About the university
The University of South Wales (USW) is a public university formed in 2013 when the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport merged. Its campuses are in Pontypridd, Cardiff and Newport in south Wales.
USW offers practical master's courses in computing, data science, AI, cyber security, engineering and business. Most computing and engineering master's courses are taught at the Pontypridd campus, while Applied Cyber Security and the MBA Global are at Newport.
For Indian students USW is one of the lower-cost UK options. Most master's courses cost £17,900 a year, and self-funded students from India are considered automatically for scholarships of up to £2,500 a year. USW accepts a 3-year Indian degree with 60% (50% from Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Jadavpur and Calcutta universities) and has an India office in Thane, Maharashtra.
Living costs in south Wales are lower than in London: USW's own halls at Treforest and Glyntaff start at £117 a week.
- Founded
- 2013, by the merger of the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport; both trace their roots back more than 100 years
- Type
- Public university in Wales
- Total students
- About 19,210 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 32% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 17.9 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Pontypridd (Treforest and Glyntaff), Cardiff and Newport
- Intakes
- September; some courses also start in February
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
1201–1400 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
1401–1600 in the world
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
91st of 130 UK universities
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £17,900
- Duration
- Full time (Pontypridd)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £17,900
- Duration
- Full time (Pontypridd)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £17,900
- Duration
- Full time (Newport)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
MSc Computing and Information Systems
- Fee / year
- £17,900
- Duration
- 1 year full time (Pontypridd)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £18,970
- Duration
- 1 year full time, or 2 years with an internship (Newport)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component) or TOEFL 72
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £17,900
- Duration
- Full time (Pontypridd)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £17,900
- Duration
- Full time (Pontypridd)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £17,900
- Duration
- Full time (Pontypridd)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Science | Full time (Pontypridd) | £17,900 | ≈ ₹21.8 lakh |
| MSc Artificial Intelligence | Full time (Pontypridd) | £17,900 | ≈ ₹21.8 lakh |
| MSc Applied Cyber Security | Full time (Newport) | £17,900 | ≈ ₹21.8 lakh |
| MSc Computing and Information Systems | 1 year full time (Pontypridd) | £17,900 | ≈ ₹21.8 lakh |
| MBA Global | 1 year full time, or 2 years with an internship (Newport) | £18,970 | ≈ ₹23.1 lakh |
| MSc Project Management | Full time (Pontypridd) | £17,900 | ≈ ₹21.8 lakh |
| MSc Management | Full time (Pontypridd) | £17,900 | ≈ ₹21.8 lakh |
| MSc Engineering Management | Full time (Pontypridd) | £17,900 | ≈ ₹21.8 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of South Wales with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Undergraduate and postgraduate (not HND or Foundation Degree)
Chancellor's International Development Scholarship
Value: £2,500 a year
Eligibility: Self-funded students from regions including South Asia (India is included on USW's India page). Considered automatically; replaces the standard International Office Scholarship.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate and postgraduate
International Office Scholarship
Value: Up to £1,500 (undergraduate) or £2,000 (postgraduate) each year
Eligibility: Self-funded international students. Considered automatically and confirmed in the offer letter.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Most undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses
Early CAS Scholarship
Value: Extra £500 on top of an existing USW scholarship
Eligibility: Complete CAS Shield with all documents and clear your deposit by 31 May (September 2026 intake) or 31 October (January/February 2027 intake).
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Full-time undergraduate and postgraduate
Early Payment Discount
Value: £300
Eligibility: Self-funded students who pay the year's balance within 14 days of the course start date.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 with an overall average of 60–65% or above, depending on your board.
- Undergraduate fees for 2026/27 are £16,800 (business and creative industries) or £17,200 (computing, engineering, sciences and education) a year.
- USW's India Team in Thane, Maharashtra, can help with applications (phone or WhatsApp +91 86553 64980).
Postgraduate
- A 3-year degree (B.Com, BBA, B.Sc, BCA) with 60% or CGPA 6.0/10.
- A 4- or 5-year degree (B.E., B.Tech, B.Pharm, B.Arch) with 55% or CGPA 5.8/10.
- Graduates of the universities of Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Jadavpur or Calcutta need 50% or CGPA 5.5/10.
- Most master's courses ask for a 2:2 honours degree or equivalent in a related subject.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Degree transcripts and certificate (postgraduate)
- English test score, or Class 12 English marks for the waiver
- Personal statement
- Deposit and CAS Shield documents before the CAS is issued
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for the master's courses on this page |
| TOEFL | 72 overall (Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17), as listed on the MBA Global page |
| Class 12 English | You may not need an English test if you scored 65–70% or above in Class 12 English, depending on your board |
Accommodation and living costs
USW's own halls are at Treforest and Glyntaff in Pontypridd, on 40-week contracts. Students in Cardiff can use partner halls run by Unite and CRM Students on 44-week contracts, and Newport students can use CLV in the city centre. International students in USW halls must pay rent in full.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Glamorgan Court standard room (Treforest/Glyntaff)£4,680 for 40 weeks | £117per week | ≈ ₹14,274 |
| Glamorgan Court upgraded room or Mountain Halls40-week contract | £140–152per week | ≈ ₹17,080 – ₹18,544 |
| Mountain Halls studio flat£7,720 for 40 weeks | £193per week | ≈ ₹23,546 |
| Partner halls in Cardiff (Unite, CRM Students)44-week contract | £161–230per week | ≈ ₹19,642 – ₹28,060 |
| Money you must show for the Student visaOutside London, for up to 9 months (GOV.UK, October 2026) | £1,171per month | ≈ ₹1.4 lakh |
Campus and location
USW has campuses in Pontypridd (Treforest and Glyntaff), Cardiff and Newport. Most computing, data, engineering and management master's courses on this page are taught at Pontypridd, and Applied Cyber Security and the MBA Global are taught at Newport.
- Pontypridd campus with USW-owned halls at Treforest and Glyntaff.
- Newport campus for Applied Cyber Security and the MBA Global.
- Cardiff campus with partner accommodation in the city.
- India office in Thane, Maharashtra.
Careers and graduate outcomes
The MBA Global can be taken over two years with an internship. After graduating you can apply for the UK Graduate visa: 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates who apply from 1 January 2027.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate visa length for applications from 1 January 2027 | 18 months (bachelor's and master's) | GOV.UK |
| International students as a share of all students | 32% | THE World University Rankings 2027 |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much is a master's at USW?
Most master's courses, including Data Science, AI and Project Management, cost £17,900 a year for the September 2026 and February 2027 intakes. The MBA Global is £18,970. Scholarships of £2,000 to £2,500 can reduce this.
Can I skip IELTS?
You may not need an English test if you scored 65–70% or above in Class 12 English, depending on your board. Otherwise most master's courses ask for IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each component.
Is my 3-year degree accepted?
Yes. A 3-year degree such as B.Com, BBA, B.Sc or BCA needs 60% (CGPA 6.0/10), or 50% from Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Jadavpur or Calcutta universities.
When are the intakes?
USW lists September 2026 and February 2027 intakes. The February 2027 intake has now closed, and the course pages on this page show September starts.
Does USW have an office in India?
Yes. The USW India Team is in Thane, Maharashtra, and can be reached on +91 86553 64980 by phone or WhatsApp.
Sources
- USW: international fees (opens in a new tab)
- USW: India (opens in a new tab)
- USW: international scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- USW: MSc Data Science (opens in a new tab)
- USW: MBA Global (opens in a new tab)
- USW: January and February courses (opens in a new tab)
- USW: accommodation costs (opens in a new tab)
- USW: our history (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: University of South Wales (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Graduate visa (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.southwales.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details