Summer school helps prepare students for university life

The first University of South Wales (USW) Summer School has helped school and college students from across the UK to learn about university life.

Held over two days, the summer school brought together post-16 school/college student groups who are typically underrepresented in higher education. Organised by the USW Widening Participation Student Recruitment Team, the events introduced pupils to university-level study, giving them an opportunity to learn more about their subject areas of interest and offering specialist study skills and university application support.

Current students were on hand throughout the day to lead attendees on campus tours and share their experiences of being a USW student. Attendees travelled to the USW campuses from across the southwest of England, Oxford, West Sussex, Newcastle and beyond, as well as the South Wales area.

The Creative Industries Summer School was held on Wednesday 25 August at the USW Cardiff Campus and saw students take part in both Performance and Art and Design and Media workshops led by academic staff. Students showcased their final storyboard and character projects to their peers later that day and received valuable expert feedback.

The STEM & Cyber Summer School was held on Thursday 26 August at USW Treforest Campus, and included taster sessions in Engineering, Medical Sciences and Mathematics, where one of the activities included learning the mechanics of saving a life.

All students who attended the summer school who enrol on a full-time 3 or 4 year undergraduate degree course at USW will be eligible for the USW Summer School Bursary. The bursary is worth £500 and can be spent on technology and course-related materials.