INCLUDES A GUIDE TO KEY 2025 UCAS CYCLE DATES
WELCOME
The University of South Wales has an award-winning team of experts who work with schools and colleges around the UK delivering interactive workshops designed to inform students about higher education and supporting them with the transition to university.
Our Higher Education Awareness Sessions are:
• Free of charge
• Delivered in person or online
• Available in Welsh and English
• Tailored to meet your students’ needs
Our programme of activities, resources and events can support your school or college in delivering the Gatsby Benchmarks. For more information on the eight Gatsby Benchmarks of good career advice, please scan the QR code:
SUBJECT-SPECIFIC EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
With a variety of interactive sessions to choose from across a range of areas, our subject-specific events and activities will give your students the opportunity to gain real insight into studying a particular subject at university.
We offer sessions in the following subject areas:
• Art and Design
• Biology and Forensics
• Business
• Chemistry
• Chiropractic
• Childcare, Education and Teaching
• Computing and Cyber Security
• Criminology
• Design Technology
• Drama
• Engineering
• English
• Film and Media
• Environmental Science
• Health and Social Care
• History
• Hotel and Hospitality Management
• ICT
• Law
• Music
• Nursing and Midwifery
• Pharmaceutical Science
• Photography
• Psychology
• Psychotherapy and Counselling
• Public Services and Policing
• Sociology
• Sport
• Youth and Community Work
“ You can find out more about our subject-specific activities on our website: www.southwales.ac.uk/schoolsandcolleges
YOUR SUPPORT WITH THESE EVENTS MAKES SUCH A DIFFERENCE TO A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS. THE FEEDBACK HAS BEEN EXTREMELY POSITIVE FROM STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS. THEY ALL LEFT WITH LOTS OF INFORMATION AND INFORMED CHOICES TO MAKE. PARENTS WERE DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO YOU DIRECTLY AND HAVE SAID WHAT A VALUABLE EVENT IT WAS AND THAT IT HAS REALLY HELPED.
Helen Smith, Futures Leader Sackville School
www.southwales.ac.uk/schoolsandcolleges
EVENTS AND TASTER DAYS
We are hosting several school and college events and taster days on our campuses throughout the Autumn Term. If you'd like to arrange a taster day for your Year 12 or Year 13 students, contact us at: schoolsandcolleges@southwales.ac.uk
95% OF RESPONDENTS RATED THE EVENT AS USEFUL/ VERY USEFUL IN CONNECTING THEM TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN POST-EVENT
SURVEYS.
ALLIED HEALTH (OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTICE, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, PHYSIOTHERAPY AND CHIROPRACTIC)
Allied health professional roles all have one thing in common: they play a vital part in treating, rehabilitating and improving the lives of patients. Get hands on in our clinical simulation suite emulating diverse hospital, community, and clinical settings. For more details, email schoolsandcolleges@southwales.ac.uk
CRIME SCENE TO COURT (CRIMINOLOGY, POLICING, FORENSICS AND LAW)
Date: 2 October, 9 October, 16 October, 27 November, 16 December, 17 December 2024
The day presents students with a simulated crime scene scenario, enabling them to understand how different subject areas interact, from the crime scene right through to prosecution in a court of law.
DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR (FORENSICS)
Dates: 23 October, 6 November, 13 November, 20 November 2024
Step into the thrilling world of crime scene investigation with our immersive CSI outreach event. Perfect for aspiring forensic scientists, and curious minds alike, this hands-on experience lets you dive into the fascinating process of solving a murder case.
EDUCATION AND TEACHING
Date: 2 October 2024
This taster day will explore best practice in early childhood education, reveal what it’s like to be student teacher, develop new skills and offer collaboration through interactive workshops.
HEALTH (NURSING, MIDWIFERY, OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTICE AND HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE)
Date: 16 October 2024
Have a passion for working in a healthcare environment? Get involved in a carousel of activities in our simulation suite exploring what it’s like to be a nurse, midwife, or an operating department practioner.
PSYCHOLOGY
Date: 11 December 2024
Experience lectures, seminars and workshops on a range of topics including social identity mapping, research methods, eye-tracking and Biopac. This is an opportunity for students to tour our Psychology Laboratory, as well as have a go at using some of the equipment.
