The University of South Wales (USW) has made significant strides in national university rankings in 2025, achieving its highest-ever rank of 51st in the Guardian University Guide, marking a 21-place jump from the previous year. This achievement places USW as the third-best university in Wales, driven by major gains in key performance indicators: a 41-place rise in student satisfaction with teaching, a 13-place improvement in feedback and assessment quality, and a 17-place climb in graduate outcomes. University of South Wales also boasts nine subjects ranked in the UK’s top 25, including Aerospace Engineering, Law, Health Professions, and Animation & Games Design.

Globally, USW maintains modest standings, ranked within the #1201–1500 band by Times Higher Education and #531–540 in QS Europe University Rankings 2025. Its subject-level performance in international rankings has remained largely stable, though some areas like Engineering and Education Studies saw slight declines. Despite this, standout achievements include Aerospace Engineering ranking 1st in the UK for teaching and assessment, Health Professions placing 5th overall, and Law climbing 31 places to 19th. These improvements highlight USW’s growing academic reputation and student satisfaction within the UK higher education landscape.

Also Read: University of South Wales Ratings and Reviews

University of South Wales Rankings in the World

University of South Wales QS ranking is #155 in Europe University (Northern Europe) category. In QS’s Europe University rankings, USW is ranked within #531-540 bands. As per Times Higher Education rankings 2025, University of South Wales ranking in the world is #1201-1500.

Ranked By 2025 Rank 2024 Rank
QS- Europe University Rankings (Northern Europe) #155 #155
QS- Europe University #531-540 #521-530
THE #1201-1500 #1001-1200

University of South Wales Rank in UK

The University of South Wales is regarded as one of the top 100 universities in UK as per Complete University Guide 2025. In Guardian University rankings 2025, South Wales secured #51 position. A 5-year trend of University of South Wales UK rankings is given below.

Ranked By 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank 2022 Rank 2021 Rank
Guardian #51 #72 #53 #82 #66
Complete University Guide #95 #101 #91 #91 #102

University of South Wales Rankings by Subject: THE

The University of South Wales has shown largely stagnant subject rankings from 2023 to 2025. Medical and Health, Psychology, and Social Science have remained unchanged in the #501–1000 bands. However, Education Studies slipped from #501–600 to #601 in 2025, and Engineering dropped from #501–600 in 2023 to #601–800 in 2024 and 2025, reflecting a slight downward trend in these areas. Overall, the rankings indicate stable but modest global subject recognition. Here are the University of South Wales rankings by subjects as per Times Higher Education rankings.

Subjects 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank
Medical and Health #601-800 #601-800 #601-800
Education Studies #601 #501-600 #501-600
Engineering #601-800 #601-800 #501-600
Psychology #501-600 #501-600 -
Social Science #801-1000 #801 #801

See More: University of South Wales Courses and Fees

University of South Wales Rankings: Key Improvements

Here are the key improvements for the University of South Wales ranking (USW) in the Guardian University Guide 2025:

  • USW ranked 51st, its highest-ever position — up 21 places from last year.
  • Now ranked 3rd in Wales overall.
  • Student satisfaction with teaching improved by 41 places, now ranked 33rd.
  • Quality of feedback and assessment rose 13 places to 19th.
  • Graduate outcomes (graduate-level jobs/further study) improved by 17 places.
  • Top in Wales for several subjects: aerospace engineering, animation, forensic science, general nursing, and marketing.
  • Nine subjects in UK Top 25: Aerospace Engineering, Animation & Games Design, Education, Fashion & Textiles, Forensic Science, Health Professions, Law, Marketing & PR, Midwifery.
  • Health Professions ranked 5th in the UK — USW’s highest-ranked subject.
  • Law rose 31 places to 19th — the biggest subject-level improvement.
  • Aerospace Engineering ranked 1st in the UK for teaching and assessment.
  • Fashion & Textiles is top in Wales for teaching.
  • Health Professions is 2nd in the UK for value added.
  • Midwifery is 3rd in the UK for student continuation.
  • Psychology ranked 29th out of 116 UK courses.

The University of South Wales has shown a strong upward trajectory in national rankings, achieving its highest-ever position in the Guardian University Guide 2025 at 51st, a jump of 21 places from the previous year. This positions USW as the 3rd best university in Wales. While its global rankings in THE (#1201–1500) and QS Europe (#531–540) remain modest, the university's domestic performance reflects significant improvements in student satisfaction, teaching quality, and graduate outcomes.

FAQs

Ques: What ranking is the University of South Wales?

Ans: In the Guardian University Guide 2025, the University of South Wales is ranked 51st in the UK, its highest-ever position. It also ranks #95 in the Complete University Guide 2025 and falls within the #1201–1500 band globally in Times Higher Education rankings.

Ques: Is University of South Wales any good?

Ans: Yes, the University of South Wales has shown strong national performance in 2025, especially in student satisfaction, feedback quality, and graduate outcomes. It ranks 3rd in Wales and has nine subjects in the UK’s top 25, including Aerospace Engineering, Law, and Health Professions.

Ques: What is the No 1 University in Wales?

Ans: Based on USW's 3rd position in Wales, universities like Cardiff University or Swansea University are likely to hold the top spots.