The University of the West of Scotland is one of Scotland's largest modern universities, with four campuses in Paisley, Ayr, Lanarkshire, Dumfries as well as a campus in London. The Dumfries Campus is run in partnership with the University of Glasgow.
The university has close links with industry and commerce which is reflected in course design and the employability of its students.
Courses and students
It teaches a wide range of courses through four academic schools:
You may be able to complete part of your undergraduate course abroad through the Turing Scheme or exchange schemes with universities in the USA.
The university has over 22,000 students including international students of over 130 nationalities.
Facilities and Services
The award-winning Lanarkshire Campus offers modern and innovative learning and social spaces. It is also one of the UK’s greenest education environments, powered by 100% renewable energy, plus a rainwater harvesting system.
Facilities across the campuses include engineering workshops; nursing simulation wards; specialist technology labs for computing, animation and music technology; interdisciplinary science labs; and performance studios.
Each of the four campuses has a well equipped library and computer labs with free email and internet access.
The Students’ Association has unions at all four campuses, with Paisley being the largest, offering a variety of entertainment and leisure opportunities. There are a range of sports facilities including gyms, sports halls, football and rugby pitches and jogging routes.
Each campus also has a choice of accommodation available in the form of shared flats or studios.
Ranking
The university is ranked 1st in Scotland for Childhood and Youth Studies in The Complete University Guide 2025.
UWS Students’ Union won the University Students’ Association of the Year in the National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland Awards 2023.
