Turn On Your Future @ UWTSD's School of Applied Computing & Electronics

Posts tagged ‘Technology’

Trip to Yr Egin Carmarthen

Our staff and students recently enjoyed an engaging and inspiring trip to Yr Egin in Carmarthen.

Yr Egin is a creative and digital hub located on the UWTSD Carmarthen campus, home to the Welsh‑language broadcaster S4C and a wide community of media, arts, and digital businesses. Designed to inspire creativity and nurture new talent, the centre provides state‑of‑the‑art production facilities, hot‑desking spaces, an auditorium, and a programme of cultural and industry events. Since opening in 2018, it has developed into a vibrant venue that supports collaboration between students, professionals, and local creatives while contributing significantly to the regional economy and strengthening the Welsh language through its cultural output.

Exploring Creativity and Careers: UWTSD Computing Visit to Yr Egin, Carmarthen

Recently, UWTSD Computing staff and students travelled to Yr Egin, the vibrant creative and digital centre based on the Carmarthen campus. Home to S4C, production companies, freelancers, and a growing community of digital talent, Yr Egin proved the perfect place for students to gain behind‑the‑scenes insights into animation, media production, education technology, and the realities of working in the creative industries. The day combined inspiring talks from industry professionals, a guided tour of S4C’s facilities, and an opportunity to see how creative ideas evolve from early sketches to polished on‑screen productions.

Twt Productions: Getting Started in the Creative Industries

The first speaker of the day was Siwan Jobbins from Twt Productions, who offered practical guidance for students hoping to break into animation and media. Siwan emphasised the importance of keeping things simple when pitching ideas: if you can’t summarise your concept in one clear sentence, it’s not ready yet. She also stressed how crucial strong visuals and a realistic budget are when presenting a project.

Students were given a useful roundup of upcoming festivals, networking events, and industry platforms—from the Cardiff Animation Festival to tender portals such as S4C Production Tenders, BBC Education Commissioning, and Sell2Wales. For graduates, Siwan encouraged maintaining momentum: keep learning, keep applying, and keep refining your skills. Early in your career, she explained, you may need to give up some rights to get your name out there, but as you gain experience you’ll have more influence and ownership over your work.

Cloth Cat: Craft, Creativity and Career Longevity

Next, the group heard from Jon Rennie of Cloth Cat Animation, whose talk blended humour, honesty, and invaluable advice. Jon reinforced the importance of LinkedIn and social media for building visibility in the industry. He encouraged students to develop original showreels—avoiding overused film clips—and to pay attention to how other animators solve problems under tight budgets. Sometimes, he noted, creativity is about making smart compromises, such as omitting footprints in a snowy scene when deadlines are tight.

Jon urged students to constantly update their skills, be adaptable, and above all be reliable: in animation, meeting deadlines is just as important as artistic flair.

He also shared insights from his project “The Ghost of Midwinter / Ysbryd yr Oerfel,” a bilingual S4C Christmas animation produced in just six months. Students watched how a short sequence developed across four stages: from storyboards, to character animation, to effects, and finally to fully rendered backgrounds. It was a clear, fascinating demonstration of the full animation pipeline.

Inside S4C: Touring the Creative Spaces of Yr Egin

The tour of Yr Egin gave students a glimpse into live studios, editing suites, and the collaborative workspaces used by media professionals. The group met Steffan Rhys Williams, a music producer and composer who has contributed to S4C for more than 20 years. Steffan discussed the realities of composing for television, explaining how he sometimes outsources parts of the process so he can focus on creative direction.

Students also visited the hot‑desking area, which UWTSD graduates can use for six months after completing their studies—a valuable opportunity to network, start freelance work, or collaborate with the industry professionals based in the building.

Antur Amser: Blending Animation, Gaming and Education

The final speaker, Osian Evans, shared insights from Antur Amser, an ambitious educational entertainment project that follows a group of children from the year 2174 who travel back to different eras in Earth’s history. The characters act as a creative gateway into subjects such as science, history, and geography, blending classroom learning with storytelling and interactive media.

