Royal West of England Academy Schools

A school of art was established in 1853, known as the Bristol School of Practical Art supported by artist members with studio space being provided later by the Academy. Its first reincarnation took place during the period 1904-1936 when it was known as the Bristol Municipal School of Art. From 1936 to 1969 it was known as the West of England College of Art. In 1970 the West of England College of Art was incorporated within the Polytechnic and in 1992 along with all other UK Polytechnics it was given university status and has since been known as the University of the West of England (UWE).The Royal West of England School of Architecture was officially opened in 1921 by HRH The Prince of Wales, it was later taken over by the University of Bristol in 1963 and closed in 1983. Architecture does however appear as a course at the UWE. Faculty has grown and developed to become the largest provider of art, design and media studies and research in the South West as well as having an international reputation for research in these areas.