University of South Wales#History

{{Infobox university

| name = University of South Wales

| native_name = Prifysgol De Cymru

| motto = Success Through Endeavour

| image_name = University_of_Glamorgan_arms.png

| image_size = 160px

| caption = Coat of Arms
University of South Wales

| established = 11 April 2013 (origins 1841)

| endowment = £3.3 million (2019){{Cite web |url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/documents/1403/FINANCIAL_STATEMENT_and_REVIEW_2019.pdf |title=FS University of South Wales}}

| type = Public

| administrative_staff = 2,780 {{cite web|url=https://www.hesa.ac.uk|title=HESA - Experts in higher education data and analysis|website=www.hesa.ac.uk}}

| chancellor = Rowan Williams{{cite web | url=http://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2013-06-18/rowan-williams-named-as-university-of-south-wales-chancellor/ | title=Rowan Williams named as University of South Wales chancellor | publisher=ITV.com | date=18 June 2013 | access-date=18 January 2014}}

| vice_chancellor = Ben Calvert

| city =

| country = Wales

| campus = Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd

| students = {{HESA student population|INSTID=10007793}} ({{HESA year}}){{HESA citation}}

| undergrad = {{HESA undergraduate population|INSTID=10007793}} ({{HESA year}})

| postgrad = {{HESA postgraduate population|INSTID=10007793}} ({{HESA year}})

| former_names = University of Glamorgan, University of Wales, Newport

| affiliations = University Alliance
Universities UK

| website = {{URL|https://southwales.ac.uk}}

| logo = University of South Wales Logo.jpg

}}

The University of South Wales (USW) ({{langx|cy|Prifysgol De Cymru}}) is a public university in Wales, with campuses in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd. It was formed on 11 April 2013 from the merger of the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport.{{cite web|url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/10305191.University_of_Wales__Newport_to_be_dissolved_in_April/ |title=University merger 11 April 2013 |publisher=Southwalesargus.co.uk |date=21 March 2013 |access-date=10 April 2013}} The university is the second largest university in Wales in terms of its student numbers, and offers over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate courses.{{Cite web |title=Courses - University of South Wales |url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/courses/#courseSearchStart |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.southwales.ac.uk}} The university has three main faculties across its campuses in South Wales.

History

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.The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales. John Davies, Nigel Jenkins, Menna Baines and Peredur Lynch (2008) pg896 {{ISBN|978-0-7083-1953-6}} The school of mines was later to become the Polytechnic of Wales, before gaining the status of University of Glamorgan in 1992. 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,{{cite web|url=http://www.newport.ac.uk/news/newsstories/Pages/PreferredNameAnnouncedForNewUniversity.aspx#.UN3a4-wgGSN|title=Preferred Name Announced For New University (press release)|publisher=Newport.ac.uk|date=17 December 2012|access-date=10 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416000520/http://www.newport.ac.uk/news/newsstories/Pages/PreferredNameAnnouncedForNewUniversity.aspx#.UN3a4-wgGSN|archive-date=16 April 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} who retired in 2021.{{cite web|title=Cyn Is-Ganghellor PDC, yr Athro Julie Lydon, yn cael ei gwneud yn fonesig yn Rhestr Anrhydeddau Blwyddyn Newydd y Frenhines|url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/cymraeg/amdanom/newyddion/newyddion-am-2022/cyn-ganghellor-pdc-yr-athro-julie-lydon-yn-cael-ei-gwneud-yn-fonesig-yn-rhestr-anrhydeddau-blwyddyn-newydd-y-frenhines/|date=1 January 2020|website=Prifysgol De Cymru|access-date=22 January 2022|language=cy}}

In 2020 the university entered a strategic alliance with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David through a deed of association. A joint statement said that the two universities would be "working together on a national mission to strengthen Wales’ innovation capacity, supporting economic regeneration and the renewal of its communities", while retaining their autonomy and distinct identities.{{cite web |title=University alliance to deliver economic and social benefits to Wales |url=https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/news/press-releases/press-2020/university-alliance-to-deliver-economic-and-social-benefits-to-wales.html |publisher=University of Wales Trinity Saint David |access-date=30 September 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/news/news-2020/university-alliance-deliver-economic-and-social-benefits-wales/|title=University alliance to deliver economic and social benefits to Wales|date=30 July 2020|publisher=University of South Wales}}

