USW Summer School

Expressions of interest are now open. Check your eligibility below and fill out the form to get started!

The USW and Reaching Wider Summer School returns this July with a programme of exciting activities to give students a taste of life as an undergraduate student.

Taking place on the 15th, 16th, and 17th July our Summer School will provide students with an authentic experience of university life. Along with two night's accommodation in our residential halls and series of social activities, students will have the chance to participate in subject-specific workshops and HE information, advice and guidance sessions. Students will also have the opportunity to connect with like-minded students from other schools and colleges, and meet our enthusiastic team of student ambassadors to get an insight into student life at USW.

Places will be allocated to Year 12 and Level 3 (Year 1) school and college students, however numbers are limited and priority will be given to students from groups currently under-represented in higher education, who meet one of the eligibility criteria detailed below and as per the University’s 2023-24 Fee and Access Plan. There is no charge to attend the Summer School, accommodation and meals are included and we can also support with the cost of transport to attend.

Students who participate in the Summer School and enrol on a full-time 3 or 4 year undergraduate degree course in September 2025, will be eligible for the USW Summer School Bursary, worth £500.

Expression of Interest form

In collaboration with Reaching Wider.

What are the benefits?

The Summer School will be advantageous to students in completing their UCAS application forms and will help set them apart from other students by demonstrating a commitment to extra-curricular study.
The Summer School will enable students to have an immersive experience of a subject of their interest at University-level and will compliment their Level 3 studies, thereby supporting transition to Year 13 and Level 3 (Year 2).
The Summer School will provide students with invaluable, personalised HE information, advice and guidance including advice on the UCAS process, developing an excellent personal statement, preparing for interviews and researching universities and courses.
As part of the Summer School, students will be able to interact with current USW students via a series of fun activities and ask them questions on everything from student life to student finance. Students will also have the opportunity to meet and engage with other attendees from schools and colleges across the UK.
Following the Summer School, we’ll be able to connect students with the University’s support services, such as the Disability and Wellbeing Service, Learner Services, Accommodation and many more.

What's included?

The three day programme will include:

A choice of taster lectures, workshop and practical sessions in specific subject areas
HE information and guidance through a number of talks and or activities within finance, budgeting, student life
Opportunity to stay in student halls with meals included
A chance to explore our campuses and the surrounding areas
Social activities throughout the event to meet like minded individuals from other schools and colleges
Support in decision making for a University course

Following the Summer School students will have the chance to engage with a series of online HE information, advice and guidance workshops to support them at key stages of the UCAS admissions process. They will also have access to one to one support from a member of the Student Recruitment Team.

Eligibility Criteria

Places at the Summer School are limited and priority will be given to Year 12 and Level 3 (Year 1) school and college students from groups currently under-represented in higher education who meet one of the eligibility criteria detailed below as per the University’s 2023-24 Fee and Access Plan.

Students from Low Participation Neighbourhoods (defined as POLAR4 Quintiles 1 and 2 by OfS).

Check postcode here.

Students from an area of high deprivation (Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation, WIMD, Quintiles 1 and 2).

Check postcode here.

Students from an area of high deprivation (Index of Multiple Deprivation, IMD, Quintiles 1 and 2).

Check postcode here.

Students from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds
Care experienced young people and those in local authority care
Students classified as having a disability
Young carers
Students who have a parent/carer who has served in the armed forces
First in your immediate family to go to university

Please contact us if you have a query regarding eligibility.

How to apply?

Expressions of interest will open in early 2024. If you have any queries in the meantime, please get in touch with us by emailing [email protected].

USW Summer School Bursary

The University will automatically award a £500 USW Summer School Bursary to all students who attend the USW Summer School in July 2024, and who enrol as a student at the University in September 2025.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible, you will need to:

Attend the USW Summer School
Apply to study any full-time 3 or 4 year undergraduate Honours degree starting in September 2025 at the University of South Wales.
Firmly accept the University’s conditional or unconditional offer of a place by 31 May 2025.
Enrol on any full-time 3 or 4 year undergraduate Honours degree at the University of South Wales in September 2025.
Be eligible for maintenance support via Student Finance Wales or Student Finance England.

How do you apply?

There is no separate application form. You will be automatically awarded the bursary if you fulfil the full criteria listed above.

How much is the bursary worth?

You will receive a £500 payment to contribute to your university experience in November 2025, subject to confirmation that you have enrolled on and are satisfactorily attending a full-time undergraduate course.

Further information, including the full bursary criteria can be found in our Terms and Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions regarding the bursary.

The University of South Wales scholarships and bursaries are offered on the basis that they are potentially subject to change. The University also reserves the right to limit the number of scholarships and bursaries available.