FOCUS FUTURE
The USW guide to higher education for parents and carers.
WE HOPE TO ONE DAY WELCOME YOU TO OUR USW FAMILY AND BE A PART OF YOUR YOUNG PERSON’S EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY.
USW: FUTURE FOCUS
This handy guide has been designed to provide you; a parent, carer, or guardian, with comprehensive insights and essential information about the University of South Wales and the overall university application process. Our aim is to assist you in supporting your young person through their journey into higher education.
Embarking on university life is a significant milestone, not just for students but also for families. We understand that this transition involves making important decisions, financial commitments, understanding new environments, and adapting to changes. Therefore, this guide serves as a valuable resource, offering information about the University's facilities, support services, and the vibrant life on campus. It also addresses practical aspects of the application process, such as fees, funding, accommodation, and much more.
Whether your young person is deciding which university to attend, preparing their application, or ready to embark on their university journey, this guide will help you navigate these critical stages with them. We cover everything from the benefits of higher education and tips for choosing the right university, to what to expect during Open Days and how you can support their transition to university life.
Our goal is to ensure that you feel informed, prepared and confident in supporting your young person as they step into this exciting phase of their life. We hope this guide answers your questions and highlights the opportunities and experiences that await your young person at USW.
WHY UNIVERSITY?
Going to university provides a range of benefits and experiences. Not only is it an opportunity for your young person to increase their knowledge in a field they’re interested in, gain an internationally recognised qualification and, in turn, increase their earning potential - they will also get their first taste of independence and freedom. It’s a chance for them to build confidence, broaden their horizons, and make new and life-long friends. Obtaining a degree can improve their career prospects and open the doors to many more future opportunities.
THE AVERAGE SALARY FOR GRADUATES IS £24,000, WHICH IS £10,000 HIGHER THAN FOR NON-GRADUATES AGED 25-30.* *UCAS
WHY USW?
USW is one of Britain’s most exciting and ambitious universities. You’ll find we’re as down to earth as the place we call home. We are a large University, but we pride ourselves on small class sizes and staff who truly care and work hard to build better futures for our students. We believe a better tomorrow is possible if we prepare for it today, and we’re here to support you and your young person every step of the way.
Here are just some of the things that make USW who we are:
1.
Getting hands-on is the head start you need.
At USW, we have a unique approach to teaching through hands-on experience and partnerships with industry leaders, putting theory into practice.
4. Network75
2.
Classrooms reimagined.
The best way for our students to be career-ready when they graduate is to study using the same facilities, software, and techniques that they will use in their careers. All our facilities are purpose-built to industry standards. It’s what gives employers such confidence in USW graduates.
3.
Success is not just about what you know, but who we know. We develop and deliver our courses through exclusive partnerships with employers, representing the leaders of industry, the public sector, and national bodies. A degree from USW is 100% focused on what employers need in the future, giving our graduates an additional competitive advantage.
5. A Personal Academic Coach (PAC) for every student. Every undergraduate student is assigned a Personal Academic Coach, independent to their course, to help them with their individual needs. They’re there to help your young person get the most out of study and life at USW. The support on offer includes well-being, careers and employment, entrepreneurship, study support, and clubs and societies.
6.
All of life is here, everywhere you look.
7.
USW is an open, diverse and welcoming community of students where lifelong friendships are made. With the sheer variety of things to do, see and experience across our South Wales locations, there’s always something new to discover. What’s more, whatever your young person’s interests, there’s a USW society or club where they’ll meet like-minded students.
Our research changes lives for the better.
Our research and teaching is focused on the global challenges that will affect every community in the future. With 81% of the research impact at USW being classed as world-leading or internationally excellent*, your young person will be taught by some of the leaders in their field, providing unmatched knowledge and inspiration.
