Practical experience to meet the sector's challenges

You’ll put your skills to the test in our industry-standard facilities and have opportunities for practical training, project work and placement at home or abroad to give you a practical insight into industry, while enhancing your career prospects.

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About the School of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences

With over 100 years' experience in training engineers and science professionals, we offer vocationally-relevant courses.

Our engineering courses are designed to take into account and anticipate industry needs. Their delivery is supported by excellent on-campus facilities and our programmes are strongly aligned to industry, professional bodies and other institutions.

Our computing courses are developed in line with industry needs and we teach tomorrow’s technologies today – giving you a platform to launch or progress your career in this fast-changing industry.

We offer access to high-quality computing and state-of-the-art software systems, as well as tried and tested in-demand technologies such as Oracle, CIW, Adobe, CISCO, SAP and Microsoft.

Our physical sciences courses are designed around industry needs. UWS graduates can be found in leading positions in companies such as BAE Systems, Fujitsu, Motorola, Nikon, GSK, Sellafield Ltd and Scottish Biomedical.

Undergraduate (Bachelor) Courses

We are one of the leading players in computing, engineering and the physical and chemical sciences with extensive expertise in research and development. We have collaborative working relationships with multinational companies such as IBM, NASA, Rolls Royce, BAe Systems, GlaxoSmithKline, Barr Construction, Arup, BP Oils Ltd., CERN and Network Rail.

Professional recognition & real-world experience

Almost all of our BEng courses are professionally recognised by professional bodies including:

  • Institution of Civil Engineers
  • Institution of Chemical Engineers
  • Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • Institution of Structural Engineers
  • Institute of Highway Engineers
  • Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
  • Permanent Way Institution

Many of our computing courses are professionally recognised by the British Computer Society (subject to re-accreditation approval). In addition, Music Technology is professionally accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support), Computer Games Development is a TIGA (The Independent Game Developers’ Association) accredited course, and Computer Animation Arts is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen-based industries.

Several of our Physical Sciences programmes are accredited by professional bodies, including the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. Our BSc degrees in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics with Education are also recognised by the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

With placement opportunities at home or abroad, our contemporary computing, engineering and physical sciences degrees will prepare you for the real-world.

Developed in partnership with industry, our courses offer practical experience and most are recognised by professional bodies, including the British Computer Society. We offer a wide range of computing-related degree courses:

With over 100 years’ experience in training engineers, we offer a wide range of career-focused engineering degree courses:

Our degrees in the physical sciences lead graduates to world-class opportunities. We offer a wide range of physical sciences degree courses:

Additional Information

Postgraduate (Masters) Courses

Our School of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences offers a diverse range of career-focused postgraduate courses, which benefit from the School’s strong industrial links.

Build upon your previous computing, engineering or science qualifications with a Masters that will enhance your career prospects and further your knowledge.

We also offer research degree (MRes, MPhil, PhD) opportunities through our applied research focused centres of excellence.

Our postgraduate study options in computing are career-focused and professionally-recognised and will help prepare for a career in one of the fastest changing industries. Our research-informed computing Masters degree courses include:

Our postgraduate study options in engineering are supported by industry-standard facilities, strong links to industry, professional bodies and informed by world-leading research. We offer a wide range of career-focused and professionally-recognised engineering Masters degree courses:

Our postgraduate option for physical sciences is:

MSc Environmental Management

Useful information

Research with a purpose

The School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences is home to leading international centres of research. We are proud to be committed to solving many of the challenging problems facing society today. Our research has real impact in changing people’s lives.

Our international experts work on a wide range of research projects, ranging from thin film sensors to tackling the COVID-19 pandemic to 5G and 6G developments, artificial intelligence and machine-learning used by the police saving lives.

Much of our research involves collaboration and partnership with industry and other organisations. With one of the highest number of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) in Scotland, our researchers are committed to creating business solutions. 

Our modern laboratories are equipped with advanced equipment which cover testing of materials, analysis of complex chemicals to the developing and production of thin film devices.

Chris Burns, MSc Information Technology Graduate Course Testimony Picture | UWS

Don't take our word for it

The programme was broad which allowed me to choose an area of specialisation, so I decided to select software development. Another benefit was that the University had a tie-in with Microsoft which allowed me to access free development environments.

Chris Burns, MSc Information Technology graduate, working as a Graduate Software Developer with Aggreko

Implementing Europe's 5G mobile network

Remote surgery, driverless cars and smooth mobile HD streaming could all become a reality thanks to pioneering research taking place at UWS.

UWS computing researchers Jose Alcaraz-Calero and Qi Wang are the technical leads on the SELFNET project, which is developing a ‘self-healing’ mobile network.

The new network is 1,000 times faster than 4G, delivering dramatic improvements to quality of user experience, reliability and security – and unlocking a wealth of new online opportunities.

”SELFNET will allow 5G networks to make possible things that would have been considered science fiction just a few years ago.”

DR ALCARAZ-CALERO

UWS Students Enjoying Freshers’ Week | UWS | University of the West of Scotland

International

Our School offers a wide range of opportunities for international exchange, through our links with international partners. Previously, our students had the chance to spend time in China, with UWS partner institution, University of South China (USC) in Hengyang, Hunan Province on a two-week field course. Students had an invaluable opportunity to take part in Chinese lessons and cultural shows, visit construction projects and software companies, and got involved in a range of recreational activities with USC students.

Information for International Students

Contact Us

If you have any enquiries relating to our School, please contact us at CEPS@uws.ac.uk