University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has always been a welcoming institution that actively encourages students to better themselves both personally and academically. Multiple opportunities are made available to benefit students in various ways - whether it be casual jobs that earn some extra money without having a detrimental impact upon studies or extra classes to recap challenging topics or provide additional qualifications such as secondary language, First Aid, etc. However, due to the size of UWS (spread across four campuses), there is a clear lack of communication amongst staff and this ultimately affects students. The focus appears to be on the main campus (Paisley) and students on other campuses may feel isolated.

There are numerous computing facilities, ensuring that students can access university systems at any point in the day. The library is continually expanding its collection of printed and electronic resources. Science laboratories have recently been upgraded to incorporate new technology that is regularly maintained.

The university provides a variety of support for students - whether it be academic, financial, counselling, ICT, etc. and the university actively maintains contact with students to ensure that student concerns have been resolved.

The Students' Association for the University of the West of Scotland (SAUWS) have taken student concerns on-board and ensured that their voices are heard. They advise students on a variety of issues and if there is something they cannot deliver, they identify contacts who can resolve the matter as soon as possible. Furthermore, SAUWS deliver a variety of extra-curricular activities and have vastly improved their student representative capacity by completely revolutionising the current system in place and recruiting more students to be involved in union activities - either academic or otherwise.

With two campuses situated in close proximity of Glasgow, there are great transport links to/from university with a variety of amenities that are student-orientated (sporting, music, comedy, arts, etc.)

There are numerous clubs and societies available to cater for every genre and whim students may have. Furthermore, students are actively encouraged to become involved or set up a club/society that may not already be established. The Students' Association for the University of the West of Scotland (SAUWS) has also become the first student union in Scotland to establish a society for Care Leavers and several club/society conveners have gone on to become sabbatical officers or NUS officers.

Lecturers go out their way to ensure students have all the resources they require to critically reflect and analyse the information which has been lectured to them. Lecturers vary their teaching style and embrace new technology to maximise the student learning experience. The only issue that could be raised is that lecturers do not communicate with each other and therefore information and marking given to students can be contradictory.

UWS has connections with various industries and therefore job prospects are good - dependant on the degree subject studied. However, UWS can be looked down by potential employers because it is seen as a "new" and "not as established" institution, compared to the more traditional local institutions. Therefore, competition can be high when competing for jobs as a UWS student/graduate.

The secure accommodation is of good quality, if a little over-priced. Most of the university accommodation is next to the campuses and provides most resources required by students (except washing machine facilities or reliable Wi-fi connections).

I enjoyed my time at this university. I felt fully supported throughout my time there and was enabled to secure a graduate scheme job through the skills I have learned on the course and through developing my soft skills.