A data breach in 2019 impacted 30,000 students causing the student record system to be taken offline.{{Cite web |last=Wightwick |first=Abbie |date=2019-05-30 |title=Police investigate data breach at Welsh university |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education/university-south-wales-data-breach-16356171 |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}{{Cite web |author1=Bobby Hellard |date=2019-05-31 |title=Police investigate University of South Wales data breach |url=https://www.itpro.com/data-breaches/33745/police-investigate-university-of-south-wales-data-breach |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=ITPro |language=en}}

=Notable dates=

1841 Opening of Mechanics Institute, Newport.
1913 Opening of South Wales and Monmouthshire School of Mines, Treforest.
2013 Merger between the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport.
2014 Rowan Williams appointed Chancellor.
2015 London Campus closes.
2016 Caerleon Campus closes.
2020 Dubai Campus closes.

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.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22102506 | title=University of South Wales opens for 33,500 students | publisher=The BBC | date=11 April 2013 | access-date=18 January 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/jun/04/universityguide-uni-south-wales |title=University guide 2014: University of South Wales|work=The Guardian |date=4 June 2013|access-date=18 January 2014}}USW Annual Review 2013{{full citation needed|date=March 2022}} Following the decline in student numbers reported by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) over the years since the formation of the university, for the academic year {{HESA year}} the university was the List of universities in the United Kingdom by enrollment in the UK and the second largest in Wales when measured by the numbers of students enrolled.

University	00-01	01-02	02-03	03-04	04-05	05-06	06-07	07-08	08-09	09-10	10–11	11–12	12–13
class="wikitable"
Glamorgan	17,530	{{Increase}} 18,875	{{Increase}} 19,820	{{Increase}} 20,595	{{Increase}} 21,325	{{Decrease}}20,825	{{Increase}} 21,535	{{Increase}} 22,710	{{Decrease}}20,900	{{Increase}} 21,070	{{Decrease}}20,210	{{Increase}}21,190	{{Decrease}}20,345
Newport	8,185	{{Increase}} 8,505	{{Increase}} 8,980	{{Increase}} 9,065	9,065	{{Increase}} 9,380	{{Increase}} 9,535	{{Decrease}} 9,120	{{Decrease}} 9,065	{{Increase}} 9,290	{{Increase}} 10,040	{{Decrease}} 9,990	{{Decrease}} 9,780
Total	25,715	{{Increase}} 27,380	{{Increase}} 28,800	{{Increase}} 29,660	{{Increase}} 30,390	{{Decrease}}30,205	{{Increase}} 31,070	{{Increase}} 31,830	{{Decrease}}29,965	{{Increase}} 30,360	{{Decrease}} 30,250	{{Increase}} 31,180	{{Decrease}} 30,125

South Wales	12-13	13–14	14–15	15–16	16–17	17–18	18–19	19–20	20–21	21–22	22–23
class="wikitable"
Numbers	Baseline	{{Decrease}}29,195	{{Decrease}}27,710	{{Decrease}}25,265	{{Decrease}}23,465	{{Decrease}}22,860	{{Decrease}}22,330	{{Increase}} 23,090	{{Increase}} 23,150	{{Increase}} 23,270	{{Increase}} 26,180
% Change University Claim	33,500	{{Decrease}}-11%	{{Decrease}}-17%	{{Decrease}}-25%	{{Decrease}}-30%	{{Decrease}}-32%	{{Decrease}}-33%	{{Decrease}}-31%	{{Decrease}}-31%	{{Decrease}}-31%	{{Decrease}}-25%
% Change HSE Figures	30,125	{{Decrease}}-1%	{{Decrease}}-8%	{{Decrease}}-16%	{{Decrease}}-22%	{{Decrease}}-24%	{{Decrease}}-26%	{{Decrease}}-23%	{{Decrease}}-23%	{{Decrease}}-23%	{{Decrease}}-16%

Source:- The Higher Education Statistics Agency

Organisation

=Associated organisations=

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.{{cite web | url=http://cpu.southwales.ac.uk/collaborative-registers/ | title=Collaborative Registers | work=A check of the listed documents on the university site yielded total number of partner colleges and their countries. | access-date=18 January 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201125734/http://cpu.southwales.ac.uk/collaborative-registers/ | archive-date=1 February 2014 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}

=Faculties=

The university has three faculties{{cite web |title=USW - Faculty Structure |url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/about/our-structure/ |website=www.southwales.ac.uk}} spread over its three campuses in South Wales.

