Alumni Big Weekend | University of South Wales

Celebrating each graduate's own unique connection to the University, Alumni Big Weekend is an occasion for alumni reunion and socialising, for knowledge update and for former students to see how our South Wales campuses have changed and developed over the years.

For graduates living overseas, why not join join alumni from your city or region for an Alumni Big Weekend: Worldwide event? BW events in recent years have been held in South Africa, Nigeria, Mexico and Greece. Come along to join the fun!

We're delighted to be integrating our successful annual Alumni Awards into the schedule for 2018 too. This will enable an even wider audience to attend to help celebrate the excellence and achievement of individuals within USW's global network. Check out activity from the last Alumni Awards night >>

2018 also sees those classes who graduated in years ending in a 3 or an 8 mark special milestone years. So, whether you're a graduate from 10 or 40 years ago, the message is the same - welcome!

Explore the programme

Registration - now open

Your class or group

Take part in an event overseas

Help us reconnect with Students' Union Presidents and Execs

Alumni Awards 2018

Making new traditions - Class of 2017 one year out reunion

Useful Info

Previous Alumni Big Weekends

We came, dined, wined, laughed, talked and took pictures like the family we are... Collins Nnamani, Big Weekend 2017, Nigeria

Alumni Afternoon Tea at Caerleon - April 2016

Stories & reflections that make #ourUSW special to the graduate community

When is the schedule for Big Weekend 2018 being announced?

The initial schedule for the Weekend is now live and will be added to from January 2018. A variety of reunion groups and popup talks are in the pipeline so check back for further sessions. Interested in creating your own activities? Contact us for help.

If I've lost touch with my class or team mates can I still attend?

Absolutely! Many alumni attend events to meet others from years past and to develop their networks. There'll always be a friendly welcome back on campus. If you'd like support in gathering classmates together, we're here to help.

Will there be opportunity to do our own thing if we come as part of a group?

Yes, the schedule is flexible to allow groups to make the best of the Weekend - be that arranging a private lunch or arranging to revisit old haunts. There will be popup talks in our fabulous industry-leading facilities, allowing both a bit of knowledge update and a tour round our campuses. Facilities will have undoubtedly have changed, even for recent graduates. We encourage all guests to take part in our Gala dinner on the Saturday evening (16 June) at which we will be announcing our Alumni Award winners - the more the merrier!

How many 'Big Weekend-ers' are you expecting?

Attendees can pick and choose from the schedule, so it could be that not everyone will attend everything. On their own, our Alumni Awards attract upwards of 100 guests so we would anticipate the same for our Gala dinner, as a minimum. Overall therefore, we would anticipate 200+ guests would register for one or more events across the Weekend - come join the fun!

Is this event only for graduates of the current University of South Wales?

No, the University's graduate community is made up of graduates that stretch all the way back to the Treforest School of Mines and Newport's Technical Institute! We're an inclusive community that is actively connected with graduates from the predecessor universities of both Glamorgan and Wales, Newport. While our name may have changed over the years, our community is recognised as one. In fact, check out previous events that involve graduates from across the years >>

How much will it cost me to attend?

The majority of the Weekend will be free of charge, however there will be a reasonable ticket price charged for guests to attend the Gala dinner event on Saturday 16 June (£39 per person or £375 for a group of ten booking together).

I'm interested in nominating a friend for an Alumni Award, when do nominations open?

Our 2018 Alumni Awards are now going to feature as part of the Big Weekend schedule. Nominations will therefore open on Monday 22 January 2018 and you'll have a window to submit your nomination that runs through until late April (Friday 20).

Are Alumni Award category finalists still offered a complimentary place at the Awards Gala Dinner?

As in previous years, all Award nominees who are announced as a category finalist will be offered a complimentary place and a 'plus 1' to attend the dinner.

Get in touch

For more information please feel free to contact us by email at alumni@southwales.ac.uk or by telephone on +44 (0)1443 482 400 (Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm). Guest lists for who's attending Big Weekend will be published periodically.