Ratings and Reviews
UWS is indeed a great school. I came here knowing no one and met a welcoming and active student union. The teaching and course modules attracted me to the school and I can say it was not disappointed. I will recommend uws to anyone seeking a academic growth. So many fun activities, free WiFi
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University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Hall Rankings
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Ratings and Reviews
UWS is indeed a great school. I came here knowing no one and met a welcoming and active student union. The teaching and course modules attracted me to the school and I can say it was not disappointed. I will recommend uws to anyone seeking a academic growth. So many fun activities, free WiFi
Applying to University of the West of Scotland (UWS)
- Entry Requirements
72-136 UCAS Points
Average range for University of the West of Scotland (UWS) entry requirements. Varies depending on the course.
University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Reputation
The University of the West of Scotland is a multi-campus university, with its largest campus in the town of Ayr in South West Scotland. 19,555 students are enrolled at UWS:
- 13,855 of these students come from the UK
- 275 come from EU countries
- And 5,410 are students from non-EU countries.
(Source: HESA 2022/23)
The graduate outcomes for The UWS show that six months after leaving university, 89% of graduates are in work or further study. The typical graduate salary six months after leaving UWS is £24 - £27K a year.
(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Data Survey 2023 for 2020/21 graduates)
Updated: 4th October 2024
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Read University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Reviews
UWS is indeed a great school. I came here knowing no one and met a welcoming and active student union. The teaching and course modules attracted me to the school and I can say it was not disappointed. I will recommend uws to anyone seeking a academic growth. So many fun activities, free WiFi
Its overall a good university, studies are good not to much lectures a week. I like the lecturers and their way of teaching
living in Scotway House is amazing! It's where true friendships are born, the routine becomes full of spontaneous moments and there is always someone to support you or help you, this includes the reception too. Living together teaches about respect and partnership, while events and meetings make everything more special. It is a unique experience that leaves unforgettable memories!
A wholistic university which gives students the space they need and support when required.
This is the nightmare for students. You never ever face a good thing when are you in a UWS.
Awful. Just go anywhere but here. I don’t understand how they get away with treating student as they do. 0 communication and support. Promised support when I stated and didn’t get any at all. Tutors didn’t reply to emails for weeks on end had to email repeatedly and often didn’t get a reply before your assessment was due. On deferring after the loss of my dad they refused to respond to emails regards my return and I was forced to get my MP involved and submit an application as if I was a new student before anyone would reply to me. I was on the phone in tears at one point and they just didn’t care, just pass the buck and don’t reply. Everything is the student fault they won’t take any responsibility for their poor treatment. 3 months after completing my course I was chasing them for my result. When I finally got my grades I was told certificate would take 2-3 months to send out. I’ve never been contacted regards graduation and don’t have the certificate so I’m chasing them AGAIN.
AVOID. AVOID AVOID!!!!!! Especially the Health Sciences department. A MASSIVE bullying culture within Nursing and Midwifery placements are swept under the carpet and the students are not supported. Students are not encouraged to speak up and silenced if they do. Please DO NOT go to this University if you value your mental health. It is TERRIBLE!!! Many students have left due to this.
Awful university, I have had an exceptional number of issues during my time at UWS, from not being able to enroll, to issues in accessing resources online on AULA. Lecturers have not been great and seem to have a high turnover with 2 of the 3 having left during my time. Their webpages, logins, and sheer volume of places you have to go to try and access what you are looking is so much more complicated than it needs to be. I would encourage anyone to consider other universities over UWS as even the simpliest of things are challenging with this uni.
I started studying at UWS in 2021, and have had a most miserable time. The course which was advertised does not line up with the course I am actually studying (Performance), and some lecturers are completely incompetent at teaching, and responding to students. My time here has been plagued with issues, including a crime that, despite being reported to the university themselves, was never dealt with. The accommodation is awful and offers little to do, especially now with the campus union closing. It is a joke! I have chosen to terminate my studies, as I would rather start from scratch somewhere new than stay for the remainder of my studies. Absolutely do not recommend
The best university around and the lab equipment is top of the range
Good university if you wanna be a full time student without having to attend classes and actually to be taught something usable.