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science

The Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science comprises 8 subject areas:

Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
Biological and Forensic Sciences
Built Environment and Civil Engineering
Chemical and Environmental Sciences
Computing and Mathematical Sciences
Cyber Security
Informatics and Electronics.

Faculty of Business & Creative Industries

The Faculty of Business and Creative Industries comprises 12 subject areas:

Accounting and Finance
Business Management
Culture and Animation
Fashion, Marketing and Photography
Film and TV
Games and Design
Global Business
Law
Leadership and Public Services
Music and Drama
Operations Management
Professional Development

Faculty of Life Sciences and Education

The Faculty of Life Sciences and Education comprises 14 subject areas:

Allied Health and Chiropractic
Community and Professional Practice Nursing
Health and Social Care
ITE and Educational Practice
Nursing (Adult)
Nursing (Learning Disability, Mental Health, Child)
Operational Policing
Policing and Criminology
Post Compulsory Education
Professional Learning in Education
Psychology
Sport
Therapeutic Studies
Youth, Community and Social Work

The university has a film school, animation facilities, broadcasting studios, a photography school, 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.{{Cite web |title=STEM - University of South Wales |url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/stem/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.southwales.ac.uk}}

Campuses

The university currently has three campuses all situated in South Wales.

=Cardiff=

{{multiple image

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| header = ATRiuM 2A and 2B

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| image1 = Vacant building, Adam Street, Cardiff.jpg

| width1 = 150

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| caption1 = Site of an old garage prior to construction of Phase 2A

| image2 = Atrium 2A June 2014.JPG

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| caption2 = Phase 2A during construction in May 2014

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| caption3 = Phase 2B during construction in December 2015

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The Faculty of Business & Creative Industries is based at the Cardiff Campus. The ATRiuM (officially ATRiuM: Cardiff Faculty of business and Creative Industries and also known as ATRiuM Building) is the only building at the campus. Originally opened by the University of Glamorgan in 2007 the building was extended at a cost of £14.7 million{{cite web|url=http://www.southwales.ac.uk/new-atrium/|title=The Enhanced Cardiff Campus|website=www.southwales.ac.uk}} to replace the Caerleon campus. The building re-opened during September 2016. It is located in the Adamsdown area, at 86-88 Adam Street, near Cardiff Queen Street railway station.

In Phase 2, ATRiuM expanded on the western side of the original structure (phase 1) on un-used land on the eastern side and the site of an old garage on the western side. The new two storey ATRiuM 2A includes part of the South Wales Business School, as well as a Students Union bar and an 'Ideas factory'. It opened for the new term in September 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/university-submits-plans-major-expansion-3157492|title=University submits plans for major expansion of city centre Atrium campus |work=Wales Online|date=28 April 2013 |accessdate=2014-05-27}} The eastern side ATRiuM 2B, will be a five-storey building with new teaching facilities.{{cite web|url=http://planning.cardiff.gov.uk/online-applications/files/6AD0EF1C4736CF153ABF159D2CBF7059/pdf/13_00641_DCI-PLANNING_STATEMENT-1079000.pdf |publisher=Cardiff Council |title=The full planning application for the extension to the Atrium building |accessdate=2014-05-30 }}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Amongst the key ATRiuM facilities are a design studio, television studio, 180-seat theatre space, cinema, 180 seat main lecture theatre, a cafe and advice shops.{{cite web|url=http://cci.glam.ac.uk/facilities/ |title=ATRiuM Facilities |publisher=University of Glamorgan |accessdate=2009-10-07 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815061606/http://cci.glam.ac.uk/facilities/ |archivedate=15 August 2009 }} In July 2010, it was filmed for The Sarah Jane Adventures' fifth series episode The Man Who Never Was (the final episode filmed before Elisabeth Sladen's death in 2011).{{Cite web|url=http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/sarahjane/2011ef.html|title = The Man Who Never Was | A Brief History of Time (Travel)}}

