Professional facilities

USW Sport Park has one of the best teaching and learning environments for sport in the UK. We are the only university in England and Wales to offer a full-size indoor 3G pitch built to FIFA Pro and World Rugby Standard that guarantees training all year round.

Our specialist centre for strength and conditioning provides 12 lifting platforms, so an entire rugby or football squad can train together. The floor is integrated with the platforms so that it can support the heavy weights our athletes use.

Our sport facilities are regularly used by international professional teams, such as the Wales national football team and Cardiff City Football Club, touring rugby squads such as New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, as well as England Rugby, Italy and the Barbarians. This confirms the high quality of our pitches and the versatility of our equipment.

Innovative technology

We use industry-leading technology to enhance teaching, including wearable GPS technology, high-end video analysis and athlete management equipment. 

To complement this specialist equipment at USW Sport Park, sport science labs at Pontypridd Campus provide a strong, scientific background to learning. These purpose-built laboratories are full of specialist equipment, including an underwater weighing system and whole-body MRI to measure whole and regional body fat and muscle. We also have a hypobaric chamber that tests subjects in different conditions, often at the extremes of endurance.

Qualifications for the industry

Practical experience is built in at USW Sport.

Our exclusive partnerships mean UEFA B and FAW C coaching licences and multiple UKCC and WRU coaching awards are embedded into our coaching degrees at no extra cost. These partnerships provide opportunities that match your course and interests, so you can graduate with an industry-recognised qualification in addition to your degree.

We also have unique partnerships with clubs, governing bodies and sporting unions, and our students can take advantage of these opportunities to boost their employability.