Graduate with a degree, five years’ work experience and no student debt! Network75 is a combined work placement and part-time study route to a degree, allowing students to Work, Earn and Learn. Network75 Trainees are able to apply their academic knowledge to real-life work within their host company, gaining the necessary skills, experience and qualifications that are highly sought after by industry. USW has been named Cyber University of the Year for four years in a row2019, 2020, 2021 and
*The National Cyber Awards
*Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021)
CHOOSING THE RIGHT UNIVERSITY
HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE MAKE THEIR CHOICES. “
WHEN I WALKED INTO CAMPUS, IT JUST FELT RIGHT. I THOUGHT, YES, THIS IS GOING TO BE THE ONE. EVERYTHING GELLED TOGETHER; ALL THE PIECES FIT.
Sam Whatley
BSc (Hons) Applied
Cyber Security
Attending a university Open Day is the perfect opportunity to get a feel for the campus, the course, the academic staff and the social atmosphere, as well as touring the facilities and accommodation first-hand. It's always interesting to compare universities as a parent or carer - what impresses or disappoints you will likely be very different to the views of your young person. It's a good idea to take lots of photos to remind you of things you've seen when you look back later.
If you can’t visit a university in person, universities often offer virtual campus tours and student vlogs that may help. At USW, we have students who have created some great vlogs of Open Days across our campuses, and we have 360-degree tours of each campus on our website.
SCAN FOR A 360-DEGREE TOUR OF EACH CAMPUS
It’s important to research and compare accommodation options. Again, what’s important to you might be less important for your young person. There are virtual tours on university websites you can check out together if you can’t attend an Open Day, but we do highly recommend visiting accommodation to get a feel for whether a place is the right fit. This should include scoping out the city to allow your young person to envisage themselves living there and become familiar with local offerings.
WHAT IS....
This page explains some university jargon and acronyms used throughout the application process.
UCAS
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) acts as the national shared admissions service. UCAS is responsible for processing all undergraduate applications to UK universities.
UCAS EXTRA
UCAS JANUARY DEADLINE
The UCAS equal consideration deadline to apply for most undergraduate courses is 29 January 2025. Applicants can apply after this date, but universities will only consider their application if vacancies are still available for the chosen course. Contact the university that your young person is interested in to find out whether they are still considering applications for their chosen course.
UCAS HUB
UCAS Hub (previously known as UCAS Track) is UCAS's online hub where applicants can check the live progress of their application and respond to offers.
A service available from the end of February onwards for any unplaced applicants already in the system. Applicants can only add one course choice and university to their application, but it gives them an opportunity to apply elsewhere without waiting for Clearing in August.
SCAN TO WATCH OUR PARENTS’ GUIDE TO CLEARING
SCAN TO HEAR THE TRUTH ABOUT CLEARING
CLEARING
Clearing is when UCAS provides applicants the opportunity to apply for university places which haven’t yet been filled, outside of the normal application window. Applications for Clearing open on 5 July. It’s a good option if your young person has changed their mind about their chosen course, if they haven’t quite met entry requirements, if they’ve done better than expected in their exams and would like to change their course or university, or for anyone who decided to apply to university late in the cycle. Not all courses will be available during Clearing and applicants should check vacancies on university websites to see whether the course they are interested in is still available.
DEFERRED ENTRY
A deferred entry means applying for a course and then taking a year out before starting it. Applicants can select a ‘deferred’ start date for their chosen course when they apply, but it’s important to contact USW or check their course pages on our website before submitting the application to make sure USW is able to accept a deferred application.
GAP YEAR
Many people who defer their entries are planning on taking a gap year, which gives them a chance to travel, earn money, and gain valuable experience before starting university. For others, it may be that they need to work, or that they have other commitments that year.
THE OFFER HOLDER JARGON BUSTER
DECLINE BY DEFAULT (DBD)
If applicants don't reply to their offers by their deadline date, any offers they have will be automatically declined on their behalf. Their offer reply date will be visible in their UCAS Hub once they’ve received offers from all their choices.
UNCONDITIONAL OFFER (U)
This means that the offer doesn’t have any conditions associated with it and the applicant definitely has a place on the course.
