University of South Wales

Environmental initiatives

In a new strategy, USW has outlined its plans to become carbon neutral by 2040. Aiming to create a sustainable environment by 2030, the university is starting this initiative by addressing its carbon emissions.

The institution has already started implementing changes, including adding LED lights and solar panels on campus and switching to biodegradable packaging in its catering facilities. These actions have already reduced USW's carbon output by 32 per cent since 2012.

Popular programmes

MBA Global is a two-year postgraduate programme that is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute. With a scholarship worth up to GBP 2,500, the programme is a unique MBA, that offers students the opportunity to apply for a placement with a local company or within the USW Business Clinic to gain up to 8 months of invaluable work experience in the UK.

BSc/MSc Cyber Security - The university has become the only Welsh institution to be named an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education. Awarded by the National Cyber Security Centre, USW is one of only eight universities to receive this recognition of cybersecurity excellence and was named cyber university of the year in 2020.

The MSc Public Health qualification creates professionals who can lead and implement change in public health across the world stage. This Public Health Masters recognises that health challenges can be more global than a single country's population but that local policy and regulation responses will vary from country to country.

Several of USW's courses have been accredited by professional organisations, highlighting its academic excellence. Accreditations come from several professional bodies, including:

• British Computer Society
• British Psychology Society
• Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply
• Institute of Fire Safety Engineers
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Skillset Media Academy Wales

Many of USW's courses are developed alongside professional bodies, and several teaching staff are still actively involved in their chosen industries. This allows students to be taught by modern industry experts and engage with courses that have been specifically designed to meet business expectations and demands.

The university is also heavily involved with high-impact research work. Using collaborative learning practices, it develops and explores solutions to problems within society, culture, and the economy. This includes areas of sustainability, security, and justice, as well as health and wellbeing. In the latest Research Excellence Framework, half of its research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

USW is the only university in Wales to be named as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education by the National Cyber Security Centre.

The University of South Wales is comprised of three faculties and multiple research centres. Its faculties are:

Faculty of Creative Industries

This faculty is split into three schools which are design and digital production and performance and the South Wales business school. Offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees, students can study a variety of creative subjects including:

• Advertising
• Computer animation
• Documentary photography
• Fashion design
• Game art
• Music business
• Visual production

The business school runs specialist subjects including:

• Business and management
• Accounting and finance
• Law
• Public services
• Sociology

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science

This faculty's three schools are computing and mathematics engineering and applied sciences. Subjects that can be studied at undergraduate and graduate levels include:

• Aeronautical engineering
• Biological sciences
• Civil engineering
• Computing and cybersecurity
• Electrical and electronic engineering
• Forensic sciences
• Maths and data science
• Mechanical engineering
• Pharmaceutical science
• Quantity surveying
• Renewable energy
• Sound and live event production

Faculty of Life Sciences and Education

This faculty is comprised of four schools. These are psychology and therapeutic studies health, sport, and professional practice care sciences and education, early years, and social work.

Specialist subjects within these departments include:

• Chiropractic
• Community health studies
• Education
• Football coaching and development
• Health and social care management
• Psychology
• Public health
• Social care
• Sports Science and coaching
• Working with children and families

Each course at USW has specific entry requirements, including country-specific qualifications which are accepted.

As all of its courses are taught in English, the university requires applicants to have English language proficiency. USW recognises the following qualifications and test scores as a minimum:

• Cambridge English: Overall score of 169, 162 in each component
• GCSE pass in English (at least Grade C)
• IELCA: Direct entry: 32 overall score, 30 in each component
• IELTS: Overall score of 6.0, at least 5.5 in each component
• LanguageCert International ESOL: High pass with a score of 33 in each component
• PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI: 64 overall and 59 in each component
• TOEFL: Overall score of 72, at least 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
• TOEFL Home Edition: 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing (for 2021 intakes only)
• Trinity College English Language: ISE II Distinction or ISE III Pass

Some of USW's courses may require a higher score than the ones listed above, so applicants are encouraged to check the university's website.

