Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Politics and International Relations

at University of the West of England - Bristol - Frenchay Campus United Kingdom

We have a strong track record of securing placements with public sector employers like the Treasury, Home Office, and Office of National Statistics; with financial institutions such as Lloyds Bank; and in businesses, charities and international organisations.

Why study economics?

• From environmental sustainability to financial stability, and from wages to wealth, economic forces affect every aspect of our lives.
• Studying BA(Hons) Economics will give you a solid understanding of how and why, and the skills needed to analyse issues and effect change across a wide range of areas, including the public sector, think tanks, financial institutions and charities.

Why UWE Bristol?

• Along with this economics degree we also offer BA(Hons) Economics. On both, you'll apply the latest economic theories to real and relevant challenges, develop critical thinking and debate ideas from a range of perspectives.
• The BSc course gives you the chance to develop your technical skills to a more advanced level and requires A level mathematics. The BA degree provides a rigorous and accessible economics training to those with less mathematical experience.
• On both pathways, you'll be taught by a passionate and enthusiastic team of research-active staff with a growing reputation for being at the cutting edge of new ideas in economics.
• Learn to analyse a wide range of economic issues, such as where does wealth come from? Is our way of life sustainable? Is global trade a force for good? How does the banking and financial system affect our lives? Will robots take people's jobs? Is inequality getting worse and does it matter?
• UWE Bristol takes a unique pluralist approach to teaching economics. As well as using traditional textbooks, you'll draw on ideas from a range of viewpoints and disciplines, placing economics in its broader social and political context.
• With an emphasis on developing key skills and critical thinking while gaining real-world experience, you'll get regular access to industry and policy-making through placements, field trips and guest lectures.

Where can it take me?

•  As a graduate with a degree that's rooted in realism and application, you'll be highly attractive to employers.
• You could pursue a career in government, banking and finance, retail, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or charities.

Top up your existing qualifications to an honours degree. This top-up degree is equivalent to the final year of undergraduate study, and is aimed at students who have previously completed a relevant qualification, such as a Higher National Diploma or equivalent.

Why UWE Bristol?

• Our BA(Hons) Business Management with Marketing top-up course provides a solid foundation in both business and marketing, allowing you to experience a range of business disciplines and choose your career path as you develop. This one-year course is one of the only degree courses in Bristol that unites business management with marketing. On successful completion you will be awarded a full BA(Hons) degree.
• Analyse real business issues and learn about the market process, the business-to-business environment, traditional and digital marketing methods and global marketing.
• Apply marketing theory to real businesses and develop crucial skills expected by employers.
• Be part of a lively community of students, enthusiastic and experienced tutors and an enterprising university with a reputation for producing 'work ready' graduates. 
• Bristol is recognised as one of the UK's leading marketing hubs with a strong employer network and diverse graduate opportunities.
• Guest speakers, internships, competitions and an active Marketing Society ensure you have regular access to industry and the latest developments in the field.
• We work closely with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the Institute of Directors (IOD) who offer you opportunities to network, access events and gain valuable accreditations. 

Why study business management with marketing?

• Marketing is crucial to any business and one of the most exciting sectors in a fast-paced global economy.
• Studying both subjects gives you an understanding of organisations and their management, and the diverse ways marketing is used to demonstrate the quality and usefulness of products, brands and services.
• These skills in combination lead to a diverse range of careers in both fields.

Where can it take me?

• The broad nature of this degree means diverse career pathways. Career prospects are excellent with many graduates going on to marketing or management roles.
• Typical roles include product manager, brand manager, sales executive or market researcher and roles in management, recruitment or HR.
• Our students have secured graduate roles with companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Intel, The Guardian, John Lewis, Disney, Coca Cola and the Rugby Football Union, as well a range of SMEs.

Develop your professional portfolio and lay the foundations for your career on this exciting course with full Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) accreditation.

Why study architecture?