UNCONDITIONAL FIRM (UF)
This offer is unconditional and has been firmly accepted by the applicant.
CONDITIONAL OFFER (C)
This means that there are some conditions that need to be met before entry to the course, e.g. achieving certain A-level grades or completing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
CONDITIONAL FIRM (CF)
This is a conditional offer which has been firmly accepted by the applicant. Once the conditions are met, this offer will become UF.
THE UCAS TARIFF EXPLAINED
The UCAS Tariff points translate your young person’s qualifications and grades into a numerical value.
Many qualifications (but not all) have a UCAS Tariff value, which will vary depending on the qualification size, and the grade achieved. This numerical value is used by HE course providers to assess whether the applicant meets the entry requirements for a particular course.
Visit ucas.com/tariff to use the UCAS Tariff Calculator – a handy tool to help you and your young person find out the value of their qualifications.
HOW TO USE THE TARIFF TABLE
Find the name of the qualification in the left-hand column.*
Follow the row across to find the matching grade.
If you follow the column upwards to the top row, you will be able to see how many UCAS points the grade is valued at.
*Don't worry if your qualification isn't listed. Visit ucas.com/tariff to see the full list of qualifications and tariff points. If your young person is not sure which qualification they're studying, encourage them to ask their school or college tutors.
DEADLINES FOR UCAS UNDERGRADUATE APPLICATIONS
Here are some important dates and a step-by-step guide to the UCAS application process.
SEPT
2024 - JAN 2025
Research and attend a USW Open Day to find what course best suits your young person. Encourage them to send their application to UCAS – most of this process will be completed at their school or college.
Upcoming Open Days
Saturday 28 September 2024
Saturday 30 November 2024
Saturday 11 January 2025
Saturday 22 March 2025
JAN 2025
MAIN UCAS DEADLINE
Applications for the majority of undergraduate courses should have reached UCAS by 18:00 (UK time) on 29 January 2025.
All USW courses are still open after this date, but we will likely close our most competitive courses after this date.
JAN - MAY 2025
The applicant should start to receive offers. Please see page 11 to see all the offer meanings. Their next step is to decide their firm acceptance (first choice). In addition, they can also make an insurance acceptance (second choice), in case they do not get the grades needed for their first choice.
If your young person does not receive any offers, not to worry. They will need to look at UCAS Extra.
FEB – JULY 2025
UCAS EXTRA OPENS ON 26 FEBRUARY 2025 AND CLOSES ON 4 JULY 2025
Applicants who don’t receive any offers from their five UCAS choices, or if they choose to decline all the offers, will have the chance to enter UCAS Extra. Applicants will only be able to apply for courses at institutions that still have vacancies. For more info visit www.ucas.com/extra
Now is also the time to apply for student finance. See page 16 for more details.
2025 - 2026 ENTRY
MARCH - JUNE 2025
Your young person may have already attended one of our Open Days, but an Applicant Experience Day will help them make USW their firm choice.
Upcoming Applicant Experience Days
Saturday 1 March 2025
Saturday 5 April 2025
Saturday 17 May 2025
14 AUG 2025RESULTS DAY
Your young person will have hopefully received the grades for their chosen course.
If they did not, don’t panic, they can apply through Clearing, which matches applicants with spare university places.
Clearing opens on 5 July 2025 and closes on 20 October 2025.
SEPT 2025 TERM BEGINS
Your young person is now part of the USW family. Congratulations, they are now officially a student!
SCAN TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE UCAS CYCLE, OR SEARCH ‘USW UCAS CYCLE’ ON YOUTUBE
OFFER HOLDERS - WHAT NEXT?
Your young person has received offers from the universities they applied to, so what next? They may be invited to an interview depending on the course, so make sure they attend this.
Next, if they feel ready, your young person can accept the offer. Depending on how many offers they have received, your young person can choose a firm choice, an insurance choice and decline any other offers.
