University of South Wales

The University of South Wales (USW) is one the largest universities in the UK and the largest in Wales, offering its students excellent opportunities and bright prospects. A course at the University of South Wales is more than just a degree. Inside and outside the classroom, students will achieve their potential both professionally and personally.

Employability is at the heart of everything done and the University is committed to getting its students the jobs they want. Its teaching is informed by what happens in the real world and its courses are designed to develop new skills that are essential for the workplace. All this is strengthened by its employability schemes, business start-up support and opportunities to get actual experience, often as part of their course.

Delivering these kinds of opportunities requires the very best facilities and support, and the University has invested millions of pounds to provide them. It is a leader in using simulation for its teaching and its students learn about their profession in environments that recreate the workplace, using the same equipment and applications they will find in industry. This approach ensures that they are ready for the workplace and have the confidence to succeed.

Its size means the University can offer an exceptional range of subjects and courses, at every level – from Foundation Degree to PhD. It also means that its links with industry and business are hard to beat. The University works with world leaders such as Microsoft, British Airways and the BBC to inform its courses and offer work experience.

The University also works with professional bodies to ensure that what students learn meets professional standards and is relevant in the real world. Many of its courses hold accreditations by leading professional bodies in specialist fields including ACCA, the BCS, the CIPS, the BPS, the Skillset Media Academy Wales, the Institute of Fire Safety Engineers, –the RICS and CILECT (the association of the world’s major film and television schools) which demonstrates that course content meets industry standards. These accreditations mean that its students graduate with more than just a university qualification - they have the skills, knowledge and attitude to impress employers at graduate interviews.

At the University of South Wales, students will find countless opportunities and award-winning support to help them along the way.

The University is also renowned for its partnerships with major employers. These partnerships are one of the many reasons that 94% of its students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.

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• Country Specific Entry Requirements (For International Students)

The University has campuses throughout South Wales, in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd. Its unique locations mean students can enjoy everything the region has to offer – city life and culture, stunning beaches and breathtaking countryside.

If students have never been to South Wales, they’re in for a treat. Wales is a land of extraordinary beauty and world leading culture, music and sport. With its stunning mountains for walking and mountain biking and one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines with a strong reputation for surfing and water sports, Wales is a great place to be a student!

Being the capital city of Wales, Cardiff is a city with something for everyone. It’s friendly and easy to get around, and one of the most desirable student cities in the UK. It has a vibrant arts scene, great nightlife, history, culture, top sporting venues, fantastic shopping - and that’s just for starters. Cardiff castle is a must for international students who love to experience tradition and history. Cardiff has everything one would expect to find in a major city and a bit more, so one can never get tired of discovering new things! From Cardiff, students can easily explore the UK and mainland Europe with direct bus and rail links to London and enjoy access to Cardiff International Airport.

Newport is a small city, just 2 hours away from London making it easy to get around and to get to other destinations in the UK. Newport has a strong industrial history and hosts a range of small and medium size industries, particularly within the creative sector. Since City Campus, Newport was built in 2011, the area around the campus has continued to develop as the city’s cultural headquarter and is just a stone’s throw from the city’s shops, bars and transport links. Just outside Newport, students will have the opportunity to experience village life – the city is surrounded by a number of small villages which offer pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops and serve as a tranquil place to relax and escape from the pressures of study.

Just 20 minutes from Cardiff by direct rail link, students will find the University’s largest campus, the Pontypridd Campus. It’s an ideal place for those who prefer somewhere a little quieter for their studies, whilst still having access to all the amenities the capital city has to offer. The Pontypridd Campus is surrounded by green open spaces and plenty of fresh air and with many accommodation options that offer the convenience of living and studying in the same place. The Pontypridd Campus is made up of two sites - Treforest and Glyntaff – which are just a short walk from each other, or there’s a shuttle bus that runs between them. Pontypridd is a welcoming place and its students say they love the community atmosphere so they will soon feel right at home. The University’s growing student population means that the town is largely a student area, with plenty of student-friendly shops, pubs and restaurants.

For students who are a fan of British culture, they might recognise some of its campuses already - the University’s Cardiff and Pontypridd campuses have featured in several episodes of the BBC’s Doctor Who!

At the University of South Wales, students will find countless opportunities and award-winning support to help them along the way.

