One of Scotland’s largest modern universities, University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has four campuses across the west of Scotland, in Paisley, Lanarkshire, Ayr and Dumfries. There is also a fifth campus in central London.
There are five schools of study at the University, which are:
School of Business and Enterprise
The University has over 16.000 students from a third of the globe, and it continues to grow internationally. UWS also has over 120 European partners and a number of transnational education agreements for programmes across the world.
UWS has a proud record in delivering work-ready graduates through applied research and career-focused study options, and partnerships with business, industry and the public and voluntary sectors.
UWS is recognised as being the largest provider of nurse education in Scotland, while 88% of the research in Nursing, Dentistry and Pharmacy was judged as world class or internationally excellent in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014).
Many of the university’s courses offer placement opportunities and work experience, with students working with organisations such as the BBC and Rolls Royce as well as a range of public sector organisations. There are also many opportunities for you to study abroad on ERASMUS during your degree, enabling you to experience life in another country, learn about a new culture and even gain some additional language skills.
UWS Paisley Campus is just 10 minutes by train from the centre of Glasgow, while the new £110m Lanarkshire Campus is only 25 minutes away and Ayr 40 minutes from the city. All are well-served by rail and bus routes and are close to the central Scotland motorway network. If you study at the Dumfries Campus, you can reach the centre of town on foot or by bus. UWS London Campus is within easy walking distance of London Bridge and Borough Market.
Students say:
"Open door policy and hands on teaching and learning"
"Lots of events to meet new people, good class times and lots of academic support"
"Excellent"
94% of UWS students are in work or further study within six months of graduating.
Courses are designed with help from businesses, industry and the professions and feature practical placement and work experience opportunities with relevant employers.
There’s also careers and employability advice available for students, with information, guidance, workshops and a variety of events such as CV preparation and interview techniques to help you in your future career.
Many of the courses are recognised or accredited by professional bodies, which helps the qualification stand out on your CV and provides links with those already in the industry.
Student reviewers told us they found the service to be informative and helpful.
Students say:
“They give all the help to connect students with job market.”
“Careers service a great help, I have gained lots of transferable skills.”
Staff at UWS are experts in their field with continuing industry links including active research or working with business and industry on consultancy projects. That means, as a student, you’ll have access to the latest knowledge and practices within your given field.
Courses are delivered through a variety of different methods, with assessment coming from work-related/work-based learning, volunteering, lectures, workshops, tutorials, projects, group work, presentations and more. You can find more information about how each course is assessed on the UWS website.
Lecturers were praised in student reviews for being helpful and interesting.
Students say:
“Interesting topics, lecturers are enthusiastic and approachable. There are various methods of learning, including theory and practical.”
"The lecturers are good"
"Patient and understanding"
The Student Union is run by four elected full time Sabbatical Officersand part-time volunteer executive officers. The SUcampaign with and for you, offer advice and support, organise events and activities and facilitate sports teams and societies. The SU buildings also feature shops, bars and cafes.
All students automatically become a member of the Students’ Association - SAUWS.You can find more information about the role of the student union and the advice and support they can give you on the SAUWS website.
Students say:
"Always events being held, good opportunity to meet new people"
"I think they're doing a good job to keep the students happy"
There’s self-catering accommodation available at the Ayr, Lanarkshire and Paisley campuses. Prices are inclusive of utility bills and contents insurance cover. A bedding pack is included in the cost of accommodation, as is an individual crockery pack. Each flat comes equipped with kitchen pack containing the key cooking utensils. High-speed Wi-Fi is provided in all buildings, and there are weekly housekeeping visits to your flatAyr
The Ayr accommodation is a 3-minute walk from the campus and comprises 6-bed flats that house 200 students. Each spacious bedroom has an en-suite shower room and toilet, and each flat has a shared kitchen and lounge area. There is an on-site laundry room, common room and games area. There are also 6 self-contained studio flats available. For 2018/19 costs range from £104 per week for a standard en-suite room, to £149 per week for a 1-bed studio flat.
Lanarkshire
The Lanarkshire Campus accommodation is located in the centre of Hamilton, a short bus trip from the University campus. The residence comprises 6-bed flats, housing 156 residents. There is a shared toilet/shower facility, along with an open-plan kitchen and lounge area in each cluster flat. Accommodation for 2018/19 costs £85 per week.
Paisley
The Paisley accommodation is right on campus and has space for 336 students staying in en-suite bedrooms in flats of 4, 5 or 6 students. Each flat has a shared kitchen and lounge area. On site there is a common room, laundry and games area. Accessible rooms are also available. Newly refurbished tenement flats are also available on the edge of campus. Prices for 2018/19 range from £85 per week for a non-ensuite single room in a 2-bedroom flat, up to £142 per week for a 1-bed flat.
