Student Parking

The Student and Visitor Car Park on the Treforest campus is located opposite the main entrance to the University on Llantwit Road. There are no student parking facilities (other than those with disabilities) on the actual campus.

We would like to remind all students that the University cannot guarantee a parking space due to limited spaces being available.

Student Car Parking Permit

An Automatic Number Plate Recognition Car Parking System is in operation in Llantwit Road and Glyntaff car parks.

For students wishing to purchase an annual parking permit please visit the Online Store and take your receipt to the Security Reception at Treforest Campus, or alternatively you can purchase a permit via the pay on foot machines within the car parks .

An annual permit costs £180. Students can also take out season tickets through the Trust app and pay for 1 month £15, 3 months £45, 6 months £90, 9 months £135 and 12 months £180 in advance. For further information contact Treforest Security Gatehouse on 01443 482055 or email Estates Security.

For those students who do not wish to purchase an annual permit, parking is still available in the car park. Daily users of the student and visitor car parks pay £1 for up to 5 hours’ parking and £2 for any period over 5 hours. Payment can be made at one of the pay stations in the car park via credit, debit or contactless card, or via the Glide App

Disabled parking permits are issued free of charge to students who are in receipt of a blue badge (a copy of which must be provided) to enable them to park within the campus.

If you have a temporary disability then you may also apply for disabled on-campus parking. Supporting medical evidence must be provided with your application. Students may also be required to discuss their own individual circumstances with a Disability Advisor with each case being assessed on an individual basis.

If you are not in receipt of a blue badge, then supporting medical evidence will need to be provided with your Disabled Parking Permit Application and a fee will be charged for the permit which can be paid online. To apply for disabled parking please complete the Disabled parking permit application form and return it to disability support, Disability Service (Student Services).

When arriving at the Treforest campus, motorbike riders are to report to the main gatehouse to register your vehicle and they will be informed where to park. There is no charge for parking a motorbike at Treforest. All motorbikes must be registered with Security.

Student safety is of paramount concern and all of our car parks are monitored 24 hours a day by campus security. For students who are concerned about their safety there is the ability to request an escort from both campuses to their cars. If you require a member of staff to escort you, please go to the gatehouse on the Treforest campus and they will be happy to assist you. 

A random draw takes place at the start of September for a halls of residence car parking space. You are automatically entered into this draw as part of your halls of residence application. Students are notified by email if they have been chosen in the draw. If you have not received confirmation of a car parking space, please assume that you will not be able to park your car in the student hall car parking spaces, and are therefore recommended not to bring your car to University, or to make alternative arrangements.

Parking is available in the public car park at the bottom of the Treforest Campus and on the Glyntaff Campus. Daily users of the student and visitor car parks pay £1 for up to 5 hours’ parking and £2 for any period over 5 hours. For more information on driving to our campuses, please visit the University’s Treforest Location page.

The first few weeks of the academic year are especially busy, with a massive demand for the 2000 available car parking spaces for students and visitors. During term, all parking spaces can be taken by 8.45am, so students who drive often have to arrive on campus before 9am, even if their lectures don’t start until 10am or later. The increased traffic also puts pressure on the local road network, often causing long delays in excess of 30 minutes to get to the student car park. If you do need to drive there are alternative car parks in Pontypridd Town Centre.

Further parking can be found around Treforest. Websites such as Parkopedia and apps such as the ‘smart parking’ app are great ways of finding the locations and costs local car parks.

If you live in Treforest and park your car on the street outside your house, you may need a resident’s parking permit to do so. Parking in Treforest can be very difficult; with a high student population there are many households who have more than one car. It is therefore very important that you consider this carefully before deciding to bring your car with you to University.

Some residential streets do not allow on-street parking at all so check this out when you look at potential rental properties. Occasionally rented houses have off street parking spaces or garages (although these are not that common). If this is the case, check with the landlord whether the garage or parking space is for the use of the tenants in the property before you sign the contract (and also whether any other tenants intend to bring their cars).

To park in most streets in Treforest, a Resident Parking Permit is required. Any cars that do not display a valid permit and are parked there will be fined. Parking in a residents permit area without a valid permit can lead to a £70 fine.

Parking Enforcement in Local Council (RCT)

Students living near our Treforest campus should be aware that Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is proactively managing civil enforcement of parking regulations. A “no leniency” policy is in effect, with frequent visits by traffic wardens to the Treforest area throughout term. 

Penalties up to £70 can be applied. The cost can increase dramatically if the car is clamped or towed.

Residents Only Parking Permit Application Form

Note: Until your permit arrives you cannot park without risking a fine.

You can find information about Treforest Parking Permits on the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council website.

The University operates a shuttle bus service for the convenience of students. Shuttle buses circle between Treforest, Glyntaff and the USW Sport Park in Tyn-Y-Wern. For more information visit our Shuttle Buses page.

Disabled parking permits are issued free of charge to students who are in receipt of a blue badge (a copy of which must be provided) to enable them to park within the campus.

If you have a temporary disability then you may also apply for disabled on-campus parking. Supporting medical evidence must be provided with your application. Students may also be required to discuss their own individual circumstances with a Disability Advisor with each case being assessed on an individual basis.

If you are not in receipt of a blue badge, then supporting medical evidence will need to be provided with your Disabled Parking Permit Application and a fee will be charged for the permit which can be paid online. To apply for disabled parking please complete the Disabled parking permit application form and return it to Disability Support, Disability Service (Student Services).

Car Parking and Car Sharing

The University strongly recommends that you consider alternative travel arrangements to driving wherever possible. We strongly encourage all staff to use public transport where possible. 

Atrium Campus Staff, Student and Visitor Car Parking Discount at Cardiff Pellet Street NCP

USW has negotiated the following deal with NCP for the Pellet Street Car Park, Knox Road Car Park & Dumfries Place Car Park 

How to register (it’s really easy)

1. First, go to NCP Park Pass 
2. Add your personal details
3. Fill in your vehicle details
4. You can register up to 4 vehicles on one account, but only single vehicle use per account permitted at any one time.
5. Choose your account type and tell us how you would like to pay
6. Enter your Saver ID and activation code, which is UW6X4CRD
7. This will activate your special Saver deal. See your NCP ParkPass letter for details.
8. Opt in to receive exclusive offers to your inbox
9. Tell us which alerts will help you best manage your account

Your NCP ParkPass card will be posted to you within 6 working days of registration. However, remember, until then, you will need to pay for your parking as normal.

This has now been set up for the following Car Parks at the current ParkPass prices:-

• PELLETT STREET CAR PARK - £5 for 6 Hours Parking, £6 for 12 Hours Parking
• KNOX ROAD CAR PARK - £4 for 6 Hours Parking, £6 for 12 Hours Parking
• DUMFRIES PLACE CAR PARK - £4 for 6 Hours Parking, £6 for 12 Hours Parking

This means that the user will pay £4/£5 for the first 6 hours in the selected car parks, once they exceed the 6 hours it will move to the 2nd tier pricing of £6 for 12 hours, again if the 12 hours are exceeded then the price will move to the tariff boards at each of these car parks.

Parking is available throughout Newport City centre, although prices vary and can be quite expensive. The nearest car parks to our Newport campus are the Newport County Council Car Park, and the Kingsway Carpark. Prices, facilities and opening times can be found on Parkopedia and apps such as the ‘smart parking’ app are great ways of finding the locations and costs local car parks.

The university has negotiated 20% discount for students at the Kingsway Centre. To qualify for this discount, please scan your ticket at the campus reception desk on the ground floor.