SPORT
Athlete Performance Discovery Day
Dates: 16 October, 13 November 2024
This taster day explores the multiple support services that an athlete might experience, including Strength and Conditioning, Sport Science, and Exercise Therapy providing insight into the future careers options (on and off the pitch) as a graduate of these degrees.
Developing the Coaches of Tomorrow
Dates: 23 October, 20 November 2024
This taster day gives students an insight on how they can become sport coaches and PE teachers. A variety of round robin activities will focus on Sport Development, Rugby Coaching and Performance, and Football Coaching and Performance.
COMPUTING TASTER DAY
Our Computing and ICT courses are ideal for students who want to develop the essential practical skills that are needed for a long and varied career in the IT industry. At this event you’ll get a chance to see how technology is used to solve real world problems, and get creative with some of our Raspberry Pi-powered kit, as you explore one of the key themes of our courses: The Internet of Things. For more details, email schoolsandcolleges@southwales.ac.uk
ENGINEERING TASTER DAYS
Our bespoke taster days cover a range of subject areas within engineering, including Aeronautical, Aerospace, Aircraft Maintenance, Automotive, Built Environment, Civil, Electrical and Electronic and Mechanical. Students will experience an interactive day run by our academics in the subject area, as well as getting a taste of university life at USW. For more details, email schoolsandcolleges@southwales.ac.uk
PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE TASTER DAY
Students will gain hands-on practical experience of both physical and organic chemistry in our modern laboratory facilities.
For more details, email schoolsandcolleges@southwales.ac.uk
SOUTH WALES BUSINESS SCHOOL TASTER DAY
Date: 13 November 2024
Join us for an exciting Taster Day at South Wales Business School, where students can dive into the dynamic world of business. Experience engaging sessions in Business Management, Marketing, Hotel and Hospitality Management, and Accounting and Finance. This event is designed to give students a hands-on taste of what it’s like to study these courses, while also exploring the diverse career paths each field offers. Whether your students are interested in leading a team, crafting innovative marketing strategies, managing luxury hotels, or crunching numbers in finance, this day will help them discover the right path for their future.
THE CREATIVE PATHWAY EXPO
Date: 9 October 2024
Unleash your students’ potential at our Creative Industry Careers Fair, a mustattend event for aspiring creatives. This dynamic event offers an incredible opportunity to explore the vast landscape of creative careers. Participate in hands-on workshops led by industry experts, gain insights from inspiring keynote speakers, and connect with leading industry partners who are shaping the future of creative fields. Whether students are interested in design, media, film, fashion, or digital arts, this event will also showcase university courses that can help students turn their passion into a profession. Don’t miss this chance for students to network, learn, and kickstart their creative career.
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE TASTER DAY
This event includes a number of interactive talks and workshops that will give students an insight into the range of opportunities that arise from pursuing a degree in Biology, Biomedical Science, Medical Sciences and International Wildlife Biology. For more details, email schoolsandcolleges@southwales.ac.uk
TIME TRAVELLERS AND STORYTELLERS: YOUR FUTURE IN HISTORY AND ENGLISH
Date: 20 November 2024
Discover the world of English and History at USW. This exciting event offers students the chance to experience what studying these subjects at university is really like. Engage in thought-provoking sessions that explore the richness of literature, language, and historical events, while gaining insight into the analytical and critical thinking skills that these fields foster. Students will also learn about the diverse career opportunities available to graduates, from teaching and publishing to research, law, media, and more. Whether they are passionate about storytelling, uncovering the past, or shaping the future, this Taster Day is the gateway to understanding the possibilities that an English and History degrees can offer.
WHAT IS THE UNIVERSITY ALLIANCE AND HOW CAN THEY HELP TEACHERS
OR ADVISERS?
What is the University Alliance?
The University Alliance (UA) represents 16 of the UK’s leading technical and professional universities. Universities who are members of this group specialise in providing degree courses that align with industry needs. Through hands-on teaching and sector-relevant course content, they are producing graduates who are ready to work and who are highly employable.
Key facts about the UA
• Alliance universities are leaders in healthcare, engineering, social sciences, creative industries, business, and computing.
• Alliance universities came top for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2023.
• 95% of graduates from alliance universities were in work or another activity such as further study just 15 months after graduating, and 93% of those described what they were doing as ‘meaningful’.