Dumfries
The University does not offer UWS-managed student accommodation in Dumfries, but private rental options are available for students seeking accommodation The University cannot endorse private accommodation or private companies providing accommodation to students, but can offer guidance and advice on seeking accommodation – contact accommodation@uws.ac.uk
More information about accommodation spaces and how to apply is available on the UWS website.
Students say:
“University halls are good and close by.”
"I live in a comfortable place where i can relax"
"It's ok"
The University has subject specific facilities which are industry standard. This includes:
The Hub facilities at Paisley and Lanarkshire campuses provide info points for student support, which are also accessible online from across the other campus sites. They bring together a range of frontline student services. The University’s new Lanarkshire Campus is located at Hamilton International Technology Park on the outskirts of Hamilton, and is a bespoke, state-of-the-art university campus with outstanding academic, social and leisure facilities on site. The new campus gives UWS students access to some of the most advanced and technologically enabled learning environments available.
Across the campuses the libraries are suitable for individual or group study, with half a million items on the library shelves, and hundreds of PCs. Additionally, there’s an online learning environment which you can use to access course materials and connect with other students.
Students say:
“Good library and catering facilities.”
“Really helpful staff, good computer space, good lecture halls and a decent size library.”
Paisley
Paisley combines heritage and history with all the facilities you’d expect from Scotland’s largest town. The campus is only a few minutes’ walk from the town’s main station and from where the journey to Glasgow is only 10 minutes. Glasgow International Airport is only 2 miles from the campus.
Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire offers lots to see and do – including a number of country parks and nature reserves such as Strathclyde Park. The area has first-class sporting and leisure activities, including football, rugby, golf, tennis, ten-pin bowling, swimming and horse riding. Lanarkshire offers plenty of shopping options as well as a theatre, cinema and a range of bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
Ayr
Ayr is a popular seaside resort located 37 miles south-west of Glasgow. The town is set among some of Scotland’s most impressive scenery and looks out on the Firth of Clyde, with the peaks of Arran in
the foreground and the Mull of Kintyre in the background. Packed with historical sites, Ayrshire’s visitor attractions include unspoiled beaches and rolling hills, castles, a racecourse and numerous golf courses
Dumfries
Studying in Dumfries will see you close to beautiful country scenery, one-off cafes, ice cream shops, pubs and plenty of open green spaces, ideal for retreating to on a sunny day with a picnic. There are also castles, museums and the coast, what more could you possibly want?
Glasgow
Glasgow is the nearest city to the Paisley Campus, reachable in just 10 minutes by train. It’s also close to the Lanarkshire and Ayr campuses, a 25 and 40-minute train ride away respectively.
Complementing the range of local facilities in the campus towns, Glasgow - Scotland’s biggest city - is famous for its Victorian architecture, lively music scene and art collections, and its sporting facilities; while a generous amount of shops, bars and pubs will ensure there’s something for you to do. Museums, theatres, cinemas, food markets and restaurants will keep you sheltered during the rainy winter months, while beautiful parks are ideal for resting on a warm day.
London
If you study at the campus in London, you’ll be close to the iconic London Bridge and Borough Market. London offers world famous museums, galleries, landmarks and a palace, along with the West End theatre district in Leicester Square and a vibrant music scene in all four corners of the city. Clubs, bars, restaurants, artisan cafes and pop-up shops fill the streets, while excellent transport links make it easy for you to explore other areas of the UK and Europe in your free time.
Students say:
“Very student friendly, lots of pubs and clubs, and events going on.”
“Quiet, but good enough for students. It's close to Glasgow, which is busier if that’s what people enjoy.”
The Students’ Association supports all sorts of clubs and societies from course related groups such as Chemical Engineering and Midwifery to interest societies such as the Debating Society and Table-top Gaming Society. There’s also the LGBT+ liberation group; the Nigerian Forum; and the Anime and Manga, Games Development, People and Planet, Sci-fi, Science, Music and Psychology societies. There are also a variety of sports clubs available. Details on the clubs or how to start your own are available at www.sauws.org.uk/societies
Every Wednesday afternoon has been allocated as free from classes – allowing more students to take part in sports and social activities. Whether your sporting interest is in ball games, martial arts or in fitness, there’s something for you. With over 20 competitive and recreational sports, there has never been a better time to become part of Team UWS. The University’s BUCS league position has also risen significantly over recent years, with a much greater level of participation and success in this universities and colleges UK sports league.
Students in recent reviews were impressed with the range on offer, along with the inclusive nature of them.
