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University of South Wales

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Not to be confused with University of New South Wales.
University of South Wales
Prifysgol De Cymru
File:University of South Wales Logo.png.jpg
Former names
University of Glamorgan, University of Wales, Newport
TypePublic
Established11 April 2013 (origins 1841)
ChancellorRowan Williams[1]
Vice-ChancellorJulie Lydon
StudentsDecrease23,090 (2022/23)[2]
UndergraduatesDecrease17,765 (2022/23)[2]
PostgraduatesDecrease5,325 (2022/23)[2]
Location
Caerleon, Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd
,
Wales
CampusDecreaseCaerleon, Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd
AffiliationsUniversity Alliance
Websitesouthwales.ac.uk

Establishment

The University of South Wales (Template:Lang-cy) is a university in Wales. It was formed on 11 April 2013 from the merger of the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport.[4] The university can trace its roots to the founding of the Newport Mechanics' Institute in 1841. The Newport Mechanics' Institute later become the University of Wales, Newport. In 1913 the South Wales and Monmouthshire School of Mines was formed which in 1992 gained the status of University of Glamorgan. The name for the new merged university was chosen following a research exercise amongst interested parties and announced in December 2012 by the prospective vice-chancellor of the university, Julie Lydon.[5]


Student Numbers

At formation it was reported that the university had more than 33,500 students from 122 countries and was then the sixth largest in the United Kingdom and the largest in Wales.[6][7][8] However the Office of the Independent Adjudicator stated that, in 2013, the number of students was 29,875 [9] The Higher Education Statistics Agency reported student total numbers of 23,090 for the 2022/23 academic year. This means that the University is the 35th largest in the UK and the 2nd largest in Wales, after Cardiff University, when measured by the number of enrolled students.

University 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15
Glamorgan 22,710 20,900Decrease 21,070Increase 20,210Decrease 21,190Increase 20,345Decrease n/a n/a
Newport 9,120 9,065Decrease 9,290Increase 10,040Increase 9,990Decrease 9,780Decrease n/a n/a
South Wales 31,830 29,965Decrease 30,360 Increase 30,250Decrease 31,180Increase 30,125Decrease 29,195Decrease 27,710Decrease

Source:- The Higher Education Statistics Agency [10]

Organisation

Associated organisations

The university is part of the University of South Wales Group comprising the university, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Merthyr Tydfil College.

The university has a band of 106 partner colleges, universities, FE institutions or organisations, who deliver University of South Wales's higher education programmes or access courses in the UK and 18 other countries.[11]

Faculties

The university has four faculties spread over its four campuses in South East Wales.

Faculty of Business and Society

  • School of Business
  • School of Law, Accounting and Finance
  • School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science

  • School of Computing and Mathematics
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Applied Sciences

Faculty of Creative Industries

  • School of Drama and Music
  • School of Art and Design
  • School of Media

Faculty of Life Sciences and Education

  • School of Psychology, Early Years and Therapeutic Studies
  • School of Education
  • School of Health, Sport & Professional Practice
  • Centre for Community Learning
  • School of Care Sciences

The university has a film school, animation facilities, broadcasting studios, a photography school, a reputation for theatre design, poets, scriptwriters and authors as well as the national music and drama conservatoire, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, as a wholly owned subsidiary. It offers a range of qualifications from further education to degrees to PhD study. As a Post 92 University it delivers a range of STEM subjects, from engineering and mathematics to computing and surveying.

In June 2013 the fine art course at Newport was closed, with the final degree show being entitled "depARTure". A tutor, Kathryn Ashill, said that the students had a "responsibility of going out with a bang".[12]

Campuses

The university has four main campuses:

  • Caerleon – located on the northern outskirts of Newport. The formally the second largest campus which hosted a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including education, sports and photography. This Edwardian campus had extensive sports facilities, library and students' union. Formerly the main campus of the University of Wales, Newport. In 2014, it was announced by the university that the Caerleon campus will close in 2016[13] with courses being integrated into the remaining campuses. The University is proposing developing the campus for housing, however there appears to be strong opposition to the proposed re-development from the local residents. [14] The Campus is due to close in July 2016.
  • Cardiff – The Faculty of Creative Industries is based at the ATRiuM building. Opened in 2007 by the University of Glamorgan, which converted a former BT office building. Some professional services courses are taught at the Atlantic House building, with fashion taught in the Cromwell House building. The ATRiuM building is currently being expanded and is due to open in September 2016. Fashion students will move from Cromwell House to the ATRiuM.
  • ATRiuM, Adam Street
    ATRiuM, Adam Street
  • Atlantic House, Tyndall Street
    Atlantic House, Tyndall Street
  • Cromwell House, Fitzalan Place
    Cromwell House, Fitzalan Place
  • Newport – The university's newest campus. The £35 million campus on the west bank of the River Usk in Newport city centre was opened in 2011, by the University of Wales, Newport. Hosts a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including teaching, business, social work and youth work.
  • Pontypridd – This was formerly the main campus of the University of Glamorgan. Currently the university's largest campus, with a range of facilities, including an indoor sports centre and students' union. The campus is located in three parts:-

1) Treforest – Which hosts a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses notable in engineering and related subjects.

  • Main buildings
    Main buildings
  • Hirwaun building
    Hirwaun building
  • Students' Union building
    Students' Union building

2) Glyntaff – Where nursing, science and sport courses are based.

