Scholarships and Bursaries

Gwent Bursary 2024/25

We offer our Gwent Bursary to students resident at a NP postcode at the time of applying for a course at USW and have been offered and accepted a place at the university as part of the University’s Contextual Admission Policy criteria.

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Bursaries
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FAQS

To be eligible, you will need to meet all of the criteria below: 

  • Be a resident at a NP postcode at time of applying for a course at USW 
  • Applied through UCAS for entry to year 0 or year 1 of a full-time USW undergraduate honours degree lasting 3 or more academic years starting in September 2024 or April 2025
  • Applied to study a course on a University of South Wales campus Pontypridd (Treforest, Glyntaff and Sport Park), Cardiff, Newport
  • Have been offered and accepted a place at the university as part of the University’s Contextual Admissions Policy criteria, as follows: 

a) Within the first generation of their immediate family (parents, step-parents, guardians) to apply to undertake a Higher Education qualification.
or

b) Have been in public care for three months or more 

  • Be a UK home student liable for the UK home rate of tuition fees and eligible for Student Finance from Student Finance Wales. 
  • Be enrolled full time on year 0 or year 1 at time of payment in February 2025 (for September entry students) or July 2025 (for April entry students).
  •  

You will receive £1000 paid directly into your bank account when the award is confirmed by the end of February 2025 (September entry) or by the end of July 2025 (April entry). The Student Money Advice Team will contact eligible students in February 2025 or July 2025 with information on how to access the award.

Please note: Eligible students must be in good academic and financial standing with the University at point of payment e.g. they must not be a debtor without a payment plan. 

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

The University will take the information from your UCAS application.

If you have not indicated on your UCAS application that you are either within the first generation of your immediate family (parents, step-parents, guardians) to apply to undertake a Higher Education qualification or have been in public care for three months or more, you will not automatically be considered for the bursary. It is essential that you include this information in your UCAS application.

If you have applied by the UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline (31 January 2024), you will be informed of your eligibility for the bursary by email by 31st March 2024. If you apply after this date, we will inform you of your eligibility for the bursary by email by 31st August 2024. Please note you will be contacted via the email address you note specified in your UCAS application only.

If you have not received an email and believe you may be eligible for the bursary, please contact [email protected], outlining which criteria you believe you meet.

Please note: the award will be confirmed in February 2025 for September entry students and in July 2025 for April entry students who have remained eligible for the bursary.

Successful students may be contacted by the University to provide information on how the bursary influenced their decision to study at the University. By accepting the bursary, you are providing consent to be contacted.

It is a term used to describe the use of additional information, provided on your UCAS application, to give context beyond your grades and predicted grades.

The University of South Wales is committed to widening participation and ensuring that those with the potential to succeed, regardless of circumstance, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data supports us in recognising a student’s achievements and helps us identify the potential to succeed in the context of an individual’s background and experience. Further information can be found on our website Contextual Admissions Statement | University of South Wales.

Yes.

No, this bursary is payable in your first year only. 

Yes.  

No, the Gwent Bursary is only available to students who have applied through UCAS.  

If you are planning to start your course in September 2025, you will need to check the details of any bursary or scholarship scheme available to new students starting in September 2025 and fulfil the eligibility criteria relating to that scheme, including making an application if necessary.  

All full-time undergraduate honours degrees starting September 2024 or March 2025 at year 0 or year 1 will be considered for the bursary.  

You will still be eligible to receive payment at the intended time if you transfer to another eligible course.  

No. The bursary is only for new students starting a new full-time eligible undergraduate honours degree in September 2024 or April 2025.

No. The bursary is only for new students starting a new full-time eligible undergraduate honours degree in September 2024 or April 2025.

No. The bursary is only for new students starting a new full-time eligible undergraduate honours degree in September 2024 or April 2025.

If you leave the University before payment in February 2025 (for September entry) or July 2025 (for April entry), you will not be eligible to receive the bursary payment.

If you decide to leave the University after your payment has been made, you are entitled to keep the payment.

Yes. By accepting any payments you are agreeing to repay any amounts that are subsequently found to be overpayments or incorrect payments. Any overpayments that are not repaid will result in the debt being referred to the University Finance department and appropriate action taken. 

All students have the right to appeal decisions made by the Student Money Advice Team regarding their eligibility for the Gwent Bursary. Full details regarding the Scholarship/ Bursary Appeal process are available here.

*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.