Good enough facilities. I am enjoying the Computer Animation Arts degree :)
I am from London campus, since there is no option I choose Glasgow. Everything is good and very neat with exceptional facilities. Friendly staffs.
Absolutely shocking university. As a mature student who completed a SWAP course to progress on to university i have really been treated shockingly. As I was successful through clearing I had absolutely NO correspondence what so ever to start the programme. Not one piece of information on where to go, what classes I was doing, no timetable and I was never allocated a personal tutor. But somehow it’s my fault as I didn’t engage. I was bullied into accepting an offer to start next year and I’m absolutely devastated by this after working so hard next year. The Lanarkshire campus definitely needs to look at their support system for mature students or any students.
Very good university, thank you for this year
Review of Lanarkshire campus There are a few campuses but only a student union vibe at paisley which is a bit of a letdown for other campuses. You don't really get a university lifestyle at uws because it's so far away from everything, but the library is really good both online and on campus. I have really enjoyed my course and couldn't fault it I just think the university itself could try to encourage a more student lifestyle with more societies and clubs to join for students that aren't JUST in paisley.
I'm new to this university and I'm finding it very confusing how to navigate through teams and Aula. I'm constantly jumping between the two, with a lecturer who clearly have issues with me from day 1, I'm unable to to communicate or seek help. such attitude should not be taking place, why my email is getting ignored? I think I'm new to this university and my face doesn't fit so they are treating me this way.
Worst university ever. We were treated like guinea pigs in London Campus for two years.
Haven't been able to visit campus yet, due to the current covid situation, but service and help offered has been amazing.
This university is modern and the premises are clean. Unfortunately, I was not able to access it often because my courses were online due to the virus.
there isnt much to do from a social point of view and some of the teachng material needs to be more engaging
Very good for innovative studies, library, Study environment.
Speaking from personal experience, extremely helpful and supportive staff looking after and requirements of students however they can.
I cannot really evaluate as I have always been working remotely.
There are about 5 different Clubs/Societies at Paisley in a students Union which offers limited experience and is more expensive than other social areas. Wellbeing Officers don't offer support and instead tell you to not bother in my case, which led me to paying for an actual therapist for feeling neglected by those meant to care.
Dont have half a clue whats going on including the lecturers and their peers. No such thing as a disability at UWS. Utterly abysmal.
I beg of you not to enter into the computer animation arts course here. It absolutely awful. They teach you next to no actual animation, its all about modelling and lighting, amongst other useless classes. Most of the tutors are really lazy and incompetent. On one memorable occasion, we were given an annonymous review form, and when i brought up my concerns they were read out at the front of class, and there was a witch hunt to find out who wrote it. The class were encouraged to make fun of the comments left. The tutors leave halfway through class for coffee and don't come back until the end so if you're stuck you'll remain that way. I asked for help with my computer not working and was shamed embarrassingly in front of the class and told to fix it myself. I'm staying until I get my honours then I'm off. This has tainted animation and the whole industry for life. I cant wait to see the back of it.
Most of these reviews are from the old paisley campus . This is an amazing university (I study in Lanarkshire ) . I’m studying biomedical science and I would highly reccomend it to anybody interested in biology .
Good experience , nice lecturers and I love the campus facilities and the staff. Definitely recommend
This is the worst university in the entire UK. I deeply regret my decision as an international student to come to UWS. Please don t waste your time here. There are plenty of excellent and good universities. Please don t end up at UWS.
Currently doing an MBA Distance learning, i have to say this is the worst educational experience...teachers dont reach out or even bother to make time to respond to emails. Horrible online system which looks like it was made by a primary school kid...I've wasted a lot of money and nothing to show for...