• Alliance universities are more likely to be rated gold for teaching excellence than universities in any other group according to the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework.
• 67% of research at Alliance universities is rated as internationally excellent or world leading.
What are the benefits of studying at an Alliance university?
Alliance universities train students for jobs in industry so the approach to teaching is very hands-on and practical. This often involves smaller class sizes plus training using industry-standard equipment. The course will also have exposure to employers, though work placement opportunities, teaching delivered by industry professionals, or projects set by industry. The assessment style also reflects this practical approach with an emphasis on assessing practical projects rather than exams. Alliance universities also deliver excellent research, which means that students gain skills and knowledge that are at the cutting edge of their fields.
Applying to an Alliance university Alliance universities accept a range of qualifications such as A-levels, BTECs, T-Levels and more. The entry requirements for courses are often midtariff meaning that they do not require high academic grades. Some students perceive this as an indicator that the course is not of high value, but this is not the case. Alliance universities are running courses that are not purely academic, and so the entry requirements reflect this. Often work experience is key to entry onto these courses.
How can this help me as a teacher or adviser?
The process of finding the right course and university can be incredibly stressful for students. As a teacher or adviser, it’s important to be aware that there are different types of universities to suit different types of learners. There is a stereotype that going to university involves sitting in lecture theatres and taking exams. This isn’t the case. There are world-renowned UK universities
offering so much more than that, and many of them are part of the University Alliance.
When choosing a university to study at, it is important to consider what success means for the individual student. Commonly, students are told to aim for highly academic courses, and subsequently anything else feels like a failing. Far too often we speak to students who have been directed to alternative pathways and steered away from university altogether because they do not thrive in a traditional learning environment. These are often the students who will thrive in an Alliance university.
If exposure to industry and strong employment outcomes is important to your student, we thoroughly recommend that you look at what Alliance universities have to offer. Book onto one of our events and come and see first-hand how these institutions go beyond the lecture theatre.
INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE SESSIONS
SIXTH FORM INDUCTION
These events can take place at one of our campuses or at your institution and provide an opportunity to focus learners’ minds on the next two years. The aim is to provide students with a wider understanding of how their studies fit into a journey to higher education, as well as working on their team building skills.
MAKING THE MOST OF SIXTH FORM
This session encourages learners to get the best out of their final years in school. It’s an opportunity to highlight the next steps in their journey and offer some advice and support.
STUDY SKILLS
Study skills are important to improve students’ ability to retain and recall information. This session will highlight techniques to boost students’ performance and develop transferable skills that will be useful for learning throughout students’ life, and reduce stress and anxiety around study.
THE UCAS PROCESS
From registration and course choice, through to results day and Clearing, this session guides students through the full UCAS process and highlights how students can make the most of their application.
PERSONAL STATEMENT WORKSHOP
The personal statement is a key aspect of the selection process. This workshop will help students understand what universities are looking for, how to present themselves in the best light and how to find the motivation to 'get it done'.
PERSONAL STATEMENT ONE TO ONE SUPPORT
Every personal statement is different. One to one support offers students the chance to think about their experiences and why they want to study their chosen course. With guidance from university staff, students can get pen to paper as well as receive feedback to make any changes to their approach, if necessary.
PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS
Before receiving an offer, students may be invited to interview at their chosen university. This session will provide details on what to expect, and how to prepare and be the best version of themselves on the day. This session is also relevant to those applying for jobs or apprenticeships.
MOCK INTERVIEWS (ONE TO ONE SUPPORT)
We offer students a 30-minute interview to practice questions that they may be asked. Practising for an interview helps students become more familiar with the interview process. They can rehearse their answers in a safe environment, develop interview strategies, improve their communication skills and enhance the delivery of their responses.
YEAR GROUP
Year 12
AUTUMN TERM
Sixth Form Induction
Making the Most of Sixth Form
Study Skills
SPRING TERM
Why Higher Education
Making the Right Choices
SUMMER TERM
Wellbeing and Resilience
(Exam preparation)
UCAS Apply Study Skills
Preparing for Personal Statements
Year 13
The UCAS Process
Personal Statement Workshop
Personal Statement (one to one support)
Preparing for University Interviews
Mock Interviews (one to one support)
Navigating University Offers
Student Finance
Late Choices
Student Life
Wellbeing and Resilience
Transition to University
WIDENING PARTICIPATION
The University of South Wales is committed to supporting underrepresented students of any age, background or ethnic group and ensuring they are given a fair and equal opportunity to study in a supported manner.
