What are UWS Open Days and Info Sessions?

Updated

UWS Open Days and Info Sessions are on-campus events where you can learn about full-time or part-time degrees at the University of the West of Scotland before you apply. They run across UWS campuses from September to November, and you normally register in advance. They are most useful if you are choosing between courses, want to see a campus, or need to understand how study would fit around work or other commitments.

What you can find out

UWS describes these events as a way to "find out more about full-time or part-time degrees at UWS." In practice, that means they are aimed at prospective students who are still deciding what or where to study, rather than at applicants who have already accepted an offer.

You can use an Open Day or Info Session to:

  • Explore the courses and subject areas you are considering
  • See a campus and get a feel for the study environment
  • Ask about full-time versus part-time study options
  • Learn how UWS supports students, including its widening-participation and social-inclusion focus

UWS was named Scottish University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2026 by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, and it describes itself as Scotland's leading university for widening participation. If you are a mature student, a returner to study, or someone balancing study with other responsibilities, the information sessions are a reasonable place to raise those questions directly.

When and where they run

The Open Days take place across UWS campuses between September and November. Because UWS has multiple campuses, the date and location matter: check which campus is hosting the session you want before registering, since the campus you visit is also part of what you are evaluating.

If you cannot attend in that window, UWS also lists information sessions alongside Open Days, which serve a similar purpose for people who want details rather than a full campus visit.

How to take part

  1. Go to the Open Days section of the UWS website.
  2. Check the dates and campuses on offer from September to November.
  3. Register for the Open Day or information session you want to attend.
  4. Before you go, use the course search to shortlist programmes by level — undergraduate, or postgraduate taught and post-experience — and by subject or interest.
  5. Bring your shortlist and specific questions, so you spend the event on the things you cannot find on the website.

The course search on the site lets you select a level of study and search by course, subject, or interest, so you can arrive with a defined list rather than browsing from scratch.

If you are applying for 2026 entry

Two related routes sit alongside Open Days:

  • Clearing 2026 — UWS publishes guidance on applying through Clearing.
  • Late applications — UWS states it is open for late applications for September 2026 entry.

If you are considering either, an Open Day or Info Session is a chance to confirm course availability and entry requirements before you commit to an application.

Common points to check

  • Registration: UWS asks you to register for Open Days, so do not assume you can turn up without signing up.
  • Timing: the September–November window is fixed for the Open Day programme, so plan around it if you are working or studying elsewhere.
  • Campus: confirm the campus for your chosen date, as events are spread across multiple locations.
  • Level: decide whether you are looking at undergraduate or postgraduate taught and post-experience courses before you search, since the course search is filtered by level.

If you already know your course and campus, an Open Day is mainly a confirmation step. If you are still choosing, it is the point where the website stops being enough and you need to ask people directly.