage shops, quirky cafés and a Banksy or two. Head to North Street in Bedminster for tonnes of urban art, and the Tobacco Factory Market on Sundays for ethical and eco-friendly goods, food and drink, craft and art stalls.
10. Adopt a bit of the local slang
Well, Bristol is known for being diverse, independent, creative and, most importantly, super friendly. Catchphrases you’ll hear out and about are “Cheers drive” for any form of transport; “Alright my loverrr” as a standard greeting; and “Shipshape and Bristol fashion” for when things are in good order – such as like your study notes, timetable, your (sustainable) out-out wardrobe…
Wanna explore further?
You can find out more about all the places we’ve mentioned on the Visit Bristol website.
We hope you’ll have fun exploring our – wait – your city. Share your pics with us by using #HelloUWEBristol 📸
You’re here – you did it! We get how daunting it can feel once you’ve waved your parents off and you’re all moved in, often on your own for the first time. But don’t worry, this next chapter is going to be a good one and we’ve got you!
Feeling nervous or unsure about things during the first few weeks at university is expected and very common. Everyone’s heard of Freshers as a great way to meet your peers and celebrate the start of your uni adventure. At UWE Bristol, we also have Starting Block, a fortnight of events and activities during September to help you get settled and make sure you have the best start to university life.
What to expect during Starting Block
Starting Block is tailored to your programme and gives you a chance to get to know your campus, meet the academic team and other students on the programme. It’s a time you’ll become part of the UWE Bristol community. And this year, we’re going BIG with a festival 🥳🙌🏼
But before you get too excited, below are some things you still need to do before attending Starting Block:
Log in to Blackboard
Complete enrolment in MYUWE and view your timetable to see where you need to be and when
Check your journey to campus and factor in travel time
Enjoy Starting Block!
Your programme team will provide you with an experience that is exciting, meaningful and completely tailored to your course. Throughout Starting Block, they will host activities and events to:
Help you understand the structure of your programme, such as key course dates and assessment methods
Show you your programme-specific facilities, such as labs or studios
Provide a tour of campus spaces that are relevant to your studies
Make sure you understand all the digital tools you’ll be using as part of your programme
Take you through our foundation blocks – these are core elements to being a student at UWE Bristol.
Activity may include tours of Bristol, group challenges, taster events, quizzes, plus much more!
Hear from Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science graduate and UWE Bristol alumni, Laura, about her experience of Starting Block:
So, what’re you waiting for? Start strong and let’s go!
As part of your learning at UWE Bristol, you’ll be using a mixture of Microsoft Teams and Blackboard, and it will be up to the academic team to decide what works best for your programme.
You’ll have programme and module pages on Blackboard, but you may be asked to use Teams either in class or in your own time for activities such as group work, discussion boards, presentations or quizzes. Teams will also be the platform for any virtual lectures or teaching sessions.
Don’t panic –there is plenty of support on how to use Teams and teaching staff can point you in the direction of appropriate support. You don’t need to create a new account to use Teams, you just use your UWE username and password. To get a head start, you can check out our Using Microsoft Teams on the Study Skills section of our website. There’s also some great online tutorials that walk you through step-by-step:
You’ll also have access to the LinkedIn Learning library of video courses, and if you have any technical issues, you can contact IT Services. If you have other questions such as how to download the Teams app, then you may find our Study Support pages useful.
Benefits of using MS Teams
We’ve researched the best ways to help you learn and we believe that Teams has so many advantages over other platforms, including:
It’s universal – Teams is used in so many workplaces across the world, so getting familiar with it now will allow you to gain useful experience for life after graduation.
It is designed for collaboration, and will help you work with your peers by sharing files, meeting online and sending chat messages.
It comes with a range of tools to help you manage your work, both individually and as a group, such as planners and notebooks.
You can use whiteboards, surveys and quizzes, and other apps that integrate with Teams, so you can learn in a way that works for you.
If you’re going to be heading out on placement, you may need to manage two Teams accounts at the same time – one for UWE and one for your employer. This is pretty straightforward. You just need to log into one site via the desktop app and the other through a browser window. You can read up on this closer to the time, but just something to bear in mind.
Playing by the rules
As always, there are a few ground rules we need you to follow when using Teams, just so we can make sure everyone is safe and happy online.
Be respectful to each other.
Don’t share other people’s photos or personal data without their consent.
Don’t try to pass others’ work off as your own. Even in an informal setting, it is good practice to reference where you have used other people’s work. See UWE guides to referencing and avoiding plagiarism.
If you find out that Teams is not being used in your programme and you would like it to be, then contact the module’s teaching staff for more information.
