Welcome to UWS!
This page is intended to provide you with a range of different information that will be useful to you during your studies at UWS. Have a read through, get to know your term dates and more about the UWS experience. Get in touch with our friendly teams if you’d like more information.
START DATES FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2024/25 (PDF)
Our Campuses and facilities
UWS incorporates four distinctive campuses situated in the west and south-west of Scotland and one in London the capital city of the UK. Each campus location has its own individual character, architecture and social scene.
The Library
The Library supports learning throughout your student journey and provides access to a wide range of books and journals online and in print. Library staff are available in-person or remotely to assist with any enquiries and offer one-to-one support to help you get the most out of your time at UWS.
The Student Hub
You can contact The Student Hub for support or questions you may have during your student journey at UWS. There’s a Student Hub on every Scottish campus.
Our friendly Student Hub team can assist you with enrolment, council tax enquiries and payments for tuition and accommodation fees.
You can also access information and appointment booking for the support services available to you.
Print credits
All students are allocated £10 print credit once they have completed enrolment. This credit can be used to print on any Multi-Function Print device located on campus. Procedures for printing can be found on our Student Support SharePoint. The instructions vary based on the type of device and operating system you are using. Once this credit has been used students can top up print credit from University of the West of Scotland | Papercut.
Important note: Do not add more credit to your account than you think you will need as a refund on any remaining balance at the end of your studies cannot be requested.
Remember to enrol
If you have yet to enrol, you should do this as soon as possible to get access to all the information you require and ensure you are registered as a student.
You will receive an email from the University when it is your time to enrol, along with instructions on how to do so.
Our culture and student experience
We have a supportive culture here at UWS, career focused and forward thinking. From our learning and teaching models, wellbeing, values and commitments. Our students are at the heart of everything we do.
Student advice and development
At UWS, we are committed to ensuring that every student gets the most out of their university experience, regardless of their personal circumstances or background. There is a wide range of support available to ensure that all students fulfil their potential, achieve their goals and enjoy their time at UWS.
Academic Skills Development
Academic skills are study habits and learning strategies that contribute to overall learning and student success. The Academic Skills Advisers at UWS offer advice and resources to help students in developing these habits and strategies.
We offer this advice in various ways:
- One-to one appointments: online or in-person meetings with an adviser to develop your academic skills.
- In-lecture sessions: academic skills advice tailored to your course and level.
- Online events: webinars and Q&A sessions on key topics (e.g. referencing, essay writing, time management).
- Digital resources: our website offers advice and further resources on a range of topics.
For more information on the support available from the Academic Skills Team, visit the Academic Study Skills page.
Careers
Your Careers Service is here to help you to achieve your career goals by providing professional careers education, information, advice and guidance. You can use the resources and services of the Careers Service from first year through to five years after graduation.
For more information on the support available from the Careers Service, visit the Developing Your Career page.
This is also where you can book appointments with a Careers Adviser and book to attend Careers Events.
Counselling and Wellbeing
If personal or emotional problems are making your life difficult, the Counselling Service at UWS can help. You can talk to one of our counsellors about anything that’s affecting your well-being, big or small. Our free, confidential service is available to all UWS students.
The counselling team aims to create a safe, affirming and welcoming environment that embraces human diversity. It’s very important to us to provide equality of services and care to everyone, regardless of age, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religion or belief.
In addition to counselling and wellbeing support, we encourage students to visit the NHS webpage on health services when starting the new term.
Disability Support
Disability is no barrier to success at UWS. Our friendly, confidential team will work with you to help identify appropriate support strategies and adjustments tailored to meet your individual needs.
If you have, or think you have a long term medical condition, unseen disability or specific learning difficulty, we will be able to offer you advice and guidance on support available. Don’t worry if you do not know what type of support you will need, our disability advisers will help you identify which support may be best for you.
Funding and Advice
Studying at university will likely have a big impact on your money, so planning ahead is key and will help you focus on your studies and complete your course. Whether you are living away from home for the first time, or are returning to education as a mature student, perhaps with children to support, we have help and advice that everyone can benefit from.
You can view our funding magazine below, which includes a range of information around student funding, budgeting and much more.
Read the All you need to know about funding magazine
Check out more funding advice and guidance at www.uws.ac.uk/money-fees-funding
If you have read our web based information and have a specific question please email the team on fundingadvice@uws.ac.uk
International Student Advice
Coming to the UK as an international student is an exciting experience. However we understand that there are also many new challenges and our International Student Advisers are here to help you with many aspects of living and studying away from home.
We can help you with:
- Student immigration and student visas
- Travel advice during the holidays
- Relative visits
- Working in the UK during and after your studies
- General welfare support
- Settling into the UK and adapting to a new culture
If you are a new international student in 2024/25, here are our five things to do in your first week at UWS:
- Join an International Student Support Drop in session on campus . You will find full information on all events, including Zoom joining links. (Please note that you must be signed into your UWS Microsoft 365 account to access the SharePoint site and may need to amend the date range to see all upcoming events and sessions).
- Collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
- Open a UK bank account
- Register with a Doctor (GP)
- Connect with other students (online or in person)
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website at www.ukcisa.org.uk also provides information on all aspects of international students studying in the UK.
Multifaith Chaplaincy
UWS welcomes and celebrates people of all faiths and none. Whatever your beliefs, you’ll find space for reflection on campus and personal support from the multifaith chaplaincy team.
Support for carers, care experienced and estranged students
At UWS, we understand that being a carer, a care experienced student or an estranged student can have a big impact on your life and studies.
If you are in any of these categories, we have an extensive range of support available.
Get active, get involved
As well as going to your classes, there are many ways to make new friends, feel part of the UWS community, and to make sure your university experience is fulfilling, rewarding and fun.
This is not only important for your wellbeing, but students who get involved with other aspects of university life, such as UWS Achievement Awards, Team UWS and societies, tend to do better in their studies, build networks and gain skills which can help while at university and beyond. Employers are very interested to hear about extra-curricular activities as well as your degree.
Your voice
To help us make our teaching, facilities and services work for you, we like to ask you what we do well and where we can improve. You will also receive regular verbal and written feedback from your course team and other University staff to help guide you through your studies.
Keep an eye out for the range of ways we ask for your feedback through student surveys, module evaluations questionnaires, the Students’ Union and Student Representatives.
Further resources
All you need to know about getting enrolled, induction and getting started at UWS.
