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Going to university is about much more than getting a qualification, it’s also the chance to enjoy an exciting new social life, gain some independence and make the most of all the new opportunities available to you.
UWS students come from all over the world and you’ll find a great community feel and real energy on our campuses. There are lots of opportunities to get involved in extracurricular activities and build friendships for life.
At UWS, we are passionate about supporting student engagement with sport, whether you are a national or international performer, a club level competitor or a recreational participant. We have a fantastic range of sporting and fitness facilities which are accessible to all UWS students, no matter which campus you choose to study at.
The UWS Sport Scholarship programme offers a range of financial support, performance services and academic flexibility to our highest performing student athletes. We work closely with organisations like Winning Students, national governing bodies and other sports partners to ensure access to top of the range of facilities, services and targeted individual support.
UWS work in partnership with the Students’ Association and external partners to ensure that programmes are available across a range of team and individual sports, providing opportunities to compete, to train and to socialise.
We are looking to add new sports clubs and activities every year and are developing links with local clubs to support this process.
UWS students engage in a range of sports competitions at all levels, from British championships to local leagues and competitions and Varsity events. This gives a wide range of students the opportunity to represent UWS at a sports event. Many students also access external competitions through local clubs and performance programmes.
At UWS, every Wednesday afternoon is allocated as free from classes – allowing students to take part in sports and social activities.
Whether your sporting interest is in ball games, martial arts or in fitness, we’ve got something for you. With over 20 competitive and recreational sports, there has never been a better time to become part of team UWS.
University of the West of Scotland operate sports facilities for students across our Ayr, Lanarkshire and Paisley campuses. Students at our Dumfries Campus have access to facilities through a partnership with Dumfries & Galloway College. There are also sports and leisure facilities for students within easy reach of our London Campus.
In September 2018, free gym memberships for all students to use UWS operated fitness facilities was rolled out. This provides our students with free access to on campus gym facilities in Ayr, Lanarkshire and Paisley. The move aims to remove barriers to entry ensuring all students can get active and pursue a healthy lifestyle.
You can find out more about Sports & Social facilities at UWS here
UWS Ayr Campus features a new fitness suite that is open to all students and staff. The facility has state-of-the-art equipment including a wide range of cardiovascular machines, resistance machines and a multi-use area for core training, functional training and warm up/cool down.
There are a variety of sports teams and societies for you to get involved with at the UWS Dumfries Campus. Better yet, if there is a sport you are particularly interested in, you can start your own society.
UNIque Fitness at Lanarkshire Campus has excellent facilities including:
Professional instruction and supervision are available with fitness programmes tailored to meet client needs. There is also a range of classes throughout the day - contact the team to find out more sportlanarkshire@uws.ac.uk
There are a number of leisure centres near to the UWS London Campus allowing students to take part in sporting and fitness activities.
The Robertson Trust Sport Centre is located on the outskirts of Paisley and is equipped with an indoor sports hall and gym together with 3 floodlit synthetic 5-a-side football pitches, full-size football and rugby pitches, an all-purpose training area and jogging routes.
Recently renovated, the gym is fully equipped with the latest state of the art cardiovascular training machines with TV monitors, alongside resistance machines, free weights, boxing bags, exercise balls and a warm up/cool down area.
A number of SAUWS sports clubs train at the Sports Centre on a weekly basis ranging from football and hockey to American football and basketball. There are also martial arts classes held on a weekly basis. The sports staff co-ordinate and promote the range of sporting activities available and can offer instruction on reaching your health and fitness goals.
The University of the West of Scotland is delighted to highlight our new gym on the Paisley Main Campus. The New gym located on the level 3 of the Students Union building.The Gym is fully equipped with a wide range of equipment to ensure you reach your fitness goals. Facilities include:
Open Monday to Friday 12.00pm-7.30pm
The facility is free for all UWS Students
Staff can benefit from a discounted membership scheme with non members also welcome.
Contact us 0141 848 3076
SAUWS, our award-winning Students’ Association, is run for students by students. SAUWS organise and deliver a wide range of social and sporting events all year round and campaign with you and on your behalf on the issues that really matter to you.
Clubs and societies are a great way for you to make friends and meet new people. They can also allow you to develop some of the skills that you have learned in your studies. At UWS, we support all sorts of clubs and societies, from course related groups such as Chemical Engineering and Midwifery, to interest societies such as the Debating Society and the Table-top Gaming Society. There's also the LGBT+ liberation group; the Nigerian Forum; and the Anime and Manga, Games Development, People and Planet, Sci-fi, Science, Music and Psychology societies. There are also a wide variety of sports clubs available.
A full list of clubs and societies available at UWS can be found on the SAUWS website.
SAUWS aims to represent your needs and provide support, well-being and social services for all UWS students. As well as campaigning activities, SAUWS provides advice on matters such as money, study skills and academic appeals.
More information about the advice, advocacy and representation available through SAUWS can be found on the SAUWS website.
Freshers' Week offers an unmissable programme of events and is an essential initiation to university social life in your first year. From the official welcome party to the pub quiz, there is something for everyone. The yearly SAUWS Freshers’ Fair will give you need-to-know information along with the chance to get the best deals and opportunities from local businesses and organisations.
Freshers' Week events are advertised through the SAUWS Facebook page.
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, pursue your passions and make your time at UWS a lot of fun. Whatever you’re interested in, you’ll be supported by SAUWS staff along the way.
Volunteering is an excellent way of enhancing your CV and career prospects. The University offers official acknowledgment of the importance of volunteering both for students and the wider community through the Volunteer Recognition Scheme, presented at the SAUWS Big Awards.
Find out more about volunteering opportunities at UWS
The SAUWS sustainability project has been supporting students, staff and the wider community to reduce their impact on the environment since 2011. You can get involved by joining in with a project, volunteering for SAUWS or starting up your own project. In 2015, the Sustainability Hub opened at the Paisley Campus, offering a free swap shop for students, bike maintenance workshops, sustainable travel and energy advice and gardening workshops.
Paisley Students' Union
Storie Street
Paisley
PA1 2HB
0141 849 4157
Ayr Students' Union
University Avenue
Ayr
KA8 0SX
01292 886362
Lanarkshire Students' Union
Stephenson Place
Hamilton International Park
G72 0LH
01698 283869