And if, once your modules start, you’re not really sure what you’re supposed to be doing, then get in touch with your tutor or module leader who will be more than happy to support.
What do you think the University’s policy is towards drugs and alcohol? Do you know what harm reduction means in relation to drugs and alcohol?
And would you know where to go for support if you wanted to know how a certain substance might affect you, or if you wanted to make a change?
These were all questions we asked students to get a better idea of what they understood about the University’s approach to drugs and alcohol.
It turns out many of you don’t know the answers to these questions and unsurprisingly a large number of the students we asked, assumed that the University has a zero-tolerance policy approach to drugs. But we’re here to tell you that that’s not true.
Whilst we recommend you take some time to look at the policy, we’ve created this image summarising what’s in there.
Not knowing the University’s policy could mean that you or your friends might be reluctant to ask for help or access support.
That’s why we run our harm reduction campaign all year round. To open up the conversation about drugs and alcohol and to make sure you know where you can go for support. Especially as we have Becky, our Specialist Drugs and Alcohol Practitioner, who can support you with any aspect of substance use.
The aim of the campaign is to get you to think about substance use, ask yourself questions and judge for yourself whether you need to be safer, make a change or get support.
Because if know the risks you can reduce the harm, so when you see the posters around campus scan the QR code and contact Becky if you want to know more.
The start of the academic year can be a busy time as you get settled into student life at UWE Bristol.
This handy guide features some of the most commonly-asked questions to support new and returning students. And remember, if you still need an answer to your question, submit an enquiry on My Student Life.
After you enrol in MYUWE, you’ll be able to access your timetable. Once enrolled and providing timetables have been published, they will show in MYUWE 3 working days later. Your Starting Block timetable will appear automatically.
New students: If you’ve uploaded a photo to MYUWE, your card will be ready 2 working days later from the campus you study at, unless otherwise advised.
I’m confused by the room numbers – how do I find the right room?
If it says on your timetable you’re going to room 2S706, then you’re looking for 2 – Level 2; S – S Block (all blocks have a block letter outside the entrance); 706 – room number. If you have any problems finding your way around, use this campus map.
If I have a question about something where can I go?
You can find an answer or submit an enquiry on My Student Life. Staff at our InfoPoint will also be happy to help you. You can find it in D Block – 1D11.
Life at City Campus 🎨
Where do I catch a bus to town?
We recommend catching buses from Blackmoors Lane rather than anywhere else as they are much more frequent there.
How do I get between Bower Ashton, Arnolfini and Spike Island?
There’s no UWE parking at Arnolfini or Spike Island, so you might want to consider public transport, cycling or walking. Check out this handy cycling map for guidance. If you need help getting around Bower Ashton you can use this map or our interactive map.
Can I park at Bower Ashton?
There’s very limited parking at Bower. If you’re going to park here, you need a permit. If the car park is full, you can try Ashton Court just up the hill (although that’s not free). There’s no UWE Bristol car parking at Arnolfini or Spike Island – you’ll need to use public car parks.
If I have a question about something where can I go?
You can find an answer or submit an enquiry on My Student Life. Staff at our InfoPoint will also be happy to help you. The Bower Ashton one is B Block, opposite the Art Shop. There’s also one on the fourth floor of the Arnolfini.
How can I print?
You can print ordinary things like A4 black and white via Pharos. You’ll be given £15 on your account at the start of the year.
If you want to print something more specialist, visit the Digital Print Bureau in 0C008.
Where can I use specialist software?
There are loads of opportunities for you to access specialist software, depending on what you need it for. This includes the library, and specialist computer suites in D Block, G Block and B block at Bower Ashton, as well as software at the Arnolfini and Spike Island.
Where can I buy art supplies?
Go wild in the Art Shop! You get an £80 materials allowance each year and you can use it at the Art Shop or the Digital Design Studio.
I’ve lost something – where might it be?
Everything makes its way to the Security office in F Block, check here first! Or email uwecard@uwe.ac.uk to find out if something is there.
Life at Glenside 🏥
I’m so confused by the room numbers – how do I find the right room?
If it says on your timetable you’re going to room 1F06, then you’re looking for 1 – Level 1; F – F Block (all blocks have a block letter outside the entrance); 06 – room number. If you have any problems finding your way around, use this map.
How do I order my placement name badge?
New student: If you’ve completed your online registration, a placement name badge will be ordered for you and it’ll be issued at one of your teaching sessions before you start your simulation skills sessions.
Returning student: If you need a replacement placement name badge, email the team and they’ll order one for you and email you when your badge is ready to collect.
How do I order my placement uniform?
