Ranked in the UK’s Top 50 Universities

Why we’re among the UK’s best for teaching, graduate outcomes and experience.

What Makes Us Stand Out
Two students in a University library

Choosing where to study is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make.

From outstanding teaching and hands-on learning to world-class facilities and career-focused courses, we’re proud to be named one of the UK’s Top 50 universities in the Guardian University Guide 2026.

The Guardian University Guide helps you compare universities on what really matters to students, from teaching quality to career prospects, so you can make a confident, informed choice.

The rankings give each institution eight different scores to form a total of 100 and includes real student feedback from the annual National Student Survey.

Unlike research-heavy league tables, the Guardian ranking focuses on student experience and employability including student satisfaction with teaching and feedback, the student to staff ratio, the spend per student, added value, and career progression 15 months after graduation.

A group of nursing students caring for a simulated patient in a hospital setting

  • We’re Top in Wales for five subject areas including Forensic Science, Law, Midwifery, Civil Engineering and Marketing and Public Relations.

  • 12 subject areas offered at the University are ranked in the Top 25 in the UK, with Midwifery ranked 1st overall.

43rd

Out of 123 universities in the UK according to the Guardian University Guide 2026

Guardian University Guide 2026

  • We’re Top in Wales for five subject areas including Forensic Science, Law, Midwifery, Civil Engineering and Marketing and Public Relations.

  • 12 subject areas offered at the University are ranked in the Top 25 in the UK, with Midwifery ranked 1st overall.

WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT?

Top in Wales for Value Added

We’ve been named as the top University in Wales for added value by the Guardian University Guide 2026. The ‘value added’ score recognises the excellent teaching and support provided by our staff, helping students go beyond their expected academic performance.

USW in action

UK’s Top University For Midwifery

Midwifery at USW is the highest ranked by the Guardian in both the UK and Wales. Students enjoy immersive, real-world learning through hospital placements and through our simulated maternity wards, which feature advanced birthing and maternal simulators that can recreate various stages of pregnancy.

Learn more about Midwifery

Top Subjects

Students surrounding a Chiropractic table.

Health Professions

Our Health Professions courses are ranked number one in the UK and Wales for value added and top in Wales for teaching satisfaction. We are also 2nd both in the UK and Wales.

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Two hands reaching up to give judges folders of papers during a court session.

Law

Our Law courses are 1st in Wales and ranked 8th in the UK. Our law degrees, delivered through the South Wales Business School, are also the top in Wales for our added value and teaching satisfaction.

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Marketing student Chloe Buckley sat at a desk with a laptop smiling off camera

Marketing and Public Relations

Our Marketing and Public Relations courses are 1st in Wales and ranked 7th in the UK. Top in Wales for both our added value and teaching satisfaction, our students are given the confidence and skills to succeed through real-world learning.

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Fashion student sitting at a desk using a sewing machine.

Fashion and Textiles

Our Fashion and Textiles courses are 2nd in Wales and 10th in the UK. Number one in Wales for our teaching satisfaction, we aim to produce visionary fashion graduates who are ready for successful careers in the retail and fashion world.

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Animation and Game Design

Our Animation and Game Design courses are 2nd in Wales and 13th in the UK. With on-campus motion capture, green screen, VR and AR, our students are empowered as creative professionals.

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A group of sport science students are measuring oxygen output from a student on a stationary bike.

Sports Science

Our Sports Science courses are ranked 22nd in the UK. At USW, we have a strong sporting background and impressive facilities for our students to study and train.

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A student is focusing on a peice of machinery, they are wearing eye protection glasses.

Mechanical Engineering

Our Mechanical Engineering degrees ranked 25th in the UK. Accredited by the IMechE and Energy Institute, our courses provide a route for students to achieve Chartered Engineer status.

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group of international wildlife biology students in lab looking at skulls

Earth and Marine Sciences

Our Earth and Marine Sciences are ranked 2nd in Wales and 16th in the UK. We are the top in Wales for our added value as we offer a good combination of scientific knowledge, practical experience and fieldwork to students.

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Civil engineering female student measuring something on a wall

Civil Engineering

Our Civil Engineering courses are ranked 1st in Wales and 23rd in the UK. Number one in Wales for our teaching satisfaction, we pride ourselves on our breadth of civil engineering courses that are based on the demands of industry.

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two students in navy overalls looking up at the underneath of a plane

Aerospace Engineering

Our Aerospace Engineering degrees are ranked 16th in the UK. Number one in Wales for our added value and teaching satisfaction, our professionally accredited courses have strong links to industry and include specialist facilities in exciting learning spaces.

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two crime scene investigators photographing evidence

Forensic Science

Our Forensic Science courses are 13th in the UK. We are number one in both the UK and Wales for our added value and the top in Wales for teaching satisfaction. Students enjoy immersive learning on our accredited forensics degrees.

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Two hands reaching up to give judges folders of papers during a court session.
Marketing student Chloe Buckley sat at a desk with a laptop smiling off camera
Fashion student sitting at a desk using a sewing machine.
student in classroom using computer and looking at screen with a cgi visual of a man on screen
A group of sport science students are measuring oxygen output from a student on a stationary bike.
A student is focusing on a peice of machinery, they are wearing eye protection glasses.
group of international wildlife biology students in lab looking at skulls
Civil engineering female student measuring something on a wall
two students in navy overalls looking up at the underneath of a plane
two crime scene investigators photographing evidence
Students surrounding a Chiropractic table.

THIS RECOGNITION REFLECTS OUR COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS THRIVE AND INNOVATION FLOURISHES.

Dr Ben Calvert

Vice-Chancellor

Higher Education In Action

We are the University that makes a difference in practice, not just on paper. Our courses are designed by people who offer jobs and taught by people who have real work experience.

Whatever your chosen area of study, we aim to create a positive environment for students to flourish.

Instead of just reading textbooks and listening to lectures, we'll ensure you have countless first-hand experiences and opportunities to get actively involved in your chosen profession, gaining practical skills that will prepare you for your future career.

From hands-on projects and real-world simulations to industry collaborations working with real clients, tackling real problems, and developing the skills employers are looking for. We create graduates who are prepared for the future. People ready to build their careers.

If you value education in practice, not just in theory, then the University of South Wales is for you.

BROWSE BY SUBJECT

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FUTURE-PROOF YOUR CAREER

What is applied learning and why is it important for your future?
Learn by doing in immersive facilities emulating the real-world

Upcoming Open Days

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Undergraduate Open Day

26 September

Undergraduate Open Day

24 October

Come and meet us on campus and see what makes us special. Discover our facilities, explore the campus, and meet academics from your course.

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