literature, communication, cultural & media studies, sports-related studies.
The university has provided a partnership platform for think-tanks such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to develop debate on public policy reform in the UK.
The most recent Research Excellence Framework in 2021 found an overall improvement to the university's research performance, with a 49% increase in world leading research since 2014. The university is joint first in the UK for impactful research in Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy; in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences; in Computer Science and Informatics; in Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure, and Tourism; in History; in Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies and in Social Work and Social Policy.
== Student life In Abroad ==
=== Students' Union ===
University of South Wales Students' Union is the students' union of the university. It exists to support and represent the students of the university. It is a member-led organisation and all students are automatically members.
=== Accommodation ===
Pontypridd has halls of residence and facilities on its Treforest campus. Students studying at the university's Cardiff campus have access to private halls of residence, which are shared with the city's other universities. The Newport City building has nearby private student halls of residence.
== Notable alumni ==
=== Artists and photographers ===
Roger Cecil, painter, mixed media artist
Maciej Dakowicz, photographer and photojournalist
Ken Elias, artist
Tracey Moberly, interdisciplinary artist
Tish Murtha, documentary photographer
=== Authors and creative writers ===
Carole Bromley, poet
Emma Darwin, novelist
Philip Gross, poet, novelist, playwright and academic
Paul Groves, poet
Maria McCann, novelist
Gareth L. Powell, science fiction author
Dan Rhodes, writer
Rachel Trezise, author
Camilla Way, author
Tine Wittler, writer and presenter
=== Business and legal ===
Joe Blackman, entrepreneur, Ambassador of The Princes Trust, …
