University of South Wales
Prifysgol De Cymru | |
![]() Coat of Arms University of South Wales | |
Former names | University of Glamorgan, University of Wales, Newport |
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Motto | Success Through Endeavour |
Type | Public |
Established | 11 April 2013 (origins 1841) |
Endowment | £3.3 million (2019)[1] |
Chancellor | Rowan Williams[2] |
Vice-Chancellor | Ben Calvert |
Administrative staff | 2,780 [3] |
Students | 23,270 (2021/22)[4] |
Undergraduates | 16,230 (2021/22)[4] |
Postgraduates | 6,950 (2021/22)[4] |
Location | |
Campus | Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd |
Affiliations | University Alliance Universities UK |
Website | southwales |
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The University of South Wales (Welsh: 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.[5] The university is the second largest university in Wales in terms of its student numbers, and offers around 500 undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The university has three main faculties across its campuses in South Wales.
History
[edit]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.[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,[7] who retired in 2021.[8]
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.[9][10]
Notable dates
[edit]- 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
[edit]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.[11][12][13][full citation needed] 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 2019/20[4] the university ranking was 35th largest in the UK and the second largest in Wales when measured by the numbers of students enrolled.[14]
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 |
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Glamorgan | 17,530 | ![]() |
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Newport | 8,185 | ![]() |
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9,065 | ![]() |
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Total | 25,715 | ![]() |
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South Wales | 12-13 | 13–14 | 14–15 | 15–16 | 16–17 | 17–18 | 18–19 | 19–20 | 20–21 | 21–22 |
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Numbers | Baseline | ![]() |
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% Change University Claim | 33,500 | ![]() |
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% Change HSE Figures | 30,125 | ![]() |
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Source:- The Higher Education Statistics Agency[3]
Organisation
[edit]Associated organisations
[edit]The university is part of the University of South Wales Group comprising the university, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Merthyr Tydfil College.[citation needed]
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.[15]
Faculties
[edit]The university has three faculties[16] spread over its campuses in South East Wales.
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
- School of Computing and Mathematics
- School of Engineering
- School of Applied Sciences
Faculty of Business & Creative Industries
- School of Design & Digital
- School of Production & Performance
- South Wales Business School
Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
- School of Psychology and Therapeutic Studies
- School of Education, Early Years and Social Work
- School of Health, Sport & Professional Practice
- School of Care Sciences
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.[citation needed]
Campuses
[edit]The university has three main campuses located in South Wales:
Cardiff
[edit]The Faculty of Business & Creative Industries is based at the Cardiff Campus. The 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[17] to replace the Caerleon campus. The building re-opened during September 2016. The campus also included the Atlantic House building, which was closed due to declining student numbers.[citation needed]
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ATRiuM, Adam Street
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Atlantic House, Tyndall Street
Newport
[edit]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.[18] 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]
Pontypridd
[edit]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:[citation needed]
1) Treforest – Which hosts the School of Engineering, School of Computing and Mathematics and the South Wales Business School. The university's graduate school, main library and administrative departments are based on the Treforest site.
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Main buildings
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Hirwaun building
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Students' Union building
2) Glyntaff – Where nursing and science departments are based. The campus is divided into Lower Glyntaff, where nursing is focused and Upper Glyntaff where Applied Sciences is based. The Alfred Russel Wallace building, named after the Welsh naturalist, is an impressive example of South Wales architecture, having been an Edwardian boys grammar school and built in typical dramatic style.
3) Sport Park – in the Treforest Industrial Estate, the location of several teaching spaces and facilities for sports courses.
Former campuses
[edit]Caerleon
[edit]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.[19] The university cited the need to invest around £20 million to improve and upgrade facilities as the primary reason for its closure.[20] The university relocated courses to the Newport City campus and the Cardiff Campus where it invested £14.7 million[17] 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 is proposing to sell the campus for housing development but there is strong opposition to the planned re-development from local residents.[21] 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.[22] 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.[23] 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.[24]
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
[edit]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. From September 2020 it was announced that the campus would not accept further applications and would close.[25] 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.[26][27][28]
London
[edit]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.[29]
Academic profile
[edit]Awards
[edit]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.[30][31] The University of Glamorgan was recognised for providing outstanding student support, winning the 2012 Times Higher Award for Outstanding Support to Students.[32]
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.[33]
Rankings and reputation
[edit]![]() | This section needs to be updated.(July 2022) |
National rankings | |
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Complete (2025)[34] | 94= |
Guardian (2024)[35] | 72 |
Times / Sunday Times (2024)[36] | 97 |
Global rankings | |
THE (2024)[37] | 1001–1200 |
In 2017, the university entered the top five percent of universities in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
In the 2017 National Student Survey the university was placed equal 140 out of 149 universities and institutions surveyed.[38] [39] [40]
The Complete University Guide 2016/7 ranked the university as 99 out of 127 UK universities.,[41] the ranking declined to 110 out of 129 UK Universities in 2017/8 but has since risen to 101.
