University of the West of England, Bristol
Bristol's large, practical modern university, home to the UK's biggest robotics lab with the University of Bristol.
- Students
- 30,220
- International
- 29%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 16.4:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £17,000
- 2027-28
- Founded
- 1992
About UWE Bristol
UWE Bristol became a university in 1992, when Bristol Polytechnic gained university status, but its roots go back to the Society of Merchant Venturers' Navigation School founded in 1595. It is one of the UK's larger universities, with about 30,000 students across three campuses in Bristol: Frenchay, four miles north of the centre, where most students study and live; Glenside, the base for nursing, midwifery and allied health; and City Campus, its creative industries campus at Bower Ashton, Spike Island, Arnolfini and Watershed.
Teaching is organised in three colleges: Arts, Technology and Environment; Business and Law; and Health, Science and Society. UWE is strongly vocational: many courses offer a sandwich placement year, professional accreditation (RIBA Part 1 for Architecture, BPS for Psychology, RAeS for Aerospace Engineering) and hands-on facilities such as a replica hospital ward, mock courtrooms and the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, run jointly with the University of Bristol.
Offers are made in UCAS tariff points, typically 112 to 136 for 2027 entry, and contextual offers are 16 points lower. UWE says 89% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. It suits students who want applied, career-focused study in a big student city.
Light Liberty Learning
University motto
Why students choose UWE Bristol
Bristol Robotics Laboratory, a partnership with the University of Bristol, is the largest research facility of its kind in the UK at over 4,600 square metres.
Sandwich placement years are built into many degrees; Computer Science students have worked at Microsoft, IBM and GCHQ.
UWE is ranked 8th in the UK for filmmaking, film production, animation and photography (Guardian University Guide 2026), taught at City Campus in Bristol's harbourside.
Eligible first-years who apply for housing by the deadline are covered by an accommodation guarantee, with options on campus and in the city centre.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
UWE does not publish an offer rate. Offers are made in UCAS tariff points (for 2027 entry, e.g. 112 for Computer Science, Law and Aerospace Engineering, 120 for Psychology and Filmmaking, 128 for Physiotherapy, 136 for Architecture), and eligible UK applicants get contextual offers 16 points lower.
Typical entry requirements
| UCAS tariff (A-levels, BTEC, IB and others) | Course-specific for 2027 entry: 112 points (e.g. Computer Science, Law, Games Technology, Animation, Aerospace Engineering; equal to BBC at A-level), 120 (Psychology, Filmmaking; BBB), 128 (Physiotherapy; ABB), 136 (Architecture; AAB). AS-levels and the EPQ count towards the total |
|---|---|
| Subject requirements | Most courses need no specific A-level subjects; Aerospace Engineering needs a C in Mathematics plus a science or technology subject, and Physiotherapy a B in Biology, Human Biology or PE |
| GCSEs | Grade C/4 in English for all courses; Maths and/or Science at C/4 for some |
| English language | IELTS 6 Most undergraduate courses: IELTS Academic 6.0 with 5.5 in each component. Physiotherapy: IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in each component. Many other qualifications are accepted in place of IELTS. |
Deadlines
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal consideration deadline for all UWE courses.
- UCAS last date before Clearing Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time
Applications received after this are entered into Clearing, which opens on 2 July 2027; places depend on availability.
Dates are from UWE's 2027-entry application timeline, which matches UCAS. UWE will decide on applications made by 13 January by 12 May 2027. For September 2026, UWE closed international applications to interview courses on 29 June and all others on 3 August; 2027 international deadlines were not yet published.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS (up to five choices) with a personal statement and reference; complete the 'More about you' section, which UWE uses to assess contextual offers. International applicants can also apply through the international admissions team and face credibility checks before a CAS is issued.
What admissions looks for
- The published UCAS tariff points for your course from Level 3 study, with any required subjects at the right grade.
- GCSE English at grade C/4 (and Maths or Science for some courses).
- For interview courses such as Nursing and Physiotherapy, performance at interview; for creative courses, a digital portfolio if you are not studying a related subject.
- Evidence of personal, professional or educational experience if you don't quite meet the standard entry requirements.
Tips for applying to UWE Bristol
- 1 Fill in the 'More about you' section on UCAS fully: it is how UWE decides whether to lower your offer by 16 tariff points.
- 2 Contextual offer holders can apply for the Wallscourt Scholarship (£2,000 over three years, 15 awards) and join a three-day Summer School on Frenchay Campus.
- 3 If you are not studying an art or media subject, have a digital portfolio ready for Animation or Filmmaking.
- 4 International applicants are automatically considered for scholarships of up to £4,000 in the first year, or can be invited to apply for the Global Success Scholarship (up to £9,000 over three years).
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
UK students with household income of £25,000 or less receive the UWE Low Income Bursary of £500 a year, assessed automatically through Student Finance; there are also Childcare and UWE Cares bursaries (£1,650). Contextual offer holders can apply for the Wallscourt Scholarship. International students are automatically considered for International Student Scholarships of up to £4,000 (first year only) and may be invited to apply for the Global Success Scholarship (£2,500, £3,000 and £3,500 over three years).
