Thanks to the support of our donors, alumni and friends, 37 students at the University of the West of Scotland are receiving life-changing scholarships this year.

UWS welcomes more students from widening participation backgrounds than any other University in Scotland. Now more than ever, our students need our support to be able to say ‘yes’ to the opportunities they will experience at UWS and progress throughout their degree to graduation.

The WEST Scholarship Programme supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study at UWS free from financial worry. The programme places particular focus on supporting care experienced students, and students estranged from their families who do not have family to rely on in times of financial hardship.

Thanks to the generous donations of our donors giving via the UWS Development Fund and directly to the WEST programme, these students will be able immerse themselves in their studies and look forward to a bright future.

Our 2023/24 scholarship students have sent some messages to thank our donors for their wonderful support, and we wanted to share these to demonstrate what this support means to them.

With the support of the WEST Scholarship I will be able to show my children, especially my girls, that a woman can achieve anything they put their mind to. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and I feel blessed to be part of this amazing establishment.”

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for my WEST Scholarship. This scholarship represents an incredible opportunity for me and I am committed to making the most of this chance to further my skills and achieve my dreams.”

Receiving a WEST scholarship feels like a weight has been lifted. I have been fortunate in my life to always have a roof over my head and food on the table, but this has not been without a struggle. The impact this will have on me and my family cannot be underestimated. Thank you”

As a teenager who was in care at a young age, I have always tried to keep going and do the best I can. These experiences have taught me that no matter who you are or what your life entails we can all have the same opportunities in life. The WEST Scholarship has given me the confidence boost I needed to know I can keep going.”

If you would like to know more about supporting the next generation of UWS alumni with a scholorship, please get in touch via alumni@uws.ac.uk