© University of South Wales

Frequently Asked Questionsfrom EU applicants

Location• There are five campuses located across south Wales in the town of Pontypridd and the cities of Newport and Cardiff. The three main locations shown on the map are within 25-40 min drive from each other

Transport links with other UK cities• London (Heathrow and Gatwick

Airports) – approximately 3h• Bristol (Bristol International Airport) -

1h 10min• Birmingham (Birmingham

International Airport) - 2h 30min• Cardiff Airport - 35 min to Pontypridd

and Newport

© University of South Wales

Q1. Where is the University located?

Treforest Campus- located in the town of Pontypridd• 20 min by train from Cardiff city (capital of Wales)• A £130m investment has made way for new teaching and learning facilities, including an Aerospace Centre, Law School, Postgraduate Centre and Students’ Union building. Construction of a state-of-the-art library is well underway and due to open in September 2013.

Glyntaff Campus- located in the town of Pontypridd• 10 min walk from Treforest• £12m revamp has made way for world-class facilities for health, sport and science, with additional facilities a few miles away at the USW Sport Park. The recent expansion has provided new teaching and research facilities, high-tech science laboratories, a state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Centre for nursing, a Crime Scene House and social study areas.

Cardiff Campus- Located at the heart of Cardiff City Centre• £35m futuristic ATRiuM development contains a cinema, TV, radio and film production facilities, design studios, theatre and performance spaces, photography and journalism spaces, animation studios and computer labs. Professional courses are taught at Atlantic House and Fashion courses are taught at Cromwell House, both city centre buildings.

© University of South Wales

Q2. Can you give me more information about University campuses?

Caerleon Campus- located in Newport• 20 min by train from Cardiff (capital of Wales)• On-campus facilities include a shop, library, computer suites, cafes and a large food hall. The campus has fantastic photography darkrooms and studios. The on-campus Sports Centre has a gym, all weather pitches and a large sports hall. Nearby sports facilities include the Newport Velodrome, one of the best track cycling facilities in the country.

Newport City Campus- located in the City of Newport• 20 min by train from Cardiff • A £35m investment, City Campus, Newport opened in 2011 and has received many accolades including a RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architecture) award. You will find engineering laboratories, music suites and design, film and performing arts studios.

© University of South Wales

Q2. Can you give me more information about University campuses?

The UK education system is based on independent study and practical assessments.

Depending on your course, the type of assessments may include:

• Coursework• Individual and group presentations• Essays• Project work• Reports• Exams

At the beginning of the academic year, lecturers will explain how you will be marked and assessed on their modules.

© University of South Wales

Q3. How will I study?

You will need to consider budgeting for essentials:• Accommodation• Food• Utility bills (Gas, Electricity, Water)• Travel• Laundry • Phone Bill

Living in private housing- Accommodation costs usually cover only the cost for renting your room (bills not included).

© University of South Wales

Q5. What is the cost of living?

Expenditure per week Living in Halls Living in Private Sector Housing

Accommodation £98* £55

Food £30 £30

Utility Bills – £10

Contents Insurance £2 £2

Books/printing etc £10 £10

Travel £5 £5

TV Licence £2.50 £2.50

Toiletries/Laundry £4 £4

Phone £7 £7

*This is based on the cost of the cheapest halls at the University. Prices can go up to £143.50 per week. Please visit our accommodation pages for the latest information.

**Living on Campus - Accommodation costs include all utility bills plus internet.

Note: Additional Expenses are not included in the table. This depends on your individual lifestyle. You should for example consider spending money for socialising and clothes.

We offer on-campus accommodation at:

• Pontypridd• Cardiff• Newport

Students who applied for accommodation on Pontypridd or Cardiff campuses:

• If you have firmly accepted your Conditional or Unconditional offer, you should have received information from our accommodation team about how to apply for accommodation online.• You can apply for accommodation on campus now, as long as you have accepted the offer to study at the University of South Wales.• A username and a password will be sent to the email address that you provided on your UCAS or direct application form.• Submit your preferences online by logging into our system with the provided username and password.

© University of South Wales

Q5. What about living in on-campus Accommodation?