I first came to UWS as an international student via Erasmus exchange and then decided to stay for a full honors degree program. Looking into some other reviews on this website, I may have been lucky but I had excellent lectures who were not only knowledgable in the relevant theories of their fields, but also able to share practical insights from projects with companies. Student support was great and I found several good friends at the University. So, based on my personal experience, I can highly recommend the business school of UWS.
went to see about short courses entry requirements found what little help there was poor well worse than a few years ago
Informations are not very well communicated
Not a very good uni for CompSci BSc. Hopefully I can transfer
I see a lot of people leaving bad reviews. It's funny because they all seem to be complaining about the work, which you do need to complete as the answers aren't handed to you on a silver platter. If you have issues with authority, then a University probably isn't for you if you expect some sort of an easy pass. Their school of engineering and computing is excellent. Is the work tough? Sure, you need to put the effort in. I get the feeling that a lot of "ex" students who quit before finishing their degree have come here to leave bad reviews. I have experience with the Paisley campus, which was great. They also just built a brand new campus in Lanarkshire. I found the university to be very welcoming and understanding of each student and their needs. You won't have a bitter taste in your mouth, because if you put hard work into it, it will pay off in the end, hence the resentment won't be there to leave bad reviews. Good uni, lots of help given when needed.
Would only recommend this University to college students looking for advanced entry into a degree with an HNC OR HND. If you are applying to go into first year and are passionate about your subject GO ELSEWHERE. Currently studying Social Sciences and am fairly enjoying the programme. The lecturers are friendly and competent and are knowledgeable of their subjects. One downside of this University sadly are the students. Because of the lower entry standards many students truthfully aren't up to par. This is an enormous disadvantage when you have to work with disinterested immature people in group assignments. This has made me doubt the decision I made to come to the University, when I get sneered at by other students for contributing in seminars, while the others sit in silence ! The clubs and societies are a joke. The students union is an incompetent joke, To much selfie taking and PR stunts and little communication with students.
Avoid at any costs for any subject area and program. Lecturers are in general incompetent, lazy and never to be found in their offices. According to THEs for years in a row now the worst Uni in Scotland. Some lecturers even do not speak English well enough nor hold a PhD in their subject area! Uni is little know for its research, but claims to be teaching focused. No evidence of that though. Says it all. All the time UWS is in the headlines for the wrong reasons: nepotism, redundancies, student graduation fees. Town a shambles as well with big church across the street now being left to rot away. Easy to pass with a first class honours however, yet, worthless degrees.
good campus with good facilities
Applied to a digital art and design course, which looked great on paper but in reality was completely different from what I paid for, feel cheated and lied to in order to fill spaces and take my money avoid if possible.
I applied to University West of Scotland Ayr Campus 3rd year for BA(Hons) Digital Art and Design Course late 2017. The course curriculum, myself and 50+ other students applied for, changed in June 2018 without student notification. The course was to be a two year top-up course that promised many things that are no longer available. The course changed to a four year program which left third year's with coding art using free software called Processing (not industry standard) and projection art, which also will not get you a job in the digital art and design industry, and scientific research requiring learning paradigms and methodologies. If you, like me, practice by drawing in a computer environment and expect imaginative briefs at this level. Think again. We stayed because we were told that there would be groups to flesh out what we weren't getting on the course. But, the tutors gave us assignments to create adverts that only served to further UWS Agenda. So we left the groups. Beware.
One of the best University in the UK. I studied at this University for 5 years. I completed my BA (Human Resource Management) and MSc (International Management) I have a great experience as a student at the University of the west of Scotland. All the staff especially my lecturers and supervisors are very helpful. The University environment is outstanding. All facilities are available which acquired for students to study. I can't forget my golden time at UWS.
Look at another university. Seriously. This University is awful. Grading is all over the place. My tutor told me I should drop because of my disability.
