All Levels
GBP 2,500
University of South Wales
Pontypridd, United Kingdom
"Career-focused university with campuses in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd"
At a Glance
Accept Rate
—
Avg Salary/Yr
—
Ranking
#1201 (QS)
PSW VISA
2 years (18 months from 2027)
About University of South Wales
The University of South Wales (USW) is a public university in south Wales, formed on 11 April 2013 by the merger of the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport. Its roots go back to the Newport Mechanics' Institute of 1841. It teaches across three campuses: Pontypridd, the largest, with sites at Treforest, Glyntaff and the Sport Park; Cardiff, home of business and creative industries in the ATRiuM building; and the Newport City Campus. Its three faculties are Computing, Engineering and Science; Business and Creative Industries; and Life Sciences and Education. In 2024/25 it had 20,790 students, including 6,015 postgraduates, and about 2,800 staff. The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and The College Merthyr Tydfil are part of the USW group. It is a member of University Alliance and has had a strategic alliance with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David since 2020. Courses are career-focused, with options such as aircraft maintenance engineering, computing and the MBA Global, and September and February intakes for international students. It is 91st in the Complete University Guide 2027.
Rankings & Recognition
#1201
USW is in the 1201-1400 band of the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 91st in the Complete University Guide 2027.
Accreditations & Memberships
University Alliance
Universities UK
QS 2026 Performance Breakdown
Score out of 100 across each QS evaluation pillar, with University of South Wales's global standing for that metric.
Academic Reputation
#
Employer Reputation
#
Faculty Student Ratio
#
Citations per Faculty
#
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Key Facts
2013 (merger)
Formed
20,790 (2024/25)
Total Students
6,015
Postgraduates
2,800 (HESA 2024/25)
Staff
Pontypridd, Cardiff, Newport
Campuses
Popular Programs
Computer Science
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
MBA Global
Data Science
Engineering Management
Business and Creative Industries
Application Details
UG Application
Direct online or UCAS
PG Application
Direct online application
Deposit (self-funded)
Min. 50% of course fee
Intakes
September, February
Standardized Test Requirements
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
|
IELTS (standard)
|
6.0 (5.5 each) |
|
Duolingo English Test
|
110 (100 each) |
|
USW Password test
|
Accepted (free) |
Study Abroad & Visa Details
Visa Approval Rate
95%
I-20 Processing
Student visa (CAS) + IHS
Post-Study Work
Graduate Route 2 yrs; 18 mo from 2027
Green Card Pathway
Skilled Worker route
Financials
Application Fee
N/A
Avg Scholarship
GBP 1,500-2,500
Career Outcomes
2 years (18 months from 2027)
Post-Study Work
20
Work While Study
Where Graduates Land
Faculty & Alumni
Staff — 2,800 (HESA 2024/25)
Faculties — 3
—
Notable Alumni
Asif Kapadia (film maker)
Gareth Evans (film director)
Leanne Wood (politician)
Nigel Walker (Olympian, Wales rugby)
Max Boyce (entertainer)
Campus & Location
USW's largest campus is in Pontypridd, with sites at Treforest, Glyntaff and the Sport Park. The Cardiff campus in the ATRiuM building houses business and creative industries, and the Newport City Campus mainly hosts life sciences and education courses.
Campus Details
3
campuses: Pontypridd
Cardiff
Newport
Campus Forecast
No forecast data added yet. Click "Edit Details" to add.
Student Life & Housing
Housing
Housing: Glamorgan Court GBP 117-140/wk
Mountain Halls GBP 152-193/wk (Treforest
40 wks)
Ty Pont Haearn (Unite
Cardiff) GBP 161-163/wk
Zenith Cardiff GBP 210-230/wk
CLV Newport
Dining
Dining: Students Union cafes
bars and shops on each campus
Self-catered halls
Cardiff city centre options
Health & Wellness
Health: USW Health Team nurse appointments (Treforest
Cardiff)
Ashgrove Surgery GP clinics on Treforest campus
Activities & Clubs
Activities: University of South Wales Students' Union (USWSU)
Student-run sports clubs and societies
USW Sport Park
Diversity & Demographics
Total Students
20,790
Postgraduates
6,015
Staff
2,800
Cost Deep-Dive
UG Business / Creative
GBP 16,800 / year
UG Computing / Engineering
GBP 17,200 / year
PG taught (most)
GBP 17,900
MBA Global / LLM LPC
GBP 18,970
PhD / MPhil
GBP 18,970 / year
Placement year
GBP 3,230
Intakes & Deadlines
International students can start in September 2026 or February 2027 on many courses; some, such as the MBA Global, MSc Data Science and MSc Engineering Management, start in September. Applications are made direct online, and undergraduates can also use UCAS. The Early CAS Scholarship rewards students who are CAS-ready by 31 May (September 2026 intake) or 31 October (January/February 2027 intake).
Scholarships at University of South Wales
5 scholarships available
All Levels
Up to GBP 2,000
International Office Scholarship
All Levels
GBP 500
Early CAS Scholarship
Master's
GBP 3,500
Progression Fee Discount (USW graduates)
Master's
Full tuition + living
Chevening Scholarship
These are general eligibility guidelines. Always confirm exact requirements with the university's admissions office or your Sukhada counsellor.
Academic Requirements
Undergraduate
112 UCAS points, A-levels BBC (e.g. Computer Science); IELTS 6.0 (5.5 each)
Postgraduate
2:2 or second-class honours degree; IELTS 6.0 (5.5 each)
English Proficiency
IELTS (standard)
6.0 (5.5 each)Duolingo English Test
110 (100 each)USW Password test
Accepted (free)Required Documents
Direct online application (or UCAS for UG)
Academic transcripts and certificates
IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 110 or USW Password test result
Passport copy
Deposit of at least 50% of course fee (self-funded)
Sponsor financial guarantee letter (sponsored)
CAS Shield form
TB test certificate (listed countries)
Application Process
1
Choose campus and intake
Pick a course at Pontypridd, Cardiff or Newport and a September 2026 or February 2027 start where offered.
2
Apply direct or via UCAS
Apply online through the course page's how-to-apply link; undergraduates may also apply through UCAS.
3
Accept and pay deposit
Return the Acceptance Form and pay at least 50% of the course fee, or send a sponsor guarantee letter.
4
Complete CAS Shield
Finish the CAS Shield checks; being CAS-ready by 31 May (Sept) or 31 October (Feb) earns a GBP 500 Early CAS Scholarship.
5
Student visa
Use the CAS to apply for the UK Student visa and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
6
Enrol and pay balance
Enrolment emails go to CAS holders before term; paying the balance within 14 days of the start date earns a GBP 300 discount.
Campus & Location
USW's largest campus is in Pontypridd, with sites at Treforest, Glyntaff and the Sport Park. The Cardiff campus in the ATRiuM building houses business and creative industries, and the Newport City Campus mainly hosts life sciences and education courses.
Bachelor's
2
University of South Wales
📍 Pontypridd
Bachelor's
BSc (Hons) Computer Science
University of South Wales
📍 Pontypridd
Bachelor's
BSc (Hons) Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
Master's
3
University of South Wales
📍 Pontypridd
Master's
MBA Global
University of South Wales
📍 Pontypridd
Master's
MSc Data Science
University of South Wales
📍 Pontypridd
Master's
MSc Engineering Management
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