Paramedic degree apprentices at UCW in partnership with the University of Worcester were put through their paces during an immersive practical assessment, responding to a series of realistic emergency scenarios designed to test their clinical skills, decision-making and ability to remain calm under pressure. The assessment featured four challenging incidents, each recreating situations that paramedics may encounter in their day-to-day …
Across two inspiring HE Health sessions, our Assistant Practitioner learners combined professional development with community impact through a meaningful charitable initiative in support of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Southmead Hospital. The first session involved Year 1 Assistant Practitioners focusing on resilience and personal well-being, while the second brought together Year 2 Assistant Practitioners who were exploring ways …
Students, staff and partners gathered this week to celebrate achievement and excellence at the University Centre Weston (UCW) Awards 2026, marking both an outstanding year of success and ten years of higher education at UCW. The annual awards recognised exceptional academic performance, personal resilience and outstanding contributions to the UCW community, alongside national accolades achieved by UCW students over the past year. …
At University Centre Weston, lecturer Ellie brings learning to life by combining her passion for teaching with hands-on experience as a practising midwife at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust. No two days are ever the same for Ellie in her clinical role. She leads antenatal clinics, carries out routine checks for expectant mothers, and works in delivery suites supporting births. This work spans every stage of maternity …
Over the February half-term, BSc Environmental Health Practitioners (Apprentices) and BSc Public and Environmental Health full-time students were given the valuable opportunity to participate in a series of hands-on Microbiology practical sessions in the laboratory at UCW. These sessions were designed to enhance their understanding of core microbiological principles while developing essential laboratory skills that are fundamental to professional practice …
For National Apprenticeship Week, we caught up with Nigel almost 2 years after our previous catch up (UCW Award Winner Nigel’s Remarkable Growth – University Centre Weston), to find out how he has been getting on with his Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship after completing a Nursing Associate Foundation Degree! Nigel’s Blog – Progressing from my Nursing Associate foundation degree into the Registered Nurse Degree …
UCW is delighted to highlight Clare, an HE Lecturer in Healthcare. Clare brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for education, making her an invaluable member of our academic team. Clare’s favourite aspect of her role is the opportunity to develop her own learning as well as that of her students. She finds immense satisfaction when someone makes connections …
Yesterday, the first ever cohort of our Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship started at UCW! This is an exciting development, kicking off a journey over two years for these students towards becoming fully trained paramedics. This degree was developed in partnership with the University of Worcester, based on a mutual understanding of the need for high-quality, community-based education. This degree is …
University Centre Weston (UCW) held its 2025 graduation ceremony on Saturday the 20th of September. Students, staff, friends and family all came together to celebrate everyone’s hard work and achievements! After getting into their robes and donning their caps, graduands lined up for a procession through the Italian Gardens to the Winter Gardens Ballroom. Here they heard speeches from our …
University Centre Weston (UCW) and the University of Worcester have officially signed their partnership agreement, marking a significant step forward in their shared mission to expand higher education opportunities in the South West. The signing ceremony took place on Friday 29th August 2025 at the historic Winter Gardens in Weston-super-Mare, with senior leaders from both institutions in attendance. Following the …
The results are in, and UCW has received brilliant feedback in the National Student Survey for 2025! UCW is now above the national average in all nine areas of the survey! This is a reflection of the incredible amount of work put in by our academic and support staff. UCW’s academic support continues to stand out as a key highlight …
We caught up with Giuseppe, a Nursing Associate degree apprentice at University Centre Weston (UCW), to hear about his experience combining study with real world work in the NHS. Reflecting on his time at UCW so far, Giuseppe said the strong community has been a highlight. “One of the biggest highlights of my time at UCW has been the …
