Full Job Description
School of Education & Social Sciences
Ayr Campus
School Placement Administrator
Salary: Grade 3, £25,804 - £27,319 per annum
Full time: 35 hours per week
Permanent
Unfortunately, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship in line with Home Office requirements. Applicants will therefore be unable to secure a Skilled Worker visa for this role and will require an alternative source of right to work in the UK.
This position is not open to applicants who are currently enrolled as students.
THE POST – School Placement Administrator
We are seeking an organised and proactive Administrator to support placement activity within the School, working closely with the Professional Service staff, external bodies and academic colleagues. You will play a key role in supporting students throughout their educational journey from initial enquiries to graduation providing high-quality administrative support, managing enquiries, maintaining accurate records, and helping to ensure an excellent student experience.
A major focus of the role will be co-ordinating placement processes, supporting PVG applications, and the allocation of practice learning placements in line with programme requirements. You will build and maintain placement logs, liaise with key staff to ensure accurate data, create GLOW accounts, and support a range of placement-related enquiries. The role also includes general administrative duties such as raising purchase orders and invoices, processing expenses, carrying out Right to Work checks, and ensuring data compliance with GDPR. Flexibility is essential, as occasional work off-campus or out with normal hours may be required.
The successful candidate should have the following:
- HNC/SVQ level 3 or equivalent experience, or have relevant, practical work experience.
- Relevant administrative experience within a busy office environment
- Experience of identifying and resolving problems, liaising with other departments or staff where necessary
- Experience of updating and maintaining records and processes
- Possesses the ability to critically evaluate and challenge decisions to ensure best outcomes.
ABOUT US
The University of the West of Scotland is one of Scotland’s largest and most dynamic modern universities. Our reach across the country, together with our London campus, means that UWS is a significant force in global knowledge creation, innovation, and a leading provider of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degree education. Our degrees provide students with a transformational experience; equipping them with highly sought-after graduate skills that set them up for global success in world-leading sectors, industries and businesses.
With cutting-edge courses, modern pedagogy and practical knowledge, we enable our students and staff to experience the joy of learning, teaching, research and innovation, and apply their knowledge for the benefit of others.
UWS is officially ranked by Times Higher Education in the top 200 universities worldwide under 50 years old (2024 Young University Rankings)
Our professional services teams are the backbone of UWS, providing robust and innovative solutions to support the vast range of work across learning and teaching, and research and innovation. You will join a supportive and dedicated team, playing a key role in a range of work that will help drive forward our ambition to deliver world-leading research, and graduates who will design, shape and build a new future.
We offer our staff a caring and supportive environment, across five campuses, and a competitive benefits package which includes:
- 24 days of annual leave, plus a further 12 days for public/university holidays
- An additional days leave on your birthday
- Defined benefit contribution pension scheme (including death in service benefits upon joining the scheme
- A flexible approach to working pattern and work-life balance
- Employee discount scheme across 3,500 retailers
- Fitness facilities across our campuses
- Access to a range of health and wellbeing resources, including occupational health, physiotherapy and access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Professional, career and research development opportunities.
Closing Date: Sunday 22nd February 2026
Interview Date: Week commencing 9th March 2026
Please note that the appointment will be made on the first point of the salary scale (unless by exception, where evidence would need to be provided).
The University reserves the right to shorten/extend the closing date of any position where a high/low volume of suitable applications are received. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, an early application would be encouraged.
You can find out more about how the University uses your personal data as part of the recruitment process by looking at the UWS HR Applicant Privacy Notice
UWS are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant.
UWS is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.
UWS is a “Disability Confident” employer.
University of the West of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, no. SC002520