You may have the chance to join us on an Applicant Experience Day or an Interview which will hopefully help your young person to make a decision. Find out more about Applicant Experience Days by visiting southwales.ac.uk/aed.
Now it's time to apply for funding and accommodation if needed. Deadlines for each may vary but we recommend getting this organised as early as possible.
They will also receive an invite to join our Unibuddy community to virtually meet future classmates. We also have a USW Applicants Instagram group which they are welcome to join. They can scan the QR code to join the group.
Once an offer has been accepted, an email correspondence will be sent to your young person detailing their next steps.
In the meantime, it's important to encourage your young person to keep working hard to meet the conditions of their offer, if these apply.
If the conditions are met, your young person will find out through UCAS or USW directly once their place is confirmed.
Now for the fun part! It's time for your young person to start packing and preparing to join the USW family. You can find out more about our support services, advice and guidance on the following pages.
FINANCING UNIVERSITY
Studying at university is one of the most significant investments a person will ever make, so we’ve broken it down to ensure you have all the information you need to support your young person as they look at their funding options.
APPLYING FOR FUNDING
It’s good to keep in mind that your young person doesn’t need to wait to receive offers from their chosen universities to apply for student finance. This can be done as early as the February before they start university, and it's a good idea to get organised as soon as possible.
To determine eligibility for the Maintenance Loan, as a parent or guardian, you will need to provide the Student Loans Company with financial details, including your National Insurance Number and household income information. You can do this by creating an account, at www.gov.uk/studentfinance if you live in England, or www.studentfinancewales.co.uk if you live in Wales.
THE THOUGHT OF YOUR YOUNG PERSON ACCRUING INTEREST ON THEIR LOANS MAY MAKE IT TEMPTING TO WANT TO STEP IN AND HELP.
IT’S WORTH REMEMBERING THAT ANY OUTSTANDING DEBT STILL OWED AFTER 30 YEARS (40 YEARS IF YOU LIVE IN ENGLAND) IS WRITTEN OFF. SO, IT ISN’T ALWAYS WORTH HELPING YOUR CHILD REPAY THEIR LOAN EARLY.*
*Please check gov.uk and search 'Repaying your student loan' for the most up to date information.
LOANS
There are two types of loan available to students.
Typically, a full-time UK student will pay up to £9,250 per year in tuition fees, and for part-time UK students up to £2,625* per year. These don’t need to be paid upfront and students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, which can cover all or part of their tuition fees.
A Maintenance Loan is available to help towards living expenses whilst studying –covering costs such as accommodation and food. For this loan, the amount your young person will be eligible for will depend on a range of factors, such as where they will live during term time and your household income.
Welsh-domiciled students will all receive a minimum of £1,000 in grants that do not have to be paid back.* Welsh-domiciled students may also be eligible for a mixture of a Maintenance Loan and Grant to help with living costs.
Remember, students do not start paying back their loans until after graduation, and only once the graduate earns over a certain salary.
*Please check with your relevant student loans company for updated costs and figures.
Remember, your young person may also be eligible for scholarships or bursaries to help towards their tuition fees, living costs, grants and loans.
FINANCE JARGON BUSTER LOAN
Anything referred to as a loan may be repayable at some point.
GRANT
Does not need to be repaid.
MAINTENANCE
Funding to help with living costs.
COURSE CREDITS
Units that represent the amount of academic work completed in a specific course. A full-time undergraduate course is usually 120 credits per year.
MEANS-TESTED
The support available will depend on financial criteria, for example household income.
USEFUL LINKS AND CONTACTS
Student Finance Wales: studentfinancewales.co.uk
Student Finance England: gov.uk/student-finance
Student Money Advice Team: money@southwales.ac.uk
USW Fees and Funding: southwales.ac.uk/money
OPEN DAYS AND APPLICANT EXPERIENCE DAYS
Visiting universities in person is the best way to explore the range of opportunities the university provides for academic and personal growth. At USW our Open Days and Applicant Experience Days are tailored to give a comprehensive overview of what USW can offer your young person.