The Assistant Practitioner Healthcare Apprenticeship at University Centre Weston is a fantastic opportunity for healthcare professionals looking to enhance their skills while continuing to work. This flexible apprenticeship blends academic learning with hands-on experience, enabling students to apply their knowledge directly in the workplace. Lecturer Clare Waggett highlights the value of the course, particularly for those already working in healthcare. …
University Centre Weston (UCW) and the University of Worcester (UoW) have formed a partnership to deliver a brand-new Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship in collaboration with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST). This partnership is built on shared values and a strong commitment to supporting the local community. Both institutions have a well-established reputation for academic excellence and a …
Lecturers recently turned our Simulation Room into an escape room as a problem-solving exercise for our Assistant Practitioner students! Clare said about the activity: “Problem solving is a key skill in Healthcare. It is especially important when considering how to promote safety and independence with clients. We made use of VR scenarios, considered legislation through game learning and simulated the …
UCW is very proud to launch our brand-new prospectus for 2026! Our prospectus is the best place to find out about our courses, with sections for all of our subject areas including Art, Media and Design, Business and Professional Services, Computing and Digital Technologies, Counselling and Healthcare, Education, Inclusive Practice and Criminology, Engineering and Construction, Performance and Production Arts and …
Curious about degree apprenticeships but unsure what they really involve or how they might work for you? We spoke with Sharna, our Apprenticeship Recruitment & Skills Marketing Lead, to tackle the most common questions we get about degree apprenticeships! What is a degree apprenticeship? A degree apprenticeship is an excellent step in your career, offering the opportunity to gain practical …
UCW is excited to announce the launch of a new Degree Apprenticeship in May 2025 (subject to final approval as pending from the Nursing and Midwifery Council). This new Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA), in partnership with UWE Bristol, is an initiative to help support the NHS Long Term Workforce Development Plan – providing a clear career pathway within nursing. …
Students on UCW’s Assistant Practitioner courses are making a real-world impact by working alongside Sirona care & health, an organisation dedicated to improving lives in the community. UCW offers Assistant Practitioner pathways in Occupational Therapy, Mental Health, and Health and Social Care, with each course available as either an FdSc degree or a Higher Apprenticeship. This approach ensures that students …
On Assistant Practitioner Day, we recognise the dedication of healthcare apprentices like Emma, a UCW Assistant Practitioner apprentice who is following her lifelong dream, thanks to the support of her employer, Sirona. From a young age, Emma aspired to become a physiotherapist, driven by a passion to help people recover and improve their mobility. However, after leaving school, she wasn’t …
UCW is proud to highlight the achievements of one of its distinguished graduates, Shane, who is making a significant impact in the healthcare sector. Meet Shane, a Registered Nursing Associate at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, whose role is integral to the delivery of high-quality endoscopic procedures. In his role, Shane assists in providing endoscopic procedures to …
UCW is proud to expand its range of Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), providing a dynamic and practical educational pathway for students eager to gain valuable skills and secure well-paid jobs in key technical sectors. Designed in partnership with employers and approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), UCW’s HTQs align with industry standards and modern workplace …
Nigel Parker, a dedicated and resilient student from the FdSc Nursing Associate, was honoured as both the Counselling, Education & Healthcare Student of the Year and the Institute of Technology Student of the Year at this year’s UCW Awards! Despite facing numerous personal and academic challenges, and juggling full-time employment, Nigel has consistently exceeded expectations, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to …
Martin is our Counselling Student of the Year. Martin made the admirable decision to pursue education at the age of 30. Driven by a desire to gain skills for his career in addiction services, Martin embarked on the Counselling Skills programme at Weston College before going on to study a BSc in Counselling at University Centre Weston. Martin displayed a …
We are very pleased to announce that we have launched four brand new FREE short courses for individuals in employment! These fantastic short courses give you a taste of what a full degree is like for those that are unsure if higher education is for them – they can also be used as part of your continued professional development. …