For tips on house-hunting in the private sector there are a few resources available:

• If you prefer to live in Pontypridd, you can use our Students’ Union letting agency: www.glamorganstudentletting.com

• The University has a list of registered landlords that can be accessed on www.studentpad.co.uk; You need to select University of South Wales from the list and then you can perform a targeted search based on cost, location, type of accommodation etc. You can also contact the landlords for further information or arrange a viewing;

• Tips and advice that you may need to consider when looking for private accommodation: http://glamlife.glam.ac.uk/pages/3230-accommodation-legal-matters-when-renting-a-student-flat-house

• If you prefer living in Cardiff, there is a list of registered agencies (These are not affiliated with the University but are ALMA registered): http://accommodation.glam.ac.uk/cardiff/lettingagencies/

• Private accommodation in Newport- a list with private rental accommodation can be found on www.studentpad.co.uk or on www.newportstudentpad.co.uk .

© University of South Wales

Q5. What about living in off-campus Accommodation?

Work Placement Opportunities• The University runs an employability scheme in partnership with employers (from Wales, UK, EU and International)• You can apply for short or long term placements up to 1 year

N.B. Placements are not guaranteed for all students. There is an application and selection process.

Other Work Opportunities• During your studies – you can apply to become a student

ambassador and represent the University at different events• Work part-time outside the University - nearby restaurants, cafe,

shops etc.

For more information, please visit: Key strengths of the University of South Wales

© University of South Wales

Q6. How to get work experience while I am studying?

There are several categories of EU student employment regulations: • Students from countries that joined the EU in 2004 and before – you are eligible to work without restrictions.• Students from A2 (2007) Accession countries – Bulgaria and Romania- you can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during vacation periods (Christmas, Easter and summer). You must obtain a Work Authorisation BR1 (yellow card) before you can legally take employment.• Students from Croatia (joining EU on 1st July 2013) – you will be also subject to work restrictions. This page will be updated with further details when available from the UKBA.

National Insurance NumberOnce you have found a part-time job, it is important for you to apply for a National Insurance number (NINo). All EU students who are working in the UK have to pay National Insurance contributions.

For more information, please visit the EU website: Working in the UK

© University of South Wales

Q7. Do I need to know anything before I start working in the UK as an EU student?

Most popular clubs and societies • Men’s and Women’s Basketball team• Law Society• Football• Karate Society• Swimming and Water Polo• Debating Society• Climbing Club• Electronics Society• Mountain biking• Or create your own- there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor and indoor activities

Visit the clubs and societies pages: Pontypridd and Cardiff and Newport

Get a student sports membership card starting from £6 a month: • Join the gym and take part in fitness classes with professional

instructors• Play any individual or team sport using our first class sports facilities

© University of South Wales

Q8. Can I play sport or join any clubs and societies?

Q9. How do I accept my Conditional or Unconditional Offer?

If you have received our offer, you may accept it via:

• UCAS (Bachelor’s undergraduate courses)- http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/offers/trackprogress • If you applied through a University representative - you can contact your educational consultant and ask them do it for you• For direct and postgraduate courses, use our ‘My Future’ online portal - sign up and accept your offer: http://myfuture.southwales.ac.uk/users/sign_in

Q10. May I visit your University in the next couple of months?

• Yes, you can visit the University if you wish. Please contact the EU team in advance: europe@southwales.ac.uk .

UCAS applicants: If you applied via UCAS, please accept your offer by 8th May, otherwise your application will be automatically declined by UCAS. If you have yet to accept your offer you can do so now - even if you have yet to receive your final exam results.

© University of South Wales

What next?

To help you settle in and make new friends before your course starts in September, the International Student Support Service organises International and EU welcome activities.

It will be useful to attend the Welcome Week because:

• It is a great chance to learn more about university life• You will find out essential information about cultural awareness and student finance and budgeting;• You will make new friends from all over the world and meet members of staff;• You will be able to visit places of interest and familiarise yourself with the local area

For more information about welcome activities that will be on offer when you start, keep an eye on our EU students website.

© University of South Wales

Q11. Do I need to attend the International Induction Week

If you have more questions, you can:

• Chat to us online at our virtual events.

• Visit our EU website: http://www.southwales.ac.uk/eu/ • Click on the other links and watch the videos on the virtual open event.

• You will be able to visit places of interest and familiarise yourself with the local area.

© University of South Wales

Q12. More Questions?

© University of South Wales

Thank you!