OPEN DAYS
Interacting with academic staff and current students is a key part of the Open Day experience. These conversations offer insights into the courses, teaching methods, and the overall student experience at USW.
Your young person can engage in interactive activities related to their course of interest, which is a great way for them to gauge their enthusiasm for the subject.
Join one of our accommodation tours; they provide an excellent chance to see first-hand the quality of our accommodation facilities.
At our Information Fair you can meet our Student Money Advice Team, Careers Team, Wellbeing and Disability Services Team and more.
Recognising the importance of accessibility, USW offers a Travel Bursary to cover reasonable expenses for visiting families. This bursary is available for attending Open Days, Interviews, or Applicant Experience Days, ensuring that all prospective students have the opportunity to experience what USW has to offer, regardless of their financial situation.
Open Days usually take place before your young person makes their application to university.
VIEW ALL OUR EVENTS AND CHECK IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR OUR TRAVEL BURSARY SOUTHWALES.AC.UK/OPEN-DAYS
APPLICANT EXPERIENCE DAYS
Applicant Experience Days are an additional opportunity to visit a university. They may also be called Offer Holder Days.
At USW, our Applicant Experience Days are packed with an exciting programme of subject-specific activities and taster sessions, as well as the chance to chat to current students, meet future academics and explore the course in more depth.
Your young person will take part in taster classes and discover more about our teaching facilities and the range of support available to them at USW.
Applicant Experience Days take place after your young person has applied to USW. We'll email them with more details once they have applied.
MOVING IN
Once your young person has accepted their offer, it’s time for the fun to begin! There’s so much to look forward to, with a welcome week planned every year to help each student meet their peers and settle in.
Moving away from home is a chance for your young person to meet new people and discover what it’s like to live independently. Whether they are outgoing or more on the shy side, it’s a maturing experience that will set them up on their path to adulthood.
When helping your young person move in, we recommend encouraging them to leave their door open to allow their new neighbours to stop by and have a chat. It is always a good idea to take cakes or other food or drink items with them on moving-in day, which will aid these conversations. It is advised that they use the communal spaces such as the kitchen and/or living areas as much as possible, so that they do not feel isolated. This allows them to easily chat with their peers and take their mind off not being at home with their family.
ON-CAMPUS USW SERVICES
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES STUDENTS’ UNION (USWSU)
The Students' Union at the University of South Wales plays a pivotal role in student life. As an independent entity closely tied to the University, it acts as a representative body for students, ensuring their voices are heard within the University structure. The SU operates various venues specifically for USW students, including shops, bars, cafes, and night-time entertainment venues. It is the perfect social community to hang out and meet new friends.
USWSU offers a wide range of opportunities and services. These include facilitating sports teams, clubs, and societies, providing social and dining spaces, and offering work opportunities. Participation in the Students’ Union is highly encouraged, whether as a member of the Student Council, an Academic Representative, a sports team member, or a volunteer.
All USW sports teams and clubs are run by the SU, with competitive teams participating in the British Universities Colleges Sport (BUCS) league. Membership in these teams includes numerous benefits such as kit, coaching, transport, and insurance.
Students automatically become members of the SU upon enrolment but can opt-out if desired. The Union's structure primarily consists of elected students, offering a unique opportunity for involvement and leadership, which brings out students' inner confidence and sense of responsibility.
OUR SUPPORT SERVICES
Advice Zone
Our Advice Zone is a one-stop shop for all student queries. The service offers confidential advice on anything that may affect your young person’s ability to study.
Accommodation
FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ADVICE ZONE HERE
Based at the Accommodation Lodge on our Treforest campus, our accommodation services are available to offer advice on accommodation queries across all campuses, including the private sector and third-party private providers.
Disability Services
The Disability Services Team provides information, advice, and guidance on disabilityrelated support for all USW students.
Our Disability Services and Student Money Advice Teams can be contacted before students arrive to help with any of your questions/queries about the support available at our University.
