Undergraduate Ethnicity Equality Bursary 2025/2026
The University of South Wales is offering 15 bursaries to undergraduate students commencing their studies in the 2025-2026 academic year and have self-identified as one of the following ethnic groups under the following headings on this the UK government published list: Black, African, Caribbean, or Black British, Mixed or Multiple Ethnic Groups, Asian or Asian British, Other Ethnic Group.
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How does it work?
To be eligible, you will need to meet all of the criteria below:
- Self-identify as one of the ethnic groups under the following headings on this published UK Government list:
-
- Mixed or Multiple Ethnic Groups
- Asian or Asian British
- Black, African, Caribbean, or Black British
- Other Ethnic Group*
- Have applied a for entry to year 0 or year 1 of a full-time USW. undergraduate degree lasting 3 or more academic years starting in 2025-2026 academic year
- Applied for a course studying at a University of South Wales campus - Pontypridd (Treforest, Glyntaff and Sport Park), Cardiff, Newport
- Be a UK home student liable for the UK home rate of tuition fees and eligible for Student Finance from the UK government (SFE/SFW/SFNI/SAAS).
- Be enrolled full-time on year 0 or year 1 at time of payment in November 2025 (for September entry students) or May 2026 (for April entry students)
- Applied for the bursary by Wednesday, 16th April 2025.
*Students whose ethnicity is Gypsy, Roma, Irish Traveller, Boatman or Showman also qualify for this bursary
The application process is open and will close on Wednesday, 16th April, 2025. Please ensure that you have applied for a course before applying for the bursary.
You will receive £1,000 paid directly into your bank account when the bursary is confirmed by the end of November 2025 (September entry) or by the end of May 2026 (April entry). The Student Money Advice Team will contact eligible students by the end of November 2025 or end of May 2026 with information on how to access the bursary. The bursary is only available in your first year of study.
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.
To determine who will receive the University of South Wales Undergraduate Ethnicity Equality Bursary, the awarding panel will consider each of the following:
- Whether the applicant meets the eligibility criteria of the bursary
- The information provided in your supporting statement for the bursary
- The information provided on how you would envisage spending the bursary
- Priority will be given to applicants:
- Who are under 25 and have previously been in care
- Who have a disability (including a specific leaning disability)
- Who are estranged from their family
- Who are the first person in their family to attend university
- Who are refugees
- Your home postcode is in a Low Participation Neighbourhood
- Who are Carers - The Carers’ Trust definition of a carer is “anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.” Please note that these duties would be in addition to the usual caring responsibilities that a parent would have for a dependent child.
- Those not eligible for another USW Bursary or Scholarship
You may be requested to provide a reference to assist your application before final decisions are made.
The decision of the selection panel is final and there is no appeal process.
The Student Money Advice Team will contact you using the email address listed on the bursary application form within 10 working days of receipt of the application to confirm that we have received your application.
After the closing date (Wednesday, 16th April, 2025) the panel will consider all eligible applications for the bursary. We aim to notify eligible students by Tuesday, 6th May, 2025.
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.
Yes.
No, this bursary is payable in your first year only.
Yes.
No, the University of South Wales Undergraduate Ethnicity Equality Bursary is only available to students who the University has identified as home UK students.
If you are planning to start your course in September 2026, you will need to check the details of any bursary or scholarship scheme available to new students starting in September 2026 and fulfil the eligibility criteria relating to that scheme, including making an application at that time if appropriate.
All full time undergraduate honours degrees in 2025-26 academic year at 0 or year 1 will be considered for the bursary.
Please note the bursary is not applicable to students starting an HND/HNC, CERT HE, Foundation Degree, top up year(s) or non-honours degrees.
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 the 2025-26 academic year.
No. The bursary is only for new students starting a new full time eligible undergraduate honours degree in the 2025-26 academic year.
No. The bursary is only for new students starting a new full time eligible undergraduate honours degree in the 2025-26 academic year.
If you leave the University before payment in November 2025 or May 2026, 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.