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UWS Foundation Academy Launches

UWS is proud to deliver the UWS Foundation Academy, for senior school pupils across the west of Scotland. This exciting initiative gives school pupils the opportunity to experience studying at university level, develop academic skills in a specific subject area, and improve the quality of their university application. Following a successful pilot in 2022/23 with high schools in Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, and Lanarkshire, the Foundation Academy is now expanding and offered to target schools across the west of Scotland.

What is the Foundation Academy?

The UWS Foundation Academy programme takes an on-campus and in-school blended approach, allowing senior pupils to study at university level and gain 20 credits at SCQF level 7. If you successfully complete the programme, UWS will adjust your offer of entry. We will consider the programme as being equivalent to one Scottish Higher (Grade B).

Pupils are invited to get involved during their S5 year, with an aim to completing the programme by December of their S6 year.

Foundation Academy was very informative and it showed me what to expect from education after high school. I enjoyed seeing what it was like working in a campus and how a lecture operates.
It gave me an insight into studying at university level and discussed important topics. It was good to visit the uni campus and what it would be like to study there.
  • UWS will visit your school, speak to you and your fellow S5 pupils about the programme, and invite you to register and choose the subject you are interested in:
    • Business
    • Computing
    • Creative Industries
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • Health
    • Life Sciences
    • Physical Sciences
    • Social Sciences
  • You will be invited to a UWS campus to take part in a 'Visit Day' before the summer where you will familiarise yourself with the University and take part in an interactive academic subject session
  • You will then be given access to online resources and encouraged to complete activities specific to their subject of choice
  • Between October – December, our teaching team will visit your school each week to deliver the "Step Up to University" module that is built into the UWS Foundation Academy programme. This module is worth 20 credits at SCQF level 7 and has been designed to support pupils in developing academic skills and preparing for studying at university level
Students Enjoying the Social Life at UWS | UWS | University of the West of Scotland

Why Join the UWS Foundation Academy?

Completing Foundation Academy will allow you to study at university level and gain 20 credits at SCQF level 7.

For eligible degrees at UWS, successfully particpating in and completing the UWS Foundation Academy programme will also adjust your offer of entry as it will be considered equivalent to one Scottish Higher (Grade B).

For a complete list of UWS degrees including those eligible for adjusted entry criteria, click the link below:

List of UWS Degrees and Adjusted Entry (pdf)

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

Benefits

Foundation Academy is also a great way for senior pupils to:

  • access university pathways with a range of subjects
  • develop academic skills at university level
  • improve quality of university application
  • become familiar with university environment
  • build on skills and confidence before moving on from High School
  • access a range of UWS benefits
Outside Main Reception Paisley campus

Find Out More

If your school would like to take part in the UWS Foundation Academy programme, we would love to hear from you.

For more information please email: foundation-academy@uws.ac.uk

UWS Foundation Academy logo