• Architecture is constantly evolving, and an architect's role is to respond and adapt to change.
• There is always a need for professionals who can provide well-considered and creative solutions to a range of problems within the building industry.
• Whether you'll focus on sustainability, artistic concepts, detail design or simple ideas, a solid understanding of materials, methods and technology will allow you to find and provide effective solutions.

Why UWE Bristol? 

• BSc(Hons) Architecture teaches you the theoretical, historical, environmental, technological and professional factors influencing architecture.
• This is one of five courses that cover different specialisms in architecture. We produce sought-after graduates with specialist knowledge and the skill to create exciting buildings.
• Be taught by industry-experienced lecturers and visiting tutors, many of whom run their own architectural practices.
• Investigate the design, refurbishment, use and re-use of existing and new build structures with an emphasis on building technology. Produce creative solutions from artistic concepts through to detail design.
• Develop your design skills and explore computer-aided design (CAD), drawing, modelling, and mapping as well as structural and environmental strategies to support activity. Create an impressive portfolio of design projects, many with real clients and sites.
• Assess and review architecture on day trips and residential field trips in the UK and abroad. Gain real-world experience on internships and graduate ready for the next step in your professional studies. 
• Use your theoretical and hands-on skills to explore, develop and finely craft architectural design solutions.

Where can it take me?

• You'll be expected to work for an architectural practice for a year before joining a Part 2 course. Our Part 2 course, the MArch, ranks among the top 20 in the UK.
• When you graduate, your strong analytical and problem-solving skills will make you desirable to employers and you'll be prepared for a wide range of careers.

A professionally accredited, vocational postgraduate education in environmental health with strong links to public and private sector employers, and taught content that reflects current and predicted industry trends.

Our MSc Environmental Health course is designed specifically to enable health professionals to develop expertise in environmental health issues, and is aimed at graduates keen to acquire the professional skills associated with identifying, assessing, evaluating and controlling environmental factors that affect health. It educates and supports anyone pursuing public or private sector careers that promote and protect human health and welfare. Employability is excellent, thanks to strong links with and direct teaching input from employers across the South West.

Direct routes to employment or career enhancement

The majority of our students go straight into related employment. With many securing positions before graduation, with employers such as national food and health, safety and environment organisations and consultancies, national retailers and the leisure/holiday sector, as well as local councils, or overseas with a growing international focus on environmental health issues. This is reflected in our increasing number of international applicants.

You'll have the knowledge and experience in decision-making needed to identify and tackle environmental health issues in a wide range of contexts. You'll also be ready to contribute significantly to existing environmental health practice, and to respond and initiate change in line with current and emerging public health issues.

On completing the course, you can continue your professional development by registering for the Chartered Practitioner Programme, delivered by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). You will be then designated as having achieved the highest professional level and able to use the nominals CEnvH.

Get valuable real-world advice from architecture professionals on this Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) and Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) accredited course

Why study architectural technology and design?

• The evolution of architectural forms is influenced by culture and fashion, society and economics, climate and geography, security and self-preservation. 
• For architecture to be able to respond to these factors, we need to apply technology. 
• In the past, technological limitations imposed restrictions on architecture. These days, technology is almost limitless and architectural expression can develop in exciting ways.

Why UWE Bristol? 

• BSc(Hons) Architectural Technology and Design is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). 
• This is one of five courses that cover different specialisms in architecture. We produce sought-after graduates with specialist knowledge and the skill to create exciting buildings.
• This course equips you to become a Chartered Architectural Technologist, working at the heart of the contemporary construction industry.
• Gain a solid understanding of technological progression in construction, and where it sits within the history of architecture. 
• Study and apply design concepts and construction technologies to a range of building problems. Sketch and assess buildings that inspire and inform your work on day and residential field trips.
• Learn from industry-experienced tutors and work on a series of live briefs for real clients in our well-equipped studios. Collaborate with students across a range of disciplines and build your professional portfolio with practical design projects.
• Take a year out to work in a professional practice and gain valuable real-world experience that improves your employability.
• Our students become designers who can skilfully communicate ideas and contract managers who can control the procurement process.