Osian explained the iterative design process behind the characters and emphasised the importance of giving animators precise instructions—highlighted by the time a “robot with anti‑gravity technology” accidentally ended up flapping wings because directions were unclear.

He also discussed the balance between gaming and learning, and how using existing platforms like YouTube and Roblox helps reach young audiences more effectively than trying to build entirely new ecosystems. Where possible, the team uses pre‑built assets, reserving bespoke modelling for niche cases—an essential strategy for meeting deadlines and budgets.

Where AI Fits In: Not a Replacement, but a Team Member

Osian also spoke about the role of AI‑assisted animation, emphasising that AI complements human creativity rather than replacing it. While AI can accelerate early drafts, improve workflow capacity, and support low‑budget productions like vodcasts, it is not suitable for areas like scripting. Instead, he described AI as a “first draft collaborator”: useful for rough animation tests before the real artistry begins. Tools such as HeyGen are now commonly used for rapid prototyping, helping creators gather feedback earlier and refine their ideas faster.

A Day of Inspiration and Industry Insight

The visit to Yr Egin offered our Computing students a rich, realistic look at the creative industries—highlighting both the opportunities available and the hard work and adaptability required to thrive in them. From pitching and production pipelines to character design and the role of AI, the day showcased the many pathways open to students interested in animation, digital creativity, and media technology.

Most importantly, the trip demonstrated just how connected UWTSD students are to Wales’ creative sector. Yr Egin isn’t just a building—it’s a collaborative hub where ideas grow, careers begin, and the next generation of digital storytellers can find their place.

We would like thank all the staff and industry experts from Yr Egin who made the day so enjoyable and inspiring for us all. Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi.

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Graduate profile: Dale Warner

Graduate profile for Dale Warner, a Solutions Engineer at Cisco.

"Exposure to new and challenging events is critical. Everyone is winging it; no one can know it all."

"Creativity requires play, and play can be messy. Embrace the cluttered desk!"

"My days can range from face-to-face customer meetings across the UK, building high level plans/designs/BoMs from my home office, or turning my time to study so I can stay on-top of the latest technology trends."

Q. Name: Dale Warner

Q. What was your university course: BSc (Hons) Computer Networks

Q. Job title and role? Solutions Engineer at the Central Government Team at Cisco

Q. Briefly describe the organization you work for? Cisco are the market leader when it comes to networking. They also provide cutting edge technologies and services across a wide range of areas; Security, collaboration, observability, to name a few.

Q. Which skills learned at university are helpful to you in your job? While at university the most important skill I learned was how to concisely present a complex idea or solution. Being able to do so allows me to talk and explain new products and ideas to customers, cutting out all the unnecessary fluff.

Q. A typical day and how would you describe it? Like any engineer, two days are very rarely the same. But I talk with customers about their technical issues and look to provide Cisco solutions to bridge the gap. This requires me having a board understanding of a range of technologies and where/how Cisco products can be used. My days can range from face-to-face customer meetings across the UK, building high level plans/designs/BoMs from my home office, or turning my time to study so I can stay on-top of the latest technology trends.

Q. What aspects of your job do you enjoy most? I enjoy meeting customers, understanding their needs, and proposing suitable solutions. This, alongside learning on the latest technologies and having a future vision of the technology industry.

Q. Advise for students who would like to start a Career? It’s okay not to have an end goal, so long as you know what you want to do next. When your end destination isn’t set you can put all your effort into achieving your next goal. Exposure to new and challenging events is critical. Everyone is winging it; no one can know it all.

Q. A quote that you like / live by / inspires you?
My favorite quote is a quip from Albert Einstein “if a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” I’d like to add – creativity requires play, and play can be messy. Embrace the cluttered desk!


Thank you for your profile Dale, it will help to inspire current and future students.
We are most grateful. We hope to see you at future alumni events.
Well done and Congratulates on your success Dale.
Da iawn a llongyfarchiadau Dale

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Guest Lecture: Emerging Trends & Digitisation of Society

Many thanks to David Jones (Consultant) and Geraint Williams (Director of Mission Control) from Fujitsu for recently visiting the University and speaking with our students.

