Partner Universities
Bath Spa University
The university has a long and successful history of providing courses for the benefit of local students in partnership with further education colleges. Weston College is a key member of Bath Spa’s Wessex Partnership, and a growing number of Bath Spa Foundation Degree courses are offered at Weston College each year. The Foundation Degrees have a particularly strong vocational focus. The courses are designed with input from relevant industry partners so that graduates are well prepared to meet the needs of local employers. Students have the choice of going into employment at the end of their course, or of applying to progress to the third year of an appropriate Honours Degree course.
As a Wessex student you will be part of the university just like any other Bath Spa student. You will be a member of the Students’ Union and also of the university library – and you are encouraged to visit the university to take advantage of its resources. There are around 6,000 students forming a close-knit academic community at Bath Spa University. The university is small enough to provide individual attention to students, but large enough to provide a good range of courses and first rate facilities. Bath Spa University is a popular choice for students, and applications to its undergraduate courses have increased steadily in recent years. Students record high levels of satisfaction in the National Student Survey. The university has been designated a national Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in subjects leading to careers in the creative industries. Bath Spa University was ranked the third top ‘modern university’ in the Sunday Times University Guide 2008.
University of Bath
The University of Bath is one of the UK’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research and teaching at the highest academic standards. It has a distinctive approach that emphasises the education of professional practitioners and the promotion of original inquiry and innovation in partnership with business, the professions, public services and the voluntary sector. The University of Bath ranks highly in the league tables of UK universities published by a number of national newspapers, including the Times, Independent and Guardian. The University of Bath is the lead partner in the Western Vocational Lifelong Learning Network and the Western Foundation Degree Consortium and has strong working relationships with Further Education colleges throughout the region.
The university works with Weston College to provide high quality, vocationally-orientated, higher education programmes. Studied on a full-time or part-time basis, Foundation Degrees integrate academic and work based learning to equip students for employment in their chosen field. Students on our courses register at both the College and the University of Bath, allowing them to enjoy access to the facilities at both institutions.
The University’s facilities include the university library and learning centre, open 24 hours a day, and extensive sports and recreation facilities including the sports training village (the recent training-base venue for the English Rugby team during their 2007 RBS Six Nations Campaign).
The strong support network includes learning support, an active and award winning Students’ Union and the Student Information and Funding Service, which offers students financial advice. The University of Bath has designed a range of Honours year top-up programmes, specifically for students progressing from the Foundation Degrees
University of the West of England
The University of the West of England (UWE) is passionate about providing higher education opportunities to the local community. The focus for this activity is the UWE Federation – a group of colleges of Further Education who are working with UWE to develop programmes with a distinct vocational emphasis and strong links with local employers.
According to UWE’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steve West, “Higher Education working collaboratively with Further Education and industry partners is key to building the skill base for the UK, and the UWE Federation is critical in this respect.”
At Weston College, you can study a number of courses validated by UWE which give you an excellent opportunity to develop knowledge and skills that will prepare you for your future career. You may also have the opportunity to progress to an Honours Degree at UWE.
As a UWE student you will have access to the university’s extensive resources and support services, including our multi-million pound sports centre, our extensive library, and one of the largest JobShops in the UK, providing a whole range of part-time employment. Students on some programmes may also be eligible to apply for our generous bursary scheme. In addition, you will become a member of the UWE Students’ Union and will be able to join and help to run a huge range of clubs and societies.
The University of the West of England (UWE) is one of the largest universities in the UK. It offers a wide range of courses to nearly 30,000 full-time and part-time students. Whatever you want to get out of Higher Education, UWE, together with Weston College, aims to help you to achieve it.
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