I am so dissapointed with the services of this university.I advice my sister from Cameroon to apply to this university.She is suppose to start school on the 3rd of September and up till date she has not received her CAS letter.All attempts to get to them on this matter was futile.I regret helping her make a poor decision.I am in the UK and I schooled here.I have never seen such poor services and communication.Terrible
I am studying doctorate in business administration from London campus. Although, London campus Is smaller in size compared to other campuses of UWS but has all the facilities. The university ranking keeps on increasing every year and the degrees are recognised everywhere. The new Lanarkshire campus is one of the best buildings.
This university is a joke, staff is most unhelpful and unfriendly I ever experienced. Organisation of the course basically not exist, sweeping problems under the carpet is everyday routine. Academic support exists only in theory.
Excellent student life Lecturers/readers well established in their respective fields Massive improvements made to the PAISLEY campus AYR campus airy; spacious. WiFi is easily reached all over campus (s) Fantastic library Interdisciplinary learning encouraged in some faculties Great support for Honours/postgrad research UWS inspires you to learn Offers subjects like: PSYCHOLOGY, COMPUTER SCIENCE, EDUCATION (PGDE), NURSING; and more
From sweeping problems under the table and threatening students with expulsion to out of date facilities and resources, UWS continues to exceed my expectations in how bad it is. It took me longer than most to graduate and there are a few absolute gems of staff members but be careful who you trust, Always keep records of meetings, if you have issues most of the time they will be dismissed, make the union aware of there are hints of this, it saved me from expulsion. I've eavesdropped on the staff and the rumours I heard are true they gossip terribly about everything. The UWS rumour mill keep a churning. Careful what you post online the lecturers found me and somehow gained access to my profile. They took things out of context to put me in a bad light. This university is not worth the money or the stress, and a degree from here isn't worth the paper the certificate is printed on. That being said I have made some friends for life, forged strong bonds through the troubles.
I am from China and studying MBA in UWS London Campus. The tuition fee is £6450 for the one-year full-time program. As living and studying in Central London, I really enjoy the life here and thank to UWS open this new campus in London.
simply put, its an old building, its been standing for longer than ive been alive and is prone to having structural problems (theres a few leaks) but, this is the last year Hamilton Campus will be used, so, new building should be far superior. I'm Currently studying social sciences, which is a blast, modules are fairly well coordinated, and the lectures are informative, only thing i find a little damning is how little we are in, since, were on a two day a week rota right now. overall, weve had a fair amount of help with career stuff, and, they have made themselves known to us. So, the only problem i actually have is the wifi, its Nigh on impossible to log into, despite resetting my password on the site numerous times (probably my own fault to be fair). Best bit about the university by far is probably the staff. freindly, informative, and never tire no matter how many questions are asked of them, and are always punctual, i would recommend the university to others
Now none of the above was required before, and we students knew nothing of this sudden change in approach. I brought my concerns via a complaint, as I was not satisfied with the answer I got and the inconsistencies from before (no "moderation" or "going through" was needed before, on this digitally and automatically marked system). I was brought to a fitness to practice meeting where the above was discussed (even though, my complaint was "Live" - they said they wouldn't discuss it - but they contradicted themselves by then covering this issue of the "mysterious hidden week delay" when the lecturer "goes through" & "moderates". I was asked if I wanted to still use a paper exam copy, I replied "yes, due to my concerns" with the anomaly (the week's delay). Then I was told, "forget it, we will mark you as unfit to practice". I then said I did want to work with the Uni. They said in that case, they would pass me (they assumed I had agreed to use Safemedicate).
Don't go near the nursing course. They have a drug calculation software programme, for students which is supposed to be for learning (home practice) and then exams (2 x formative, where you have to get over 80%0 and then a summative exam where you have to get 100%. Normally the system "Safemedicate", gives instant results (as it automatically marks). However, this is when things go murky. My colleagues and I where given the SAME password (yes - we all knew the same password) and the Lecturer knew this, and he also knew our username (banner ID) and names. Then, again, rather strangely, on the day of the summative exam (when a student has to get 100%) - we logged in, and to much surprise, after we had submitted our answers, instead of receiving our instant results (like always happened with this same system) - the results were hidden for a week! I emailed the lecturer about this after (as my colleagues were also surprised, and had no info on this)
it's very confusing for new students. this uni have different web pages and every page have its own user name and password. and what makes it worse is that they suggest them for u so you are not choosing your own. once you enrol yourself you can't change the modules you chose, you must contact the course organiser which might take a week before it resolved. not started yet and already dreading it.
