West of England, Bristol, University of the

West of England, Bristol, University of the, institution of higher education in Bristol, south-western England. The tradition of vocational education was established in the city in 1595, with the founding of a navigation school. The Merchant Venturers’ Technical College was founded in 1894; by 1969 it had become Bristol Polytechnic, and university status was achieved in 1992. Some 17,500 (2202-2003) full-time students receive tuition at five campuses in and around the city, and regional centres in Bath, Gloucester, and Swindon. The university is organized into nine faculties: Applied Sciences; Art, Media, and Design; Bristol Business School; Built Environment; Computing, Engineering, and Mathematical Studies; Education; Health and Social Care; Humanities, Languages, and Social Sciences; and Law. There is also an associate faculty, Hartpury College, which offers land-based and sports courses. The university is administered by a board of governors.