Geraint Williams (right) & David Jones (left)

The talk titled ‘Digital Trends‘ covered the incredible rapid innovation and evolution of Technology that has brought about an incredible transformation and digitization of society. Highlighting significant historical and current innovations, positive impacts, and emerging trends & technologies, challenges and future impacts. A whistle stop tour of the digital landscape: past, present and future. A fascinating talk enjoyed by all, staff and students alike.

Our Digital Trends talk, delved into the multifaceted impact of digitalisation on society, business, and daily life. It highlights key themes such as the integration of technology into everyday activities, the challenges of digital transformation, lifestyle shifts driven by digital innovation, and future trends including Robotics, AI, and Quantum Computing. Additionally, it introduces the concept of Human Centric Design and describes a workshop where participants tackle the ethical integration of Generative AI in organisations, focusing on creating value while mitigating risks such as misinformation and bias”. – David Jones (Guest Speaker from Fujitsu)

David went on to explain that the Digital Trends talk explored the ongoing digital transformation shaping society, business, and daily life. And that it’s purpose is to inform and inspire audiences about the profound impact of digitalisation, the benefits and challenges it brings, and the emerging trends that will define the future.

Key Themes Covered:

  • Digitalisation of Society: Examines how technology is blending virtual and physical environments, transforming commerce, education, finance, health, and communication. Highlighting the benefits of efficiency, global connectivity, economic growth, and access to information, while also addressing the importance of security and trust in digital systems.
  • Challenges of Digital Transformation: Discusses digital inequality, job displacement, ethical considerations (such as AI bias and privacy), cybersecurity threats, and the need for robust digital infrastructure. The content emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, ethical technology use, and collaboration among stakeholders to address these challenges.
  • Digital Living – Lifestyle Shifts: Explores how digital technologies have revolutionized the way we interact, work, consume, and manage our lives, from remote work and smart homes to online communities, e-learning, and digital entertainment.
  • Future Trends: Looks ahead to transformative innovations such as Robotics and AI, Quantum Computing, Cashless Societies, Extended Reality, Bionics & Cybernetics, and Regenerative approaches to society and energy and risks associated with these advancements, including ethical, economic, and societal implications.
  • Human Centric Design: Introduces a unique design thinking methodology focused on aligning business challenges with human needs, fostering creativity, and developing rapid, actionable solutions.

The Human Centric Design workshop provided students with a Challenge Statement: How can organisations harness Generative AI to create value for customers while preventing misinformation, bias, and intellectual property risks. It gave the students an opportunity to consider the introduction of AI into a company’s ecosystem and how they can work together to ideate and reach a consensus on what the key features and challenges are for ethical AI solutions.

It was a pleasure to return to the place where it all began for me and give something back. I genuinely enjoyed the preparations, creation and delivery of both the talk and workshop and it was good to see the next generation of industry experts beginning their journey, there is much ahead of them, change is accelerating at a pace like we have never seen…” – David Jones

Great to be back at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) today speaking with first year Computing students. As a former student of the university, it’s special to return to the place that set me up for success and share the lessons I’ve learned along the way e.g. stay curious, build your network, and keep evolving/adapting – the technology industry never stands still!” – Geraint Williams

The Academic staff at UWTSD’s School of Applied Computing would like to thank David & Geraint for taking the time to come back to the University and share their invaluable experience, industry knowledge and insights. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

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University Guide: UWTSD Computing #1 in Wales

We’re thrilled to announce that in the Guardian University Guide 2026, our courses have ranked 1st in Wales & 9th in the UK for Animation & Games Design and 1st in Wales & 11th in the UK for Computer Science and Information Systems. 🎉🎊

This achievement reflects our dedication to delivering hands-on, real-world industry relevant learning experiences, with exceptional student support. Our highly qualified, industry-experienced staff work hard to ensure students are prepared for a successful future with the practical knowledge & employability skills they need to excel.

A huge thank you to our students, staff, and supportive community for making this recognition possible. 🙏👍

For information about our courses, please click-here.

UWTSD Host Workshop on Robots & Digital Healthcare

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) hosted a pioneering workshop, titled ‘Soft Exoskeleton Robots and Digital Healthcare,’ bringing together experts from across disciplines to explore the future of rehabilitation technologies.