The university came 81st in the 2022 What Uni Awards[42]
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).
Year | 13-14 | 14-15 | 15-16 | 16-17 | 17–18 |
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National Student Survey | 80% | ![]() |
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Complete University Guide | 91 | ![]() |
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The Guardian | - | 102 | ![]() |
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Times/Sunday Times | - | 114 | ![]() |
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WhatUni? Student Choice Awards | 79 | ![]() |
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National Cyber Security Academy
[edit]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. [43]
Research
[edit]The university is one of Wales's five major universities and a member of the St David's Day Group.[44] 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,[45] nursing and midwifery, architecture and the built environment, English language and literature, communication, cultural & media studies, sports-related studies.[46]
The university has provided a partnership platform for think-tanks such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation[47] 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.[48] 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.[48]
Student life
[edit]Students' Union
[edit]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.[49]
Accommodation
[edit]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]
Notable alumni
[edit]![]() | This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (May 2015) |
Artists and photographers
[edit]- 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
[edit]- Carole Bromley, poet
- Emma Darwin, novelist[50]
- Philip Gross, poet, novelist, playwright and academic
- Paul Groves, poet
- Maria McCann, novelist[51]
- Gareth L. Powell, science fiction author[52]
- Dan Rhodes, writer[51]
- Rachel Trezise, author[51]
- Camilla Way, author
- Tine Wittler, writer and presenter
Business and legal
[edit]- 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[53]
- Gemma Hallett, Entrepreneur and Founder of miFuture
Film
[edit]- Gareth Evans, film director and screenwriter[54]
- Philip John, director and screenwriter[55]
- 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[56][57]
- Scott Barley, film maker[58]
Healthcare professionals
[edit]- Sue Bale OBE, Director of South East Wales Academic Health Science Partnership
- Benjamin Cowley MBE, Music Therapist [59]
Media personalities and performers
[edit]- Jayde Adams, comedian, actor, writer and singer
- Behnaz Akhgar, weather presenter[60]
- Max Boyce MBE, entertainer
- Lorna Dunkley, newsreader and presenter[61]
- Ben Green, comedy actor[62]
- Harry Greene, television personality
- Mark Labbett, TV personality[63][failed verification]
- Nicola Miles-Wildin, performer
Musicians
[edit]- Richard James Burgess, producer, musician, digital music innovator[64]
- 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[65]
- Sion Russell Jones, singer and songwriter
- Ian Watkins, singer from rock band Lostprophets
- Holding Absence - UK Rock Band
Politicians
[edit]- Kevin Brennan, politician[66]
- Suzy Davies[67]
- 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[68]
Scientists
[edit]Sports people
[edit]- 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[69]
See also
[edit]- Armorial of UK universities
- Education in Wales
- List of universities in Wales
- List of UK universities
- Post-1992 universities
References
[edit]- ^ "FS University of South Wales" (PDF).
- ^ "Rowan Williams named as University of South Wales chancellor". ITV.com. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ a b "HESA - Experts in higher education data and analysis". www.hesa.ac.uk.
- ^ a b c d "Where do HE students study?". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
- ^ "University merger 11 April 2013". Southwalesargus.co.uk. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
- ^ The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales. John Davies, Nigel Jenkins, Menna Baines and Peredur Lynch (2008) pg896 ISBN 978-0-7083-1953-6
- ^ "Preferred Name Announced For New University (press release)". Newport.ac.uk. 17 December 2012. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
- ^ "Cyn Is-Ganghellor PDC, yr Athro Julie Lydon, yn cael ei gwneud yn fonesig yn Rhestr Anrhydeddau Blwyddyn Newydd y Frenhines". Prifysgol De Cymru (in Welsh). 1 January 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ "University alliance to deliver economic and social benefits to Wales". University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
- ^ "University alliance to deliver economic and social benefits to Wales". University of South Wales. 30 July 2020.
- ^ "University of South Wales opens for 33,500 students". The BBC. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ "University guide 2014: University of South Wales". The Guardian. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ USW Annual Review 2013
- ^ "Table 3" (xls). HESA.