The campus also included the Atlantic House building, which was closed due to declining student numbers.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

File:University of South Wales, Cardiff Campus.jpg|ATRiuM, Adam Street

File:Atrium, Cardiff during construction..jpg|Phase 1 during construction in April 2007

File:Atrium, Cardiff (2017).JPG|The ATRiuM building in January 2017

File:Atlantic House (South Wales Uni).JPG|Atlantic House, Tyndall Street

=Newport=

The university's newest campus is the £40 million campus on the west bank of the River Usk in Newport city centre. The 'City Campus' was built for the University of Wales, Newport and was opened in 2011 by Sir Terry Matthews.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12756558/| title=Sir Terry Matthews opens Newport university campus| publisher=BBC | date=16 March 2011 | access-date=3 September 2017}} Originally built to house a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses for the Newport Business School, Newport Film School and the university's art and design department, it now hosts departments and courses primarily from the Faculty of Life Sciences and Education, including teaching, social work and youth work as well as some courses in business together with the National Cyber Security Academy.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

File:University of South Wales, Newport city centre campus.jpg

=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:{{Cite web |title=Our Campuses - University of South Wales - Pontypridd |url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/our-campuses/pontypridd-campus/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.southwales.ac.uk}}

File:University buildings in Treforest - geograph-3831050-by-Jaggery.jpg|Main buildings

File:Glamorgan Business School.jpg|Hirwaun building

File:Treforest Campus Students' Union.JPG|Students' Union building

Treforest: Courses taught at this campus include Accounting and Finance, Art, Business and Management, Chiropractic, Computing, Criminology, Engineering, English, History, Law, Mathematics, Psychology, Public Services and Sociology.{{Cite web |title=Pontypridd Campus, Treforest - University of South Wales |url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/our-campuses/pontypridd-campus/pontypridd-campus-treforest/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.southwales.ac.uk}}
Glyntaff: Courses taught at this campus include Biological Sciences, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health and Social Care, Forensic Science, Environmental Sciences, Medical Sciences, Midwifery, Nursing and Policing.{{Cite web |title=Pontypridd Campus, Glyntaff - University of South Wales |url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/our-campuses/pontypridd-campus/pontypridd-campus-glyntaff/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.southwales.ac.uk}}
Sport Park: Courses taught at this campus include Coaching and Development, Sport and Exercise Therapy, Sport and Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning, Leadership in Sport, Sport Performance, Sport Administration and Sports Journalism.{{Cite web |title=Pontypridd Campus, Sport Park - University of South Wales |url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/our-campuses/pontypridd-campus/pontypridd-campus-sport-park/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.southwales.ac.uk}}

Former campuses

=Caerleon=

Caerleon is located on the northern outskirts of Newport. Formerly the second largest campus, it hosted a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including education, sports, history, fashion design, art and photography. The campus had extensive sports facilities, library, students' union shop and a students' union bar. It was formerly the main campus of the University of Wales, Newport. In 2014, it was announced by the University of South Wales that the Caerleon campus would close in 2016.{{cite web|title=Campus Changes|url=http://campuschanges.southwales.ac.uk/|website=University of South Wales Campus Changes|access-date=8 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117054031/http://campuschanges.southwales.ac.uk/|archive-date=17 November 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The university cited the need to invest around £20 million to improve and upgrade facilities as the primary reason for its closure.{{cite web|url=http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/11533883.Caerleon_Campus___20m_repair_bill_claim____bogus___/|title=Caerleon Campus £20m repair bill claim 'bogus'|website=Swindon Advertiser|date=14 October 2014 }} The university relocated courses to the Newport City campus and the Cardiff Campus where it invested £14.7 million to extend and upgrade the Atrium building. The campus opened during 1914 and closed for the last time on 31 July 2016, after 102 years.

