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University of the West of Scotland

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University of the West of Scotland
Oilthigh na h-Alba an Iar
Coat of Arms of the University of the West of Scotland
Former names
University of Paisley
Bell College
MottoLatin:Doctrina Prosperitas
Motto in English
Learning is success
TypePublic university
Established1897 (as Paisley College of Technology)
1992 (granted university status)
2007 (renamed to UWS)
ChancellorYekemi Otaru
PrincipalProfessor James Miller
Chairman of the CourtWaiyin Hatton
Administrative staff
1,300
Students16,105 (2019/20)[1]
Undergraduates13,465 (2019/20)[1]
Postgraduates2,640 (2019/20)[1]
Location
4 in Scotland
Paisley,Hamilton,DumfriesandAyr
1 in England
London
Colours
AffiliationsMillion+
Scottish Universities Physics Alliance
Universities UK
EUA
Websiteuws.ac.uk

TheUniversity of the West of Scotland(Scottish Gaelic:Oilthigh na h-Alba an Iar), formerly theUniversity of Paisley,is apublic universitywith four campuses in south-western Scotland, in the towns ofPaisley,Blantyre,DumfriesandAyr,as well as a campus inLondon, England.The present institution dates from August 2007, following the merger of the University of Paisley withBell College,Hamilton.It can trace its roots to the late 19th century, and has undergone numerous name changes and mergers over the last century, reflecting its gradual expansion throughout the west of Scotland region.[2]

The university currently has 16,105 students, with approximately 1300 staff, spread across four schools of learning. TheCrichton CampusinDumfriesis maintained in partnership with a number of other institutions, including theUniversity of Glasgow.[3]

History[edit]

Origins of the University of Paisley[edit]

At the time of theIndustrial Revolution,Paisley was renowned for thread weaving. The Coats mill was run by two brothers, Peter andThomas Coats.These men, children of theScottish Enlightenment,had liberal ideals and became notedphilanthropists.As members of thePhilosophical Institution,founded in 1808 the Coats donated a museum and library to the town, funded the building of the Coats observatory and promoted education throughout Paisley.[4][5]

The Philosophical Institution, helped establish the School of Arts in 1836, which become a Government School of Design in 1846, one of twenty similar institutions established in UK manufacturing centres from 1837 to 1851. They were set up to improve the quality of the country's product design through training in design for industry.[6]Peter Coats was director of both Paisley Philosophical Institution and the Government School of Design. Later, the Design schools were renamed Schools of Art, and once again as Schools of Art and Science.[7]

In 1897Princess Louise, Duchess of Argylllaid the foundation stone of a grand new building for the college.[8]The design was the winner of an architectural competition and partially funded by local industrialists (Peter Brough and Thomas Coats both contributed).

By the start of the twentieth century, Paisley Technical College and School of Art, (as it was known from 1904) was a centre for teaching theUniversity of London External Programme.[7]Perhaps the most famous principal of the college wasLewis Fry Richardson,FRSprincipal from 1922 to 1940. A mathematician, physicist,meteorologist,psychologist andpacifistwho pioneered modern mathematical techniques of weather forecasting, as well as the application of similar techniques to studying war. He also carried out ground breaking work on fractals.[7]

Throughout the first half of the century the institution had a financial struggle. After the second world warCentral Institutionstatus provided a regular Government income but unfortunately also meant closing the school of Art, and ceding students toGlasgow School of Art.[2]The new entity thus became Paisley College of Technology; a Government funded Central Institution in 1950. In the 1960s a large physical expansion took place alongside theNeo-Classicaloriginal building on the main 20 acre (81,000 m2) Paisley town centre site.[2]

At the time Paisley, in common with other Central Institutions and the former Polytechnics, already offered a range of degrees under theCouncil for National Academic Awards.[2]With theFurther and Higher Education Act 1992,the Paisley College of Technology was granted the title University of Paisley and was established as a university with aroyal charterand degree awarding powers.[2]

Merger with Craigie College of Education[edit]

The establishment of the University of Paisley prompted a merger with Craigie College of Education in Ayr in 1993, and led to the incorporation of nursing colleges in the town.[6]The Ayr Campus was operated by the University of Paisley before the merger that established UWS. Set in 20 acres (81,000 m2) of the old parkland ofCraigie Housebordering the River Ayr, the campus also houses the West of Scotland Management Centre, the Business School's management training and development facility.[9]

University of the West of Scotland[edit]

