International Postgraduate Research Application Guide
Applying to undertake a postgraduate research degree at University of the West of Scotland is a simple process through our Online Application System.
Before you begin your application, it is important to read our step-by-step guide for a smooth and stress-free process.
Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS)
April 2025 intake
- Latest date for unconditional offers to be issued – Monday 17th February 2025
Note: Unconditional Offers must be promptly accepted to activate the Flywire payment portal, which can take up to 72 hours.
- Latest date for Flywire payments to be made and receipt provided to UWS – Monday 24th February 2025
- Latest CAS documents and for CAS deposit to have been confirmed – Wednesday 26th February 2025
- Latest CAS issue date – 4th March 2025
June 2025 intake
- Latest date for unconditional offers to be issued – Tuesday 22nd April 2025
Note: Unconditional Offers must be promptly accepted to activate the Flywire payment portal, which can take up to 72 hours.
- Latest date for Flywire payments to be made and receipt provided to UWS – Monday 28th April 2025
- Latest CAS documents and for CAS deposit to have been confirmed – Wednesday 30th April 2025
- Latest CAS issue date – Tuesday 6th May 2025
Step 1: Choose a subject
Decide which subject and level of study you would like to undertake at UWS.We offer research degree opportunites at MRes, MPhil or PhD level.
Please note that you are required to submit a research proposal as part of the research degree application process.
Check out our research degree options
For an overview of our current, active research activities, review our research institutes, centres and groups across all of our academic subject areas. Many of these are interdisciplinary in nature:
Step 2: Entry requirements
Make sure that your academic qualifications and English language levels meet the requirements for your chosen course.
Please note that you must be able to provide original copies of your degree certificate(s) and academic transcript(s) plus official translations of both documents in English.
If you’re an international student and have gained your qualifications outwith the UK, then you will need to check that these are of a comparable level and standard to UK ones; your qualifications will need to be awarded from an institution recognized by the UK National Recognition Information Centre.
Step 3: Documents
Ensure that you have copies of all the documents required for your application. These include:
- Original copies of your degree certificate(s) and academic transcript(s) plus official translations of these documents in English
- English language proficiency test certificates
- Two references, one of which must be academic
- CV
- Proof of funding (if required)
- Passport
- Visa/CAS statement (if held)
- ATAS certificate (if required)
Step 4: Research proposal
You are required to outline, in no more than 500 words, your preferred area of study and a proposal you wish to put forward for a research project. You may wish to indicate the general discipline and methodology which you would be interested in exploring, or to give a more detailed outline proposal, with reference to relevant research literature and information sources.
The research programme will be subject to further discussion with academic staff. Please indicate whether or not you have already discussed your proposal with the appropriate school.
For an overview of our current, active research activities, review our research institutes, centres and groups across all of our academic subject areas. Many of these are interdisciplinary in nature:
Step 5: Submit your application
Once you have prepared everything listed above, you can submit your application through our Online Application System.
Step 6: Scholarships and funding
UWS offer a wide range of scholarships and early payment incentives for postgraduate research students.
Step 7: Application processing
After you submit your application, we will send you an email confirming that we have received your application. You will also be given log-in details for the system so that you can track your application.
Step 8: Decision time
Once your application has been processed, we will contact you by email to confirm if it has been successful. This will include guidance on how to accept an offer and fee payment if required.
The Admissions team will make one of the following decisions:
- Unconditional offer: if you already meet the necessary entry requirements
- Conditional offer: if you have not met the necessary entry requirements or supplied all the necessary documentation (in English, where appropriate), your offer will contain details of the conditions you are required to meet for an unconditional offer to be made
- Unsuccessful: if you are not considered to be suitably qualified
Step 9: Prepare for UWS
Once you have accepted your unconditional offer, it is important to prepare for life and study at 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.
Good luck with your application!
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: 26/04/2024