Undergraduate Application Guide
If you’re thinking about studying at University of the West of Scotland, our step-by-step guide should help you to understand the application process.
It’s easy to make an application but there are a few steps that you need to go through to ensure you have everything you need first.
International students
If you live outside the EU, we’ve developed a step-by-step application guide for international students.
Step-by-step guide
Before you begin your application, it is important to read our step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Choose a course
Many of our undergraduate bachelor degrees are career-focused and professionally recognised and with more than 60 undergraduate degree courses to choose from, a degree from UWS can get you off to a great start in your career.
Course Search
Find your course of interest from our career-focused undergraduate, postgraduate (taught) and post-experience options.
Step 2: Check the entry requirements
Make sure that you meet – or are on course to meet – the academic qualifications for your chosen degree. You must be able to provide proof of all qualifications to receive an unconditional offer of study at UWS. Prior to this, you may receive a conditional offer of study until you meet/are able to provide proof of academic / other qualifications etc.
more about undergraduate entry requirements at UWS
If you are a student from either an EU or non-EU country, a country where English is not your main language, you will also be required to meet our English language requirements.
Step 3: Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees are determined by your nationality and the country where you are ordinarily resident.
Check Your Tuition Fee Status
Each individual course entry will identify the tuition fees for full-time and part-time study (if applicable).
Check our Undergraduate Course Listing
NB: Part-time tuition fees are normally listed on a per-module basis (typically 20-credit point modules).
Funding options
There is a great deal of financial support available to help you meet the cost of your study. This ranges from statutory government loans to pay for tuition fees to bursaries to help towards living expenses.
Step 4: Apply
Full-time Study Starting in August/September 2024
All prospective undergraduate students (UK, Republic of Ireland, other EU and Non-EU) should apply to study at UWS through UCAS.
Only EU and non-EU students applying through an agent or partner should apply to study at UWS via our Online Application System.
The UCAS website has lots of information to steer you through the applications process. A good place to begin is their getting started page.
Once you’ve registered with UCAS's online applications system, you can start to update your application with the necessary information, including:
- Exam results (achieved and predicted grades)
- Personal statement
- References
- Work experience (especially experience that is related to the course you are applying for and demonstrates interest in this area of study or work)
You don’t need do it all at once – you can save your progress and sign back in at any time.
Remember that this is the information we’ll use to assess your application. It’s important to include as much detail as possible to give yourself the best chance of success.
The deadline for 2024 entry is 31 January 2024. For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining.
UCAS charges a fee for the service it provides. It shouldn’t cost you more than £27.50 (2024 entry) and £28.50 (2025 entry) to apply to study at UWS or any UK university.
When you make your application, please remember to use the UWS institution code U40 and the UCAS course code for the degree you wish to apply for (usually a four digit code, eg H410).
Full-time Study Starting in January 2025
Applications for full-time Undergraduate courses starting in January 2025 are made through our online application system.
Once you’ve created an account on our online applications system, you can start completing your application with the necessary information, including:
- Exam results (achieved and predicted grades)
- Personal statement
- References
- Work experience (especially experience that is related to the course you are applying for and demonstrates interest in this area of study or work)
You don’t need do it all at once – you can save your progress and sign back in at any time.
Part-time Study
Applying for part-time study at UWS is a simple process through our online application system. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time study step-by-step guide for a smooth and stress-free process.
Step 5: Application processing
Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email from UCAS that they have received your application. You will be able to monitor the progress of your application UCAS’s online system.
UCAS will confirm all the details you have submitted to the UWS admissions team for them to make a decision on your application.
Step 6: Decision time
Once your application has been processed, UCAS will contact you by email to confirm one of the following decisions:
- Unconditional offer: you already meet the necessary entry requirements
- Conditional offer: you still need to achieve the required qualifications or supply missing documentation. Once you meet these conditions, your offer will change to either unconditional or unsuccessful
- Unsuccessful: you are not considered to be suitably qualified
Step 7: Prepare for UWS
Once you receive and accept your unconditional offer, it's time to start preparing for life and study at UWS.
UWS Admissions Procedure
The UWS Admissions Policy has been developed to provide transparency in the admissions processes and practices of University of the West of Scotland, ensuring that a quality service is given to all applicants.
Our priority for admissions is to match prospective students with the programme of study that best meets their needs, whilst ensuring that our institutional strategic objectives are met. We are committed to ensuring that our approach to the admissions of students is transparent, fair, honest, consistent, accessible, personalised and timely.
Criminal Convictions
UWS is committed to fairness and transparency in its application process. As part of our responsibility towards students and staff, all applicants and enrolled students, should disclose relevant, unspent criminal convictions.
Last updated: 24/04/2024