The university sold the campus for £6.2 million to Redrow {{cite web|title=Drone footage shows the hundreds of new houses being built on iconic college site |date=9 October 2024 |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/24635791.drone-footage-caerleons-parc-y-coleg-housing-development/|access-date=9 October 2024}} for housing development despite the strong opposition to the planned re-development from local residents.{{cite web|title=Campus Changes |date=13 April 2016 |url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/14422303.Mistrust_and_anger_at_public_meeting_over_university_s_homes_plan_for_Caerleon_campus/|access-date=18 April 2016}} The Caerleon Civic Society asked Cadw, the body that looks after historic monuments and buildings in Wales, to give the Edwardian main building Grade II Listed building status to save it from demolition.{{cite web|title=Open Letter|date=June 2016 |url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/14530481.Caerleon_group_write_open_letter_to_re_assess_Caerleon_campus__39__main_building_for_listing/|access-date=2 June 2016}} On 7 August 2016 the Welsh Government announced that they would recommend that the main building, gatehouses and gate-piers be listed as 'buildings of special architectural and historic interest'. The University of South Wales expressed their continued opposition to the proposed listing but the announcement was welcomed by local politicians and the Caerleon Civic Society.{{cite web|title=Lifeline for part of Caerleon Campus after minister says building should be listed |date=8 August 2016 |url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/14667552.Lifeline_for_part_of_Caerleon_Campus_after_minister_says_building_should_be_listed/|access-date=8 August 2016}} Grade II listing of the Main Building, the Principal's Residence, Gate Piers and Caretaker's / Gardener's Lodge was confirmed on 3 March 2017.{{cite web|title=Historic Caerleon college campus given listed status by Cadw |date=3 March 2017 |url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/15132072.Caerleon_campus_building_given_listed_status/|access-date=4 March 2017}}

File:Caerleon Campus.jpg

File:Caerleon in Snow.JPG

= Dubai, United Arab Emirates =

A new campus in Dubai was opened during September 2018 in Dubai South located near Al-Maktoum International Airport. The courses offered were British bachelor's degrees which include Aviation Maintenance Engineering and postgraduate courses including MSc International Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

In 2018 the university was criticised by human rights campaigners when it awarded honorary doctorates to two senior figures in the UAE government, Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, at the campus' opening ceremony.{{cite web |last=Lo |first=Joe |date=16 November 2018 |title=Welsh Uni accused of "whitewashing UAE's appalling human rights record" |url=https://leftfootforward.org/2018/11/welsh-uni-accused-of-whitewashing-uaes-appalling-human-rights-record/ |access-date=18 November 2018 |website=Left Foot Forward}}{{cite web |author= |date=24 September 2018 |title=USW opens specialist aerospace engineering facility at Dubai South |url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/news/news-2018/usw-opens-specialist-aerospace-engineering-facility-dubai-south/ |access-date=18 November 2018 |website=University of South Wales}}{{cite news |author= |date=29 October 2018 |title=British academic Matthew Hedges released on bail in UAE |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/29/british-academic-matthew-hedges-released-bail-uae/ |access-date=29 October 2018 |website=telegraph.co.uk}}

From September 2020 it was announced that the campus would not accept further applications and would close.{{cite web |title=Applications are closed |url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/dubai/ |publisher=University of South Wales |access-date=21 September 2020}}

=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 cited problems created by new UK visa regulations.{{cite news|url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/13503633.USW_London_campus_shut_down_before_taking_on_any_students/?ref=mr&lp=8 |title=USW London campus shut down before taking on any students |work=South Wales Argus |date=28 July 2015 |access-date=1 March 2016}}

Academic profile

=Awards=

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.uhovi.ac.uk|title=Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute (UHOVI)|access-date=13 June 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2013/feb/26/widening-participation-winner-university-wales-newport |title=Commitment to widening participation winner: University of Wales, Newport with the University of Glamorgan |last1=Tickle |first1=Louise|date=28 February 2013 |website=The Guardian|access-date=10 September 2013}}

The University of Glamorgan was recognised for providing outstanding student support, winning the 2012 Times Higher Award for Outstanding Support to Students.{{cite web|url=http://news.glam.ac.uk/news/en/2012/nov/30/glamorgan-wins-national-award-oustanding-student-s/|title=Glamorgan wins national award for outstanding student support, News Centre|work=glam.ac.uk}}

The former vice-chancellor of the university, Julie Lydon, was appointed an OBE for services to higher education in Wales in the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours.{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/business-leaders-across-wales-recognised-7266728|title=Business leaders across Wales recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours|author=Rupert Denholm-Hall|date=13 June 2014|work=walesonline|access-date=31 May 2015}}

