University of the West of Scotland
Paisley, United Kingdom
- Cost of Living£ 18,936
- Tuition Fee From£ 14,500
- Country Rank#91
- Batch Strength13,013
- Global Diversity6.9%
- Gender Ratio35 : 64
Overview
About
Located in Scotland, University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is a modern and dynamic higher education institution that offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Established in 1987, UWS has grown to become one of Scotland's largest universities, with over 17,000 students from over 100 countries.
The institution has approximately 100 degree-granting undergraduate and graduate programmes, and its doctorate student body is continually expanding. The educational experience at the University of the West of Scotland is student-centred, individualised, and distinctive, putting students in the best possible position to succeed in their future. Through exceptional, unique, and forward-thinking higher education, the university aims to alter lives, transform communities, and inspire entrepreneurship.
Their emphasis is on individualised learning opportunities underpinned by globally renowned research. Additionally, it conducts research and offers consulting services to the industry, and it ranks second in Scotland for the number of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships it has with companies. The University of the West of Scotland also offers students the chance to spend a year working in the industry domestically or abroad while offering several degrees that place a focus on practical skills.
With 5 campuses across the UK, the University of the West of Scotland is a thriving contemporary university. Out of these, four campuses—Ayr, Paisley, Dumfries, and Lanarkshire—are situated in the southwest of Scotland, while one campus is in London. The Ayr campus is just a 10-minute stroll from the centre of Ayr. For students, this campus delivers a cutting-edge learning environment. The university's Dumfries campus is its smallest. The award-winning Lanarkshire campus has received £110 million in investments. It offers modern exercise centres, a gym, and other amenities. The university's London location provides cutting-edge, versatile, and dynamic work and study areas.
Ranking
The University of the West of Scotland is a public university with campuses located in Paisley, UK. It is one of the largest modern universities in Scotland, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across disciplines such as business, engineering, health sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
Some of the university's most popular courses include Nursing, Business Management, Computing, Civil Engineering, and Sports Science. The University of the West of Scotland is known for its strong industry connections and focus on employability, with many of its programmes designed in collaboration with local and international organisations.
In The Complete University Guide rankings for 2025, the University of the West of Scotland is positioned 128th among UK universities. In the QS World University Rankings 2024, the University of the West of Scotland was ranked 385th in Europe. In the US News & World Report Global Universities Ranking, the university's ranking declined from 501st in 2023 to 880th in 2024. In the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, the University of the West of Scotland was ranked 501st in 2022. In The Guardian University Rankings for 2024, the University of the West of Scotland was ranked 119th, maintaining the same position as in 2023.
University of the West of Scotland - QS Ranking 2024
In the QS World University Rankings 2024, the University of the West of Scotland was ranked 385th in Europe. Check the rankings below-
|
Ranked by |
2024 |
|
Europe |
385 |
University of the West of Scotland - US News & World Report Ranking
In the US News & World Report Global Universities Ranking for 2024, the University of the West of Scotland was ranked 880th, a decline from 501st in 2023.
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Global Universities |
501 |
880 |
University of the West of Scotland - THE (Times Higher Education) Ranking 2024
In the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, the University of the West of Scotland was ranked 501st in 2022. This position changed to 601st in both 2023 and 2024, indicating a consistent ranking over the past two years.
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
University |
501 |
601 |
601 |
University of the West of Scotland - The Guardian Ranking 2024
In The Guardian University Rankings for 2024, the University of the West of Scotland was ranked 119th, maintaining the same position as in 2023. This follows a ranking of 120th in 2022, showing a stable performance over the past three years.
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
University |
120 |
119 |
119 |
Learn More About: University of the West of Scotland Admissions
University of the West of Scotland - The Complete University Guide Ranking 2025
In The Complete University Guide rankings for 2025, the University of the West of Scotland is positioned 128th among UK universities. This follows a ranking of 128th in 2024 and 125th in 2023, indicating a stable performance over the past three years.
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
UK University |
125 |
128 |
128 |
University of the West of Scotland - THE (Times Higher Education) Ranking 2024
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Clinical and Health |
601 |
601 |
601 |
|
Engineering |
- |
251 |
401 |
|
PG Business and Economics |
301 |
401 |
601 |
|
Psychology |
- |
- |
501 |
University of the West of Scotland - The Guardian Ranking 2024
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Accounting and Finance |
94 |
97 |
89 |
|
Business and Management |
116 |
112 |
117 |
|
Chemical Engineering |
19 |
- |
- |
|
Civil Engineering |
50 |
52 |
44 |
|
Law |
101 |
105 |
104 |
|
Mechanical Engineering |
68 |
- |
- |
|
Media and Film Studies |
82 |
74 |
78 |
|
Politics |
77 |
66 |
62 |
|
Sociology and Social Policy |
84 |
67 |
83 |
University of the West of Scotland - The Complete University Guide Ranking 2025
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Accounting and Finance |
101 |
100 |
97 |
|
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering |
29 |
27 |
28 |
|
Art and Design |
87 |
- |
- |
|
Biological Sciences |
89 |
87 |
87 |
|
Business and Management Studies UK |
119 |
115 |
116 |
|
Chemical Engineering |
31 |
34 |
34 |
|
Civil Engineering |
48 |
51 |
51 |
|
Communication and Media Studies |
92 |
92 |
89 |
|
Computer Science |
83 |
100 |
103 |
|
Law |
104 |
107 |
106 |
|
Mechanical Engineering |
71 |
41 |
61 |
|
Nursing |
70 |
78 |
79 |
|
Physics and Astronomy |
48 |
- |
- |
|
Psychology |
109 |
92 |
107 |
|
Sociology |
95 |
- |
- |
Course Ranking
B.A.