Within the UK Student Recruitment Team, there are staff who support and deliver a range of activities for students who are currently underrepresented in higher education. This includes:
• Young carers and their families
• Service children and their families
• Students with additional learning needs
• Black and Ethnic Minority students
• Adults 21+
• Students who are either currently in care, or are care-experienced
• Students from disadvantaged postcode areas identified through WIMD, POLAR and TUNDRA systems
Please contact us if you'd like to discuss a bespoke visit or support for groups or individuals underrepresented in HE.
28 SEPTEMBER 30 NOVEMBER
Kick-start your students' HE research at one of our Open Days. These events are a great way for your students to find out about the variety of courses available at USW.
BOOK AN OPEN DAY TODAY:
Newport campus
Glyntaff campus
APPLICANT EXPERIENCE DAYS
Students holding an offer from the University of South Wales are invited to an Applicant Experience Day. Visiting an Applicant Experience Day is the best way for students to get to know their lecturers, find out more about their chosen course through a taster session, and tour our facilities. Please encourage your students who have applied to USW to attend.
Sport Park
Cardiff campus
Treforest campus
TRAVEL BURSARY
We can cover the cost of reasonable expenses associated with visiting the University of South Wales to attend an undergraduate Open Day, Interview or an Applicant Experience Day. Payments cover train or coach fare and we’re able to support with the costs of travelling by car. Scan the QR code to find out more about eligibility and how students and their parents/ carers can apply.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to support your students with the costs associated with their studies. For further details of our scholarships and bursaries and eligibility criteria, visit www.southwales.ac.uk/money or scan the QR code.
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
Students should start researching universities and attend open days to explore potential courses and careers. They will need to complete their UCAS application. USW's Student Recruitment Team offers sessions to help with personal statements (see pages 10-11). As a teacher or adviser, consider setting earlier internal deadlines to review applications and provide references. For guidance, refer to UCAS's online Personal Statement Guide and Reference Guide.
Upcoming USW Open Days
Saturday 28 September, 30 November 2024, 11 January and 22 March 2025
JAN 2025
MAIN UCAS DEADLINE
Applications for most 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 some of our most competitive courses after this date.
JAN – MAY 2025
The applicant should start to receive offers. 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 the applicant does not receive any offers, not to worry. They will need to consider UCAS Extra – see the next step.
26 FEBRUARY – 4 JULY 2025
Applicants who don’t receive any offers from their five UCAS choices, or if they choose to decline all their 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. Why not email USW’s Student Recruitment Team at schoolsandcolleges@southwales.ac.uk to arrange expert, impartial student finance advice and guidance for students and their parents/ carers at your school or college.
2025 ENTRY
MARCH – JUNE 2025
Students may have already attended Open Days, but an Applicant Experience Day will help them finalise their firm choice university. During these offerholder events, they will engage in taster lectures or workshops and hear firsthand from student ambassadors about the daily realities of university life. Post-offer events provide students with an immersive opportunity to gauge whether a university's teaching and learning approach suits them. Additionally, they will have the chance to connect with other applicants.
Please encourage your learners to attend an Applicant Experience Day if they receive an offer from USW.
Upcoming USW Applicant Experience Days
Saturday 1 March, 5 April 2025 and 17 May 2025
JULY – AUGUST 2025
SEPT 2025 TERM BEGINS
It’s time for your students to fly the school or college nest and begin their university journey!
Contrary to popular belief, Clearing opens way before results day on 5 July 2025 and is ideal for students who have decided later in the cycle that they now wish to apply to University, or students who’ve changed their minds. On results day itself, students who have applied to University in the main cycle will have hopefully received the grades for their chosen course. If they do not, don’t panic, they can apply through Clearing, which matches applicants with spare university places.
Clearing is open right up until 20 October 2025. Call us: 03455 76 06 06
We believe in creating better tomorrows, which is why we’re starting to reduce our use of printed materials wherever possible.
Our digital prospectus has all the information your students need about USW in one place. Scan the QR code below or visit prospectus.southwales.ac.uk
Produced by Future Students, University of South Wales. The University of South Wales is a registered charity. Registration No. 1140312.