Where can it take you?

• There's a wide range of career opportunities for technologists with design skills.
• You could go on to work in architectural and engineering practices in the public or private sectors, or for contractors and developers, project managers and systems manufacturers.

Completing this course gets you an Intermediate Diploma in Human Resource Management from the CIPD. This tells future employers you have practical experience in the field.

Why study business and human resource management?

• People are the most important asset in any organisation. It's increasingly important for businesses to understand and effectively manage their employees to succeed in a competitive, global economy.
• There is always a need for graduates who can help organisations build and develop their workforce. 

Why UWE Bristol?

• BA(Hons) Business and Human Resource Management combines the study of people management with finance, marketing and strategy to give you a comprehensive understanding of how businesses function.
• This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Completing this course will also get you an internationally recognised Intermediate Diploma in Human Resource Management.
• Learn about the role of managers and how people contribute to business success. Focus on the practices and issues associated with people management. Develop a solid foundation in business theory and explore the challenges facing modern businesses.
• An optional work placement year, recent case studies, guest speakers and staff with extensive industry experience provides you with real-world HR know-how.
• Our students value the research-led teaching and enterprising business community at UWE Bristol.

Where can it take me?

• This broad degree brings opportunities across HR and business management. Our students have secured HR specialist roles in companies such as IBM, Hewlett Packard, Airbus and Caterpillar, and on HR graduate programmes in both the public and private sectors.

Learn from tutors and professionals with extensive design experience and graduate ready to join industry or start your own creative venture.

Why study product design?

• We have reached a point where many products work well and meet our everyday physical needs - but how well do they satisfy and enhance our lives on an emotional level?
• There is always a need for highly skilled designers who can explore questions like this.
• Product design is an area that rewards those who take risks, challenge conventional thinking and design products, services and user experiences that surprise and delight.

Why UWE Bristol?

• BA(Hons) Product Design will help you develop your creativity.
• If you often look at the things around you and think 'this could have been made so much better', then this course will show you how to go about it.
• Develop an empathetic, intuitive understanding of people and how we use and respond to products. Learn about form, ergonomics and materials. Learn from friendly tutors with extensive industry expertise and work on a series of projects in our well-equipped Design Studio.
• Gain advanced skills in concept sketching and 3D form, verbal and visual communication, model making, computer-aided design (CAD) and the business of design.
• Work on design briefs for a range of industry clients. Past organizations have included Jaguar Land Rover, Dremel Bosch, Omlet and Virgin Marussia Formula 1. Take part in exhibitions and grow your network at industry presentations.
• Graduate with the skill and confidence to create innovative products and build a successful career in the creative industries.

What can I do with a product design degree?

• As a graduate, you'll be ready to go into the industry or start your own business venture.
• Career opportunities are available in service design, graphic design, brand consultancy, user experience design, brand and retail design, design research, marketing and packaging design.
• Many graduates are inspired to launch their own products or establish themselves as freelance design consultants. Take a look at our online yearbook of student projects from our architecture and product design courses.

We're one of the only Universities in the UK to offer direct access to real-time global financial data in our cutting-edge Bloomberg trading room

Why study banking and finance?

• The UK has one of the largest and most competitive financial sectors in the world, offering diverse career opportunities, attractive salaries and scope to work overseas.

Why study our course?

• BSc(Hons) Banking and Finance is contemporary and broad-based, combining a foundation in economics with specialist banking and finance modules.
• This course will equip you with a unique critical understanding of today's financialised global economic system. It also covers principles and practice of modern banking, ethics and regulation.
• Explore tax and investment planning, credit, portfolio and risk management and other practical issues from an international perspective.
• Study research methodologies from both economic and finance perspectives and explore new regulations created in the wake of the financial crisis. Develop technical and critical thinking skills in a supportive and nurturing environment.
• Learn to answer questions such as: what are the implications of an increasingly complex and globalised financial system? Does finance make the economy more or less stable? Have the lessons of the 2008 financial crisis been learned?
• Guest speakers, recent case studies and placement opportunities give you access to real business environments and give you a competitive edge in the job market.
• Training in our modern facilities will give you real-world insight and unrivalled practical experience.