Held at the University’s IQ Building at its SA1 Swansea Waterfront campus, the event marked a significant moment in cross-sector collaboration aimed at co-designing innovative, patient-focused solutions. 

Led by Dr Seena Joseph and Dr Tim Bashford from UWTSD, the workshop was part of the Soft Exoskeleton Robotics Project, a collaborative effort funded by the Wales Innovation Network (WIN). The project brings together partners from Cardiff Met ( Dr Wai Keung Fu), University of South Wales (Dr Leshan Uggalla) and Institute of Robotics, Bulgaria (Dr Tony Punnoose), all working together to advance rehabilitation technologies.

The full-day workshop convened leaders from robotics and engineering, healthcare and clinical practice, academia, and industry, sparking multidisciplinary dialogue on the development and real-world application of soft exoskeleton robots for rehabilitation. Attendees included academics, researchers, clinicians, innovators, and policy influencers, all united by a common goal: to shape more effective, accessible, and human-centred healthcare technologies.

Dr Kapilan Radhakrishan, UWTSD’s Academic Director (Applied Computing), delivered the welcome address and provided an overview of the project. He described the workshop as a valuable platform to introduce the project and set the stage of exploring new research ideas and to ignite meaningful collaborations with experts across disciplines in soft robotic and digital health. 

Dr Mark Cocks, Dean of the University’s Wales Institute of Science and Art who opened the event said: “Collaboration is the buzzword, and it is more important than ever. In today’s complex and fast-changing landscape, working together across disciplines and sectors is essential to drive innovation and achieve meaningful outcomes. This workshop perfectly exemplifies how bringing experts from academic, industry and healthcare together can spark new ideas. We are proud to host such an impactful and forward-thinking event.”

Highlights included:

The workshop featured a series of compelling talks and a live demonstration of the prototype of soft exoskeleton robot for stroke rehabilitation developed by Dr Tony Punnoose (Institute of Robotics, Bulgaria), one of the team members. 

Dr Fatma Layas and Dr Yajie Zhang (ATiC) presenting human-centred product evaluation approaches in healthcare.

“A Digital Healthcare Overview” was presented by Dr. Tim Bashford, one of the workshop organisers. His presentation provided a broad perspective on the evolving role of digital technologies in healthcare, setting the scene for the day’s discussions and highlighting opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

Dr Wai Keung Fung (Cardiff Metropolitan University) one of the co-organisers outlining core design principles of Soft Exoskeletons 

Dr Gokul Kandaswamy (NHS Wales) delivered an exciting talk on how robotic technologies are transforming patient care, sparking meaningful discussions, and inspiring ideas for future collaborations

Dr Udayanga Galappaththi  an  industry partner from Far UK Ltd exploring the integration of sustainable materials in robotic hand exoskeletons.

Dr Seena Joseph delivered an presentation on “Recent Trends in Soft Robotic Exoskeletons: Insights from a Systematic Literature Review,” offering a comprehensive overview of global research developments, emerging technologies, and future directions in the field.

Additional highlights included the presentation from several experts: Prof Eggbeer, Dominic from Cardiff Met discussed the impact of lead users and 3D printing on advancing adaptive sports technology, while Dr Rajan Prasad, from Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi shared innovative simulation-based designs for cable-driven exoskeletons aiding post stroke gait recovery. 

A live prototype demonstration by Dr Tony Punnoose (Institute of Robotics, Bulgaria), showcasing a bilateral soft exoskeleton robot for stroke rehabilitation. He underscored the importance of shifting research efforts toward developing small-scale, user-friendly parallel robotic systems that patients can take home, enabling more consistent, accessible, and effective rehabilitation beyond the clinical setting. 

The event culminated in an energetic panel discussion, moderated by Dr Fung, with panellists diving into practical applications, ethical considerations, and future research directions for soft robotic solutions in health contexts. Looking back on the event, he said: 

“Moderating the panel discussion reminded me that the future of rehabilitation isn’t just about smarter machines, it’s about deeper collaboration between engineers, clinicians, and users to co-create technologies that truly empower.”

