International Student Support Team (ISST)
The International Student Support Team (ISST) help international students with:
- Student immigration & student visas
- Travel advice during the holidays
- Relative and dependant visits
- Working in the UK during and after your studies
- General welfare support
- Settling into the UK and adapting to a new culture
Our team can also signpost students to appropriate resources for non-Student visa related enquiries. We can provide general information and links to UKVI and UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) resources.
Enrolled students
Key resources for enrolled students and all upcoming International Student Support information sessions, welcome and induction events, drop-in sessions and visa information sessions can be accessed at our International Student Support Events Calendar. Please note, you need to be logged in to your UWS Microsoft 365 account.
New international student arrivals
For new international student arrivals, please see our induction section which contains important information about the induction events you should join at the beginning of your term at UWS.
For information on travel to UWS, see Our campuses - click on your campus location and then in the next page you will see a link to information on travelling to your campus.
Key resources for new international students are listed below:
Arriving in the UK:
- UWS Guide to Student Accommodation for International Students (PDF)
- eVisa & UKVI Account Guide (PDF)
- International Student Support Welcome Guide 2025 (PDF)
- Living costs in the UK
- International Student Checklist
Visa Support:
- Student Visa Guide - Applying from within the UK (PDF)
- Visa guide from outside the UK (PDF)
- UKVI Credibility Guide (PDF)
- VISA guide for EU students (PDF)
- Visitor VISA guide (PDF)
- Short term study Visa guide (PDF)
Please visit the UK Government website for further information and resources on Student Visa.
Important information for all enrolled UWS student Visa holders
By 2025, Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) holders need to take action to create a UKVI account and access their eVisa to prove their rights and immigration status. Find out what you will need to do, and when, at gov.uk/evisa.
Switching Student Visa (enrolment conditions)
International Student Induction Events
We appreciate that there is a lot of information to take in as a newly arrived international student so we have organised a variety of induction events on each campus to help you settle in.
Please attend the on campus ‘International Student Support Drop In’ sessions and ‘Life in the UK’ sessions, which will give you an opportunity to ask questions.
Specific campus information is detailed below and once enrolled, check the International students calendar of events.
Support drop in sessions at the Hub (on campus)
Paisley Campus
Student Hub International Student Support
- Mondays in January 12pm – 1pm
- Tuesdays in January (12pm – 1pm)
- Wednesdays in January (12pm – 1pm)
See UWS International Student Events* for up to date information.
*link available to enrolled students only
The UWS Finance team are also available in the Student Hub (Paisley campus) on Tuesdays from 11am – 1pm for any students with queries regarding tuition fees.
London Campus
Student Hub, Export Building
- Tuesdays in January from 12 noon - 1 pm
- Thursdays in January from 1 - 2 pm
See UWS International Student Events* for up to date information.
*link available to enrolled students only
You will also be invited to campus for your academic school's in-person induction event – check your email to find out which day your event is.
Life in the UK (online support session)
Is this your first time living in the UK? If so, come along to this fun, interactive introduction to life in the UK online session.
Meet other new international students and understand and discuss what to expect about living, working and socialising in the UK. This is relevant to all newly arrived international students.
Online via Zoom
- Friday 23 January , 11am – 12pm
- Thursday 29 January 11:30am – 12:15pm
See UWS International Student Events* for up to date information on all online zoom sessions with joining details
*link available to enrolled students only.
Adjust to UK Culture (Free online course)
International Students who have never lived or studied in the UK before may benefit from Managing Your Wellbeing When Studying in the UK a free online course designed to help international students adjust to UK culture and offer support and guidance to help students manage stress, tackle negative thoughts.
International Photo Competition
International Student Photo Competition: Welcome to the University of the West of Scotland
Whether you are at one of the Scottish campuses or studying at London campus, explore your local area and get to know your new surroundings. We would like to encourage you to go for a walk and discover something new. Be creative.
Prizes to be won include a UWS hoodie, a UWS t-shirt and an Amazon voucher. To see last year’s photos and winners, visit: International Students Events
The categories for the photo competition are:
- Something New
- My Happy Place
You can submit one photo for each category and your photo must have been taken by you since arriving in the UK.
To enter the competition
- Email internationaladvice@uws.ac.uk from your UWS student Banner email address
- Email subject line should = Photo Competition
- In the body of your email, confirm which category you are entering (Something New and/or My Happy Place). You can enter one photograph for each category
- Attach your photo(s) in JPEG format (or PNG)
Competition closing date: Friday 31 January 2026
Welcome to Scotland Event (Celebrating Robert Burns)
Welcome to Scotland and Celebrate Robert Burns
Monday 26 January, 11am – 1pm
Student Hub on Paisley campus
A warm welcome to all newly arrived international students. Come and experience a taste of Scotland, find out what is going on in Paisley and find out a few fun facts about Scotland as well as Scotland’s celebrated poet Robert Burns whose birthday is celebrated every year on 25 January.
International Student Support colleagues, The Student Union and Professional Service colleagues will be there with interactive games and on hand to answer any questions you have.
Free English language support classes for international students
Discover more information and apply
English Language Support Information And Application 2025 to 2026 [DOC]
Follow us on socials
Follow the International Student Support Team on social media for the latest information and events:
- X (Twitter): @UWS_IntSupport
- Instagram: uwsstudentservices
Getting started with your Studies
All you need to know about getting started at UWS and supporting your studies.
Last updated: 06/11/2025