3) Tyn y Wern – The location of the University of South Wales' sport park.

Former Campuses

  • London – In 2014 USW spent an estimated £300,000 developing a campus in the Docklands area of London, but in January 2015 cancelled the project before taking on any students. The university described this as a test of the market, but blamed problems created by new UK visa regulations.[15]

Reputation

Rankings
National rankings
Complete (2025)[16]102
Guardian (2025)[17]113
Times / Sunday Times (2025)[18]114

The university is one of Wales’s five major universities and a member of the St David's Day Group.[19] Its precursor institutions have been recognised for producing some world-leading (4*) and internationally excellent (3*) research in specialist areas,[20][21][citation needed] such as nursing and midwifery, architecture and the built environment, English language and literature, history, communication, cultural and media studies, mechanical and aeronautical and manufacturing engineering.

The University of South Wales came 8th in the UK at the WhatUni? Student Choice Awards 2016.

The University of Glamorgan was recognised for providing outstanding student support, winning the 2012 Times Higher Award for Outstanding Support to Students.[22] The University of Wales, Newport received the 2013 Guardian Higher Education Award (with the University of Glamorgan) for widening participation through its Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute (UHOVI) initiative.[23][24]

The university offers independent advice to government and employers across the UK on health, education, economic growth, social policy and governance.[citation needed] It has provided a partnership platform for think-tanks such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and NESTA to develop debate on public policy reform in the UK.[citation needed]

The Good University Guide 2015 published by The Sunday Times ranked the university as 114 out of 123 UK universities. The guide rated student satisfaction at 77.0%, (117th out of 123) and student numbers as 15,835 undergraduates plus 2,475 postgraduates.


The vice-chancellor of the university, Julie Lydon, was awarded an OBE for services to higher education in Wales in the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours.[25]

Notable alumni

See also: Category:Alumni of University of South Wales
See also: Category:Alumni of the University of Glamorgan
See also: Category:Alumni of the University of Wales, Newport

Artists and photographers

Authors and creative writers

Film

Healthcare professionals

  • Sue Bale OBE, Director of South East Wales Academic Health Science Partnership

Media personalities and performers

Musicians

Politicians

Scientists

Sports people


References

  1. ^ "Rowan Williams named as University of South Wales chancellor". ITV.com. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Where do HE students study?". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Freedom of Information request". whatdotheyknow.com. 7 May 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  4. ^ "University merger 11 April 2013". Southwalesargus.co.uk. 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  5. ^ "Preferred Name Announced For New University (press release)". Newport.ac.uk. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  6. ^ "University of South Wales opens for 33,500 students". The BBC. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  7. ^ "University guide 2014: University of South Wales". The Guardian. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  8. ^ USW Annual Review 2013
  9. ^ "Office of the Independent Adjudicator" (PDF). Independent Adjudicator. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  10. ^ https://www.hesa.ac.uk/content/view/1973/239/
  11. ^ "Collaborative Registers". A check of the listed documents on the university site yielded total number of partner colleges and their countries. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  12. ^ Dalton, Gordon (11 June 2013). "Newport state of mind: last ever degree show as BA Fine Art course closes". Art News. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  13. ^ "Campus Changes". University of South Wales Campus Changes. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  14. ^ "Campus Changes". Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  15. ^ "USW London campus shut down before taking on any students". South Wales Argus. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  16. ^ "Complete University Guide 2025". The Complete University Guide. 14 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Guardian University Guide 2025". The Guardian. 7 September 2024.
  18. ^ "Good University Guide 2025". The Times. 20 September 2024.
  19. ^ "St Davids Day Group". stdavidsdaygroup.ac.uk.
  20. ^ "RAE 2008 : Quality profiles". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  21. ^ "RAE 2008 : Quality profiles". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  22. ^ "Glamorgan wins national award for outstanding student support, News Centre". glam.ac.uk.
  23. ^ [1] Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute (UHOVI).
  24. ^ Tickle, Louise (28 February 2013). "Commitment to widening participation winner: University of Wales, Newport with the University of Glamorgan". theguardian.com. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  25. ^ Rupert Denholm-Hall (13 June 2014). "Business leaders across Wales recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours". walesonline. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  26. ^ "biography". Emma Darwin. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  27. ^ a b c "UniLife". southwales.ac.uk.
  28. ^ "About". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  29. ^ "undefined undefined undefined undefined: Executive Profile & Biography – Businessweek". Businessweek.com. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  30. ^ "'The Raid' directed by Glamorgan graduate Gareth Evans released today, News Centre". glam.ac.uk.
  31. ^ "Philip John / Director & Writer". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  32. ^ "History". documentary newport. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  33. ^ "FIRST PERSON: Film maker Peter Watkins-Hughes, 47, on campaiging to save Brynmawr Market Cinema". documentary newport. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  34. ^ "Behnaz Akhgar". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  35. ^ "Lorna Dunkley • Biography & Pictures". TV Newsroom. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  36. ^ "Ben Green". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  37. ^ http://www.marklabbett.co.uk/biography.html
  38. ^ "Richard James Burgess". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  39. ^ "Newport pop singer co-writes Union J hit". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  40. ^ "Kevin Brennan MP – Cardiff West". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  41. ^ Suzy Davies AM/AC. "About Suzy". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  42. ^ http://leannewood.org/
  43. ^ http://news.glam.ac.uk/news/en/2010/may/07/mba-successes-celebrated/
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