The University of South Wales in the UK has announced a partnership with QA Higher Education to deliver pathway and English-language programs at its Cardiff and Pontypridd campuses.

The new International Pathway College will help to prepare international students progress to Business, Computing, Engineering, and Creative Industries, with Applied Science and Sports Science courses at the institution.

“At USW, we have many years’ experience of providing first-class learning to students from across the globe, and we can use this expertise to ensure these integrated programs provide the next generation of students with an education that is second to none,” said Julie Lydon, USW vice-chancellor.

“By recognising the needs of a wider section of international students and providing them with the support to reach their potential, we will further enhance our reputation as an international institution that offers world-leading qualifications,” Lydon added.

QAHE has a “track record of delivering similar provision to overseas students at a number of UK institutions”, she noted.

Other QAHE pathway partners include Northumbria University, University of Roehampton, and Solent University, as well as additional Higher Education partnerships with Ulster University, Middlesex University, and London Metropolitan University.

The new program will “provide increased subject and location choices for international students within the QAHE portfolio of partners and courses”, QAHE chief executive Julie Noone explained.

As well as boosting USW’s internationalisation strategy, the initiative will further enhance diversity across the USW international cohort, providing a new channel of recruitment needed to future-proof the university against the impacts of Brexit and an increasingly challenging international sector, the partners added.

“USW has very strong international ambitions and we are very happy to be working with a new partner with such ambition in this area,” Noone said.

“The campuses and range of subjects are outstanding and extremely attractive for international students.”

The first cohort of students will commence in autumn 2021.