About University of South Wales
The University of South Wales (USW) is a multi-campus Welsh institution spanning Pontypridd, Cardiff and Newport, specialising in aviation engineering, creative industries, health and cyber security with strong employer-led teaching.
Key Information
Student Statistics
- • 24,000 total students
- • 4,000 international students
- • 70 student societies
Location
- • Located in Pontypridd
- • Public university
- • Established 2013
Subject Rankings
Academics & Faculties
Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master, PhD, Foundation, Professional
Popular Subjects
Aircraft Maintenance EngineeringForensic ScienceNursingAnimationCyber Security
Student-Staff Ratio
18 : 1
Faculties & Departments
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Aviation and Mechanical Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, Forensic and Analytical Science, Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Film and Music, Design and Communication, Business and Finance, Law and Criminology
Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Nursing and Midwifery, Psychology, Education and Social Policy, Sport
Entry Requirements
Undergraduate
Academic: Typical offers range from BCC to BBB; aviation engineering asks for ABB including Mathematics and Physics.
Alternatives: IB 28 points with HL5 Maths, Gaokao 75% overall with 80% in science, BTEC DDM in Engineering or Creative Media
IELTS: 6
R 5.5 / W 5.5 / L 5.5 / S 5.5
TOEFL iBT: 80
Interview for nursing and education • Enhanced DBS check for placements • Medical certificate for aviation degrees
Postgraduate
Minimum Qualification: 2:2 honours or equivalent; doctoral applicants need a master's with merit.
GPA: 2.8
IELTS: 6.5
R 6 / W 6 / L 6 / S 6
TOEFL iBT: 88
Portfolio/showreel for creative MA • Research proposal for MRes/PhD • Two references
Fees & Funding
Tuition (International)
- Undergraduate: £14,000
- Postgraduate: £14,000
Living Costs (Annual)
- Accommodation: £4,700
- Food: £2,000
- Transport: £600
- Entertainment: £800
- Other: £700
- Total: £8,800
Scholarships
USW International Office Scholarship
Merit£2,500 automatic tuition reduction for new international students meeting entry requirements.
Value: £2,500 (Tuition)
International fee payer • Full-time enrolment • Firm offer
Deadline: Automatic
Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship
ExcellenceUp to £5,000 for outstanding academic achievement and leadership potential.
Value: £5,000 (Tuition)
Equivalent of first-class honours • Personal statement evidencing leadership • Interview
Deadline: 2024-06-30
Campus & Facilities
Pontypridd Campus, Pontypridd CF37 1DL
Multi-campus university with sites in Pontypridd, Cardiff, Newport and Dubai
Size: 65 acres
Facilities
Academic
ATRiuM building, Film and TV studios, Sport science labs, Nursing simulation centre
Creative
Music studios, Animation suites, Game design labs
Accommodation
Glamorgan Court (Treforest)
En-suiteCost: N/A
Contract:
Mountain Halls
Shared flatCost: N/A
Contract:
Cardiff Campus Residences
StudioCost: N/A
Contract:
Accept your offer, pay a £200 advanced rent online, then choose preferred halls within the housing portal.
Student Life & Support
Clubs & Sports
Clubs: 70
Teams: 40
Cultural Activities
- Freshers' Village at Treforest — Every September
- Cardiff Fashion Collective showcase — Annually
International Support
- Visa support: Yes
- Language support: Yes
- Orientation: Yes
- Buddy program: Yes
- Contact: international@southwales.ac.uk
Health & Wellbeing
- Medical centre: Yes
- Counselling: Yes
- Disability support: Yes
- Emergency: +44 (0)1443 654000
Careers & Outcomes
Employability Rank
105
Graduate Outcomes
Employed: 76%
Further study: 11%
Unemployed: 7%
Average Salary
£24,000
annual
Top Employers
NHS WalesBBC WalesSouth Wales PoliceGeneral DynamicsWelsh GovernmentAdmiral
Location & Transportation
Public Transport
- Train: Valley Lines connecting to Cardiff Central • £3-8 one way
- Bus: Stagecoach services throughout South Wales • £2-5 per journey
Local Area
Based in the South Wales valleys with campuses near Cardiff, offering affordable living and Welsh culture
Cost of Living: Low
Attractions: Cardiff city centre, Brecon Beacons, Cardiff Bay, Principality Stadium
Shopping:
Entertainment:
Additional Information
Accreditation
Civil Aviation Authority, Nursing and Midwifery Council, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
Partnerships
- Industry: Airbus — Joint aerospace research and cadet schemes with hangar facilities in St Athan.
- Clinical: NHS Wales — Shared simulation centres and 6,000+ annual clinical placements across South Wales hospitals.
Research Highlights
- Hydrogen Rail Project — USW engineers developed hydrogen fuel cell modules for Transport for Wales trial trains. (2023)
- Cyber Threat Intelligence — The National Cyber Security Academy produced AI-driven threat hunting tools adopted by Welsh SMEs. (2022)
Notable Alumni
- Anthony Hopkins — Academy Award-winning actor (Royal Welsh College predecessor) (1960)
- Sophie Evans — West End performer and TV presenter (2012)
Metadata
Source: USW 2024 prospectus, Careers and Enterprise annual report, HESA data
Last Updated: 2025-12-03T00:00:00Z
Verified: Yes
Contact Email: international@southwales.ac.uk