UWS Paisley Campus

On 1 August 2007, the University of Paisley merged with Bell College, Hamilton. On 30 November 2007, thePrivy Councilapproved the name University of the West of Scotland for the merged institution.[10]The name change was resisted by many in Paisley, seeing it as a break with tradition and the connections binding the previous university to the town. The 'Keep It Paisley' campaign attracted a number of supporters, amongst them local MP and thenSecretary of State for Scotland,Douglas Alexander.[11]

Today the University of the West of Scotland has over 15,000 students and remains one of Scotland's largest 'new universities'.[12][13]

Paisley campus[edit]

The Paisley campus of the University of the West of Scotland is situated in the centre of Paisley, Scotland's largest town. The campus is home to roughly 10,000 students of the universities enrolment, offering a range of courses and research opportunities in areas such as business, computing, social sciences, engineering, science and health, nursing and midwifery. Student accommodation at the Paisley campus is provided in a recently opened £13.2 million student residence development. The Paisley campus of the university spans 20 acres and consists of four University of the West of Scotland academic schools.[14]

Ayr Campus[edit]

UWS Ayr Campus

In August 2011, a new campus for the university in Ayr opened on a riverside site adjacent to the previous campus. It is shared with theScotland's Rural College.[9]The campus was constructed at a cost of £81 million, and provides the Ayrshire region of Scotland with "one of the UK's most modern, environmentally friendly and sustainable higher education learning facilities". The design of the campus building was taken from inspiration of the surrounding land and environment in Ayr, with the university claiming that the campus provides students with a "stunning space for study".[15]

The Ayr campus has its own student accommodation facilities on site, with student accommodation buildings located roughly three minutes away from the main campus. The accommodation has the capacity to house up to 200 students.[16]

Lanarkshire Campus[edit]

The Hamilton campus was previously based at Almada Street,Hamilton, South Lanarkshirepreviously knownBell Collegeof Technology, before its merger with the University of Paisley.[17]

Following extensive consultation with the local authority, stakeholders, students and staff about the future of the Hamilton campus, UWS announced plans to relocate to the new UWS Lanarkshire Campus atHamilton International Technology Park(HITP), within the neighbouring town ofBlantyre,off the A725 bypass road near toWest Craigs.[18][19]The Almada Street campus closed and the HITP campus opened in September 2018.[20][21][22]

Dumfries Campus[edit]

Further information:The Crichton
Crichton Memorial Church, completed in 1897, at theCrichton University CampusinDumfries

The university's Dumfries campus is a small multi-institution facility located within the Crichton estate, a historic 85-acre parkland estate two miles from the centre of Dumfries. The campus has state-of-the-art learning facilities and currently operates across five historic buildings. A range of flexible full and part-time study opportunities are offered. The university claims that students benefit from 'small class sizes, low staff: student ratios and a supportive study environment.'[23] The Crichton University Campus in Dumfries is the result of a joint project between the University of the West of Scotland, the University of Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway College and theOpen University.The campus mainly offers business, computing and, since the merger with Bell College, nursing courses. Established in 1999 to provide a hub for higher education in the south-west of Scotland, the Crichton Campus has helped the regeneration of theDumfries and Gallowayeconomy.

London Campus[edit]

The London Campus is currently located in theEast India Dockarea ofLondon Docklands.[24]It was launched in March 2016 and provides UWS degree and postgraduate programmes to the international student population in London.[25]

Organisation[edit]

Student accommodation at UWS Ayr campus

The University of the West of Scotland is organised into four schools:[26]

  • School of Business and Creative Industries
  • School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences
  • School of Education and Social Sciences
  • School of Health and Life Sciences

The university offers over 100-degree courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and has a rapidly growing number of doctoral students. It also carries out research and consultancy work for industry, and is ranked second in Scotland for the number of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with businesses. The university attained Skillset Media Academy status in August 2010. Many courses at the University of the West of Scotland have an emphasis on vocational skills and offer students the option of spending a year working in industry at home or abroad.[citation needed]

The university has also worked with NHS Ayrshire and Arran resulting in a partnership in 2012 in the renaming of Ayr Hospital toUniversity Hospital Ayrand Crosshouse Hospital toUniversity Hospital Crosshouse.Its partnership with theGaiety Theatre, Ayrhas established Scotland's first 'Learning Theatre'.