Students say:
“Lots of choice and well organized best way to make friends"
"Lots to choose from"
There’s a wide ranging amount of support available for students. You can make use of a careers and employability service, counselling, disability and dyslexia support, equality and diversity support, international student services, a multi faith chaplaincy, funding and advice and more. Information on all of these support services is available through the UWS website, where you’ll also find useful links and information to get the help and guidance you need. The Disability Service at the university offers information and guidance to students with a disability, learning difficulty or long standing medical condition, ensuring that you will get the most out of your time at UWS.
The student reviews were overwhelmingly positive about the levels of student support at the university.
Students say:
“Feedback is excellent"
"Counselling services are excellent, as is the students’ association case worker"
"Lots of feedback, lots of handouts and up to date info on moodle [the University’s online learning tool], changes told in advance"
Scottish / EU: £1,820 per year
UK: £9,250 per year [but not more than £27,750 over 4 years]
International: £12,000 (non lab-based) / £14,000 (lab-based) per year
The University is regularly supported by organisations who offer scholarships/bursaries to eligible students. Students are encouraged to apply to trust funds for additional funding. SAAS (Student Awards Agency for Scotland) maintain the Register of Educational Endowments which is a list of educational trusts in Scotland.
They will search their database if you complete an enquiry form. You can also use Family Action Educational Grants Advisory Service online trust fund search which is available through the University website.
There are range of bursaries and scholarships which are open to current University of West of Scotland students. You can find more information about each one, including funding amounts and eligibility via the UWS website.
Details and advice on scholarships and trust funds are available here.
Business & Enterprise
The University collaborates with business leaders to ensure you have the right skills and knowledge to meet the demands of commerce and industry in the 21st century. A range of interactive, online learning tools and styles has been developed by UWS business academics to help meet the demands of 21st century learning.
Computing
The University’s computing programmes are developed in line with industry needs, offer the chance for practical experience, and are accredited by professional bodies – giving you a platform to launch your career in this fast-changing industry.
Education
Placement work experience, a rigorous academic focus, and first-class facilities add up to a world-class learning experience, preparing you for the challenges of a career in education.
Engineering
With over 100 years of experience in engineering education, the University offers vocationally-relevant, professionally recognised programmes. You’ll put your skills to the test in industry-standard facilities and have opportunities for practical training and placement at home or abroad.
Health, Nursing & Midwifery
UWS is the largest provider of nurse education in Scotland, with approximately 4000 full and part-time students. You’ll benefit from practical hands-on experience in state-of-the-art campus skills labs and gain experience in a range of health and social care settings.
Media & Culture
With state-of-the-art facilities, industry input, practical experience and professional recognition – media and culture programmes at UWS are geared towards meeting the demands of the sector to give you the skills to succeed.
Science
UWS science programmes have been developed in collaboration with industrial and educational partners – this input, along with their extensive research and consultancy expertise, helps positively shape your learning experience.
Social Science
The courses represent a wide range of the key social science areas, with a distinctive blend of research-led teaching combining discipline knowledge and expertise with professional education and practice which draws upon high-quality applied research.
Sport
The University’s growing portfolio of programmes integrate biological and behavioural approaches to enhance human health and performance.
For admission to degree programmes, applicants should possess as a minimum, passes in five subjects to include three at Scottish Higher (Grade C or above); or passes in five subjects to include at least two at GCE Advanced Level; or an appropriate award of the SQA, Edexcel, the AQA or OCR; or Irish Leaving Certificate with five subjects (Grade C, or above), to include at least three subjects at the Higher level; or other equivalent qualifications acceptable to the University.
All applicants are expected to provide evidence of proficiency in Mathematics and English, usually at SQA National 5 (Grade C or above), SQA Standard Grade (Grades 1, 2 or 3), or SQA Intermediate 2 (Grades, A, B or C), or GCSE (Grades 4-9), or ILC Ordinary level. Some degree courses require passes in both GCSE English Literature and English Language; this will be identified on relevant course entries. Where subjects other than English and Mathematics are identified at SQA SG/Int2/ Nat5, or GCSE or ILC Ordinary levels for a specific course, details will be advised on the university website or in the undergraduate prospectus.
In addition to standard qualifications, such as SQA Highers or Advanced Highers and GCE A-Levels, UWS will consider other combinations of qualifications and experience, such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma, SQA Scottish Baccalaureate, Professional Development Awards and Youth Achievement Awards, in support of your application, including application for advanced entry.
Competition for places means that qualifications above the minimum pass standard are usually required to gain admission to a programme. Further details of entrance requirements to individual programmes are available on the website. Advanced entry is also possible with appropriate qualifications and details are provided on the course entries on the University website.
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