= Rankings and reputation =

{{Infobox UK university rankings

| ARWU_N =

| ARWU_W =

| QS_N =

| QS_W =

| THE_N =

| THE_W = 1201–1500

| LINE_1 = 0

| Complete = 95=

| The_Guardian = 51

| Times/Sunday_Times = 94=

}}

In 2017, the university entered the top five percent of universities in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.{{fact|date=October 2024}}

In the 2017 National Student Survey the university was placed equal 140th out of 149 universities and institutions surveyed.{{cite web |url = http://www.thestudentsurvey.com |title = The National Student Survey website |access-date=9 August 2017 }}{{cite web |url = http://www.unistats.com |title = NSS Results website |access-date = 9 August 2017 }}{{cite web |url = http://www.hefce.ac.uk/lt/nss |title= National Student Survey on HEFCE website |access-date=9 August 2017 }}

The Complete University Guide 2016/7 ranked the university as 99th out of 127 UK universities;{{cite web |url = https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings |title = Complete University Guide website |access-date=9 August 2017 }} the ranking declined to 110th out of 129 UK Universities in 2017/8 but has since risen to 101st.

The university came 81st in the 2022 What Uni Awards{{cite web|url=https://www.whatuni.com/student-awards-winners/university-of-the-year/|title=WhatUni 2022|access-date=16 October 2022}}

USW, along with all other Welsh universities, did not participate in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (a government assessment of the quality of undergraduate teaching in English universities and other higher education providers).

USW achieved its highest-ever ranking in the Guardian University Guide 2025, with the University being placed 51st of the 122 institutions on the list. The USW subject with the highest ranking, at fifth, was health professions, while law was USW’s highest climber in the Guide, up 31 places to 19th.{{Cite web |title=Highest-ever ranking for USW in Guardian University Guide - University of South Wales |url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/news/2024/september/highest-ever-ranking-for-usw-in-guardian-university-guide/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.southwales.ac.uk}}

class="wikitable" ! Year !! 13-14 !! 14-15 !! 15-16!! 16-17!! 17–18 !18-19 !19-20 !20-21 !21-22 !22-23 !23-24 !24-25
National Student Survey	80%	{{Decrease}}79%	{{Increase}}80%	{{Decrease}}78%\|
{{Steady}}78% \|{{Increase}}83% \|{{Increase}}85% \|{{Decrease}}75% \|{{Decrease}}75% \| - \| -
Complete University Guide	91	{{Decrease}}100	{{Decrease}}102	{{Increase}}99	{{Decrease}}110 \| - \| - \| - \| - \| - \| - \| -
The Guardian \|
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WhatUni? Student Choice Awards	79	{{Decrease}}95	{{Increase}}8	{{Decrease}}35	{{Decrease}}49 \|{{Increase}}26 \|{{Decrease}}112 \| - \|{{Increase}}81 \| - \|{{Decrease}}56 \| -

=National Cyber Security Academy=

In 2016, the university launched its National Cyber Security Academy. This academy is a joint venture with industrial partners and Welsh Government and has been recognised by the UK's national security organisation GCHQ.

{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education/intelligence-agency-gchq-gives-seal-11369349|author=David Williamson|date=23 May 2016|work=walesonline|access-date=13 June 2016|title=Intelligence agency GCHQ gives its seal of approval to Welsh university}}

=Research=

The university is one of Wales's five major universities and a member of the St David's Day Group.{{cite web|url=http://www.stdavidsdaygroup.ac.uk/|title=St Davids Day Group|work=stdavidsdaygroup.ac.uk}} Its precursor institutions have been recognised for producing some world-leading and internationally excellent research in specialist areas, such as mechanical, aeronautical & manufacturing engineering, social work, social policy & administration, education, history, art and design,{{cite web|url=http://www.rae.ac.uk/results/qualityProfile.aspx?id=85&type=hei|title=Newport RAE 2008 : Quality profiles|access-date=31 May 2015}} nursing and midwifery, architecture and the built environment, English language and literature, communication, cultural & media studies, sports-related studies.{{cite web|url=http://www.rae.ac.uk/results/qualityProfile.aspx?id=89&type=hei|title=Glamorgan RAE 2008 : Quality profiles|access-date=31 May 2015}}

The university has provided a partnership platform for think-tanks such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation{{cite web|url=https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/how-can-universities-support-disadvantaged-communities|author=Fred Robinson|date=12 September 2012|publisher=Joseph Rowntree Foundation|access-date=13 June 2016|title=How can universities support disadvantaged communities?}} to develop debate on public policy reform in the UK.

