University of the West of

The University of the West of Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Oilthigh na h-Alba an Iar), formerly the University of Paisley, is a public University of the West of university with four campuses in south-western Scotland, in the towns Scotland of Paisley, Blantyre, Dumfries and Ayr, as well as a campus in London, Oilthigh na h-Alba an Iar England. The present institution dates from August 2007, following the merger of the University of Paisley with Bell 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.

Holding a regional reputation for vocational undergraduate and post- graduate courses the university currently has 17,025 students, with approximately 1300 staff, spread across six schools of learning. The Crichton Campus in Dumfries is maintained in partnership with a number of other institutions, including the University of . History

Although classified as a new university, the University of Coat of Arms of the University of the the West of Scotland has a West of Scotland rich, diverse history Former names Paisley College inherited from the various of Technology, institutions that preceded it, Paisley College, including the Paisley School University of of Art (1836–1897),

University of Paisley, Bell Paisley, Bell College of Technology, College of Craigie College of Technology, Bell Education and Dumfries and College, Craigie Galloway College of College of Nursing. Education

Motto Latin: Doctrina Prosperitas Motto Learning is in English success Type Public

Established 1897 (as Paisley

College of Technology)

1992 (granted university status)

2007 (renamed to UWS)

Chancellor Dame Elish Angiolini Organisation Principal Craig Mahoney

The University of the West of Scotland is organised into four schools: Chairman of the Waiyin Hatton

Court School of Business and Creative Industries School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences Administrative 1300 staff School of Education and Social Sciences Students School of Health and Life Sciences 17,025 (2018/19) The university offers over 100-degree courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and has a rapidly growing number of doctoral Undergraduates 14,215 (2018/19) students. It also carries out research and consultancy work for industry, and is ranked second in Scotland for the number of Knowledge Transfer Postgraduates 2,810 (2018/19) 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 Location Paisley, students the option of spending a year working in industry at home or Hamilton, abroad. Dumfries, Ayr and London, The University has also worked with NHS Ayrshire and Arran resulting United Kingdom in a partnership in 2012 in the renaming of Ayr Hospital to University Hospital Ayr and Crosshouse Hospital to University Hospital Campus Multiple Crosshouse. Its partnership with the Gaiety Theatre, Ayr has Colours Red, black and established Scotland's first 'Learning Theatre'. white

Affiliations Million+ Scottish Rankings and Reputation Universities

Rankings Physics Alliance University of the West of National rankings Universities UK Scotland (UWS) has been EUA named the top young higher Complete (2021) 104 Mascot Francesca the education institution in Guardian (2021) 114 Scotland in the prestigious Phoenix (Sports THE World University Times / Sunday Times 92 Union), Burnie (2021) Rankings 2020 league table. the Pyro The University retains its Global rankings (American place with in the 101-150 division of the Times Higher THE (2021) 401– Football), Wolfie

Education Young University 500 Wolf (Rugby) Rankings. Website www.uws.ac.uk (http://www.uws. UWS is Scotland's leading university for widening access to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. ac.uk/)

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

The university has the 4th highest level of student satisfaction in Scotland in the 2020 Complete University Guide

The university is ranked second in the United Kingdom for Education in the 2020 Complete University Guide.

Notable people

Vicki Adams, Team GB Curler Shamshad Akhtar, Executive Secretary of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Gilbert Ronald Bainbridge, nuclear physicist, engineer and farmer Morgan McMichaels, drag queen and contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race John Christie, former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Majid Haq, cricketer for Scottish Saltires Gavin Hastings, Former Scottish Rugby internationalist and Captain of British and Irish Lions , lecturer - keyboard player for Deacon Blue Willie Rennie, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats David Scott (Pearlfishers), Senior Lecturer in Commercial Music , winner of Fame Academy Shirley R. Steinberg, Professor in Youth & Community Studies Mohammad Bagher Nobakht, Iranian Politician