Our Trainee Nursing Associate students and learners on the Level 3 Access to HE: Nursing and Midwifery course enjoyed an exciting trip to London recently to visit both the Hunterian Museum and the Anatomy and Physiology Museum. These historic museums are based within the Royal College of Surgeons. The Hunterian Museum was founded in 1799 and contains a vast collection …
Join us at UCW and embark on an incredible journey as an Apprentice Environmental Health Practitioner. Take a look at this new and exciting Apprentice Environmental Health Practitioner role at Royal Borough of Greenwich. Offering a unique opportunity to earn while you learn, this role combines practical work experience with a comprehensive study program in Environmental Health. Organisation: Royal Borough …
Are you someone who is interested in working in healthcare? Are you caring, intuitive and motivated, but not sure how to progress on your journey in the health sector? Here at UCW, we could have just what you’re looking for! Here are 5 reasons to study the Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship at University Centre Weston. Earn While You Learn Invest …
The United Kingdom has been experiencing a nursing shortage for several years, which has led to increased pressure on healthcare services. However, there is some hope in the form of apprenticeships, which are being used to help tackle the nurse shortage issue in the country. In particular, UCW and the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW), who …
University Centre Weston is proud to announce the exceptional achievements of two of its members, student Kimberley and lecturer Matthew, who recently delivered captivating research presentations at the renowned British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Conference. The BACP Conference, held annually, brings together esteemed professionals and researchers from the field of counselling and psychotherapy. This year, the conference served …
This month our Intergrated Mental Health and Social Care (IMHSC) students were treated to an amazing talk from Nick Elston. As one of the highest profile leading speakers on the lived experience of mental health, Nick has worked with organisations such as the NHS, BBC and American Express. Nick engaged the students in a 4 hour session, allowing them to reflect …
With the summer holidays well underway, students with offers from universities are eagerly awaiting those all important college exam results. The question we always get over the summer break though is… “Is it too late to apply”?! To that we say: Not at all! We can consider applications throughout the summer for most of our courses through the process called …
Congratulations to UCW Counselling student Megan Du Plessis and lecturer Claire Plews on their outstanding achievement in being selected to speak at the highly prestigious British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) research conference. The conference took place in Dundee from 19th to 20th May and is recognised throughout the counselling industry as an incredibly distinguished and reputable event, …
Weston College is the sole FE provider to be handed a contract for the Higher Education Short Course trial, with the remaining 20 places taken by universities. Twenty-two universities and colleges have been awarded a total of £2 million of funding to develop short courses in higher education. These courses are designed to enable flexible learning and to help students …
Nursing Associate, FdSc (Higher Apprenticeship) OverviewCourse DetailCareer ProspectsMeet the TeamPartnersStudent SpotlightApplyNursing Associate, FdSc (Higher Apprenticeship) Title goes hereNursing Associate, FdSc (Higher Apprenticeship) Title goes hereNursing Associate, FdSc (Higher Apprenticeship) Nursing Associate, FdSc (Higher Apprenticeship)OverviewCourse DetailCareer ProspectsMeet the TeamPartnersStudent SpotlightApplyOverviewCourse DetailCareer ProspectsMeet the TeamPartnersApplyIt’s still not too late to join us this year!Need Help Applying? Apply today and join us in …
FdSc Assistant Practitioner (Mental Health) (HTQ) OverviewCourse DetailCareer ProspectsMeet the TeamPartnersStudent SpotlightApplyFdSc Assistant Practitioner (Mental Health) (HTQ) Title goes hereFdSc Assistant Practitioner (Mental Health) (HTQ) Title goes hereFdSc Assistant Practitioner (Mental Health) (HTQ) FdSc Assistant Practitioner (Mental Health) (HTQ)OverviewCourse DetailCareer ProspectsMeet the TeamPartnersStudent SpotlightApplyOverviewCourse DetailCareer ProspectsMeet the TeamPartnersApplyIt’s still not too late to join us this year!Need Help Applying? Apply …
FdSc Assistant Practitioner (Health and Social Care) (HTQ) OverviewCourse DetailCareer ProspectsMeet the TeamPartnersStudent SpotlightApplyFdSc Assistant Practitioner (Health and Social Care) (HTQ) Title goes hereFdSc Assistant Practitioner (Health and Social Care) (HTQ) Title goes hereFdSc Assistant Practitioner (Health and Social Care) (HTQ) FdSc Assistant Practitioner (Health and Social Care) (HTQ)OverviewCourse DetailCareer ProspectsMeet the TeamPartnersStudent SpotlightApplyOverviewCourse DetailCareer ProspectsMeet the TeamPartnersApplyIt’s still not …