I think UWS gets a lot of bad press but it is quite unwarranted. I have been a student at Strathclyde and although it's history and academic merit far outweigh that of UWS... Coursewise (Mechanical Engineering) it is very similar. Sure, I have noticed the very slightest tendency to be unorganised at times but it is a university that is trying to progress and fix these issues. It is most definitely trying to build a reputation to be proud of. This won't happen overnight. Students and former students sticking the boot in doesn't help matters - I have found in my short tenure there that you get out what you put in. If you work hard you can get the same honours degree you would get at any other university in the land. The grass isn't always greener! Keep trying to build that reputation UWS - You are doing a good job.
Please don't waist your money on this University. Lecturers have quite low knowledge about subjects, and their background on working experience as well as education cannot be checked, there are no guidelines or set rules how to do courseworks, prepare dissertation, at least when it comes to formatting, no information about deadlines..... I know the fee for studying seems low, but you will not get anything in return. And that is expensive.
Third year journalism student at Ayr campus and cannot wait to leave. Very unorganized uni, staff do not care about their student and it is a mission to get a response from them on email. No career help whatsoever and one lecturer deserted us halfway through the year with absolutely no explanation or form of communication even letting us know she would not be returning, Assessment and exam results take about three-four months to come back and lecturers do not keep you in the loop. Seems like Paisley campus is the only one UWS really invests in and cares about, would NOT recommend UWS Ayr at all. Will not be coming back to do fourth year Hons.
Worst experience. As an international student, you expect some support considering that you're new to the system and that you're paying nearly three times what others pay. However, the case for UWS is that you don't even get the same treatment as others. Even worse, there's a lack of responsiveness where lecturers, and even the program leader, don't reply to their emails, I had to make a complaint every now and then just to make sure my emails went through. It's so awful to be a student trying to focus on your studies without the support that should naturally come from your lecturers. Not worth the money or effort.
Rubbish uni. When you try to find materials for your assignment, most of them are not available. Dissertation supervisor has been changed at the end of second semester. Every time at the beginning of the year problems with classes (waiting for ages for a class and nobody comes). Disorganised, low ranked uni with no career prospects at all.
Horrible place, a detriment to your CV. I am a student doing an Honours in Computer networking. I am forced to spend most of my day troubleshooting faulty software and VMs that the Uni demands that I use for coursework (VirtualBox: free and faulty). Lab work is so poorly written I'm forced to rely heavily on Google to just solve problems. We even have forums provided by the teacher to actually solve what he wants us to do in class work. Campus is a joke, my classroom has holes in the ceiling and computers run sluggishly. Only careers option available is teacher reposting posts made on job seeker websites. Clearly next to no assistance on getting a real job. Can't wait to leave. An embarrassment and detriment to my career and to anyone else who comes here.
the website used to access resources is a complete joke, spend more hours looking for materials than studying for my degree. UWS IS A JOKE!!!
Awful experience so far, I'm really glad I'm graduating this year. The campus is really old, there's no student community at all, which is partly the students' fault, as the Union is trying. Career services improved a lot recently. Wifi keeps disconnecting all the time, all computers in the labs are awfully slow.
Really unorganised, unprofessional university. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone, it was a huge disappointment and I'm glad I'm finishing this year. (Business school).
BA Business and Enterprise - 3rd year Very bad, no standards, only focus on Paisley campus, no help, took nearly 4 months to be given a personal tutor and the material used it rubbish! would not recommend anyone to study business here!
Union is due to shut soon. Average university.
Wifi can be temperamental, they're scrapping the Union and the only real redeeming feature is a dedicated staff and a well run Sports Union