University of South Wales (Prifysgol De Cymru) Reviews

Very small and located in a very difficult area. Annoying to do weekly shop as you have to get a train and slog it all up the side of a hill unless you can find a free slot to get it delivered. Poor quality lecture slides mean if you miss anything you are screwed as the slides have next to no information on them. Student Union is minuscule and overall the quality is poor, the nightlife is non existent unless you travel into cardiff city centre. If you go in to the centre you then have a £30 minimum taxi back home which as a student makes going out very difficult. Overall I regret coming to this University, go somewhere else, literally anywhere.

Parts of the campus looks nice, I’ll give them that. Wales is a nicer place than it’s given credit for. The university itself, raises some concerns for me. It was fun and fresh, and I wasn’t quite expecting that, I was expecting boring and it was very young and Gen-Z. Which some may like, some may not, but honestly I think the curriculum for becoming a garbage lady was a hot mess, would not recommend.

Building is pretty and engaging. The architecture of the university is nice and cool. The teachers are very cool and fun people to be around and helping students understand English language. So if in lesson, student doesn’t understand word in English, teachers are nice and try to translate

After refusing to continue my course, I was automatically enrolled onto a resit year without being asked. I then, received a CCJ from USW for £800 in the middle of the lockdown period for the tuition for a resit that I didn't want to sit or ask to resit. It's made my life a living hell quite frankly, the worst possible thing you can do to any human being, student or not. Their WiFi doesn't work half the time, the lectures involved you being spoken at rather than with... Nit picking rubbish all the time about spelling and grammar towards a student who's dyslexic and entitled to get extra support... But never actually received it. The courses claim to be 'involving you working in industry placement'. USW do not live up to this promise. Unless you study medicine of course. I wouldn't bother getting your hopes up kids. It's all a complete lie, get a job and work your way up because places like this play on your dreams like a wet fish.

This uni has been nothing but welcoming to me. It doesn't pander to university elitism and the teaching is to a great standard. I've felt at home at this uni - don't pass down a uni soley because it isn't a "big name".

Had to submit a complaint about my course. No support or empathy given it was a PG Diploma in cognitive behavioural psychotherapy. Course unclear and benchmarks continuously changed: working toward benchmarks of a BABCP course when accredited by BACP. Even though They acknowledged confusion, still battling 6 months later with complaint. Majority of students had to leave due to lack of support, clarity and being treated with no positive regard. In some cases students made to resit assignments: not through fault of their own but due to staff errors and not acknowledging responsibility. Unnecessary pressure on an already difficult course: no support leading to high drop out numbers.

I studied psychology here 10 years ago when it was University of Newport. Sadly I had to drop out in the 2nd year due to 2 members of my family passing away and mental health issues I had developed. I wanted to return to university the following year and repeat year 2.the University were unsupportive of my decision. Made no effort to contact me or speak to me. Just told me I could not return until a year later by which point after spending more than a year out from studying I did not feel confident to return. I have received no "after care" or communication, nor any ceritication of what I had achieved. Seems like these places are all to keen to take your money and give you awful service in return!

I did a Masters of Buddhist Studies, actually had no choice but to quit and leave after the second year. The reason is due to the administration. They have the worse administrative team I have ever come across out of 5 universities. Lectures were good, content was good, everything else was good. Actually I'd give that a 5 star. But the admin team is a minus 5, if there is such a rating. The admin team are lazy beyond measure and useless at their job.

Besides the sport centre, clubs and societies seemed elusive. I was not aware of many.

I was an international student at this largely Welsh university. The teachers were very kind and helpful (most of them), but the issues were with the accommodations staff and the student body. I will be brief. The accommodations staff of the Treforest campus was inattentive and somewhat racist and prejudiced towards non-Europeans. Students from other nations were looked down upon, lectured and berated due to their nations of birth by accommodations staff and the student body alike. If you are not from Europe, look elsewhere. Look for a university that will treat you as a human being first.

Everything could be improved, but it is definitely above average!

The experience and studies were horrible. Dr Sue Faulkner was extremely arrogant and made you feel bad for everything. Her teaching methods are medival age and her knowledge quite poor - that is why she does not like questions maybe. Just the biggest nigtmare ever. Very evel person who blames students for everything.

Not good. I'm at Cardiff campus and have found my course to be very unorganised

Best place to learn. I actually love everything about this uni..the people are nice and friendly as well.

I would not recommend this university especially to international students.. the lecturers are worst markers in essay.. they dont teach students properly.. lectures are all useless better to self study.. they keep on changing the class schedules.. worst support system as well..

I came here not really knowing the university and a bit cautious but since being there for the last 2 years I have thoroughly enjoyed everything! The staff are incredible and have been so helpful with every problem.

Good uni, terrible course. I done BA Hons Photography and had so much rubbish from my lecturers. They would put me down and make me feel rubbish about my work. They didn’t care to help students and done their job to the minimum. All they care about is getting paid. Would not recommend at all!

