UWTSD Hosts Successful Summer Residential

2 July 2025

The ��Ҵ�ý (UWTSD) welcomed students from across Wales and England to its Swansea and Carmarthen campuses for a three-day Summer Residential Programme, organised by the university’s Student Recruitment Outreach team.

Students Celebrating at the end of UWTSD's Summer Residential

The residential gave students an immersive taste of university life, offering a mix of academic sessions of their choice—each including a short assessment—as well as team-building activities and practical workshops on topics such as applying to university and writing personal statements.

The programme concluded with a graduation ceremony, celebrating student achievement and featuring an inspiring keynote speech from James Owen, a successful UWTSD graduate, who encouraged students to pursue their ambitions with confidence.

Aidan George, Student Recruitment Outreach Manager, said:
“The Summer Residential is an invaluable opportunity for students to experience university life firsthand. We are proud to provide a supportive environment where young people can develop new skills, build friendships, and gain the confidence to take the next step towards higher education.”

“This year’s Summer Residential was a fantastic success,” added Donna Williams, Senior Widening Access Officer at UWTSD. “It was a pleasure to welcome such engaged and enthusiastic students to our campuses and to watch them grow in confidence and connection over the three days. We hope to welcome these students back onto our campuses very soon, whether for further visits or as future members of the UWTSD community.”

Iona Wong, one of the students who took part, shared her experience:
“I absolutely loved and enjoyed every single part of this residential. I felt like we built strong friendships and a big community where everyone got along so well in the span of just three days. The university has so much to offer, and I’m now seriously considering applying because of the incredible support it provides—support you don’t often find at other universities. Every single staff member and ambassador was absolutely amazing, kind, and so supportive, making sure everyone was enjoying their time.”

She added: “New opportunities were found among everyone.”
“Everyone learned something new on the trip—whether it was confidence, adapting to a new place, or developing new skills. Thank you all so much for your hard work. On behalf of all the students, I can say we had a fantastic time!”

Janette Reynolds, parent of Josh who participated in the residential, said:
“Josh had a wonderful time during the residential at UWTSD. He really enjoyed the experience and has come away feeling positive and inspired. Josh is now feeling very excited about his future and is looking forward to applying to UWTSD. Thank you so much to everyone who helped make it such a success.”

Participating schools and colleges included:

Olchfa School
Pembrokeshire college
Coleg Sir Gâr
Coleg Ceredigion
Ysgol Greenhill
Cynffig Comprehensive School
Coleg y Cymoedd Nantgarw
Coleg Gwent - Crosskeys.
Cardiff High School
Cardiff and Vale College
St Teilo’s Church In Wales High School
Ysgol Dyffryn Taf
Bishop Vaughan
Gower college
Ysgol Bro Caereinion
Queen Elizabeth High School
Ysgol Harri Tudor
Varndean College
Newham Collegiate Sixth Form
Katharine Lady Berkley’s
Welling Secondary school
University College Birmingham

The Summer Residential is part of UWTSD’s continued commitment to widening access, raising aspirations, and supporting prospective students on their journey to higher education.

For more information about future outreach opportunities at UWTSD, please contact the Student Recruitment Outreach team at SROutreach@uwtsd.ac.uk.