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University of the West of Scotland
University of the West of Scotland is a university in Paisley, Scotland, in a town setting. How it compares on official data.
124th of 142 in the overall Be Wise ranking, with a score of 21.8 out of 100. How we rank.
How it compares
| Measure | University of the West of Scotland | Average in the overall table | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student experience | 84.7% | 85.1% | Average positive answers across seven National Student Survey 2026 themes, from 1,475 final-year students. |
| Continuation | 71.9% | 83.0% | Full-time degree students still studying or qualified a year after starting (Discover Uni). |
| Graduate prospects | 60.0% | 63.7% | Graduates in professional or managerial work, or further study, 15 months after finishing (Discover Uni). |
| Earnings | £30,400 | UK average for the same subjects | Median earnings five years after graduating, tax year 2023-24 (LEO): 12% below the UK average for the same mix of subjects. |
Sources: National Student Survey 2026, Office for Students (Open Government Licence v3.0), first degree, full-time, by teaching provider; LEO graduate outcomes, tax year 2023-24, Department for Education (Open Government Licence v3.0), median earnings five years after graduating; Discover Uni dataset, 8 September 2026 edition, HESA (CC BY 4.0), continuation and graduate prospects. All sources and licences.
What students say: National Student Survey 2026
The share of final-year students giving positive answers on each theme, next to the average for providers in the overall table.
| Theme | University of the West of Scotland | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching on my course | 88.8% | 87.5% |
| Learning opportunities | 86.8% | 85.3% |
| Assessment and feedback | 84.9% | 82.7% |
| Academic support | 88.0% | 89.1% |
| Organisation and management | 76.5% | 79.5% |
| Learning resources | 86.9% | 88.5% |
| Student voice | 81.0% | 79.8% |
Subject tables
University of the West of Scotland appears in 9 of our 35 subject tables. Subjects need at least 50 survey responses.
| Subject | Position | Student experience | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied health | 12th of 61 | 92.9% | £31,10011% below the UK average for this subject |
| Performing arts | 31st of 59 | 91.7% | £24,5004% below the UK average for this subject |
| Sociology, social policy and anthropology | 50th of 74 | 87.2% | £29,6002% below the UK average for this subject |
| Nursing and midwifery | 53rd of 75 | 80.9% | £37,300In line with the UK average for this subject |
| Health and social care | 28th of 35 | 89.0% | £32,6005% above the UK average for this subject |
| Computing | 88th of 108 | 85.7% | £30,40027% below the UK average for this subject |
| Sport and exercise sciences | 36th of 43 | 85.2% | £28,9005% below the UK average for this subject |
| Psychology | 95th of 100 | 79.9% | £27,1009% below the UK average for this subject |
| Business and management | 118th of 122 | 83.3% | £27,80023% below the UK average for this subject |
Also has official data for, but not enough to rank in: Biosciences, Chemistry, Creative arts and design, Education and teaching, Engineering, English studies, General, applied and forensic sciences, Law, Media, journalism and communications, Medical sciences, Physics and astronomy.
UCAS points of past entrants
The UCAS Tariff points of recent entrants to full-time degree courses who had Tariff qualifications, from Discover Uni. These are past entrants, not offers: check each course page for entry requirements.
The middle entrant (the median) was in the 128 to 143 band, and the most common band was 96 to 111 points. Work out your UCAS points.
Courses and key facts
Discover Uni lists 64 full-time degree courses; 18 of them with a placement year, as an option or built in; 30 with a year abroad, as an option or built in.
University of the West of Scotland website · Accommodation · Students' union
Course counts, TEF and links: {oa("du")}, CC BY 4.0. Check course details with the university.
Living costs in Paisley
Average private rent in the Renfrewshire/Inverclyde area was £800 a month in August 2026, against a UK average of £1,400. Student rooms usually cost less than a whole home. Cost of living in Paisley.
Is University of the West of Scotland right for you?
In the app, enter your predicted and expected grades to see Aspirational, Realistic and Safer labels, compare two universities side by side, or save University of the West of Scotland to your shortlist.
Open Be University WiseSources
- National Student Survey 2026, Office for Students
- Discover Uni dataset, 8 September 2026 edition, HESA
- LEO graduate outcomes, tax year 2023-24, Department for Education
- Price Index of Private Rents, Office for National Statistics
- Discover Uni: compare courses, official UK course comparison website
- University of the West of Scotland: official website
Data used under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (Office for Students, Department for Education, ONS) and CC BY 4.0 (HESA). All sources and licences.
All university and college profiles · Rankings
Quick answers
Where is University of the West of Scotland in the Be Wise ranking?
124th of 142 in the overall Be Wise ranking, with a score of 21.8 out of 100. The Be Wise ranking uses only official data on student experience, continuation, graduate prospects and earnings.
What do students say about University of the West of Scotland?
In the 2026 National Student Survey, an average of 84.7% of final-year students gave positive answers across the seven themes, from 1,475 responses. Its highest theme compared with the average was assessment and feedback (84.9%, against 82.7%), and its lowest was organisation and management (76.5%, against 79.5%).
How many students continue their course at University of the West of Scotland?
On Discover Uni data, 71.9% of full-time degree students were still studying or had qualified a year after starting. The average in the overall table was 83.0%.
What do University of the West of Scotland graduates go on to do?
On Discover Uni data, 60.0% of graduates were in professional or managerial work, or further study, 15 months after finishing. The average in the overall table was 63.7%.
How much do University of the West of Scotland graduates earn?
Median earnings five years after graduating were £30,400 in the 2023-24 tax year, according to the Department for Education's LEO data. That is 12% below the UK average for graduates of the same mix of subjects.
What UCAS points do you need for University of the West of Scotland?
Entry requirements vary by course, so check each course page. Among recent entrants with UCAS Tariff points, the most common band was 96 to 111 points. Past entrants' points are not offers.
How much is rent near University of the West of Scotland?
The ONS average private rent in the Renfrewshire/Inverclyde area was £800 a month in August 2026. Student rooms in halls or shared houses usually cost less than a whole home.