Higher Education at a Local College

Financial assistance is available for students, so studying may be more affordable than you think. Depending on your personal circumstances, you could be eligible for a range of grants, loans and allowances to help with tuition fees and living costs.

Whether it's financial assistance with tuition fees and/or your living costs, you can apply for student finance to support you with your studies. You will need to apply for your funding before starting your course, the earlier the better, and you will have to reapply for funding every academic year. 

Once you’ve completed your University course at your local college, you may decide to top-up to a full-time Honours degree at one of the University’s campuses. If you do, you can apply for the USW Progression Bursary.

Click here for more information on fees and funding.

We offer a Progression Bursary worth £500*. College students who progress or top-up their HND or foundation degree to a full Honours degree at a USW campus are eligible.

Financial support is available through Student Finance Wales, for students living in Wales. For students living in England, you can find information on Student Finance England.

As a student studying a USW course at your local college, you will get the best of both worlds. You can use the support and facilities on offer at the college, as well as USW. Our partner colleges offer various services and support, and you will also be able to use the resources at USW.

Many of our partner colleges have benefitted from huge investment over the past few years. They have impressive facilities and teaching spaces. You can also use the University facilities, including our libraries and Students’ Union.

You can become a member of the Students’ Union at the college where you study, as well as the Students’ Union at the University. The Students’ Union at USW hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year. There are plenty of clubs and societies to get involved with, based across all our campuses. Our societies can help you discover new hobbies and interests and meet like-minded people.

You will have access to the various support services available at the college where you will study. To find out what support is available, contact your college.

If you top-up to a fill Honours degree at USW, you can access all the support and facilities. We have Advice Zones, a Disability service, Wellbeing Services, Student Money Advice Team, Chaplaincy and Study Skills centres.

A university course is an investment in your future. It can improve your career prospects, and for some jobs a degree is essential. We can help you succeed and achieve your full potential.

Our courses are designed in conjunction with employers. We believe work experience is invaluable, which is why our Foundation Degrees have work placement opportunities built in to them. This allows you to put theory into practice and looks great on your CV.

When you’ve successfully completed your Foundation Degree, HNC, HND, CertHE or Honours degree, you can attend a graduation ceremony. Students who study at Cardiff and Vale College, Coleg y Cymoedd, Coleg Gwent, Gower College Swansea or The College Merthyr Tydfil are invited to a graduation ceremony at the University of South Wales. Those who study at Bridgend College, Gower College Swansea and NPTC Group of Colleges will be invited to a ceremony hosted by their College.

• Assistance writing a CV
• Application and interview preparation
• Advice on career choices or further study
• Work experience tips
• Support with job hunting
• Help working and studying overseas
• Careers fairs, events and workshops
  
  

"I studied a Foundation Degree and progressed to the top-up at college. By graduation, I was ready for the industry, as I had great work experiences. Balancing academic and practical work was easy, and I had excellent support from my tutors."

Melissa Humphries, Foundation Degree Costume Construction for Screen and Stage