If your young person has a disability, they will need to fill out a Disabled Students' Allowance Student Finance form. If they are going to study at USW, they can contact our Student Money Advice Team to book an appointment to help complete this application process: money@southwales.ac.uk
Careers
USW Careers provides support with careers advice, employment, freelancing, work placements and so much more. USW graduates can receive career advice for life, which is really helpful when applying for jobs in the future.
IT and Library
IT support is available online, by telephone and in person, and our library services provide students with a wide range of high-quality library information services.
Mental Health and Counselling services
The Mental Health and Counselling service is made up of two teams who are available to support your young person throughout their time at University.
Student Money Advice Team
The Student Money Advice Team provides support and advice to help students manage their money, plus information about funding, scholarships and bursaries. Contact the team: money@southwales.ac.uk
The Study Skills Team
From reference writing to academic essay writing, our team of experts are on hand to support your young person with their studies at USW.
WELCOMEFEST
The first few weeks of university are an exciting time; it is a chance to spark new interests and make unforgettable memories along the way. WelcomeFest is perfect for new students to make friends in a supportive environment.
The festival takes place across our Treforest, Newport and Cardiff campuses. Your young person has plenty to look forward to, from a Games Zone, live music, a local traders' market, street food, information stalls and more.
Visit our website and search ‘Welcome Events’ to view all the activities on offer. Your young person will also be able to book their event tickets through our Welcome Event page. Be quick as there are a limited number of tickets available.
FIND MORE ABOUT WELCOMEFEST HERE
ACCOMMODATION
Where they live is just as important as what they study, so we have outlined the range of accommodation options available.
UNIVERSITY-OWNED HALLS
If your young person applies to live in Pontypridd, they can choose to live in our halls of residence on campus, which are run directly by USW. Living in halls is a brilliant way to make friends and feel part of the USW family, particularly in their first year. There’s lots going on, and if they’re studying at our Pontypridd campus, they’re only a few minutes’ walk from their morning lectures!
PRIVATE HALLS
If they want to live in Cardiff or Newport, there is still the option to live in halls. The only difference is USW doesn’t own the halls there. Instead, we partner with carefully selected private providers. It’s exactly the same warm, welcoming vibe. They’ll meet tonnes of USW students as well as students from other universities and colleges.
PRIVATE HOUSING
Another option is to rent a private house or flat with friends. It’s their own space, and they can choose their housemates. However, it does come with all the admin of renting a house, and they’ll likely have to commit to it for a full year. Our students who rent private houses tend to do so from their second year onwards, rather than when they first arrive.
LIVING AT HOME
If you are local to the region, then living at home is always an option!
RESILIFE
RESILIFE IS A UNIQUE PROGRAMME DESIGNED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN HALLS BY CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET OTHERS AND LEARN NEW SKILLS RIGHT ON THEIR DOORSTEP. THEY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE HUB – THEIR DESIGNATED SOCIAL AREA, WHERE THEY CAN KICK BACK AND HANGOUT.
PLUS, THERE’S LOADS HAPPENING – FROM ART CLASSES, COOKING CLASSES, MEETING THERAPY DOGS TO HEALTHY LIVING WORKSHOPS.
GET READY TO GO!
We’ve put together a small checklist of valuable things to remember for your young person’s first weeks at USW.
CHECKLIST!