Rankings and reputation[edit]

Rankings
National rankings
Complete(2025)[27]128
Guardian(2024)[28]119
Times / Sunday Times(2024)[29]126
Global rankings
THE(2024)[30]601–800

University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has been named the top young higher education institution in Scotland in the prestigiousTHE World University Rankings2020 league table. The university retains its place with in the 101-150 division of the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings.[31]

UWS is Scotland's leading university for widening access to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.[32]

UWS is also a sector leader incourse articulation,and is committed to articulating over 1,200 students with advanced standing each year.[33]

The university has the 4th highest level of student satisfaction in Scotland in the 2020 Complete University Guide[34] The university is ranked second in the United Kingdom for Education in the 2020 Complete University Guide.[35]

Student life[edit]

Student accommodation[edit]

The university has a number ofhalls of residence,ranging from modern en-suite/studio flats at Ayr Campus to furnished flats within Paisley. Students at Dumfries may apply for a place within theUniversity of Glasgowmanaged accommodation at the Crichton. In September 2012, the new £13.2 million on-campus Paisley student residence opened situated next to the library.[36]

Student associations[edit]

SAUWS[edit]

Students' Association of the University of the West of Scotland (SAUWS)
LocationPaisley,HamiltonandAyr,Scotland
Established1971
PresidentEllie Gomersall
Vice presidentsVice President Education:Kevin Miguim

Vice President Student Development:Claire Morris

Vice President Welfare and Wellbeing:Luke Humberstone
AffiliationsNational Union of Students
Websitewww.uwsunion.org.uk

The Students' Association of the University of the West of Scotland is officially the recognised student organisation across the university. The organisation exists to campaign on students' issues, to improve learning and teaching at UWS, to offer advice and support to students, to organise events and activities, and to enable societies across all campuses.[37]

The majority of the Student Groups and Societies are available to Scottish-based UWS campuses and are run by students for students. These include religious, political and social societies as well as course-based groups.[38]There are also a collection of liberation groups and peer support groups, which exist to counter under-represented and oppressed sections of the student body.[39]

SAUWS operates Union bars at their Paisley and Ayr locations, where they host various events and activities including quiz nights and karaoke.

In 2016 SAUWS won the NUS Scotland award "Higher Education Student Association of the Year". This was awarded due to the organisations work and campaigns such asKeep UWS in Hamilton,theSummer Safety Netcampaign, and its work developing services for students.[40]SAUWS was awarded "University Students' Association of the Year" by NUS Scotland once again in 2020.[41]

CUCSA[edit]

Crichton University Campus Student Association also serves students at the Dumfries Campus.

For students at Dumfries, CUCSA has a more limited range of sports and societies on offer and CUCSA is currently working with students to produce a new Netball club, both Boys and Girls Football clubs and an improved Riding Club.[42][43]

Radio[edit]

The Ayr Campus is also home to the university's student radio station UWS Radio. It broadcasts on DAB, 87.7FM to the campus and online. The station has interviewed greats such asBrian MayfromQueenandJesse Rae.[citation needed]

Sports[edit]

Main article:TeamUWS

Sporting affairs are regulated byTeamUWS,[44]the Sports and Societies branch of the main Students Association headed by the Sports President. There are a large number of varied clubs, including Aikido, Basketball, Curling and Snowsports who regularly compete inBUCSandScottish Student Sportcompetitions. Students who join one of the sports clubs affiliated with the university must also join the Sports Union. However, there are also regular classes and drop-in sessions for various sports which are non-competitive and available to all university gym members. The university operates two sports centres across the west of Scotland, Robertson Trust Sports Centre at Thornly Park Campus in Paisley[45]and Hamilton Leisure Centre[46]on site on Hamilton Campus.

The university, as the University of Paisley, has also had a number of previous clubs includingIce Hockey,Shinty,Gaelic Footballand Ice Sports. There have been attempts in recent years to resurrect these teams, most notably the Paisley IcePanthers, the university's former ice hockey team in 2008 by Finnish and German students, but due to lack of interest the club never happened. The most successful of all the resurrections was the American Football team. The Paisley College of Technology/University of Paisley Panthers American Football played between the1989–90 British Collegiate American Football Leagueand the1996–97 British Collegiate American Football Leagueseasons until the club rejoined as the University of Paisley Pyros at the start of the2004–05 British Collegiate American Football Leagueseason.

TeamUWS competes in the East vs Westvarsitycompetition againstEdinburgh Napier Universityin the sports of AmericanFlag Football,Badminton, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Netball, Rugby and Volleyball which is at the moment the biggest sport club (2017). In the 2013/2014 competition the hockey games were cancelled due to location and weather difficulties.

According to the Scottish Daily Record, it is rumoured thatSouth Ayrshire Councilis considering giving the dated Dam Park Stadium, the venue for UWS-SRUC-Ayrshire College Varsity, to the university saving nearly £70,000. As part of the transfer, the facility will continue to be used by Ayr Seaforth AC and the local community.[47]

Notable Alumni[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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  2. ^abcde"UWS History".Archived fromthe originalon 14 July 2022.
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