The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is a public university with four campuses in south-western Scotland, in the towns of Paisley, Blantyre, Dumfries and Ayr, as well as a campus in London. The present institution was formed in 2007 from the merger of the University of Paisley with Bell College. The university is known for its vocational focus and its strong links with industry. It offers a wide range of courses, with a particular strength in nursing, engineering, and business.