Application toolkit

Is Higher Education worthwhile?

Graduates on average earn £10,000 a year more than non-graduates, due to them having access to many higher paying roles. Aside from financial benefits, higher education also provides the opportunity to pursue a passion, fulfil your career goals, and develop essential skills that have lifelong benefits.

Is university achievable for me?

There are 350 higher education providers in the UK, and over 33,000 undergraduate courses to choose from which means there really is something for everyone. It also means there are a range of entry requirements for courses. Here at USW, we consider a student’s background and experience alongside qualifications to ensure that higher education is accessible to all. For more information, see our Contextual Admissions Statement.

Can I afford to go to university?

Going to university is a financial investment in your future, and funding is available to cover tuition fee costs and support with living costs whilst you study. For further information about the student loans available, see our Student Finance guidance.

Degree Apprenticeships

Degree apprenticeships are a fantastic way to earn real-world workplace experience while working towards a degree. Students earn a wage while they learn as degree apprenticeships combine higher education learning with time employed in a working environment.

Degree apprenticeships will allow you to hit the ground running in your career as you gain invaluable skills, knowledge, and expertise as well as a full degree.

How can I apply and what can I study?

There is no specific time where applicants are accepted meaning vacancies can become available at any time. Our degree apprenticeships last from three to five years, and they cover areas such as policing, engineering, and technology.

To apply for a degree apprenticeship with USW, or to see the details on how to apply and deadlines, view Degree Apprenticeships on our website.

Network75

Network75 is a combined work placement and part-time study route allowing you to work, earn and learn. During term time, Network75 students spend three days a week working for their host company and two days studying towards their degree. During holiday periods, students attend their placement five days per week.

What can I study?

Network75 has links with more than 400 companies, and work placements are available in a wide variety of industries within companies of all sizes.

With degrees in Accounting, Business, Computing, Engineering, Law and Surveying, students can apply their academic knowledge to real-life work within a company.

How can I apply?

Network75 has a separate application process to UCAS, and we usually look to receive applications by March. To apply, you will need to download an application form and return it to us via email.

Successful applicants will be asked to attend USW for an interview - these normally take place from January to May. You will also be required to attend an interview with the host company, and you will receive confirmation of your place upon receiving your results providing you have met the entry requirements.

For more information, visit the Network75 website.

The first step to applying to university is to create an online account with UCAS. Make sure you keep a note of your login details so you can access your account at a later date.

Applicants who do not currently attend a school or college will need to apply as an individual.

The final section you will need to complete at this stage is uploading that all important personal statement. Once it has been checked, double checked and triple checked by friends, family and your school or college, you can then upload your personal statement.

Your teacher or tutor at your school or college will write a reference in support of your application. They will also upload the reference on your behalf.

Once you have checked all of the details are correct and paid the UCAS application fee (if you are applying via a school or college they may pay this for you), your application to study at university is ready to go. You will be able to check the status of your application via the UCAS Hub.

You may be e-mailed when there is an update on your application, but you can check your UCAS Hub account for updates at any time and find out which universities may have offered you a place.

You can read our 2024 UCAS Guide on ISSU.

September: Application Opens

You may have already looked at some university websites, scoured some prospectuses and even attended an Open Day. September is the earliest you can submit your UCAS application, remember you will only get to choose up to five universities.

15 October: Early Submission Deadline

Thinking of applying to Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science, or to the University of Oxford or Cambridge? Then you need to submit your application by 15 October. Remember your teachers will also need time to read your application and add a reference.

29 January: Application Deadline

Your school or college may have an earlier internal deadline which you should adhere to. Once your application is ready and has been reviewed, aim to submit it as soon as you can rather than leaving it until the last possible day. Remember your teachers will also need time to read your application and add a reference.

End of February: UCAS Extra Opens

If you've used all five choices on your application and you're not holding any offers, you could still find a place using Extra. You can add an Extra choice through UCAS Hub.

Mid May: University Decisions on Applications

If you made the January deadline, you should have heard from all of your chosen universities. From the offers you have been made, you will then need to make a first (firm) choice. It is advisable to also make a second (insurance) choice, usually with a lower entry criteria as a back-up. Any universities you do not choose as a Firm or Insurance choice will be declined.

Start of July: Clearing Opens

If you haven’t been placed at a university or you have changed your mind and want to look at another course or university, you will need to apply through Clearing. Universities will have all of their remaining course places advertised on their own website and the UCAS website and it’s advisable to ring the university you are interested in to find out more and see whether you’re eligible.

