The University of South Wales is a vibrant institution with over a century of experience of improving people’s lives through education.
Our rich and varied history provides a solid foundation on which we base our innovative and forward thinking approach to learning, offering students from around the world excellent opportunities and prospects.
At USW, our focus is on employability. We work with employers to make sure you get the skills they are looking for, giving you the competitive edge when looking for work once you have graduated. And it works – 95% of our graduates are in employment or further study within 6 months of graduating.
We also know that studying overseas brings its challenges, but we here to help you overcome these by providing you with all the support you need – in and out of the classroom – to make sure you fulfil your potential.
We have over 4000 international students from over 120 countries studying with us, so you can expect a warm welcome to our truly diverse student community.
Providing solutions to problems that affect society and the economy is what underpins research at the University of South Wales. Committed to enhancing the links between research, teaching, innovation and enterprise, our research informs teaching at all levels.
USW is a leader in key areas of specialist research, such as sustainable energy, educational development, health, creative industries and the arts, mobile communications, humanities, sports injury and performance, new business incubation, and innovation for technology and start-up companies.
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), USW doubled the amount of its research rated as world leading and we are looking to further improve this for REF 2021.
Our careers service can help you find your career direction, get your CV checked, book a mock interview, explore your freelancing options, secure a placement, build your experience, develop your network, be employable and get inspired.
USW Careers is there to encourage you, to guide you and to assist you throughout your time as a student at USW and after you graduate. As well as providing advice on the course you are thinking of studying, we can provide information on working in the UK during and after your studies.
A number of our courses include a guaranteed work placement or the opportunity to work for up to a year in industry so you can gain invaluable experience before you graduate.
We know coming to live and study in a new country can be daunting, so our International Student Advice team are on-hand to help with any queries you may have before and during your studies with us. Once enrolled, each campus has an Advice Zone where specialist advisers provide fast, accurate advice, so you can focus on your studies.
Each of our campuses offer options when it comes to finding somewhere to live. There is on campus accommodation at Pontypridd, as well as halls of residence available in Cardiff and Newport. If you’d prefer private accommodation we can help you find a suitable student-friendly home.
Our learning centres are more than just the half a million books we have across our campuses. You’ll have access to ebooks, journals, newspapers, theses, DVDs, CDs, statistics and maps. Our online search service and friendly librarians are there to help you find what you need, when you need it.
We make sure you have access to the technology you need to succeed in your studies. Our facilities and services include:
The University Health Service offers free health advice and support to all USW Students. It forms part of your overall healthcare provision, alongside your GP, pharmacist, dentist, the National Health Service and other parts of the University. We can advise on how to register for these services during our International Welcome Programme before you start.
Each of our campuses offer a warm and friendly welcome. With a Students’ Union and social spaces on campus, they’re a great place to spend time with friends as well as to study.
USW has a strong sporting background, an excellent reputation for sport degrees and impressive facilities for students to study and train in. USW Sport Park is our purpose-built site, designed to train and develop our students to their highest potential and its facilities are used by national and international sporting teams.
All students can access the Sport Centre at Treforest, and we also have links with local gyms and health clubs if you’re looking for recommendations and deals..
We have an active Students’ Union which offers an extensive range of clubs and societies, social activities and student representation. You may also be able to get work through the SU and access their Welfare Service.
As a mark of quality and high standards, many of our courses are accredited by professional bodies, which can also grant you exemption from some professional exams.