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Sociology and Social Policy |
84 |
67 |
83 |
|
The Guardian - Politics |
77 |
66 |
62 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Sociology |
- |
95 |
- |
|
The Complete University Guide - Art and Design |
- |
87 |
- |
B.E. / B.Tech
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Civil Engineering |
50 |
52 |
44 |
|
The Guardian - Mechanical Engineering |
68 |
- |
- |
|
The Complete University Guide - Mechanical Engineering |
- |
71 |
41 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Chemical Engineering |
- |
31 |
34 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering |
- |
29 |
27 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Civil Engineering |
- |
48 |
51 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Computer Science |
- |
83 |
100 |
|
The Guardian - Chemical Engineering |
19 |
- |
- |
B.J.M.C.
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Media and Film Studies |
82 |
74 |
78 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Communication and Media Studies |
- |
92 |
92 |
Learn More About: :University of the West of Scotland Courses
B.Sc.
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Biological Sciences |
89 |
87 |
87 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Psychology |
109 |
92 |
107 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Physics and Astronomy |
48 |
- |
- |
BBA
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Business and Management |
116 |
112 |
117 |
|
The Guardian - Accounting and Finance |
94 |
97 |
89 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Accounting and Finance |
- |
101 |
100 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Business and Management Studies UK |
- |
119 |
115 |
BSN
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Nursing |
70 |
78 |
79 |
LL.B.
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Law |
101 |
105 |
104 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Law |
- |
104 |
107 |
MIM
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Business and Economics |
301 |
401 |
601 |
MS
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
|
THE (Times Higher Education) - Engineering |
251 |
401 |
Others PG
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
THE (Times Higher Education) - Psychology |
- |
- |
501 |
|
THE (Times Higher Education) - Clinical and Health |
601 |
601 |
601 |
Accounting & Commerce
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Accounting and Finance |
94 |
97 |
89 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Accounting and Finance |
- |
101 |
100 |
Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing )
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Art and Design |
87 |
Business & Management Studies
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Business and Management |
116 |
112 |
117 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Business and Management Studies UK |
- |
119 |
115 |
|
THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Business and Economics |
301 |
401 |
601 |
Engineering
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
THE (Times Higher Education) - Engineering |
- |
251 |
401 |
|
The Guardian - Civil Engineering |
50 |
52 |
44 |
|
The Guardian - Mechanical Engineering |
68 |
- |
- |
|
The Complete University Guide - Mechanical Engineering |
- |
71 |
41 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Chemical Engineering |
- |
31 |
34 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering |
- |
29 |
27 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Civil Engineering |
- |
48 |
51 |
|
The Guardian - Chemical Engineering |
19 |
- |
- |
Humanities & Social Sciences
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Psychology |
- |
109 |
92 |
|
THE (Times Higher Education) - Psychology |
- |
- |
501 |
|
The Guardian - Sociology and Social Policy |
84 |
67 |
83 |
|
The Guardian - Politics |
77 |
66 |
62 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Sociology |
- |
95 |
- |
Law
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Law |
101 |
105 |
104 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Law |
- |
104 |
107 |
Mass Communication & Media
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Media and Film Studies |
82 |
74 |
78 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Communication and Media Studies |
- |
92 |
92 |
Medicine & Health Sciences
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
THE (Times Higher Education) - Clinical and Health |
601 |
601 |
601 |
Nursing
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Nursing |
70 |
78 |
79 |
Science
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Biological Sciences |
89 |
87 |
87 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Physics and Astronomy |
48 |
- |
- |
|
The Complete University Guide - Computer Science |
83 |
100 |
103 |
Aeronautical Engineering
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering |
29 |
27 |
28 |
Biology
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Biological Sciences |
89 |
87 |
87 |
Business Economics
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Business and Economics |
301 |
401 |
601 |
Chemical Engineering
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Chemical Engineering |
- |
31 |
34 |
|
The Guardian - Chemical Engineering |
19 |
- |
- |
Civil Engineering
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Civil Engineering |
50 |
52 |
44 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Civil Engineering |
- |
48 |
51 |
Computer Science
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Computer Science |
83 |
100 |
103 |
Mechanical Engineering
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Mechanical Engineering |
68 |
- |
- |
|
The Complete University Guide - Mechanical Engineering |
- |
71 |
41 |
Physics
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Physics and Astronomy |
48 |
Politics
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Politics |
77 |
66 |
62 |
Accounting
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Accounting and Finance |
