Why Choose USW for Postgraduate Research?

Explore these six reasons why you should choose the University of South Wales for your postgraduate research!

Are you interested in continuing your education and taking on grad school? Have you thought about what you’d want to study, or even better, what you want to research? At the University of South Wales, we change lives and our world for the better. Check out these six reasons why you should choose USW for your postgraduate research:

Research that makes a difference

Providing solutions to problems that affect society and the economy is what underpins research at USW. Working collaboratively across sectors, our researchers bring talent and expertise to help communities, businesses and policy makers make a difference to society. Our research is connected to the world around us, engaging with challenges and opportunities to make tomorrow better. Almost two thirds of the USW researchers submitted to the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) have research that has been categorized as world leading or internationally excellent.

First in the UK for postgraduate research student support

The University of South Wales (USW) has been ranked the top institute for overall postgraduate research student satisfaction in a national survey.

In the annual Advance HE’s Postgraduate Research Experience Survey work permit (PRES), USW was first for postgraduate research student (PGR) satisfaction, at 89%, which was 10% higher than the sector average and 7.9% higher than other Welsh institutions. This represents a 6% increase in performance compared to last year. You can hear from some of our students here.

Diverse topics

We offer a number of postgraduate degree programs alongside PhDs, including professional doctorates and Masters by Research. You may suggest your own research topic or apply for a specific advertised opportunity. You can apply for a self-funded PhD / Masters by Research in one of the following areas.

Work in a location that best suits you

We offer full and part-time options, as well as opportunities to undertake your postgraduate research degree remotely, depending on the nature of your project and the requirement to access 'on campus' facilities. Studying by distance is ideal for students who have commitments that prevent them from relocating or those who wish to do a research degree as part of their professional career, and for whom the research is an integral part of their daily role.

Students who are studying remotely receive the same level of support and supervision as on-campus students. If you think remote study may be for you, please discuss with the Graduate School and your proposed supervisors during the admission process so they can advise accordingly.

What we offer

The Graduate School works in partnership with your supervisory team to support you throughout your postgraduate research degree. Our role is to help you to complete your research degree in a timely manner and provide an extensive program of training and development so that you can fulfil your potential as a postgraduate researcher. Our training is aligned to Vitae’s Resercher Development Framework.

In addition to the advice and support provided by the Graduate School and your supervisory team, research student representatives work towards enhancing the quality of the student experience by liaising with senior managers from the University, taking forward students’ views and concerns, and ensuring that students are kept up-to-date with current initiatives and developments at USW. Each Faculty has its own dedicated representative.

Support to help you succeed

As a postgraduate research student, you can benefit from many other services, facilities, and support, such as our online library; IT Support and equipment loan; Wellbeing; and the Disability Service which provides a range of support for students with disabilities. We also have research student representatives for each Faculty.