Postgraduate Research Online Information Session
Join us online on Wednesday 23 April, 5.30-6.30pm to find out more about postgraduate research at UWS. This information session will include:
- A background to UWS
- Why research study at UWS
- Panel Q&A with academics, current students and alumni
- Funding information
- How to write a research proposal
UWS's Impact Ranking
In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, UWS has been ranked in the world’s top 300 universities for sustainable development and 16th in the world for impact on reducing inequalities (United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 10 - SDG10).
This demonstrates our commitment to sustainability, transforming our world and improving lives. Join us on your applied research journey and help shape the world we live in.
Help Shape the world with a postgraduate research degree from UWS
Join our thriving international research community
Postgraduate Research students work at the forefront of their academic subject and contribute to the advancement of knowledge.
To be a successful researcher, you must be passionate about your subject area, with enthusiasm for research and analysis, and the motivation to manage a personal learning programme. You will have already demonstrated research aptitude in undergraduate or masters-level studies.
As a career-focused university we work with international businesses, regional enterprises, local and international education partners to ensure that UWS research drives innovation and supports the future needs of society, industry and government. This focus increases your employability and career prospects, whether you seek a career in an academic or commercial environment.
International university – global reach
We are an international university. We are successful in attracting students from across the globe who come to UWS to access world-leading education which is internationally recognised and respected. Our international students help to make us a culturally diverse and exciting place to study.
Every year our expert academics work with around 500 students, spanning a number of countries, to support them through high-quality, highly-regarded research degrees: MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf.
World-class research
We are proud of the quality of our research at UWS.
Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021)
In the most recent round of research assessment in the UK - Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 90 percent of research at University of the West of Scotland was classed as world-leading, internationally excellent, or recognised internationally.
The University also increased its position for research intensity, now ranking within the top 90 universities in the UK.
UWS’s REF results include an outstanding performance for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism, ranking within the top three Scottish universities in this area, with 71 percent of research recognised as world-leading or internationally excellent.
The University also saw 100 percent of its impact in Physics recognised as internationally excellent.
The results reinforce the position that UWS makes a significant contribution to economic, social, cultural, health and public policy, both internationally and within our local communities.
Doctoral College
As a doctoral student, you will automatically become a member of the Doctoral College which is concerned with creating and maintaining a collegiate, interdisciplinary research environment and supporting the student journey from enrolment to graduation.
The Doctoral College helps foster a collaborative peer-supported doctoral research culture across the University through a year-round programme of researcher development events including a PGR day at the UWS Research Festival, workshops to support academic progression and wider skill development and peer-led initiatives
Last updated: 18/03/2026
Search Research System
PURE is the University's research information management system and provides a single source of research information for UWS. It is used to record and manage research activity with details of research outputs, funding applications, conference contributions, external impact and staff profiles.