University of Wales, Newport

History

• Dates back as far as the 1841 mechanics institute. Following mergers with other institutions, it later introduced art and science and in 1914 began offering teacher training.
• Awarded University College status in 1995 and awarded full University status in 2004.

Location and transport

• Both campuses are conveniently located just off the M4 motorway.
• The motorway and mainline railway station offer quick access to a variety of destinations, including Cardiff (15 minutes), Bristol (30 minutes), London (2 hours).
• The Caerleon campus is a peaceful yet lively campus with panoramic views and a purpose-built student village.
• The new City Campus, located on the banks of the River Usk, opened in January 2011.
• A supplemented bus service runs regularly between the two campuses.

Entry standards

• Typical offers range from 220–280 UCAS points. Find more information about entry requirements at University of Wales, Newport online.

Student mix

• 4,364 full-time students.
• 5,153 part-time students.
• 43% male, 57% female.
• 6.5% from overseas.

Course flexibility

• The university offers a wide range of courses from each of its two faculties. These include undergraduate, postgraduate and professional in both full and part-time modes, as well as short courses and bespoke modules open to both individuals and businesses.

Teaching standards

• The Quality Assurance Agency gave the university a 'confidence' rating (the top rating given) for the quality of its academic standards.
• In the National Student Survey 2011 Newport was the top University in England and Wales for overall student satisfaction  for Business & Administrative studies. Accountancy also achieved excellent scores (the sample included BSc Accountancy, plus ACCA and CIMA). Overall Satisfaction was 96%, and scores were above sector averages in the majority of categories.
• Newport’s provision came joint 5th in the UK in the Overall Satisfaction category, joint 5th in UK for Teaching and joint 3rd in UK for Assessment & Feedback. Further, it was joint 1st in Wales for Overall Satisfaction and Teaching.

Research standards

• The university celebrated its best ever results in the latest Research Assessment Exercise, published in December 2008. Traditionally known as a teaching institution, the university's research capabilities have grown considerably in recent years.
• Newport has been ranked 55th out of 132 UK universities for the quality of its research - much of it considered 'world-leading' and 'internationally excellent'. 

Academic strengths

• Following an internal restructuring excersise in 2011, the University’s two faculties, the Faculty of Arts and Business and the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences. The new structure aims to offer a broader curriculum by providing students with opportunities to work with staff from other disciplines to help improve their employability.
• Newport Business School holds Premier Plus status from the ACCA and it is a DTi-recognised Centre of Expertise in Computing and Engineering.
  The university is top of the class when it comes to teacher training, according to a report published by Estyn, the office of HM Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales in 2005.
  Art, Media and Design within the Faculty of Arts and Business is ranked in the top ten art schools nationally for its research activity.

Student facilities, including library and computing

• The brand new £35-m City Campus provides some of the best equipped modern studio and workshop environments in Europe, especially for courses within the area of art, media and design.
• Business School students have access to specialist equipment and computer facilities, studios and seminar rooms.
• The University provides a range of student services which include library, computing, printing, copying, distance learning and study skills.

Disability Services

• Visit the website for information about disability services at Newport.
• Telephone 01633 432657, fax 01633 432063 or email disability@newport.ac.uk.

Students' union

• Newport's Students' Union is a small but vibrant Union which aims to make sure all students make the most of student life. They are on hand to help and advise on any issues that may be encountered.
• The union organizes Freshers Week, seasonal events and many other activities throughout the year - the highlight of which is the May Ball.

Sport

• The university's sports centre provides students with a full range of sporting, fitness and leisure opportunities, including a gymnasium offering a range of fitness classes, and sporting teams.
• Students are encouraged to participate in all activities and to compete at regional, national and international levels. Gifted students can compete to become part of the university's Sports Performance Unit.
• The university hosts a School of Golf in partnership with the Celtic Manor Resort, hosts of the Ryder Cup in 2010.

Recent/prospective new builds

• The University's new multi-million City Campus, which is be located on the banks of the River Usk, opened its doors in January 2011.

Availability of part-time work

• Lots of students take part-time jobs to earn some extra cash. There is a well-established network of local employers who take students on a casual or part-time basis.
• Work opportunities are also available on campus, such as bar staff, University guides, and student mentors.
• Students can register for part-time work through the university's careers service.

Notable alumni

• Nick Park – Aardman Animation
• Catherine Fisher – Young Peoples Poet Laureate
• Allan Jones – Editor, Uncut Music Magazine
• Terry Earl Taylor – The Vultures Band, with Joe Strummer (who is not Alumni)
• Carol Klein – Gardener and TV Presenter                                   
• Leighton Jenkins – Wales Rugby Player
• Nathan Mackintosh – Bafta winning Film Producers
• Stanley Lewis – Artist (Deceased)
• Matthew walker – Animation
• Leigh Hodgkinson – Film School
• Terry Matthews – Entrepreneur
• Justin Kerrigan – Human traffic
• Asif Kapadia – Bafta  winner for The Warrior, Director of Senna
• Joanna Quinn – Artist, Charmin adverts
• Alun Jones – Artistic Director, Louisville Ballet
• Jamie Beard – Visual Effects, Lord of the Rings, I robot, Xmen
• Rosie Ashforth – Filmography, Arthur Christmas, The Golden Compass
• Matt Dunham – Photographer (Charles & Camilla London riots photo)