As part of its commitment to excellence the University has recently invested another £3.3m into its existing state-of-the-art aerospace facilities to ensure students get the best possible learning experience.

USW is a leader in using industry-standard equipment and state-of-the-art simulated environments including a clinical simulation centre, a moot courtroom, crime scene investigation facilities; film, fashion and music studios; a stock trading floor; a GBP 1.5 million aircraft maintenance centre, which includes a Jetstream 31 airplane and a Jet Provost T-Mk 3 military training jet, as well as a flight simulator to enhance teaching and learning.

Its staff are actively involved in research, so students will be taught by lecturers who are national and international experts in their fields. The University also ensures that its research has a purpose – is relevant to the real world and influences decision makers. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, USW was named among UK leaders in many fields including the creative industries, social policy and sports and exercise sciences. This research and influence ensures that its programmes reflect the latest thinking and advances, giving education at the University an added distinction.

Study Options

When it comes to choosing the right university to apply to, choosing the right course is at the top of the list in every student’s decision making process. The University’s size means it can offer a wide range of subject areas and courses at every level – from Foundation Degree to PhD. Its Centre for International English also offers academic and English language programmes for international students. These courses provide support and guidance to improve academic and language skills within a UK university environment, with additional support and a dedicated welfare officer available for any student under the age of 18.

Students can choose from a range of British Council accredited programmes that have multiple intakes each year.

 Career Support

The Careers and Employability Service helps students and graduates of the University of South Wales and its partner colleges with all aspects of their career planning. Services range from individual advice and guidance on career choice to postgraduate study, work experience, practical support with job hunting and working/studying overseas.  USW can even help students find a part time job during study.

Academic entry requirements

The University of South Wales recognises a wide range of qualifications from around the world. Details can be found on the country specific pages of their website.

For taught programmes, students must usually have a high school leaver’s certificate, Honours degree from a recognised university, relevant experience, or a postgraduate diploma. For research based study one must usually have a Masters degree from a recognised university that is related to their proposed area of research.

English language entry requirements

Proficiency in the English language is essential, and the University recognises the following English language qualifications:

• The British Council's IELTS, with an average overall score of 6.0 for undergraduate study and 6.5 for postgraduate study. Students must achieve at least 5.5 in each band for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): – overall score of 169 with at least 162 in each component for undergraduate study, and 176 for postgraduate study with at least 162 in each component; – Grade C and no less than borderline in each skill for undergraduate and postgraduate
• GCSE pass in English at grade C or above.

For more information on the English language qualifications, visit the website.

Applications for undergraduate courses may be made directly to the University using the online application system  or through UCAS.

Postgraduate applications can be made directly to the University using the online application system.

There is no application fee when students apply to the University directly. Please click here for more information.

Tuition fees for international students can be found on the University website.

The University of South Wales offers the following scholarships to international students. Students will be automatically considered for one of these generous awards when the University receives their application for study.

Undergraduate degree Courses – GBP1,500 per year
Postgraduate degree courses – GBP2,000
Master of Business Administration (MBA) – GBP1,500

Where students live is just as important as what they learn. Whether students want to live on campus or in nearby private accommodation, the University will help them feel at home.

Living in Halls

In their first year in the UK, many international students like to stay on campus in one of the University’s Halls of Residence because it’s so convenient – all bills and amenities are taken care of in the monthly cost and this is a great benefit for many students living away from home for the first time. Plus, they’ll be close to all the facilities they need, so students won’t have to build travelling costs into their budget. It’s also a great way to make friends, as usually students are in apartment-style accommodation where they each have their own bedroom and en-suite bathroom and share their kitchen and living area with up to five other students.

The University’s Halls of Residence are based on the University’s Pontypridd Campus, so students can live and study in a friendly, community atmosphere that students love.  In Cardiff and Newport, the University has engaged with private providers to offer competitive packages for rooms in their Halls of Residence. Again, all rooms are en suite and are conveniently located with easy access to shops, restaurants, amenities and of course its teaching facilities.

One of the best parts about living in Wales is the high quality of life that students can afford for a very reasonable amount of money. View residential options…

All accommodation is self-catering, but if students are not a budding masterchef, there are plenty of places to eat on campus, most of which cater for special diets and sell Fairtrade products. Its campuses in Cardiff and Newport are in the heart of the city centre so there is an endless variety of bars, restaurants and cafes to enjoy. There’s sure to be something to suit every student’s taste!