Learning & Teaching

Scottish campuses open tomorrow (Monday 27 January)

Update - 26 January 2025

As we advised earlier this week, our Scottish campuses were closed to colleagues and students on Friday and over the weekend due to Storm Eowyn, and to allow maintenance assessments to be carried out across our estate following the extreme winds.

We can today confirm – as indicated in our previous communications – that our Scottish campuses will be operational as usual tomorrow (Monday 27 January). Campus users are asked to be mindful of any temporary, precautionary signage indicating any areas where maintenance work is ongoing.

Should any colleagues be experiencing any challenges with transport as a result of the impact of the weather, they should liaise directly with their line managers.

Our particular thanks to Estates & Campus Services and other colleagues for their tireless efforts on Friday and over the weekend, under very difficult conditions, to minimise disruption to our campuses. All colleagues are also reminded to be extra vigilant when returning to campus and that they can flag any ongoing issues via estates@uws.ac.uk.

As a reminder, you can follow the links below to find information on:

• Changing weather conditions, from the Met Office
• Road travel, from Traffic Scotland
• Train services from ScotRail
• Public services, from local authorities including the following:
• Renfrewshire Council
• South Lanarkshire Council
• South Ayrshire Council
• Dumfries and Galloway Council

You are also reminded that you can access a range of wellbeing and other advice, including in relation to finances, via Health Assured. Health Assured is our external provider of staff wellbeing and support, should you need it. Support is free and completely confidential. They can be contacted directly on 0800 028 0199 or via the Wisdom App using employer code MHA008428. Please follow the details within the app on how to register for support.

Submitting coursework

If a campus is closed when you have an assignment due for submission, follow these guidelines.

• If your assignment is due to be submitted by hand, and the campus is closed for 24 hours or more, a new submission deadline will apply automatically. Usually this will be two working days after the campus reopens.
• If a module runs over more than one campus, the new submission date will apply to students on all campuses.
• If your assignment is due to be submitted electronically, you should still do so within the original deadline, unless you’re told otherwise through the module’s Moodle site.
• Generally, you should submit using Turnitin if your module leader has made it available. If not, submit by email to your module coordinator.
• Each module’s Moodle site will post specific instructions. Check it for information on new submission deadlines. This is especially important if your submission involves making a presentation, since a number of people will need to arrange new time slots.

Make your mark with a research degree from UWS

Postgraduate Research degrees from University of the West of Scotland enable you to work at the cutting-edge of your industry or sector and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. 

To be a successful research student 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.

We offer research study opportunities (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA and DProf) across all of our subject areas and Academic Schools.

Cutting-Edge, Impactful Research

With cutting-edge facilities, specialist knowledge and world-leading and internationally excellent expertise, UWS aims to develop research outputs that have a tangible impact on society across the globe.

UWS has set the vision to be recognised as a world-leading university based on supporting excellent, relevant and purposeful research aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, UWS was officially recognised in the top 400 universities worldwide as assessed against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UWS was recognised as the 2nd most impactful university in Scotland, and 16th globally, for 'reducing inequalities' (UN SDG 10).

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.

Make your mark with a research degree from UWS

Postgraduate Research degrees from University of the West of Scotland enable you to work at the cutting-edge of your industry or sector and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. 

To be a successful research student 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.

We offer research study opportunities (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA and DProf) across all of our subject areas and Academic Schools.

Cutting-Edge Research

With cutting-edge facilities, specialist knowledge and world-leading and internationally excellent expertise, UWS aims to develop research outputs that have a tangible impact on society across the globe.

Click on the link below to watch a video that highlights just some of the University’s recent research successes.

UWS Research Success Snapshot

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.