The most recent Research Excellence Framework in 2021 found an overall improvement to the university's research performance, with a 49% increase in world leading research since 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/research/research-excellence-framework/|title=Research Excellence Framework | University of South Wales}} The university is joint first in the UK for impactful research in Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy; in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences; in Computer Science and Informatics; in Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure, and Tourism; in History; in Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies and in Social Work and Social Policy.

Student life In Abroad

=Students' Union=

University of South Wales Students' Union is the students' union of the university. It exists to support and represent the students of the university. It is a member-led organisation and all students are automatically members.{{cite web|url= http://www.uswsu.com/about-us|title= University of South Wales Students' Union|access-date=14 August 2017}}

=Accommodation=

Pontypridd has halls of residence and facilities on its Treforest campus. Students studying at the university's Cardiff campus have access to private halls of residence, which are shared with the city's other universities. The Newport City building has nearby private student halls of residence.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Notable alumni

{{Category see also|Alumni of the University of Glamorgan|Alumni of the University of Wales, Newport}}

= Artists and photographers =

Roger Cecil, painter, mixed media artist
Maciej Dakowicz, photographer and photojournalist
Ken Elias, artist
Tracey Moberly, interdisciplinary artist
Tish Murtha, documentary photographer

=Authors and creative writers=

Carole Bromley, poet
Emma Darwin, novelist{{cite web|url=http://www.emmadarwin.com/biography.html|title=biography|work=Emma Darwin|access-date=31 May 2015}}
Philip Gross, poet, novelist, playwright and academic
Paul Groves, poet
Maria McCann, novelist{{cite web|url=http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/features/176-mighty-pens-mightier-words|title=UniLife|work=southwales.ac.uk}}
Gareth L. Powell, science fiction author{{cite web|url=http://www.garethlpowell.com/about/|title=About|date=9 September 2008|access-date=31 May 2015}}
Dan Rhodes, writer
Rachel Trezise, author
Camilla Way, author
Tine Wittler, writer and presenter

=Business and legal=

Joe Blackman, entrepreneur, Ambassador of The Princes Trust, CEO of Collection 26
Christopher Chung Shu-kun, BBS, JP, member of Hong Kong Legislative Council
Trudy Norris-Grey, Microsoft{{cite web |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=20630755&privcapId=20630796 |title=undefined undefined undefined undefined: Executive Profile & Biography |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |access-date=31 May 2015 }}
Gemma Hallett, Entrepreneur and Founder of miFuture

=Film=

Gareth Evans, film director and screenwriter{{cite web|url=http://news.glam.ac.uk/news/en/2012/may/18/raid-directed-glamorgan-graduate-gareth-evans-rele/|title='The Raid' directed by Glamorgan graduate Gareth Evans released today, News Centre|work=glam.ac.uk|access-date=13 May 2014|archive-date=15 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515072817/http://news.glam.ac.uk/news/en/2012/may/18/raid-directed-glamorgan-graduate-gareth-evans-rele/|url-status=dead}}
Philip John, director and screenwriter{{cite web|url=http://www.philipjohn.net/|title=Philip John / Director & Writer|access-date=31 May 2015}}
Kirk Jones, film director and screenwriter
Asif Kapadia, film maker
Justin Kerrigan, writer and director
Teddy Soeriaatmadja, film director
Peter Watkins-Hughes, BAFTA Cymru award-winning writer/director{{cite web|url=http://documentarynewport.com/history/|title=History|work=documentary newport|access-date=31 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527163708/http://documentarynewport.com/history/|archive-date=27 May 2015|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/features/first_person/10806909.FIRST_PERSON__Film_maker_Peter_Watkins_Hughes/?ref=rss |title=FIRST PERSON: Film maker Peter Watkins-Hughes, 47, on {{as written|campaig|ing [sic]}} to save Brynmawr Market Cinema|work=documentary newport|date=13 November 2013 |access-date=21 June 2015}}
Scott Barley, film maker{{cite web|url=http://www.scottbarleyfilm.com/|title=Scott Barley | Filmmaker & Fine Artist|access-date=27 March 2017}}

