Her student physiotherapist husband - who was studying his degree at the University of West England, Bristol - was flown home on a life support machine.

BBC: Ben and Catherine Mullany

Crossbench peer and chancellor of the University of the West of England Baroness Butler-Sloss said she was concerned that "Malaysian students who come to Bristol to do the bar vocational course or the solicitors course in order to go back and better run the rule of law in Malaysia" would be unable to study in the UK after the changes.

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But Professor Robin Hambleton who specialises in City Leadership at the University of the West of England insists councillors do still serve a purpose - even if the top job is now taken.

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The University of the West of England (UWE) was also considered, by RAE, to have "high levels of world-leading and internationally excellent research" in Biomedical Sciences, Art and Design and Communication, Cultural and Media Studies.

BBC: University is top for research