University of the West of Scotland [UWS] Ranking, Programs, Admission Process & Living Cost

In 2007, the University of Paisley and Bell College, Hamilton merged to form the University of the West of Scotland. There is a long history that precedes the establishment of this university.

It can trace its roots to the late 19th century and has undergone numerous name changes and mergers over the last century, reflecting its gradual expansion throughout the West of Scotland region. Holding a regional reputation for vocational undergraduate and post-graduate courses the university currently has 16,105 students, with approximately 1300 staff, spread across six schools of learning. The Crichton Campus in Dumfries is maintained in partnership with several other institutions, including the University of Glasgow.

 Although classified as a new university, the University of the West of Scotland has a rich, diverse history inherited from the various institutions that preceded it, including the Paisley School of Art (1836–1897), University of Paisley, Bell College of Technology, Craigie College of Education and Dumfries and Galloway College of Nursing.

Business and creative industries, computing, engineering, and physical sciences, education and social sciences, and health and life sciences are also the four academic schools at the university.

According to the Times Higher Education (THE) Survey, the University of the West of Scotland is among the world's top 3% of institutions, and the top 200 universities under 50 years old. Furthermore, it has been recognized as the 4th most improved university in the UK. Approximately 93 percent of alumni recommend UWS to their friends and family. In topics including Civil Engineering, Engineering Management, Physics, and Physics with Nuclear Technology, UWS ranked first in the UK for 100% student satisfaction.

University of the West of Scotland Top Courses 

Highlights 

University of the West of Scotland Campus 

The university has five campuses across West Scotland- Paisley, Lanarkshire, Central London, Dumfries, and Ayr. From the hustle and bustle of Scotland city to enhancing mountain tops and serene glens, each University of the West of Scotland campus has something unique to offer.

• Paisley Campus is home to around 10,000 students and 4 academic schools- Business, Computing, Social Sciences, Engineering and Science, Health, Nursing and Midwifery.
• Ayr Campus is counted amongst the UK's most environment-friendly yet modern learning facilities. The campus’s award-winning library is one of the best in Scotland.
• Lanarkshire Campus is located in Hamilton and is Scotland’s new ultramodern university campus.
• Dumfries Campus is the smallest campus for UWS, but it is a unique multi-institution facility located within the beautiful Crichton estate. A historic 85-acre parkland estate just two miles from the center of Dumfries. The campus has state-of-the-art learning facilities and currently operates across five distinct, historic buildings.
• London Campus, located in the historic London Docklands, is the next-generation campus features a stunning atrium, with light and airy teaching and learning spaces and great views across London.

University of the West of Scotland Accommodation 

The university offers a variety of halls of residence, from contemporary en-suite/studio flats on the Ayr Campus to furnished flats in Paisley. 

University of the West of Scotland Admission Process 

The application process and guidelines vary for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The general admission process for international students is mentioned below:

Application Portal: UCAS and UWS Portal
Application Fees: 20 to 26 GBP
Application Deadline: January 15 for UG; Rolling admission for PG
Admission Requirements: 

• Academic Transcripts and Certificates
• Personal Statement
• Academic Recommendation Letters
• Work Experience (as per course requirements)
• Research Proposal (if applicable)
• Language Proficiency Score

English Language Proficiency 

University of the West of Scotland Cost of Attendance

For international students, the cost of attendance comprises tuition fees, accommodation expenses, entertainment expenses, etc. The cost of attendance for 2023-2024 are mentioned below:

Tuition Fees 

Cost of Living 

University of the West of Scotland Scholarships 

Presently, international students are offered a limited number of scholarships and financial assistance at University of the West of Scotland. Some of these scholarships are:

• Under UWS Global Scholarships, a total of 120 scholarships worth 1,500 GBP are available for PG students who attain 69% or above at UG-level.
• The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme is a collaborative scholarship program run by the Department for International Development and the University of the West of Scotland for students from Commonwealth countries. The tuition cost, monthly expenditures, return airline tickets, thesis award, research trip grant, and warm clothing allowance are all covered by the scholarship.
• Scotland's Saltire Scholarships are worth 8,000GBP and available for PG Master's students enrolled in a one-year full-time program in Science, Technology, Creative Industries, Healthcare & Medical Sciences, Renewable & Clean Energy.

In addition to scholarships, PG-level students are eligible for Postgraduate Fee Concession. Under this, students who submit their entire tuition fee, at least 7 days before session commencement, get a 10% tuition fee reduction.

University of the West of Scotland Alumni 

UWS alumni includes a diverse community of 120,000+ graduates across 100+ nationalities. Several alumni hold senior positions in academia, politics, business, and media. The University of the West of Scotland offers a range of benefits to alumni:

• 10% tuition fees discount 
• Free campus library access
• Accommodation discounts 

Some of the UWS Notable Alumni:

• Shamshad Akhtar, Executive Secretary of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
• Gilbert Ronald Bainbridge, nuclear physicist, engineer, and farmer
• Willie Rennie, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Member of the Scottish Parliament for North East Fife
• Gavin Hastings, Former Scottish Rugby internationalist, and Captain of British and Irish Lions
• Mohammad Bagher Nobakht, Iranian Politician
• Majid Haq, cricketer for the Scotland national team

University of the West of Scotland Placements 

One of the unique things about UWS placement is their scheme- they like to better equip our students by giving them experience in their chosen field while they study. For courses in Nursing, Teaching, and Social Work, placements is an integral part of UWS professional registration programs. 

Potential employers of the University of the West Of Scotland graduates include Rolls-Royce, GSK (GlaxoSmithKline), Balfour Beatty, IBM, Hilton, BBC, Channel 4, Network Rail, HP (Hewlett-Packard), Standard Life, etc.

Salaries of the highest paid University of the West of Scotland graduates, as per their profiles are tabulated below:

As one of the largest campus-based institutions in the UK and world, the University of the West of Scotland is dedicated to offering a broad range of programs and unparalleled opportunities to its future and current students. It encourages students to learn, discover and develop new perspectives and create a career and a future they desire.