Packing checklist
You’ll be able to pick up a lot of stuff when you arrive, but here are some ideas to get you started:
FOR YOUR BEDROOM
Clothing
Bedding
Laptop
Hangers
Storage boxes
Printer
Extension leads
Speakers
FOR YOUR BATHROOM
Toilet rolls
Toiletries
Cleaning products
Towels and bath mat
Storage baskets
FOR THE KITCHEN
Crockery and cutlery
Pans
Cleaning products
Store-cupboard staples like pasta, dried noodles, beans, tinned tomatoes, and dried herbs
YOU WON’T NEED…
A microwave, kettle, or toaster
Candles – go for LED ones or fairy lights instead
Pets! (Sorry)
OTHER THINGS
Have enough money to last you until your Student Loan comes in
Bring something to eat for the first night (or grab a takeaway)
Make sure you have enough fresh food to last you the first few days
Have at least a month’s supply of any medication you’re prescribed
A basic first aid kit
You can often get your course textbooks second hand
Any stationery you might need
Board games or a gaming console for nights in with your flatmates
Photos to make your new room feel like home
OUR LOCATION
The location your young person chooses to study and live in makes a big difference in what they get from university. At USW, we have three campuses in and around Cardiff. These allow our students to experience the diversity that South Wales has to offer – the buzz of the cities, the beauty of the coast, and the calm of the countryside. We have five campuses across three locations, but we’re one University. Every campus is open to all students, and there’s quick and easy connectivity between each.
CARDIFF
Cardiff is a great place to study, and the city is an extension of our campus, offering inspiration and experiences that will enrich our students’ university life. It is a modern, multicultural capital city that offers a fantastic quality of life and many USW students choose to live in Cardiff, even if they study at our Pontypridd or Newport campuses. Well-known as a city of culture and entertainment, it’s a popular student city that knows how to enjoy itself.
There are several student halls in the city centre, as well as a huge choice of private rentals. Cardiff is the UK's most affordable capital city too, so it’s perfect for students on a budget.* There’s always something happening or new places to discover. From shopping and live sports to music, arts and history, there’s something for everyone.
NEWPORT
Newport is an independent, multicultural city that’s full of ideas and opportunities. Our modern campus is on the riverfront and is home to a community of learning that’s dedicated to improving people’s lives.
If your young person decides to live in Newport while studying at USW, they’ll never be short of ways to spend their time. It’s a compact, welcoming student city that’s packed with new and emerging businesses, including its independent culinary scene –from artisan bakeries and cafes to a multiaward-winning brewery. There’s also a thriving arts scene, where students can unwind with friends over a drink and live music.
PONTYPRIDD
Pontypridd is framed by green hills and provides easy access to the awe-inspiring Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. Here, there’s space to focus and horizons to explore. A diverse and friendly community is at the heart of our Pontypridd Campus, with learning spread over three sites: Treforest, Glyntaff and USW Sport Park.
Pontypridd is the ideal place to feel connected to a community, and to nature; it’s an authentic market town surrounded by countryside. Your young person can try hiking, biking, climbing, outdoor swimming, or team sports at our incredible Sport Park. There are also plenty of cosy and award-winning pubs, cafes, cinemas, and live sports for downtime with friends.
OUR CAMPUSES ARE WELL CONNECTED.
From Pontypridd’s central location, it’s easy to enjoy all that South Wales has to offer – city life and culture, stunning beaches and breathtaking countryside, with a train station right next to campus, where it takes just 20 minutes to reach Cardiff. Newport station is a stone’s throw away from the campus too and is on the main London line between Cardiff and Bristol, so our students can experience whole other worlds of entertainment, culture and nightlife in no time.
TIPS FOR GUARDIANS
Encourage planning
Here are a few things to think about:
• What subject are they interested in and enjoy? This will help them narrow down a course choice.
• Where do they want to study? Do they have a specific institution in mind, or are they still developing a shortlist?
• Are they looking for something close to home or happy to explore further? Remember to consider the cost of accommodation and travel when making a shortlist.
• Consider what realistic grades they can expect to get. Encourage them to look at all the options, from institutions to courses, and to understand what they need to do to get a place on the course of their choice.
• It’s key to note that they will receive support and guidance from their school or college.
Support your young person
This goes without saying, but make sure you understand the pressure they may be facing to complete coursework or the worry they may have about what’s going to happen with their studies come the autumn term. Be there for them, listen to things they tell you, and try not to interfere too much.