- ^ "Collaborative Registers". A check of the listed documents on the university site yielded total number of partner colleges and their countries. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ "Faculties and Schools". www.southwales.ac.uk.
- ^ a b "The Enhanced Cardiff Campus". www.southwales.ac.uk.
- ^ "Sir Terry Matthews opens Newport university campus". BBC. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ "Campus Changes". University of South Wales Campus Changes. Archived from the original on 17 November 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
- ^ "Caerleon Campus £20m repair bill claim 'bogus'". Swindon Advertiser. 14 October 2014.
- ^ "Campus Changes". 13 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ "Open Letter". June 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
- ^ "Lifeline for part of Caerleon Campus after minister says building should be listed". 8 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- ^ "Historic Caerleon college campus given listed status by Cadw". 3 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- ^ "Applications are closed". University of South Wales. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
- ^ Lo, Joe (16 November 2018). "Welsh Uni accused of "whitewashing UAE's appalling human rights record"". Left Foot Forward. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ "USW opens specialist aerospace engineering facility at Dubai South". University of South Wales. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ "British academic Matthew Hedges released on bail in UAE". telegraph.co.uk. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ "USW London campus shut down before taking on any students". South Wales Argus. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
- ^ "Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute (UHOVI)". Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- ^ Tickle, Louise (28 February 2013). "Commitment to widening participation winner: University of Wales, Newport with the University of Glamorgan". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ "Glamorgan wins national award for outstanding student support, News Centre". glam.ac.uk.
- ^ Rupert Denholm-Hall (13 June 2014). "Business leaders across Wales recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours". walesonline. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "Complete University Guide 2025". The Complete University Guide. 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Guardian University Guide 2024". The Guardian. 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Good University Guide 2024". The Times. 15 September 2023.
- ^ "THE World University Rankings 2024". Times Higher Education. 28 September 2023.
- ^ "The National Student Survey website". Retrieved 9 August 2017.
- ^ "NSS Results website". Retrieved 9 August 2017.
- ^ "National Student Survey on HEFCE website". Retrieved 9 August 2017.
- ^ "Complete University Guide website". Retrieved 9 August 2017.
- ^ "WhatUni 2022". Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- ^ David Williamson (23 May 2016). "Intelligence agency GCHQ gives its seal of approval to Welsh university". walesonline. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- ^ "St Davids Day Group". stdavidsdaygroup.ac.uk.
- ^ "Newport RAE 2008 : Quality profiles". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "Glamorgan RAE 2008 : Quality profiles". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ Fred Robinson (12 September 2012). "How can universities support disadvantaged communities?". Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- ^ a b "Research Excellence Framework | University of South Wales".
- ^ "University of South Wales Students' Union". Retrieved 14 August 2017.
- ^ "biography". Emma Darwin. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ a b c "UniLife". southwales.ac.uk.
- ^ "About". 9 September 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "undefined undefined undefined undefined: Executive Profile & Biography". Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "'The Raid' directed by Glamorgan graduate Gareth Evans released today, News Centre". glam.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
- ^ "Philip John / Director & Writer". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "History". documentary newport. Archived from the original on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "FIRST PERSON: Film maker Peter Watkins-Hughes, 47, on campaiging [sic] to save Brynmawr Market Cinema". documentary newport. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
- ^ "Scott Barley | Filmmaker & Fine Artist". Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ "Queen's Jubilee birthday honours: Gareth Bale, Bonnie Tyler get MBEs". BBC News. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "Behnaz Akhgar". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "Lorna Dunkley • Biography & Pictures". TV Newsroom. 5 October 2005. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "Ben Green". Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "Biography". marklabbett.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ "Richard James Burgess". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "Newport pop singer co-writes Union J hit". South Wales Argus. 15 February 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "Kevin Brennan MP – Cardiff West". Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ Suzy Davies AM/AC. "About Suzy". Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ Jones, Branwen (3 May 2024). "Wales' first black PCC elected as Emma Wools named South Wales PCC". Wales Online. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "MBA Successes Celebrated, News Centre". Archived from the original on 5 July 2015.
External links
[edit]- University of South Wales
- Universities in Wales
- Education in Newport, Wales
- University Alliance
- 2013 establishments in Wales
- Universities and colleges established in 2013
- Chiropractic schools in the United Kingdom
- Universities and colleges formed by merger in the United Kingdom
- Organisations based in Newport, Wales
- Law schools in Wales
- Universities UK