University of the West of Scotland

University of the West of Scotland

Former names	Paisley College of Technology, Paisley College, University of Paisley, Bell College of Technology, Bell College, Craigie College of Education
Motto	Accingere in Ardua
Motto in English	To achieve through hard work
Type	Public
Established	1897 2007 (as UWS)
Chancellor	Dame Elish Angiolini
Principal	Craig Mahoney
Chairman of the Court	Liam Prior
Administrative staff	1300 and the infamous Iain peers
Students	15,555 (2015/16)
Undergraduates	13,410 (2015/16)
Postgraduates	2,145 (2015/16)
Location	Paisley, Hamilton, Dumfries, Ayr and London, United Kingdom
Campus	Ayr Campus, Dumfries Campus, London Campus, Hamilton Campus, Paisley Campus
Colours	Red, black and white
Mascot	Francesca the Phoenix (Sports Union), Burnie the Pyro (American Football), Wolfie Wolf (Rugby)
Affiliations	Million+, Scottish Universities Physics Alliance
Website	www.uws.ac.uk

The University of the West of Scotland is a public university with four campuses in south-western Scotland, in the towns of Paisley, Hamilton, Dumfries and Ayr, as well as a new campus in London. The present institution dates from August 2007, following the merger of the University of Paisley with Bell College, Hamilton. It can trace its roots to the late 19th century, and has undergone numerous name changes and mergers over the last century, reflecting its gradual expansion throughout the region.

Holding a regional reputation for vocational undergraduate and post-graduate courses the University currently has 15,555 students, with approximately 1300 staff, spread across six schools of learning.

The Crichton Campus in Dumfries is maintained in partnership with a number of other institutions, including the University of Glasgow.

The university's highest ever ranking for UK Institutions came in 2009 when the Complete Universities Guide placed UWS 62 out of 113 universities. In 2016, UWS was ranked 110th out of 127 universities in the same league table.

Although classified as a new university, the University of the West of Scotland has a rich, diverse history inherited from the various institutions that preceded it, including the University of Paisley, Bell College of Technology, Craigie College of Education and Dumfries and Galloway College of Nursing.

At the time of the Industrial Revolution, Paisley was renowned for thread weaving. The Coats mill was run by two brothers, Peter and Thomas Coats. These men, children of the Enlightenment espoused liberal ideals and became noted philanthropists. As members of the Philosophical Institution, founded in 1808 the Coats donated a museum and library to the town, funded the building of the Coats observatory and promoted education throughout Paisley.