=Healthcare professionals=

Sue Bale OBE, Director of South East Wales Academic Health Science Partnership
Benjamin Cowley MBE, Music Therapist {{Cite news |date=2022-06-02 |title=Queen's Jubilee birthday honours: Gareth Bale, Bonnie Tyler get MBEs |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-61663953 |access-date=2022-06-03}}

=Media personalities and performers=

Jayde Adams, comedian, actor, writer and singer
Behnaz Akhgar, weather presenter{{cite web|url=http://www.welshstars.co.uk/behnaz-akhgar|title=Behnaz Akhgar|access-date=31 May 2015}}
Max Boyce MBE, entertainer
Lorna Dunkley, newsreader and presenter{{cite web|url=http://tvnewsroom.org/biography-images/lorna-dunkley-3364/|title=Lorna Dunkley • Biography & Pictures|work=TV Newsroom|date=5 October 2005|access-date=31 May 2015}}
Ben Green, comedy actor{{cite web|url=http://www.castingcallpro.com/uk/actor/profile/ben-green|title=Ben Green|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528200158/http://www.castingcallpro.com/uk/actor/profile/ben-green|archive-date=28 May 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
Harry Greene, television personality
Mark Labbett, TV personality{{cite web |url=http://www.marklabbett.co.uk/biography.html |title=Biography |access-date=2012-06-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902195528/http://marklabbett.co.uk/biography.html |archive-date=2 September 2012 |df=dmy-all |website=marklabbett.co.uk}}{{failed verification|date=March 2022}}
Nicola Miles-Wildin, performer

=Musicians=

Richard James Burgess, producer, musician, digital music innovator{{cite web|url=http://www.richardjamesburgess.com/|title=Richard James Burgess|access-date=31 May 2015}}
Martin Goldschmidt, co-founder and managing director of UK independent record label Cooking Vinyl
Mike Howlett, musician and music producer
Jon Maguire, songwriter and former member of duo Lilygreen & Maguire{{cite web|url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/gwentnews/11013920.Newport_pop_singer_co_writes_Union_J_hit/|title=Newport pop singer co-writes Union J hit|work=South Wales Argus|date=15 February 2014 |access-date=31 May 2015}}
Sion Russell Jones, singer and songwriter

Ian Watkins, singer from rock band Lostprophets and convicted child sex offender
Holding Absence - UK Rock Band

=Politicians=

Kevin Brennan, politician{{cite web|url=http://www.kevinbrennan.co.uk/biography|title=Kevin Brennan MP – Cardiff West|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526200258/http://www.kevinbrennan.co.uk/biography|archive-date=26 May 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
Suzy Davies{{cite web|url=http://suzydaviesam.com/about-suzy|title=About Suzy|author=Suzy Davies AM/AC|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129093535/http://suzydaviesam.com/about-suzy|archive-date=29 January 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
Lee Dillon, MP for Newbury
Jill Evans, MEP for Wales
Catherine Thomas
Leanne Wood, former party leader of Plaid Cymru
Emma Wools, South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Branwen |date=2024-05-03 |title=Wales' first black PCC elected as Emma Wools named South Wales PCC |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/labour-candidate-emma-wools-wins-29109062 |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}

=Scientists=

Randii Wessen

=Sports people=

Matthew Jarvis, rugby player
Rupert Moon, rugby player and businessman
Darren Morris, rugby player
Gemma Hallett, rugby union player
Jamie Robinson, rugby player
Nigel Walker, former Olympian and rugby player for Wales, National Director at the English Institute of Sport{{cite web| url = http://news.glam.ac.uk/news/en/2010/may/07/mba-successes-celebrated/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150705014906/http://news.glam.ac.uk/news/en/2010/may/07/mba-successes-celebrated/| archive-date = 2015-07-05| title = MBA Successes Celebrated, News Centre}}