USW achieves highest rise in Wales in Complete University Guide 2026

The University of South Wales has risen 18 places in the latest Complete University Guide rankings, to 77th in the table.

While the University remains sixth in Wales, it has seen the biggest rise of all Welsh universities.

There was improved performance in 19 subject areas this year, including:

• Art and Design – 25^th out of 83 universities (from 44^th last year)
• Forensic Science – 28^th out of 36 (from 30^th last year)
• History – 55^th out of 90 (from 71^st last year)
• Information Technology and Systems – 7^th out of 18 (from 12^th last year)
• Law – 53^rd out of 112 (from 62^nd last year)
• Sports Science – 28^th out of 85 (from 48^th last year)

Complementary Medicine remains in the top 10, at third out of 11 in the UK.

Other subjects also performed well in individual metrics, such as Graduate Outcomes, Graduate Prospects on Track, and Student Satisfaction, including:

• Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering (24^th of 33 universities) is top in the UK for Student Satisfaction.
• Business and Management (81^st of 122) and Psychology (71^st of 118) are both 2^nd in Wales for Student Satisfaction.
• Civil Engineering (23^rd of 60) is top in the UK for Graduate Outcomes and Graduate Prospects on Track.
• Drama, Dance and Cinematics (59^th of 94) is top in Wales for Continuation.
• Education (71^st of 91) is 3^rd in the UK for Student Satisfaction.
• Health Studies (18^th of 35) is 2^nd in the UK for Graduate Outcomes and Graduate Prospects on Track.
• Sociology (83^rd of 101) is joint top in Wales for Graduate Prospects on Track.

USW’s performance improved in five of the metrics and remained the same in three.

The improved metrics were Entry Standards (61^st from 71^st), Continuation (71^st from 101^st), Academic Services Spend (31^st from 34^th), Graduate Prospects on Track (63^rd from 81^st), and Graduate Prospect Outcomes (96^th from 103^rd).

Dr James Gravelle, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of USW, said: “We are delighted to see the University achieve such a climb in the Complete University Guide rankings, which follows our highest ever ranking in the Guardian University Guide for 2025.

“It is particularly heartening to note the high levels of student satisfaction and strong graduate prospects in a number of subjects, and the increase in rankings for a range of courses.  

“Once again, I’d like to thank colleagues across the institution for their continued effort and commitment to our students.”