SUMMER TERM PROGRAMME 2025
FOR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS
SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND OUTREACH TEAM
Our team works closely with schools, colleges, and community groups to support students on their journey to higher education. We provide tailored advice and guidance on everything from university applications and student finance to exploring the wide range of study options available.
You’ll find us at events and exhibitions across the UK, delivering sessions in your school or college, or welcoming students to our inspiring on-campus events. We’re passionate about helping students experience life at USW first-hand, while also equipping teachers and advisers with the tools and information needed to guide learners through their unique educational journeys.
Thank you for joining us at our Teachers' and Advisers' Conference in February. Alongside valuable updates from UCAS and Student Finance, we were delighted to welcome Baasit Siddiqui - educator, inspirational speaker, and Gogglebox star - who shared powerful insights on teacher wellbeing, resilience, and how to empower staff to best support their learners.
EVENTS AND TASTER DAYS
We are hosting several school and college events and taster days on our campuses throughout the Summer 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.
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE TASTER DAY
COMPUTING TASTER DAY
COUNSELLING AND THERAPEUTIC PRACTICE TASTER DAY
Date: 21 May 2025
The Counselling and Therapeutic Practice Taster Day offers prospective students a unique opportunity to explore the field of counselling. Participants will engage in interactive workshops, experience hands-on activities, and learn about the various therapeutic techniques used in practice. This event is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the discipline, helping students determine if this path aligns with their career goals.
CREATIVE CAREERS EXPO
Date: 18 June 2025
Unleash your students’ potential at our must-attend event for aspiring creatives. Your students can participate in handson workshops led by industry experts, as well as experiencing elements of university life and our industry-standard facilities. This event will cover courses in Design, Media, Film, Fashion, Digital Arts, and more. Don’t miss this chance for students to network, learn, and turn their passions into creative careers.
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.
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.
PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE TASTER DAY
Students will gain hands-on practical experience of both physical and organic chemistry in our modern laboratory facilities.
CRIME SCENE TO COURT (CRIMINOLOGY, POLICING, FORENSICS AND LAW)
Date: 25 June 2025
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.
CRIMINOLOGY TASTER DAY
Our Criminology Taster Day offers students a hands-on introduction to the world of criminology, exploring topics such as crime, justice, criminal behaviour, and the workings of the legal system. Led by staff with industry experience, students will have the opportunity to take part in real-world case study discussions and learn about study options and career pathways in criminology and criminal justice.
USW STEM CONFERENCE 2025
Date: 23 June 2025
This event is aimed at showing students the exciting opportunities available to them should they choose to study STEM subjects at university. The day will involve interactive taster sessions from across USW’s STEM offering, from Forensic Science to Aerospace Engineering.
EDUCATION AND TEACHING
Date: 14 May 2025
This Taster Day will explore best practice in early childhood education, reveal what it’s like to be a student teacher, develop new skills, and offer collaboration through interactive workshops.
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, as well as getting a taste of university life at USW.
HEALTH (NURSING, MIDWIFERY, OPERATING DEPARTMENT
PRACTICE AND HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE)
Date: 18 June 2025
Have a passion for working in a healthcare environment? Get involved in a carousel of activities at our simulation suite, exploring what it’s like to be a nurse, midwife, or an operating department practitioner.
HYDRA TASTER DAYS
Our Hydra Simulation Centre events are an excellent opportunity for students to have an immersive learning experience, which will develop their critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills. There are a wide variety of activities available at our Hydra Simulation Centre that can be tailored to align with the teaching of several areas of the curriculum, including Criminology, Public Services, Policing, Health and Social Care, and many more.
LAW TASTER DAY
Date: 30 June 2025
Hosted in our Moot Court, the day introduces learners to the core principles of law, legal systems, and real-world case studies. During the day, students will take part in practical workshops and mock legal activities exploring different areas of law, gaining insight into careers in the legal and justice sectors, and learning what it’s like to study Law at degree level.
PSYCHOLOGY
Date: 16 June 2025
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.
NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY ACADEMY (NCSA) TASTER DAY
USW has been named Cyber University of the Year for four consecutive years from 2019 to 2022, and was shortlisted in 2024 at the National Cyber Awards. We are committed to encouraging young people to consider a career in Cyber Security. At this event, students will see what it’s like to investigate digital artefacts at a crime scene, find hidden evidence, create a case against a suspect, and learn about the Cyber Kill Chain model and stages of an attack.
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT TASTER DAY
Date: 30 June 2025
Join us for an exciting Taster Day at our Treforest campus, where students can dive into the dynamic world of business. As well as providing a taste of what it is like to study at university, we will also run a personal statement session to prepare your Year 12 students for the UCAS cycle. We will also signpost students to our excellent degree apprenticeship opportunities in this area and provide them with top tips to apply.
SPORT
Developing the Coaches of Tomorrow
This Taster Day gives students an insight into how they can become sports coaches and PE teachers. A variety of round-robin activities will focus on Sport Development, Rugby Coaching and Performance, and Football Coaching and Performance.
CHIROPRACTIC TASTER DAY
Chiropractic is so much more than painful backs and stiff necks. Chiropractors are primary healthcare professionals who specialise in bones, joints, muscles, and soft tissue. Students can experience hands-on learning inside our dedicated Welsh Institute of Chiropractic (WIoC) centre. Encourage your students to explore this career pathway by attending a Taster Day featuring spinal manipulation and trigger point massage techniques. They can speak with current students, tour the facilities, meet lecturers, and get valuable tips for applying to university.
For more details and to book on to any of the sessions listed, email schoolsandcolleges@southwales.ac.uk
USW SUMMER SCHOOL 2025
21– 25 JULY
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST NOW OPEN
USW Summer School is back this July, taking place across all USW campuses between 21 and 25 of July 2025.
Are your students/service users ready for a week of discovery, inspiration, and hands-on learning that will support them in gaining real-life university-ready skills and experiences?
USW Summer School is back and bigger than ever for 2025.
Participants are invited to dive into 5 days of interactive academic sessions, wellbeing workshops, and general support with information, advice, and guidance to help them explore new ideas, skills, and pathways. Students can attend for one day or the full five days; we're offering a flexible programme in order to suit their needs and interests.
With a broad range of subject areas to choose from, participants can build their own schedule from activities delivered across all our campuses and provision, getting the most out of our state-of-the-art facilities and expert-led sessions. We are now welcoming Expressions of Interest for this exciting week of enrichment, growth, and connection.
Students who complete 10 hours or more of Summer School content will be eligible for the Summer School Guaranteed Offer Scheme. The terms and conditions of the scheme can be found on our website: https://www.southwales.ac.uk/uswsummer-school/.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM
UCAS APPLY VISITS
Available across our USW campuses or at your school or college.
The sessions provide an overview of the UCAS application process and how to apply for university.
• Students can set up their UCAS accounts online and begin to complete the application form
• Students receive the USW UCAS Guide to begin research on universities, courses, and consider their options
• We explain personal statement changes for 2026 entry
• We provide an introduction to Student Finance - how much university costs, the funding available, how and when to apply for funding and budgeting tips
• Opportunities for a Campus Tour to see student life at USW.
All attendees will be given a USW UCAS Guide.
OPEN DAYS 2025
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
TRAVEL BURSARY
We can cover the cost of reasonable expenses associated with visiting the University of South Wales to attend an undergraduate Open Day, an Interview, or an Applicant Experience Day. Payments cover train or coach fares, and we’re able to support you 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.
Sport Park
Cardiff campus
Glyntaff campus
Treforest campus
Newport campus
CLEARING
SIXTH FORM INDUCTIONS SEPTEMBER 2025
Dates: 1 September - 12 September
Location: Treforest campus | Time: 10:00 - 14:00
Kickstart the academic year with a Sixth Form Induction designed to welcome your new Year 12 students into sixth form while opening their eyes to the world of higher education. This campus event helps students make a confident transition, develop essential study skills, and start thinking ahead to university life and beyond.
Highlights of the session include:
• Expert-led advice on how to make the most of sixth form.
• Top tips for effective study and independent learning.
• An introduction to university pathways and student life.
• Fun and inclusive team-building activities to encourage confidence and collaboration.
Email schoolsandcolleges@southwales.ac.uk to book your spaces.