- £500 per year (household income £25,000 or less)
- UWE Low Income Bursary
- £2,000 over three years, 15 contextual offer holders
- Wallscourt Scholarship
- Up to £4,000, first year only, no application needed
- International Student Scholarship
- Up to £9,000 over three years
- Global Success Scholarship (international)
Academics
Aerospace Engineering (BEng, H403)
Accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society as meeting the CEng academic requirement in full; UWE has had a flight simulator since 2002; 112 tariff points.
Architecture (BSc, K100)
RIBA Part 1 accredited, with studio work and live projects; the most demanding entry at 136 tariff points.
Computer Science (BSc, G400)
Optional sandwich year with placements at firms such as Microsoft, IBM and GCHQ in Bristol's tech cluster; 112 tariff points.
Filmmaking (BA, W293) and Animation (BA, W615)
Taught at City Campus with industry-standard film, stop-motion and CGI studios; 8th in the UK for the subject area (Guardian 2026).
Physiotherapy (BSc, B160)
Taught at Glenside Campus with a replica hospital ward; entry needs 128 points, a B in Biology, Human Biology or PE, and an interview.
Psychology (BSc, C800)
Accredited by the British Psychological Society, giving eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership; 120 tariff points.
Research
- Bristol Robotics Laboratory, run with the University of Bristol, has a 16,000-litre test pool, a flying arena and three Vicon 3D positioning systems.
- 84% of UWE's research impact was rated world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021.
- The Envirotron greenhouse supports research on biodiversity, conservation, environmental change and food security.
- The Skills and Simulation Centre at Glenside Campus has a replica hospital ward with consultation rooms and a maternity and children's unit, using NHS equipment.
Schools & faculties
- College of Arts, Technology and Environment
- College of Business and Law
- College of Health, Science and Society
- School of Architecture and Environment
- School of Arts
- School of Computing and Creative Technologies
- School of Engineering
- Bristol Business School
- Bristol Law School
- School of Health and Social Wellbeing
- School of Applied Sciences
- School of Social Sciences
89% of UWE graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23, published 2025).
Student life
Most students study and live at Frenchay, a self-contained campus with the Students' Union building, the Centre for Sport with a climbing wall, the Bristol Business School and a large student village. Creative students are based at City Campus, close to the harbourside, and health students at Glenside. The Students' Union runs about 160 societies and sports clubs, Team UWE Bristol fields more than 40 sports clubs, and the Centre for Music, free for students, has over 2,000 members. The Metrobus links Frenchay to the city centre in about 15 minutes.
- About 160 Students' Union societies and sports clubs, from football to pole fitness and Quidditch.
- Free MOVE membership with over 100 weekly sport and fitness sessions.
- Centre for Music with subsidised lessons, rehearsal and recording space, free to join.
- Performance Sport programme with sports scholarships.
Housing. First-year students who have firmly accepted an offer and apply through the Accommodation Portal before the guarantee deadline (1 July for 2026 entry) and meet its terms are guaranteed a room in UWE Bristol accommodation at Frenchay, Glenside or in the city centre; most contracts run 42 weeks.
Location
Bristol is a large, creative city in south-west England with a busy harbourside, a strong tech and aerospace industry and a lively music scene. Frenchay Campus is four miles north of the centre, about 15 minutes by Metrobus, while City Campus sites such as Arnolfini, Spike Island and Watershed are in the harbourside arts quarter. UWE estimates living costs at £14,000-£15,000 a year.
Nearest airport: Bristol Airport (BRS)
Notable alumni
- MH Miranda HartComedian and actor; political science graduate
- RH Russell HowardComedian and TV presenter; studied economics
- PR Pete ReedThree-time Olympic champion rower; studied mechanical engineering
- SA Silas AdekunleRobotics entrepreneur (Reach Robotics); first-class degree in robotics
- LC Leung Chun-yingFormer Chief Executive of Hong Kong; studied valuation and estate management at Bristol Polytechnic
- DP Dawn PrimaroloFormer Labour MP and Deputy Speaker; social science degree from Bristol Polytechnic
- KM Kate MaloneCeramic artist and Great Pottery Throw Down judge; studied at Bristol Polytechnic
- SC Samantha CameronBusinesswoman and designer; studied fine art
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for UWE Bristol?
UWE makes offers in UCAS tariff points: for 2027 entry, 112 points (BBC at A-level) for courses such as Computer Science and Law, up to 128 for Physiotherapy and 136 for Architecture. Eligible UK applicants get contextual offers 16 points lower.
How much are UWE Bristol fees for international students?
The latest published international fee is £17,000 a year for 2026/27, the same across undergraduate courses. International students are automatically considered for scholarships of up to £4,000 in the first year.
What is the UWE application deadline for 2027 entry?
Apply through UCAS by 13 January 2027 (18:00 UK time) for equal consideration. Applications after that are considered if places remain, up to 30 June 2027, before Clearing.
Does UWE Bristol guarantee accommodation?
Yes, for eligible new first-years who firmly accept an offer and apply for accommodation before the guarantee deadline (1 July for 2026 entry).
Is UWE Bristol the same as the University of Bristol?
No. UWE is a separate university, formerly Bristol Polytechnic, based mainly at Frenchay. The two do run the Bristol Robotics Laboratory together.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to UWE Bristol in the QS World University Rankings 2027.