The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is one of the most reputed and progressive institutions in Scotland. University of the West of Scotland is a public university in the United Kingdom (UK). The university is spread across four campuses in the West of Scotland and a new campus in London.
University of the West Scotland, UK, was formerly known as the University of Paisley. The Paisley School of Design was founded in 1848 and the foundation stone was laid for the Paisley Technical School laid in 1897. As a precursor to UWS, it opened in 1900 and the college turned into the University of Paisley with Ayr and Paisley campuses. In 1999, the campus at Dumfries was set up while the university ultimately became the University of the West of Scotland in 2007 via mergers. The fourth campus in Scotland also came up at Lanarkshire. The brand new and cutting-edge Ayr campus came up in 2011 while the London campus was launched in 2015. The new Lanarkshire campus opened in 2018 while the London campus expanded to its new facility in the Docklands by 2020.
The University of the West of Scotland ranking is 103 (2022) in The Complete University Guide rankings list and 601-800 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2024. It also achieved a ranking of 301-400 in THE Impact Rankings 2024 and 159 in the 2024 Young University Ranking.
The medium of instruction at the University of the West of Scotland is English.
The University of the West of Scotland has four campuses Lanarkshire, Ayr, Dumfries, and Paisley including a new campus in London which has now expanded to the Docklands. UWS is known for its research expertise and facilities and offers the latest and best infrastructure to its researchers, teachers, and students. It offers career and research-centric courses which are taught by research experts from diverse disciplines. The campuses in Scotland are all situated in famous towns enabling easy access to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The research goals of the university include ensuring transformational development via outputs that have early, positive, and more tangible effects on society throughout the whole world. The university is known for successfully developing several innovative and research-backed products including its ultra-light wheelchair for instance. It helped Phoenix Instinct get the $1 million global contest prize. The research of the institution also attained recognition at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards in 2020, winning for pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) drone collaboration. The team behind the project represented a partnership of UWS with Scottish sensors and imaging center CENSIS and MNC Thales in the UK. It received its prize in the knowledge exchange/transfer initiative of the year segment. There are numerous initiatives underway throughout the four schools of the university.
Academics at University of the West of Scotland
The application procedure begins from August every year till the starting dates of courses. Those applying from other countries should remember that applications can be processed at most by six weeks before the beginning of the program. Research-degree applications may be submitted at any time.
Admission Process
The University of the West of Scotland admission process involves the following:
1. You can apply via UCAS or through the online application process at the university.
2. International candidates may also apply via recognized partners or agents.
3. Both undergraduate and postgraduate applicants may use the university’s online application system for submitting their applications directly.
Admission Requirements
Here are the University of the West of Scotland admission requirements:
1. International aspirants will require qualifications equivalent to those for each degree. They will find this at the UK National Recognition Information Centre.
2. The university will now accept Duolingo English Test results for proof of English language proficiency. The overall score should be 90-115 in this regard.
3. Other acceptable English language qualifications include IELTS 6.0 and TOEFL iBT 78. Other scores include CAE 176, CPE 176, PTE 54, and Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English ISEII with Pass in sub-tests.
Acceptance Rate
University of the West of Scotland acceptance rate is 70%, as per EduRank.
Popular Courses at University of the West of Scotland
The University of the West of Scotland, UK, offers various postgraduate, undergraduate and research-focused programs for students throughout four educational/academic schools. Cutting-edge teaching fuses with contemporary facilities and research while the active teaching/research personnel emphasize creating innovative technologies for transforming the community. Some of the popular courses include the following:
1. Chemistry
2. Biological Sciences
3. Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering
4. Mechanical Engineering
5. Medicine-related courses
6. Communication and Media
7. Childhood, Youth Studies, and Education
Students require 60 credits to complete their Master’s dissertation programs at the University.
The 2022-23 session will start on 5th September 2022 and will conclude on19th August 2023.
Extra-curriculars & Diversity
The University of the West of Scotland has more than 20,000 students across its five campuses and these students are representative of 70 countries. The university hosts numerous international and domestic students every year, offering assistance and support programs to help them settle into their new lives. 95% of undergraduate students find future study opportunities or employment within six months of their graduation while 97% of postgraduate students also find employment/study opportunities within 6 months of graduating. According to the International Student Barometer, as part of the Student Barometer iGraduate Survey in 2018, 90% was the University’s overall score in terms of student satisfaction. 91% of students were also happy with life in the institution as part of the same survey.
The Students’ Association has won numerous awards and is run by students entirely, organizing various sporting, cultural and social events throughout every year. There are numerous club nights, bars, gaming zones, and more. New entrants can enroll in diverse societies or clubs, covering almost everything from debating, gaming, engineering, sports, and more. There are clubs dedicated to aspects like LGBT+ liberation, Anime/Manga, Nigerian Forum, and Game Development for instance.
Students can also volunteer with the university, supported by the student union. This will not only add to their resumes but also help them integrate into the local community. The Volunteer Recognition Scheme is also worth checking out. Freshers’ Week offers various special events for young aspirants including welcome parties and pub quizzes along with a yearly SAUWS Freshers’ Fair that offers all the information, opportunities, and deals that students require. There are numerous sporting facilities available for students both competitively and in recreation/leisure.
Career & Professionals
The university has partnerships with public sectors, businesses, and industries for its research solutions. It has its own KTP or Knowledge Transfer Partnership Scheme which helps companies grow and innovate by connecting them with the right institution and graduates for projects. UWS is in the first position in Scotland and within the top three in the United Kingdom for KTP portfolio sizes while also topping for management KTPs in the country.
The UWS Careers Team is available for helping students fulfill their professional objectives through services like guidance, information, education, and more. Students may start using Careers Team resources from their first years of study right till two years after graduating from the university. Present students will also get automatic registration at the UWS Careers & Academic Skills Website. They will find diverse academic resources here for developing their skills along with the online calendar for event/appointment bookings.
There is a website for alumni-linked information which may help students connect with alumni members and find new opportunities. Other online resources are offered along with support in finding employment, part-time jobs, and internships. Students can also take up volunteering opportunities during their course tenures. Employers are also linked to the university through its dedicated suite of services for them. The university is connected to several employers, firms, and recruiters through its KTPs and also by offering them recruitment and research/consulting solutions. The Student Services Careers Team helps students with all the resources they require along with offering several events and workshops.
Famous Alumni of University of the West of Scotland
The list of famous alumni includes the following:
1. William Cowan Rennie, politician.
2. Andrew Gavin Hastings, rugby union star.
3. Callum Hawkins, distance runner, and Olympic athlete.
4. Ruairí McKiernan, Irish entrepreneur, author, and activist.
5. Erin Jacqueline Cuthbert, Scottish footballer.
6. Kirsty Gilmour, Scottish badminton player.
Financial
The University of the West of Scotland fees are the following:
1. Completing the Master’s dissertation with 60 credits- £2,100 (INR 2.10 lakh).
University of the West of Scotland: Rankings, Courses & Admissions
Disclaimer
All information provided on this page is for general use and upGrad Abroad is not responsible for any errors or omissions. The Universities involved in this Program are accredited/recognized in the countries where they are established. Relevant terms and conditions apply.Any action taken upon the information found on this website is strictly at your own risk.
