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University of the West of Scotland

Ranked
Paisley, United Kingdom
601–800th in World University Rankings 2025
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About

Basic information and contact details for the University of the West of Scotland

institution

The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has a history that dates back to 1897 when the Paisley College of Technology was established. In 1992 the college was granted university status and in 2007 it was renamed the University of the West of Scotland.

The university has four campuses: Paisley, Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Ayr, spread across the west and southwest of Scotland, United Kingdom. UWS also has a newly expanded London campus, which is located in the London Docklands.

Academically the university is organised into four schools: business and creative industries, computing, engineering and physical sciences, education and social sciences, and health and life sciences. Each school offers a range of courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level.

Outside the classroom the Students’ Association organises a diverse calendar of social events for all students during the academic year.

UWS categorises its research into three main themes: health, society and sustainability. Within these themes, research is carried out in the areas of business and enterprise, computing, education, engineering, health, media and culture, science, social sciences, and sport and exercise. The university’s research is collaborative by nature.

The International Centre is responsible for overseeing the university’s international activities, primarily academic exchange programmes. Every year UWS welcomes hundreds of students from across the globe to study at the university. It has developed partnerships with higher education institutions around the world in countries including China, India, Canada, Kenya and Vietnam.

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Rankings

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Impact Rankings

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Key Student Statistics

A breakdown of student statistics at the University of the West of Scotland

gender ratio
Student gender ratio
61 F : 39 M (1)
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International student percentage
31% (1)
student per staff
Students per staff
23.7 (1)
student
Student total
14205 (1)

Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2025

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Subjects Taught at the University of the West of Scotland

See below for a range of subjects taught at the University of the West of Scotland

Social Sciences601–800th

  • Sociology
  • Politics and International Studies
  • Communication and Media Studies

Psychology501–600th

  • Psychology

Physical Sciences501–600th

  • Chemistry
  • Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
  • Physics and Astronomy
  • Mathematics and Statistics

Engineering401–500th

  • General Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Education401–500th

  • Education

Clinical and Health601–800th

  • Other Health

Business and Economics601–800th

  • Business and Management
  • Accounting and Finance