University of The West of England, Bristol reviews

University of The West of England, Bristol review

University- UWE (The University of the West of England)

Course- BA English Hons

Okay, the REAL facts about the uni and the course are as follows. Ofcourse (before we begin) you have to realise that this is all subjective and bias info, because I happen to love my course and my uni.
Firstly you have to realise that UWE is not set out like a standard university, all our campuses are spread around Bristol, the mother ship being the mighty FRENCHAY Campus, an awe inspiring urban jungle filled with tech-monkeys.

Depending on what course you do, depends on which campus is yours. So, us English students will be at St. Matthias in Fishponds (not a made up name.) ahhh...St. Matts...we share a campus with phycologists, cultural media peeps and drama thesbo's.

It truly is the campus for the camp...there are no techni-mathematical-computer-business-scientific gimps here...oh no, this is a campus for the sensible people. The campus is about the size of two football pitches, on it there is a big scandinavian looking library, several computer rooms, a gym (when I say gym I mean an big empty room with a varnished wooden floor) a reception and ofcourse a bar.
There are loads of clubs and societies in the uni, and the following train/practise at St.Matts- break-dancing, trampolining, jiu-jitsu, tai kwondo, cheer-leading, fencing, aerobics and football.

The course
The degree is marked equally over your 2nd and 3rd year. You choose four modules in the 2nd year, two of which will be 'core' modules, passed core modules have been- Shakespeare, Renaissance Lit, Realism and Naturalism, Modern and Postmodern...but new ones will probably be added or swapped.

In the 3rd year you choose four more modules, you pick two more core modules...one of which is usually your da da daaaa...Dissertation module!! The rules and regulations of the core modules to differ from year to year. Anyway, your degree rests on the outcome of all these modules, but you are marked out of 7 (your weakest module is dropped)

English is fantastic, but it is hard work. Although it seems that you do not put the time in on campus (english students have 8 hrs a week) You are expected to do a lot of primary and secondary reading. The thing I most liked was the uni were not afraid to experiment with new ideas in thinking about literature, not only did we study the old greats but we were also allowed to experiment through creative and imitative writing modules, Drama modules and more modern and contemporary modules like Children's Literature or Sex Gender and Sexuality in writing. I guarentee you will learn something new, it is has been a brilliant degree!

Okay enough, now the night-life!!...No other place I have been to in England compares with the Bristol nightlife. It matches and even surpasses London, because it is SO much cheaper. Remember that our uni has 22,000 people in it, plus the students from Bristol University make our city the most student friendly one in the nightlife department. If your into your Nu Metal there's the Bier Keller among others, if you like your Hip-Hop and R&B give Thursday nights at the Bristol Academy a go, if you like your Chart and Cheese its the Works on Tuesday, if you want Drum and Base its gotta be Creations or the Bar Latino. You want pubs? We got pubs. You want bars?...we got bars. Infact we have EVERYTHING...plus a night bus home!!!

TOP TIP

When you first leave all your school mates and you start comparing your uni life to theirs, yours will probably be a bit different because of the fact that you are not always "on campus." You will have explored and got to grips with Bristol way before your other mates even leave their Halls of Residence. The thing is, you can not expect everything handed on a plate. You have to realise that uni will work for you if you want it to work, but you have to be willing to put in the effort with your course, your new friends and your city. And remember, university life is not for everyone, the majority of people like it, but that doesnt meet YOU will or have to. EXPECT NOTHING, EXCEPT WHAT YOU PUT INTO THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

University of The West of England, Bristol review

At this point in time many students, myself included, are in the run up to finals. After 4 years at UWE (including placement year) its seems like a true drawing to the end of an era. University has been an experience well worth it. From the ease and drunken stuppors of the first year to the 'brain melting mental torture' of the final year, the highs and lows level out to an unforgetable experience (not to mention the end degree).
For those looking at science, UWE is an excellent choice. Its courses are run in a modular manor that makes it much easier to grasp and manage. In addition to this, this modualr system allows flexibilty in your degree itself. I myself started out studying Biomedical Sciences but after difficulties with a disliked module I was able to choose and alternative module and side shift to another equally relevant degree path.
The sciences here are strongly practically based and the lecturers aim to put them into context where and when ever possible. Due to this, it makes understanding for use in a career in science much stronger.
The staff as a whole are friendly and helpfull. Ok, you'll most likely get the odd one or two not so nice/normal staff members throughout your time here but that can be said for anywhere. However, the overall atmosphere is pretty relaxed and friendly.
The main Frenchay campus has multiple bars and has many regular events organised through the Students Union. These are well worth going to at least once in a while. However, if these are not your seen there is plenty more to do in Bristol itself. The city has much to offer from its many pubs and clubs and catters for a wide range of past time tastes. Transport around town, as with many cities, is some what hit and miss. The local bus company provides a reasonable service as best as any really can but obviously congestion and large numbers of people, as with any built up environment, makes this seem some what lacking to the less than patient. Student digs are locatable all over Bristol and so offer solutions to these transport requirements. Either live in Filton, Horfield or other such regions close to Uni and simply deal with the wait for a bus or taxi fair when going out or live nearer town and the night life (although this may result in a considerable number of early lectures being missed - no matter how good your best intentions may start out as). My personal advice with regards to transport for any student (not just those contemplating UWE) is bring/get a bike (and a good bike lock).
The only real fault I have found while at UWE is that of the sports facilities, or rather the lack of them. If you are more than keen on your sports your may wish to think twice about UWE. While the clubs are run by truely devout student members and still manage to compete nationally and even internationally with a respectable level of sucsess they do so with relatively little help from the University itself. The facilities are virtually non-existant and the University seems to have no regard for the improvement of this situation. If you interest in sports is purely as an extra curricula past time and a means to meet and hang out with like minded people then that however is here. The way the clubs are run by the students themselves means that they are pulled together through group work and mutual effort, which is probably their largest asset, further pushing the competitive levels of such struggling clubs.

Ultimatly, my best advice to up and coming students is : Get your arse to open days and have a look. While there have a look at the study facilities and talk to staff. However, also look for the bars, talk to students around campus and get into the surrounding areas and see what its all like. Go for whole days or two if possible. Remember, this decision will decide where you'll be for much of the next 3 years + of your life so have a good look to ensure you'll be productive and happy.

University of The West of England, Bristol review

I've found that my university has been really supportive towards my needs, through teaching, studying and non-academic needs. I throughly recommend bristol as a city as well. The scene for drum and bass is second to none including London (where i am from origianlly). It caters for all needs, its big enough to do everything but at the same time giving the feel of a town. If you a country person it is definitely worth considering with plenty of places to get away from the city, in the city.
If i was to do it again i would stay in bristol. I love it.