Renowned for its enduring academic legacy, the University of Wales remains one of the most historically significant institutions in the United Kingdom. It was founded by Royal Charter in 1893 as a federal university to manage and award degrees to several colleges across Wales. The university has a long history and plays an important role in the development of higher education in Wales.
Spanning three centuries, the University of Wales UK has been known as the centre that established Welsh education and cultural life. It contributed to the promotion and celebration of Welsh culture, language, and heritage with the help of the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies (CAWCS), Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru (The Welsh Dictionary), Gregynog Hall (gifted to the University in the 1960s), and the University of Wales Press.
Today, Wales University is primarily known for validating academic programmes delivered by its partner institutions. Degrees awarded under the University of Wales framework are globally recognised, and the institution remains widely respected for its historic contribution to Welsh and British higher education.
Unlike other universities, the university has its own requirements for admission to research programmes. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria as required by the programme. The normal minimum academic requirement is a Master’s degree or an upper second class honours degree related to the proposed research project or equivalent professional experience. International students whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency through IELTS or TOEFL.
The University of Wales ranking is among the top 10 in Wales and #487 in Europe. The university didn't secure a place at major ranking bodies, such as QS World University Ranking, US News, and Times Higher Education Ranking. Mentioned below is the ranking of the university in 2025:
UK
91
World
1351
The University of Wales admission process is simple and can be easily managed by the applicants. International students can apply for admission either through the official website or via UCAS for UG programmes. Applicants must provide academic transcripts, English language proficiency scores, a statement of purpose, and supporting documents. Admissions are generally offered based on merit. International students are required to fulfil UK visa requirements. Applicants can submit their online application mainly in September and January intake, depending on the partner institution and program availability.
The University of Wales ROI for degrees associated with the university is impressive, especially for business, management, and IT-related programmes. Graduates who have completed a degree in the UK get better employment options in the UK and around the world. The University of Wales fees is relatively affordable for students, which makes it cost-effective compared to other research-based UK universities. This will help international students in obtaining a balanced ROI, particularly when combined with post-study work opportunities available study in UK.
| Course | Annual Package |
|---|---|
| Business & Management | £40,000 |
| Computer Science | £45,000 |
| Finance & Accounting | £48,000 |
| Education | £35,000 |
The University of Wales does not offer new degrees, but has existed historically. It is recognised for degrees awarded under its system. Currently, the university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes through its partner universities.
Yes, the University of Wales is a good university for international students who wish to study in UK. The university has played an important role in the history of higher education in the UK. However, it does not function as a typical independent university, as most students expect.
No official data has been released by the university on the acceptance rate. However, as per some unofficial sources, the University of Wales acceptance rate is around 74%, which is moderate for international students.
It varies based on your course of study and how you plan to use the degree. Applying to the University of Wales is a reasonable option for international students. You can still earn a degree through another teaching university rather than directly from the “University of Wales” on its own.
Generally, both the University of Wales and the University of West London are popular choices for studying an MBA in UK. But, UWL is typically the better choice in terms of academic structure, ranking in UK higher education, and career outcomes for graduates. The historical significance of the University of Wales does not match the modern MBA experience provided by UWL.
International students can apply for the University of Wales admission via a UCAS application to study an undergraduate degree. You can apply directly to the University for most postgraduate courses.