New 'metropolitan university to rival any in the UK' launches today

By Gareth Evans. The University of South Wales becomes the sixth largest higher education institution in the UK as it launches today. A new “metropolitan” university that it is claimed will rival any in the UK will be launched today following the biggest merger ever seen in Welsh higher education.
The University of South Wales (USW) brings together Glamorgan and Newport universities and is the result of a long-running drive to increase collaboration between institutions. Spanning five campuses and more than 33,000 students, USW will rise above Cardiff University and become the sixth largest higher education institution in the UK.
Professor Julie Lydon, USW’s vice-chancellor, said the university would “arrive with a bang, rather than a whimper” and was the result of a steely determination from all parties to strengthen provision.
With students from 122 different countries, she said the university had the potential to be a leading player on the world stage but that its biggest rivals were outside Wales. Read more...