They could do better. SU is aimed at party people and the only opportunity to get yourself into any societies was at the start of the year, and all people cared about was the free Dominos.

I can't speak for other campuses but the Cardiff campus is truly a shambles. Terribly run courses, unqualified lecturers who copy and paste lecture slides from google - a waste of £9,000/yr. If you're on a more academic and less 'artsy' course, they'll lie to you on open day about which building your lectures will be - you'll be shown the lovely, modern Atrium building and told you'll be in there, when in reality you'll be in Atlantic House, the dark, dirty secret of USW Cardiff campus. AH is not shown in the prospectus or any promotional photos, and isn't even mentioned on open day. However, come freshers week you'll look at your timetable, see 'AH' on it and wonder "what the hell is Atlantic House?" When you get there you'll be horrified to see it's a 90's build office block (shared with an actual business) which has no canteen and no soul. If you don't like crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks from a vending machine for your lunch, then you're out of luck and will have to starve.

At the atrium campus I find you get so much less than you do a treforest. All the sports teams are there, never been to the student union as it's a 40 minutes drive or train, don't even know if the atrium has one.. things that are good is the wifi, good location- close to town, good food, three options of restaurant/cafe and helpful staff. Library is okay, if you want a good table though you better get there before 9!

This university has caused me many issues. From deteriorating health, to lack of support and guidance. Would not recommend this university to anyone at all.

Atrium is a great modern campus, the facilities for media students are fantastic. Depending on course the lecturers can be brilliant and the location in general is ideal for those wanting to experience Cardiff and the city centre. The societies in the atrium are limited but there are a lot more at the treforest campus. The su was recently added to the side of the building which is a major upgrade from the shed at the back which was terrible. The biggest downfall is the careers service really felt there was little to no support with trying to find employment upon graduating and many course mates felt the same way. Some course leaders will offer better support but the actual careers advisor are not ver helpful.

Excellent University in teaching and co-ordination with students. Quick Response against any query. Course work is good. Grading system is very tough. Recommended.

I was really disappointed about this university. I paid a lot for my course - MBA, and they advertised that they would give me a CMI certification after I finished my course. However, I just received my MBA certification and there was no CMI certification like they said. When I asked them, they tried to make an excuse and refused to give it to me. I advise all of new students who want to apply for a business course do not go to this university. Their service is really terrible. And they are racist to me because I am from Asia.

Excellent University! Great for Engineering, Lecturers always available to talk about anything and campus services are amazing

16 out of 24 students have left my course. Lecturers show favouritism and there is a lack of parity in the support students receive depending on how well they are like by lecturers. I felt bullied into leaving even though my grades were consistently high and I engaged in lectures. The young inexperienced staff on my course, (Creative and Therapeutic Art, BA) made it impossible for me to continue very, disappointed, choose Derby if possible avoid Uni of South Wales.

I can recommend this university confidentially.

This university has great opportunities for the students, the lecturers are very helpful!

Great facilities with great teaching staff and great transport links for people living off campus and for the living on campus wanting to explore the Welsh capital

Very good uni with great facilities

Very green and good views I'm all places.

USW had grown in both size and opportunities, it's facilities are getting upgraded, becoming better and more aesthetically pleasing, USW is a good solid foundation for a great university

Very useful having halls so close to the university (treforest). Could do with having more stuff on but Cardiff is just a short train journey away.

Had a great first year. Student Union is great and lecturers are very helpful and approachable.

I have loved my first year and can't wait for the rest! So much support and so much fun! Recommend highly!!

Couldn't ask for a better environment and support network that this university provides. As a second year student I'm thrilled to be spending my time in this establishment for a little longer :)

Atrium Campus Cardiff; for the first two years the union consisted of a small shed out the back which nobody went to. The new union whilst impressive to look at is very badly designed hence why still nobody goes there. The studios/labs are very well equipped, however booking time and equipment was almost always a laborious task using the clunky, outdated connect2 booking system. Clubs/Societies were basically nonexistent until a student started one on my course (Music Tech). This meant the University never really had a community-feel like many other Universities I've visited have. It felt as though everyone couldn't wait to get out of the building, rather than the space being about socialisation and discussion. Although I have fond memories of Atrium, I would certainly reconsider it in hindsight.

One club night per week. No variety at all. Expensive drinks for a students union

Awful uni, teaching is okay but connection and student experience is lacking greatly

As a third year now, I don't really go to the students union. However, returns to Cardiff for a night out are £30 for an 8 seater so it works out absolutely fine!

Not bad but not worth £9000 a year. Lecturers are experience but don't seem interested in teaching or helping students. No 24 hour library access. Students union is good. Society's are very 'clicky' and selective.

no societies. Careers fair at the beginning of the year