94 |
97 |
89 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Accounting and Finance |
- |
101 |
100 |
Political Science
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Politics |
77 |
66 |
62 |
Psychology
|
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Psychology |
109 |
92 |
107 |
|
THE (Times Higher Education) - Psychology |
- |
501 |
- |
Sociology
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Guardian - Sociology and Social Policy |
84 |
67 |
83 |
|
The Complete University Guide - Sociology |
- |
95 |
- |
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2023
-
-
2022
-
-
2021
-
-
Facilities
The community at the University of West Scotland is broad and varied, and there are many chances for students to get involved outside of the classroom. By participating in a variety of activities and events, students attempt to make a meaningful contribution to the campus community and beyond. At every point of their academic pursuits, students may get assistance from a variety of the university’s resources. The University of the West of Scotland facilities include
- Professional lecture space
- Collaborative zones
- Libraries and Newsrooms
- Multi-purpose laboratories
- Production rooms
- Health Clinic
- Full-sized gym
- Restaurants and Cafes
- Student Hubs
- Career Planning
- Alumni Networking
- On-Campus Housing
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
Acceptance Rate
The University of the West of Scotland's acceptance rate stands at 74% which indicates that the admission procedure can be stringent and competitive. The university expects all candidates to meet the requirements including minimum GPA scores, letter of recommendations, entrance examinations, etc. in order to be eligible for admission.
Entry Requirements
With an acceptance rate of just 27%, admission at the University of the West of Scotland can be competitive. The university has set minimum requirements that they expect the candidates to meet. Students can begin their application by filling out an online form through the official admission portal of the university. Students may also have to pay an application fee of £20 to £26. The requirements vary based on the program selected by the student. Below is a list of the University of the West of Scotland Entry 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 Minimum Scores Required
To meet English language proficiency requirements, applicants may submit scores from various standardised tests. The minimum scores accepted for each test are as follows:
|
English Proficiency Test |
Minimum Score Accepted |
|
IELTS |
6.0 - 6.5 |
|
TOEFL IBT |
78 |
|
CAE/CPE |
176 |
|
PTE Academic |
54 |
|
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English |
SE II with Pass |
Fees
The University of the West of Scotland offers several programs to both graduate and undergraduate students. Below are the fees of some of the most preferred programs available at the university
- B.A Business - £15,250 /Year
- B.Eng Aircraft Engineering - £15,250 /Year
- B.Eng Chemical Engineering - £15,250 /Year
- B.S Pharmacy Science and Health - £15,250 /Year
- B.S Information Technology - £15,250 /Year
- B.S Psychology - £15,250 /Year
Placement
The University of the West of Scotland placement programme is one of its distinctive features. It allows students to gain experience in their chosen industry while they are studying. The university also offers a career centre team that helps students by offering a variety of services including meetings, conferences, and career fairs. UWS is also expanding their global alliances, which means working students may also receive overseas work opportunities. Six months after graduating, 95.5% of UWS graduates are employed or enrolled in more education.
Rolls-Royce, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Balfour Beatty, IBM, Hilton, BBC, Channel 4, Network Rail, Hewlett-Packard, Standard Life, etc. are the potential employers of the University of the West of Scotland graduates.
Scholarship
Given below are some of the scholarships offered at the University of the West of Scotland:
|
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility Criteria |
Benefits |
|
UWS Global Scholarships |
Postgraduate students achieving 69% or above at UG-level |
£1,500 |
|
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme |
Open to students from Commonwealth countries |
Covers tuition, living expenses, airfare, thesis award, research trip, and clothing allowance |
|
Scotland's Saltire Scholarships |
Postgraduate Master's students in Science, Technology, Creative Industries, Healthcare & Medical Sciences, Renewable & Clean Energy |
£8,000 |
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the University of the West of Scotland. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student accommodations in Glasgow near University of the West of Scotland that are fully equipped for your needs. Student accommodation near University Of The West Of Scotland offers a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from an array of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are inexpensive and fully furnished with 24/7 staff support.
Cost of Living
Glasgow is a fantastic choice for anyone searching for an economical location to study and live because it has been ranked as the second most affordable city in the world by Time Out (2022). There are many options for student housing, including dormitories, shared apartments, and privately-rented flats. The following are living expenditures that prospective students at the University of the West of Scotland should plan for:
|
Particulars |
Cost (Monthly) |
|
Off-Campus Accommodation |
£ 850 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
£ 840 |
|
Transportation |
£ 70 |
|
Food Cost |
£ 420 |
|
Entertainment |
£ 40 |
|
Groceries |
£ 128 |
|
Clothes |
£ 70 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation |
£ 1,578 |
|
Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation |
£ 1,568 |
|
Annual Cost of Living |
£ 18,936 |
The above data is sourced from Cost of Living in Glasgow on UniAcco.