August: A Level Results Day

At this point you will know whether you made the conditions of your firm or insurance choice or been made an alternative offer for a different course. If you haven’t, Clearing is an available option.

You can read our 2024 UCAS Guide on ISSU.

If you wish to apply directly to university, then you will apply via the relevant university website. Please note that all full-time undergraduate applications must be made through UCAS, and upon receipt of a direct application, USW will check whether you are already in UCAS. If so, your application will be withdrawn.

At USW you will need to register an account on our website, and you will need to submit similar personal details as if you were applying to UCAS. We still ask all applicants to submit a personal statement and reference. This can be from your tutor or an employer if you have left school or college.

The main difference when applying direct is there is no application fee, and the university will get in contact with you directly rather than via UCAS Hub.

Remember that if you are applying to multiple universities you must apply via UCAS.

The Perfect location

Our courses are delivered across three campuses, you could find yourself studying in Cardiff, Newport or Pontypridd. Each campus has purpose- built and industry-standard facilities, which is why studying at USW is as close as you can get to being in industry while you're at university.

Every campus is well-connected by public transport and whichever campus hosts your course you will get the best of South Wales to explore.

Employability

USW has a unique approach to teaching through hands-on experience and partnerships with industry leaders to prepare you for where your chosen profession is heading.

We ensure your degree is 100% focused on what employers need in the future by developing and delivering our courses in exclusive partnerships with employers, leaders of industry, the public sector and national bodies.

Outstanding student support

Our support services range from our disability service, mental health and wellbeing service to our Chaplaincy. All of our support services can be accessed via our Advice Zone Online which is a one-stop-shop for all student queries.

Diverse and welcoming student life

USW has a diverse and welcoming student community where life-long friendships are made. You’ll be part of a supportive environment for studying and living, where new students quickly feel at home. At USW you'll find people just like you who share your interests, beliefs, and motivations.

There are over 100 societies and clubs to choose from, endless support, activities and events to volunteering and skill-development. Our Students’ Union strives to make sure you have the chance to enrich every aspect of your student life.

Typically, there are two types of loans:

Tuition Fee Loan

A Tuition Fee Loan covers the cost of your undergraduate course fees for the duration of your studies. This funding would be paid directly to your university after you have enrolled. You will only start to repay this loan when you have finished your studies and are earning more than £27,295 per year (subject to terms and conditions).

Maintenance Support

It’s intended to help with accommodation costs, travel, groceries, and academic supplies, and the way you allocate this money is your decision.

Maintenance support is means-tested, so the amount you receive will be based on your household income and where you'll live or study.

For further information please visit the Student Finance Wales website or view our Welsh Undergraduate Student Funding brochure.

Repaying your loan

Repayments start once you are earning £27,295 a year. If you have not repaid the total amount you owe within 30 years, the remaining balance is written off.

Your repayments will be taken out of your salary at the same time as tax and National Insurance if you’re an employee. Your payslips will show how much has been deducted. You should check your employer has placed you on the correct repayment plan.

Remember to keep your contact details up to date so that you can get messages about your loan.

For more info on loan repayment visit the government website.

Typically, there are two types of loans:

Tuition Fee Loan

A Tuition Fee Loan covers the cost of your undergraduate course fees for the duration of your studies. How much Tuition Fee Loan you get does not depend on your household income. Student Finance England will pay your Tuition Fee Loan directly to USW.

You will only start to repay this loan when you have finished your studies and are earning more than £25,000 per year (subject to terms and conditions).

Maintenance Loan

You may be eligible for a Maintenance Loan, this is additional to your Tuition Fee Loan. It’s intended to help with accommodation costs, travel, groceries, and academic supplies, and the way you allocate this money is your decision.

The Maintenance Loan is means-tested, so the amount you receive will be based on your household income and where you'll live or study.

You will eventually have to pay this loan back.

For more information please visit the Student Finance England website or view our English Undergraduate Student Funding brochure.

How to repay your loan

Repayments start once you are earning £25,000 a year. If you have not repaid the total amount you owe within 40 years, the remaining balance is written off.

Your repayments will be taken out of your salary at the same time as tax and National Insurance if you’re an employee. Your payslips will show how much has been deducted. You should check your employer has you on the correct repayment plan.