If you’ve completed your online registration in MYUWE, you’ll be emailed details of how to order your placement uniform during induction week. If you’ve registered and haven’t received the email, contact the Information Point.
Are there showers and changing rooms at Glenside?
Yes! These can be found in 1E06 and 1E09. You can ask Glenside Reception staff for a code to access the rooms – you’ll need to show your student ID card.
Are there student lockers at Glenside?
Lockers for short term use are available in the changing rooms in 1E06 and 1E09. To hire a locker for long term use, please email travel.plan@uwe.ac.uk to request one.
I’ve just started my course at Glenside – I applied for the NHS LSF Training Grant, when will I receive my first payment?
You’ll receive it in November, if:
you started your course in September
you’ve completed your student online registration.
We’ll confirm your attendance to the NHSBSA in early November to release the funds to you. It can take up to 10 working days for payment to be processed once we’ve confirmed your attendance.
I have a timetabled teaching session in room 0SC014 at Glenside – where is it?
0SC014 is located at the back of the Glenside Student Centre (old Student Union) building. It is the big brown wooden building located near car park 10.
How do I contact the Accommodation Office at Glenside?
Glenside Accommodation Service office is located near the Hub in 1H29. Reach them here.
How can I contact Occupational Health Service at Glenside?
If I have a question about something, where can I go?
You can find an answer or submit an enquiry on My Student Life. Staff at our InfoPoint will also be happy to help you. You can find it in Glenside Library in D Block.
Your Course 🎓
I already feel like my course isn’t right for me? Can I switch?
Please don’t rush into a decision, it sometimes takes a while to settle in to university life. First, chat to your programme leader or your academic personal tutor and explain to them what you’re struggling with. They can offer support and guidance. If you’d like more in-depth advice about your options, you can get in touch with a Student Support Adviser.
The Students’ Union runs a student rep system, and ideally look for one student rep for every 25 students on your year of study on your course. They are usually chosen at the start of the academic year, so speak to your programme leader about this if you haven’t already received information about it.
I’m struggling with my course? I feel like I’m behind with the work and need some support.
Use the resources of the UWE Bristol Student Money Service. They have plenty of online information as well as an enquiry form to support and advise you. There are additional resources on Money and Finance, including an enquiry form for tuition fee issues.
My rent is really high and I can’t afford it/I’m struggling with money. What can I do?
Firstly we advise students to apply for all the funding they are eligible for from Student Finance and then apply for the Student Support Fund. Many students also choose to take on part-time work alongside their studies, and sign up to Blackbullion for free money education.
I haven’t managed to find anywhere to live. Who can help me?
Don’t panic – there’s lots of help out there to make sure you find somewhere to live. The Students’ Union can support you, so check out their advice pages.
I’m struggling with my housemates and I really want to move.
I need some help for my mental health. Where can I get the support I need?
If you’re struggling with your mental health and wellbeing then please don’t hesitate in reaching out for support. Download the Wisdom app, which offers live chat and video calls with counsellors. Also check out our Wellbeing Service webpage which includes a range of self-help resources and guidance.
I’m concerned about my drug or alcohol use at the moment, and really feel like I could do with some help.
UWE Bristol does not condone or condemn the use of drugs including alcohol; we are focused on providing students with the knowledge to be safe and feel supported. We operate a policy of harm reduction that prioritises the welfare and wellbeing of our students and wider community. We have a free Drugs and Alcohol Service if you would like support from a professional.
I’m looking for support following sexual assault?
We have an Anti-Sexual Violence Service here at UWE Bristol which provides a non-judgemental, inclusive and confidential safe space for you to seek support if you have experienced sexual trauma of any kind, even if you don’t want to report something.
Disability Support 🫱🏼🫲🏾
I have a disability and feel nervous about how this will be managed during my time at university.
Please don’t be nervous, there is a whole range of support available to you. If you haven’t already done so, make sure you have disclosed your disability to the Disability Service. This Disability Support Guide covers everything you need to know.
I am neurodivergent, and would like to know what support is available to me.
I want to start thinking about my future career, as well as looking for part-time work or internships while I study. Who can help with this?
There are so many opportunities available here for you at UWE Bristol:
You can find part-time and term-time roles that work around your studies by visiting the JobShop.
InfoHub is your first stop for careers advice, job listings, and help finding internships.
I want to start thinking about my career in the creative industries – how can I do this?
Learn how to talk about your creative skills and experience in a way employers understand. We offer regular sessions to explore freelancing, running your own business, building your CV, covering letters, and confidence. UWE Careers & Enterprise Padlet
Use our Showcase website to develop your online presence and portfolio.