Where can it take me?

• Banking and Finance at UWE Bristol is designed to meet employers' needs. Our emphasis on skills development and employability gives you a competitive edge in the jobs market.
• You could go on to become a successful banker, accountant, or financial planner and analyst.
• Our graduates have roles with Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC, investment banks (for example, Arbuthnot Latham), GE Asset Management and Handelsbanken.

In your final year you'll work with a real organisation to lead change - a unique opportunity to study business management and leadership in detail at undergraduate level.

Why study business management and leadership?

• Organisations are changing rapidly, and so is the nature of leadership.
• While experts explore what future leadership models could look like, organisations need professionals to show how good leadership enables a workforce to reach their potential.

Why UWE Bristol?

• BA(Hons) Business Management and Leadership is an applied degree for students who want to learn about the challenges of leadership alongside a solid foundation in business. 
• The business management modules give context and a deeper understanding to the specialist modules.
• Although leadership is one of the fastest-growing fields in higher education, not many universities in the UK offer it at undergraduate level.
• Our organisation development consultant project, where you'll work as a consultant for local organisations, is also unique across undergraduate business management courses.
• You'll benefit from our connections with industry and our 'learn by doing' approach, which ensures you'll graduate with crucial skills to succeed in your career.
• This course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), giving you professional recognition and access to specialist resources, mentoring schemes and networking events.

Where can it take me?

• The knowledge and skills gained from this degree are highly valued by employers.
• Its broad grounding will give you diverse career opportunities in both leadership and business management.
• Our students secure business management roles with multinationals and on graduate training programmes across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
• Many students progress to a master's degree in leadership and management or areas like financial management, marketing, human resource management and business administration.

Make a difference to wildlife conservation on this specially designed integrated master's, run in partnership with Bristol Zoo.

Why study wildlife ecology and conservation?

• Conserving biodiversity and avoiding the mass extinction of species are huge global challenges.
• Understanding global biodiversity, and the effects of habitat loss and climate change, is crucial in helping us find new and better ways to conserve wildlife both in the UK and around the world.
• The skills, scientific knowledge and research experience you'll gain will put you in an unrivalled position for securing work in this field.

Why UWE Bristol?

• MSci Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science is a five-year (six with placement year) course that explores wildlife conservation issues at local, national and global levels. Created in partnership with Bristol Zoo Gardens, it gives you unique access to the zoo's facilities and expertise.
• Mixing theory with practice, along with opportunities to conduct your own original research, you'll delve into the relationship between wildlife and society, and the impact of human activities on the living world.
• Hone your professional skills in natural habitats close to Bristol, including the Severn Estuary, the Cotswolds woodlands and grasslands, the Somerset Levels and Avon Gorge.
• Tap into our many links with local conservation organisations, and go on placements, volunteering, field-based work and residential trips in the UK and overseas.
• Choose our sandwich course option to spend your third year on a work placement in this country, Europe or further afield, applying your knowledge to topical conservation issues.
• Carry out your own extended research project, working within a UWE-based research team, industry, government or an NGO. Gain master's-level research-skills, including project management, science communication and outreach skills. 
• Get first-hand experience of practical tools for wildlife conservation such as eDNA, measuring environmental radiation, using UAVs (drones), and other advanced survey techniques.
• Explore the steps that can be taken to alleviate biodiversity decline, and get the strong foundation you need for a career in ecological research or conservation.

Where can it take me?

• This course is for people who are passionate about wildlife conservation and want to make a difference through sound science and research.
• You could work in national and international wildlife conservation, conservation consultancy, media and wildlife film-making, wildlife and enterprise, or conservation education.
• You'll also be well prepared for a career in research or a PhD.
• Longer term, you could work as a lecturer, industry, NGO, government or senior consultancy scientist, science communicator or conservation specialist advisor.