Making the move from College to UWS

As one of Scotland's most inclusive universities, we’re proud to welcome over a thousand students from colleges in Scotland each year to our courses.

At UWS, we have a dedicated College Team to support students joining us from college, as well as an excellent programme of transition support both for students entering at Year 1 or articulating into Year 2 or 3 of a degree.

We welcome students to our degree programmes with a range of college qualifications, including Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) qualifications, HNC and HND qualifications.

Whether you have been offered a place at UWS or have yet to apply, the UWS College Team provide a dedicated service to guide you through the process and help you develop your skills and confidence to make the move into university study.

Find out more below about your study options, dedicated support available and upcoming events to support you with the move to university. If your qualifications are not listed, please get in touch and we'd be happy to advise.

Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) Students

As a partner institution, UWS works closely with colleagues on the Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP). We help ensure students can progress into a range of degree options at the University in subjects such as science, business, nursing, paramedic science, teaching, engineering, law and social work.

SWAP students who are interested in applying to UWS are offered a dedicated programme of transition support throughout their time at college before joining a UWS degree. This includes access to a range of events and workshops both online and in person at a UWS campus. There's also access to a bespoke online toolkit to help you develop your skills and prepare you for the move to university.

SWAP students can also make a 1-to-1 advice appointment with our dedicated College Team. Here, you can ask any questions about study options at UWS, the application process or any other aspect of life as a student at university.

The Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) is a 1-year full-time course. It supports access to higher education for adult learners. SWAP access programmes are delivered by colleges across Scotland and are a proven route into degree courses. 

If you're interested in studying for a SWAP qualification in college within Glasgow and the West of Scotland, you can check SWAP West courses available at local colleges.

For Edinburgh and the East of Scotland, you can check SWAP East courses available at local colleges.

You can gain entry to a range of degree options at UWS with your SWAP qualification. Over 80% of our undergraduate courses offer Year 1 entry with a SWAP access qualification. 

Discover our undergraduate degree options and entry requirements at UWS. If you’re not sure about your qualifications or options, please get in touch.

HNC and HND students

At UWS we're proud to offer direct entry options to over 90% of our degree programmes, making us the largest provider of articulation in Scotland. We are renowned for the programme of transition support that we offer to our students joining us with HNC and HND qualifications. Entry points are available at Year 1, as well as articulation to Year 2 or 3 or our degrees.

College to Uni Pathways Guide (pdf)

You can find more information on articulation, study options and our Associate Student Scheme below. 

Articulation is when students who are studying on an HNC or HND course at college progress into Year 2 or Year 3 of an undergraduate degree at UWS.

Over 90% of UWS undergraduate degree courses have these advanced entry points, so you can take your college qualifications to the next level.

We work closely with our partner colleges across Scotland to ensure there are suitable articulation routes into our degree programmes, creating seamless progression routes for all students.

All of our undergraduate degree programmes at UWS accept HNC or HND qualifications for entry. Over 90% of our degrees have possible advanced entry options available.

Check out our College to Uni pathways guide (PDF) for information on where your HNC and HND qualifications can take you at UWS.

We accept a range of qualifications at UWS for entry to our degrees. If your qualifications are not listed here, reach out to the team and we'd be happy to advise you on your options.

Associate Student Scheme

Our Associate Student Scheme is designed for you if you are studying for either an HNC or HND qualification at one of our partner colleges and plan to articulate into a degree programme at UWS.

Exclusive UWS Associate Student Benefits

  • Eligible to receive an early UCAS decision*
  • Eligible for a guaranteed place on a UWS degree programme*
  • Free gym membership at our UWS campus gyms
  • Access to UWS campus library facilities and study spaces
  • Access to our award-winning Student Unions with the opportunity to join student societies
  • Access to 1-to-1 advice and support with the UWS Associate Student Scheme (Microsoft Office Form)
  • Regular Associate Student workshops and events to help the transition from college to university
  • Regular updates and guidance preparing students for university life

*Selected degree courses only

Apply for UWS Associate Scheme (Microsoft office form)

UWS Partner Colleges

UWS is proud to work closely with our 10 partner colleges across Scotland.

The University of the West of Scotland and our partner colleges are firmly focused on ensuring that the move from college to university level study is as smooth as possible for our students. UWS has several study options available in our partner colleges, allowing you to continue to degree level study whilst remaining at your local college. 

Find details of our partner colleges and in-college study options below:

Find out more about our degree options at partner colleges (PDF)

BA (Hons) English Language Online Information Session

17 March, 6.30pm – 7.30pm 

Book your place  
  
Join our online information session to find out more about our undergraduate programme designed especially for students who do not have English as a first language.

Events

We're hosting a number of events in 2025 where you can meet the team and ask any questions you have. We look forward to seeing you!  

  • Late Application Pop-up Information Stand, Wednesday 12th February, 10am to 2pm, West College Scotland, Paisley campus (outside spa reception)
  • Late Application Pop-up Information Stand, Wednesday 26th February, 10am to 2pm, West College Scotland, Greenock Waterfront campus (main reception)
  • Late Application Online Workshop, Wednesday 26th February, 6 to 7pm, Register for February Late Application Online Workshop
  • Late Application Pop-up Information Stand, Thursday 27th February, 10am to 2pm, West College Scotland, Clydebank campus (outside Taste)

  • Late Application Pop-up Information Stand and One-to-One Sessions, Tuesday 4th March, 10am to 4pm, Ayrshire College, Kilwinning campus

  • Late Application Pop-up Information Stand, Wednesday 5th March, 10am to 2pm, West College Scotland, Finnart Street campus (Main Atrium)

  • Late Application Pop-up Information Stand, Wednesday 5th March, 10am to 2pm, Ayrshire College, Kilmarnock campus

  • UWS Associate Student Scheme Online Information Session, Wednesday 5th March, 4pm, Register for UWS Associate Student Scheme Online information session

  • Late Application Pop-up Information Stand, Wednesday 19th March, 10am to 2pm, South Lanarkshire College (Main Atrium)

  • Late Application Pop-up Information Stand, Thursday 20th March, 10am to 2pm, Glasgow Clyde College (Langside campus)
  • Late Application Pop-up Information Stand, Tuesday 25th March, 10am to 2pm, Glasgow Clyde College (Cardonald campus)
  • Late Application Pop-up Information Stand, Wednesday 26th March, 10am to 2pm, Glasgow Clyde College (Anniesland campus)
  • Late Application Online Workshop, Thursday 27th March, 6 to 7pm, Register for March Late Application Online Workshop

College Team

We have a dedicated team who are here to help you if you have any questions about transitioning from college to university.

You can email us at collegeteam@uws.ac.uk 

Last updated: 03/02/2025