University of the West of England

University of the West of England

Coat of arms
Other names	UWE Bristol, UWE
Motto	Light Liberty Learning.
Type	Public research university
Established	1595 - Merchant Venturers Navigation School[1] 1853 - Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Training Institution for School Mistresses 1894 - Merchant Venturers Technical College[2] 1969 – Bristol Polytechnic 1992 - University Status
Endowment	£2.3 million (2018)
Budget	£379 million (2019/20)
Chancellor	Sir Ian Carruthers
Vice-Chancellor	Steven West
Administrative staff	4,318 (2023)[3]
Students	39,912 (2022/23)[3]
Undergraduates	25,887(2022/23)[3]
Postgraduates	14,025 (2022/23)[3]
Location	Bristol , England, UK 51°30′01″N 2°32′51″W / 51.50021°N 2.54749°W / 51.50021; -2.54749
Campus	Frenchay Campus, City Campus, Glenside Campus, Gloucester Campus[4]
Colours
Affiliations	Bristol Old Vic Theatre School EUA AMBA Universities UK Association of Commonwealth Universities University Alliance
Website	uwe.ac.uk

The University of the West of England (also known as UWE Bristol) is a public research university, located in and around Bristol, England, UK. With more than 39,912 students and 4,300 staff, it is the largest provider of higher education in the South West of England.^[5]

The institution was known as the Bristol Polytechnic in 1969; it received university status in 1992 and became the University of the West of England, Bristol.^[6] In common with the University of Bristol and University of Bath, it can trace its origins to the Merchant Venturers' Technical College, founded as a school in 1595 by the Society of Merchant Venturers.^[7][2]

UWE Bristol is made up of several campuses in Greater Bristol. Frenchay Campus is the largest campus in terms of student numbers, as most of its courses are based there. City campus provides courses in the creative and cultural industries, and is made up of Bower Ashton Studios, Arnolfini, Spike Island, and Watershed. The institution is affiliated with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and validates its higher education courses. Frenchay Campus and Glenside Campus are home to most of the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences.