University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has been named The Times and The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2026. 

The list is based on an analysis of student satisfaction with teaching quality and their student experience, entry standards, research quality, sustainability, and graduate prospects. Since 2018, the guide also includes social inclusion rankings for universities in England and Wales, with a separate table for Scottish rankings. The tables are based on key measures to reflect the diversity of their intake and subsequent success when attending university.

UWS prides itself on its leading approach to widening participation with initiatives such as Foundation Academy, a unique 12-month programme for school pupils which includes a 10-week module delivered by UWS academics in the school setting, together with a dynamic range of on-campus activities. 97% of those participating in the first year of the programme were awarded a credit-bearing qualification, enhancing not just their educational success but, in many cases, delivering improved self-esteem and self-belief to the participants.  

In 2024 the University was ranked 16th in the world for impact on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: reducing inequalities in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised as the leading university in Scotland for social inclusion. Maximising our students’ success is one of the goals set out in Strategy 2030, which sets the direction of travel for the University for the next five years, and firmly embeds widening participation as one of our top priorities. This achievement is testament to the hard work of each and every colleague in embedding the ethos that education should be available to all.”
Professor James Miller, Principal of University of the West of Scotland

Helen Davies, the editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: “It is exciting to see universities across the UK working to deliver extraordinary medical and technical breakthroughs, lead economic regeneration and inspire. New degrees are launching to meet the interests of today’s students and equip the next generation to power industry and progress positive change, such as programmes in electrical and electronic engineering with robotics, and AI and public policy.”

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