The event also included a productive networking session, facilitated by Dr Leshan Uggalla (University of South Wales) from the project team. This session gave attendees a valuable opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and foster potential collaborations in a relaxed and engaging environment.

The workshop not only reinforced UWTSD’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research and real-world innovation but also underscored its ambition to serve as a hub for cutting-edge dialogue that shapes the future of care and rehabilitation.

Adapted from original post & source here: https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/news/uwtsd-hosts-workshop-soft-exoskeleton-robots-and-digital-healthcare

Project profile: James Frew

Fig.: James Frew

Name: James Frew

Course: BSc (Hons) Software Engineering

Project Title: An affordable device for monitoring noise levels in home studio environments to warn users of duration-based hearing damage.

Purpose: As a drummer and someone who regularly practises in home studio environments, I quickly became aware of how easily you can be exposed to loud sounds for long periods. Many people only think about hearing damage in terms of volume, but in fact, long durations of noises that aren’t excessively loud can be just as dangerous. I wanted to build a simple and affordable device that could help raise awareness of this overlooked danger and help people protect their hearing.

Fig.: Design

Implementation: The system consists of a small microphone and microcontroller, both housed in a compact 3D-printed case. The device connects to a desktop application built in Python. It monitors the noise in the room in real time, calculates how long it’s safe to be in that environment based on the current sound levels, and sends a warning when the average noise levels since starting the application reach a point where it becomes dangerous to continue listening.

Fig.: Case implementation

The GUI displays current noise levels, the average levels since starting, the time remaining before risk becomes high, and how long the app has been running. The system was built for under £20 and was tested with real users, receiving very positive feedback for its usability and clarity.

Fig.: Application

Conclusion:
The final product was a reliable, accurate tool that helped users understand their sound environment better. It successfully raised awareness of long-term hearing risks and provided clear, real-time feedback. The project met all its core goals and achieved an excellent System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 89.5. It also received valuable suggestions from users, which could shape future improvements, such as wearable versions and mobile app integration.

Next steps: I’m hoping to move into a role that allows me to work with people and ideally in music or creative environments. I’m particularly interested in opportunities that combine practical problem-solving with collaboration. My degree in Software Engineering has given me a strong foundation in project planning, technical thinking, and building things that work in the real world – skills that will be useful in many industries, not just computing.

Advice for students: Your time and energy are limited, so it’s important to prioritise your studies and project work, especially in your final year. Balancing other commitments is part of life, but giving focused attention to your degree when it counts will really pay off. Also, don’t be afraid to use the tools available to you – make use of AI, but without breaching academic standards. Do use it to help guide research and explore ideas related to your studies, don’t use it as a copy-and-paste tool to blindly research information. AI isn’t going to go away, so it’s important you learn how to use it to assist your studies as early as possible in your degree. Good luck with your studies!

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For further information about Computing & Computer Science courses at UWTSD, please click here.

Project profile: Kelly Casey

Name: Kelly Casey

Course: BSc (Hons) Software Engineering

Project Title: Women in STEM Study Buddy – A Mobile Application for Academic Networking

Logo
Fig.: FemSTEMConnect

Project introduction:
The motivation behind this project was to address the under-representation and isolation that many women in STEM fields experience during their academic journey. I wanted to create a platform that would allow female students to connect, support one another, and collaborate through shared academic interests. The project reflects both my technical interests and my desire to contribute to inclusion and equity in higher education.

Overview of the Practical implementation:
The application was developed in Android Development Studio using the Kotlin programming language, with Firebase Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform providing services for authentication, data storage, and real-time messaging.

Kotlin, Android Studio and Firebase image
Fig.: Kotlin | Android Studio | Firebase

Key features include:

  • Email link login (no passwords required)
  • Personalised academic profiles
  • Study partner matching using course and location filters
  • A Messaging system for real-time communication.
Fig: Coding

The project was tested on both emulator and physical Android devices for performance and usability.

