Partnership with City of Bristol College to increase university participation for South Bristol
See all newsThe University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and City of Bristol College have signed a partnership agreement that looks to help South Bristol residents get into university. Last year, South Bristol featured at the bottom of UCAS's university take-up league table for the whole of the United Kingdom in terms of young people's progression to higher education.
This partnership is seen as a new opportunity for the city's communities to access university level education through a local further education college. It sets out to support the local economy growth and create a positive long-term impact on plans to regenerate the area of South Bristol.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by UWE Bristol Vice-Chancellor Steve West and Principal and Chief Executive at City of Bristol College Lee Probert on Tuesday set out the establishment of a joint University Centre at the College's Hengrove campus.
School leavers and the College's existing students will be able to access the Centre to receive advice on how to plan for university admission and take advantage of the progression opportunities arising from this partnership. They will also be able to learn about industry-focused opportunities such as apprenticeships through UWE Bristol, City of Bristol College and Bottle Yard Studios, a TV studio facility that hosts a range of productions.
Professor Steve West, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West of England commented: “We are extremely happy to be partnering with City of Bristol College. Our focus will be on South Bristol, which currently has among the lowest take-up rates for higher education in the country. By working with the college, we hope to make the path to University a far smoother one for school leavers and show them that getting into university is a goal that everyone can reach.”
Lee Probert, Principal and Chief Executive at City of Bristol College said: “This is a truly wonderful opportunity to make a real difference to the communities of our city. The collaboration will create wider opportunities for engagement with higher education in South Bristol and signifies an important step in our partnership with the city's biggest university.
“It is our hope that this partnership will make a real difference to people of South Bristol, and provide a chance to study a higher education programme validated by UWE Bristol at the college's state-of-the-art South Bristol Skills Academy in Hengrove.”
Karin Smyth, South Bristol MP commented: “I've worked closely with City of Bristol College over the years, and it's clear to see the crucial role the college plays in post-16 education in Bristol South. This partnership working with UWE Bristol is a brilliant opportunity to help ensure that more young people in Bristol South are able to benefit from a university level education and the subsequent job opportunities it provides.”
Related news
17 September 2024
Repair Café returns to UWE Bristol’s School of Engineering
UWE Bristol’s Repair Café returns this autumn with a special ‘repairs skills day’ on 25 September, ahead of the café reopening monthly from 9 October.
29 July 2024
Student who dedicated his time at university to helping disabled people graduates
A student who has dedicated his time at UWE Bristol to helping people with disabilities has graduated.
16 July 2024
UWE Bristol launches major new suite of online degrees and expands partnership with Skilled Education
UWE Bristol is launching a major new suite of online degrees. In partnership with global experts in online higher education, Skilled Education, students can study Master’s degrees in Data Science, Education Leadership and Human Resource Management entirely online.
05 April 2024
University joins new partnership to combat inequality
UWE Bristol has signed up to a ground-breaking agreement to address inequality and deprivation for Bristol’s low-income communities.
18 January 2024
Funding awarded to UWE Bristol to boost female participation in engineering and construction industries
UWE Bristol will increase numbers of women on engineering and construction degree apprenticeship courses to address industry underrepresentation, supported by funding from the Office for Students (OfS).
17 October 2023
UWE Bristol supports Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition as it returns to Bristol
The world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, opens at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday 21 October.
15 August 2023
Former inmates to benefit from enterprise education course shown to reduce reoffending and boost employment
UWE Bristol has successfully secured funding from the City & Guilds Foundation to deliver enterprise education to previously incarcerated people.
27 June 2023
BBC Studios Productions launch international wildlife filmmaking scholarships at UWE Bristol
BBC Studios Productions has launched a programme of fully-funded wildlife filmmaking scholarships for international students to undertake UWE Bristol’s Wildlife Filmmaking MA.
06 June 2023
University Civic Agreement for key organisations working together for Bristol
UWE Bristol, the University of Bristol, City of Bristol College, Bristol City Council, and the City Office have signed a Civic University Agreement.
09 May 2023
Photography students and Bristol primary schools team up to explore the wonders of photography and the natural world
UWE Bristol students have been sharing their creative expertise with schoolchildren during workshops at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
28 June 2022
UWE Bristol hosts one of region's largest cyber security events to attract future talent
More than 300 young people, students aged 12 to 14, participated in hands-on activities at a Unlock Cyber Taster Day at Frenchay Campus.
09 May 2022
Planetarium show awarded funding for public engagement project to inspire engineers of future
UWE Bristol’s We Make Our Future, an interactive planetarium show, is awarded a Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious award for public engagement.