Your say / UWE Bristol

‘Our new students will join a university that has a deep connection with the local community, businesses and partner organisations’

By Colette Percival  Tuesday Sep 17, 2024

Since receiving their A-level results, thousands of young adults across the UK have been looking at their next steps. This is a pivotal period in their lives, filled with excitement, anticipation, and a fair amount of uncertainty. For some of them, UWE Bristol will be their next destination.

Our clearing hotlines have been buzzing for the last few weeks, with dedicated staff guiding students eager to start their future through this crucial step and helping them decide on a course that’s right for them.

When they move to Bristol this month, our new students will join a university that has a deep connection with the local community, businesses, and partner organisations across the city and West of England.

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These partnerships are instrumental in developing our students as young professionals, providing internships, employment opportunities, and valuable insights that help us tailor our courses to meet the demands of an ever-evolving job market.

“Our new students will join a university that has a deep connection with the local community, businesses, and partner organisations across the city and West of England,” said Colette Percival, head of Careers and Enterprise at UWE Bristol

A report by EY, released last month by pan-regional organisation Western Gateway, revealed that this region’s economy is set to grow faster than any other part of the UK economy outside of London in the next five years, due to its highly-skilled workforce, world-leading industry, and high tech businesses, with strong sectors in cyber, green energy, aerospace, creative and fintech.

This growth is dependent on the region retaining the right talent and skills. Approximately half of our graduates choose to stay in the West of England region. Many of our graduates play a vital role underpinning the basic services that we all depend on by going on to work in the NHS as midwives, nurses, radiographers, and paramedics, and in other essential healthcare professional roles.

UWE Bristol is also an incubator for entrepreneurial spirit. Many of our graduates have gone on to start their own businesses, contributing to the region’s vibrant and dynamic economy. These startups are not just about profit, they’re about innovation, supporting people, and making a difference in the world. From tech to creative agencies, our alumni are at the forefront of industries shaping Bristol’s future.

Future Space of UWE Bristol is a home for high-tech health, engineering, creative technology and green tech businesses

This region is renowned for its creative industries, and UWE Bristol has a regular stream of graduates making their mark in this sector. They’re working in film, television, design, fine arts, media and other creative fields, bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas. They are storytellers, artists and innovators who are pushing boundaries.

Engineering and sustainability are also areas where UWE graduates excel. We have invested heavily in this area, with the completion of our flagship engineering building a couple of years ago that offers cutting edge equipment and learning opportunities to put students at the forefront of the industry.

Many of our alumni go on to work for leading engineering firms, contributing to projects that are not only technically challenging but also environmentally conscientious. They are helping to build a sustainable future that balances economic growth with environmental responsibility.

Our graduates’ success reflects the strong partnerships we have with businesses and organisations across the region. These connections ensure our courses are relevant, so that students are work-ready and graduates can meet the needs of the local economy.

For businesses in the region, this is an opportunity to tap into a pipeline of motivated and well-prepared, civic-minded young people ready to make an impact – whether you’re looking for interns, full-time employees, or collaborators for future projects.

As we embark on another academic year, we invite businesses and local communities to join  us in designing and building a strong future. Together, we can create an ecosystem where students and local businesses thrive and prosper hand in hand.

Find out more about working with us here

This is an opinion piece by Colette Percival, head of Careers and Enterprise (Student and Graduate Talent).

Colette’s role is to lead innovative employability and enterprise projects and initiatives that enhance teaching, learning and personalised student experience across the university. 

All photos: UWE Bristol

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