Money talks
Everyone’s situation is unique, so it’s important to understand the financial considerations of university, and what you may or may not need to apply for. It’ll really help reduce stress in the long run. Look online for information about student finance and do it as soon as possible – it can take up to two months to sort.
Research scholarships, bursaries, grants, and loans so you understand all the financial support that is available and the different opportunities on offer, as well as the deadlines for applying.
Remember, loan repayments do not start until your young person has graduated from university and is in employment, earning over the threshold amount. We recommend you check the gov.uk website and search ‘repaying your student loan’ for the latest information. Pages 18 and 19 will have more details regarding student funding.
APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY CAN BE A STRESSFUL PROCESS FOR ALL INVOLVED, SO ENCOURAGE YOUR YOUNG PERSON TO PLAN AHEAD.
Practice makes perfect
Your young person may find it helpful to have practice runs of cooking healthy meals and putting a few loads of washing on. It seems like simple stuff but getting them into the groove of independent living will be really helpful.
Be there on the BIG day…
Results day is an anxious period for everyone involved, so offer the support that’s needed – whatever the news, the key thing is for them to contact their firm-choice university first, to see what options they have.
WHAT OUR USW PARENTS HAVE TO SAY
GOING TO UNIVERSITY HAS MADE MY CHILD MORE CONFIDENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENT. SHE IS MUCH MORE ABLE TO MAKE HER OWN DECISIONS AND MANAGE HER PRIORITIES.
THE DECISION TO ATTEND UNIVERSITY IS AN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE FOR EACH CHILD AND FAMILY, IT OFFERS SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE AVAILABLE.
”
USW Parent
MY DAUGHTER IS EXPERIENCING DIFFERENT CULTURES DUE TO THE DIVERSITY OF STUDENTS ON HER COURSE BUT ALSO WHOM SHE IS LIVING WITH. SHE IS SEEING AND UNDERSTANDING THINGS FROM OTHERS’ VIEWS OF THE WORLD, SHE IS BUILDING DEEPER EMPATHY AND INSIGHT, IT IS TRULY LOVELY TO WITNESS.
”
SCAN HERE TO FIND OUT HOW STUDENTS HAVE BENEFITED SINCE JOINING USW
USW Parent
USW Parent
STAY CONNECTED AND INFORMED
STAY IN TOUCH WITH USW
Parent Helpline
Contact our dedicated parent helpline at 0345 576 0996 for any queries or support. Our team is here to assist you with any questions you may have about your young person’s university journey.
USEFUL CONTACTS
USW APPLICATION ENQUIRIES
UK Students: admissions@southwales.ac.uk
International and EU Students: international.admissions@southwales.ac.uk
USW COURSE ENQUIRIES
UK Students Call: 03455 76 77 78 | Email: enquiries@southwales.ac.uk
International and EU Students Call: 01443 654 450 | Email: uswglobal@southwales.ac.uk
UniBuddy
Want to find out more about a specific module, what our facilities are like or student life at USW? Connect with our friendly ambassadors and chat with academic staff who can answer all of your burning questions. southwales.ac.uk/chat
IMMIGRATION AND INTERNATIONAL ADVICE
Call: 01443 482 083 | Email: international.advice@southwales.ac.uk
CONNECT
Join our community: @UniSouthWales
For more detailed information about courses, admissions, and university life, visit our website at: www.southwales.ac.uk
Follow us on social to keep up with what’s happening at USW. #USWFamily
Information in this booklet is correct at the time of print, but may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, call or check our website: www.southwales.ac.uk
As part of its commitment to the Welsh language, the University provides information through the medium of Welsh. To find out more, visit: www.decymru.ac.uk or e-mail: cymraeg@decymru.ac.uk
Fel rhan o’i hymrwymiad at yr iaith Gymraeg, mae’r Brifysgol yn darparu gwybodaeth drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. I wybod mwy, ewch i: www.decymru.ac.uk neu e-bostiwch: cymraeg@decymru.ac.uk
London
Edinburgh
Belfast
Cardiff