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Last Thursday the University of South Wales opened its doors to 33,500 students.
Created from the merger between University of Glamorgan and University of Wales, Newport, it is the largest higher education institution in Wales and sixth largest in the entire UK. Its students will be spread across campuses in Cardiff, Newport and Treforest.
University chiefs say its size will be advantageous to students and allow it to invest in putting together new courses and facilities. The new institution belongs to the top 10 campus universities in the UK in terms of size. It is expected to offer over 580 undergraduate courses.
The merger was the result of an initiative by the Welsh government to shake up higher education in Wales and provide fewer higher education institutions. Officials think the new university will compete with Cardiff University in terms of size. It is also expected to be of a scale where it will provide additional benefits to its staff and the Welsh economy, at the same time developing a competitive global profile.
First Minister Carwyn Jones has high hopes for the new institution as an exciting prospect for higher education. Vice-chancellor of the University of South Wales, Prof Julie Lydon, said: “We are very proud of our experience as being a university for careers, a university that works with businesses very effectively.
“94% of our graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduation.”
Prof Lydon also mentioned the university’s long-term plan of expanding its activities particularly in the fields of science and technology.
The original plan was for a three-way merger with Cardiff Metropolitan University, but talks fell through and this plan was abandoned late last year. However, Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews has not given up on creating a “super university” in the region.
Would you consider enrolment in the University of South Wales? How do you think this new university will affect the standard of education in the region? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.
