USW Summer School 2026 (co-funded by Reaching Wider South East Wales) will take place between 20 - 24 July, hosted across multiple locations offering a week of discovery, inspiration and hands on learning across the USW portfolio for students from underrepresented groups
Participants are invited to dive into 5 days of interactive academic sessions, well-being workshops, and general support with information, advice and guidance to help explore new ideas, skills and pathways. The programme for this year's Summer School is built around a range of themed pathways, delivered across all our campuses and provision, getting the most out of our state-of-the-art facilities and expert-led sessions. Each pathway follows a structured journey across the week, helping you build your knowledge, develop new skills, and experience what it's like to study at university. You can choose between:
Business and Law
Creative
Crime and Justice
Education
Engineering
Health
Benefits:
The Summer School will be advantageous to students in completing their UCAS application forms and will help set them apart from other students by demonstrating a commitment to extra-curricular study.
The Summer School will enable students to have an immersive experience of a subject of their interest at university-level and will complement their Level 3 studies, thereby supporting transition to Year 13 and Level 3 (Year 2).
The Summer School will provide students with invaluable, personalised HE information, advice and guidance including advice on the UCAS process, developing an excellent personal statement, preparing for interviews and researching universities and courses.
As part of the Summer School, students will be able to interact with current USW students via a series of fun activities and ask them questions on everything from student life to student finance. Students can meet and engage with other attendees from schools and colleges across the UK.
Following the Summer School, we’ll be able to connect students with the University’s support services, such as the Disability and Wellbeing Service, Learner Services, Accommodation and many more.
What's Included:
The programme will include:
A series of taster lectures, workshop and practical sessions in specific subject areas related to each pathway, HE information and guidance through a number of talks and or activities within finance, budgeting, student life.
A chance to explore our campuses and the surrounding areas
Social activities throughout the event to meet likeminded individuals from other schools and colleges.
Support in decision making for a University course.
Following the Summer School, students will have the chance to engage with a series of online HE information, advice and guidance workshops to support them at key stages of the UCAS admissions process. They will also have access to one-to-one support from a member of the Student Recruitment Team.