If applicants don't meet these language requirements but have a conditional offer from the university, USW's English Language school can help. It runs several pre-sessional programmes which improve English language and academic skills. Run several times each year, the programmes are completed by the start of academic terms in September and February.

International applicants who are applying for a Tier 4 student visa and planning on studying a below degree level course (for example, foundation courses and HNDs) will need a Home Office approved Secure English Language test.

The university offers a variety of scholarships for self-funding international students. When students apply to USW, they are automatically assessed for these scholarships, so don't need to apply separately.

All scholarships are awarded for each year of study. To secure the scholarship, recipients must pay the minimum deposit which is stated on their offer letter.

Scholarships for international students include:

• Chevening scholarship: Covers tuition fees and living costs for a one-year postgraduate course.
• Commonwealth scholarship: Covers airfare, full tuition fees, living costs, thesis grant and clothing allowance.
• EU scholarship: Awards up to GBP 4,800 per year for undergraduates and up to GBP 5,500 for postgraduates. The scholarship will ensure that tuition fees for EU students do not exceed the amount being paid by UK students at USW for the duration of their study.
• GREAT scholarship: Awards two scholarships to students in Pakistan applying for postgraduate courses in computing, engineering, science, life sciences, education, and creative industries.
• International Office scholarship: Awards up to GBP 1,500 for undergraduates and GBP 2,000 for postgraduates.

Chancellor's International Development Scholarship

Undergraduate and postgraduate students from the following areas are eligible for a scholarship of GBP 2,500:

• Africa
• Latin America
• South Asia
• South East Asia
• Central Asia
• Caribbean
• Lebanon
• Norway

Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship Programme 2021

A new scholarship for international students, it offers GBP 10,000 to those studying for a full-time master's degree. Part of a new partnership between the Welsh Government, Universities Wales, The British Council and HEFCW, it is the first scholarship of its kind in Wales.

USW international students progressing to masters

International undergraduate students who are progressing onto a USW master's programme are eligible for this scholarship. It awards a fee discount of up to GBP 6,000.

The university boasts high-quality facilities across its three campuses. USW invests in the latest technology and equipment, so students have access to industry-standard facilities and feel fully prepared for real work environments.

Specialist industry equipment includes a full-size Jetstream 31 airliner an engineering flight simulator TV studios crime scene houses and healthcare suites.

Cardiff campus

Based in Cardiff, which was recently rated as the most affordable student city by NatWest's Student Living Index (2019), facilities here include:

• Dance and performance studios
• Fashion studio
• Interior design studio
• Library
• Photography studio
• Pro tools studio
• Music studio
• Theatre
• TV and film set design studios

Newport campus

A range of subject-specific facilities can be found on the Newport campus. With more developments planned for this campus, it currently has:

• Cafe
• Library and study spaces
• Students' Union

Pontypridd campus

The largest of the campuses, Pontypridd has two sites: Treforest and Glyntaff. Facilities on this campus include:

• Aircraft workshop and hangar
• Cafes and bars
• Clinical simulation centres
• Crime scene training facilities
• Gym
• Library
• Prayer spaces
• Science and sports laboratories
• Sports hall
• Student Centre
• Students' union and nightclub

USW Sport Park

The university has a vibrant sports community, including over 60 sports teams. The USW Sport Park is one of the best coaching and training venues in the UK and is often used by professional teams.

Facilities include:

• Five floodlit pitches, including all-weather and grass
• Full-size FIFA-approved indoor and outdoor 3G pitches
• Notational analysis suite
• Strength and conditioning room
• Over 30 acres of playing fields

Accommodation

Each of USW's campuses has a range of student housing. All accommodation has a bed, wardrobe, storage, chair, and desk, as well as shared kitchen and laundry facilities. The university also provides advice on finding private rental housing.