Here are some screenshots from the final app up and working

Fig.: Navigation screen
Messaging inbox
Fig.: Messaging inbox
Fig.: Home screen & News feed

Conclusion: The final product successfully met the core functional goals. Users can register, create a profile, search for study partners, and communicate within the app. Although some features like the community forum were postponed, the application is stable, secure, and ready for future expansion. It represents a strong foundation for a peer-support platform specifically tailored to women in STEM.

What Career and job role are you hoping to move Into after Graduation? I’m planning to progress onto a Master’s degree and then move into a software engineering role, ideally within a company focused on education technology or socially impactful work.

Top Tips for Students interested in completing a University Degree: Don’t procrastinate. Choose a project that is manageable not just exciting. It’s better to complete something simple and solid than to get stuck in something too complex to finish on your own. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

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For further information on Computing courses at UWTSD, please click-here.

Skills Synergy 2025

The School of Applied Computing at University of Wales Trinity Saint David are thrilled to announce the annual ‘Skills Synergy 2025‘ event hosted at Swansea Arena.

A dynamic day of learning, and competition for students and networking for Teachers. The student events are designed to inspire, challenge, and showcase skills in Web Technologies, Cybersecurity, and Network Systems Administration, tailored for Year 12, Year 13, and Further Education students.

Student Team Competitions:

A taster competition event to give an experience to the participants about the competitions and competition environment.

Students who are interested in one or more than one of the below domains are welcome to register. Students will get a taste of the competition with a briefing about competitions followed by a small competitive activity.

Schools/FE’s can register their students who are interested to get a taste on competitions like Web Technologies, Cybersecurity, and Network Systems Administration.

Limited Registrations. First come First Serve. Register immediately.

Taster Sessions for School Students:

Explore Computing (Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, Software, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science), Electronics, and Games Design, Development, Animation, VFX in engaging hands-on sessions.

Cisco Instructors Conference:

A parallel session for Head Teachers, Teachers, Lecturers and Cisco Networking Academy Instructors to share best practices, network, and collaborate.

Event Details:
Date: 26th March 2025
Time: 09:30 AM – 02.00 PM.
Venue: Swansea Arena

For further information and inquiries, please contact Nitheesh Kaliyamurthy via email: n.kaliyamurthy@uwtsd.ac.uk

For further information about Computing & Computer Science courses at UWTSD Swansea, please click here.

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Guest Lecture: Network Automation and CI/CD

Guest Lecturer:
Nagaraj Ravinuthala

This week, Nagaraj Ravinuthala, a DevOps trainer at HCL Technologies Limited and a specialised trainer for WorldSkills UK Squad on Infrastructure Automation, delivered a Guest Lecture on Network Automation and CI/CD to our students.

The lecture began with basic yet powerful concepts of deployment and CI/CD, connecting the dots between writing code, integrating APIs, and automating the process of pushing updates live. The session emphasized simplicity and clarity, presenting CI/CD as a pipeline that automates code testing, integration, and deployment to production environments.

“Think of CI/CD as a conveyor belt for your code,” explained Nagaraj. “You write it, test it, and deploy it—all in a streamlined process that ensures faster delivery and better reliability, which are essential in modern network automation workflows.”

Students were introduced to tools and techniques aligned with Cisco’s CCNA DevNet, providing a glimpse into industry-standard practices. To make deployment relatable, the lecturer drew parallels with the earlier lectures on Python and API during their Network Programmability Module where the students integrated the OpenWeather API creating and running a Python script, and explaining that deployment involves taking code that works locally and making it accessible to users.

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where students enthusiastically asked about real-world applications of network automation and the career paths that mastery in CI/CD can unlock.

This guest lecture was an eye-opening experience for students, sparking curiosity and laying the foundation for further exploration in network automation. It was a step toward preparing them for the evolving demands of the industry.

We would like to thank Nagaraj Ravinuthala for taking time to speak and share valuable industry knowledge with our students.

For further information about our courses, please click-here.

University Guide: UWTSD Computing #1 in Wales

Guardian University Guide: #1 in Wales and #20 in UK

We’re thrilled to announce that in the Guardian University Guide 2025, our Computing courses have ranked #1 in Wales 🏆 and #20 in the UK for Computer Science and Information Systems subject area.

This achievement reflects the dedication we bring to delivering hands-on, real-world learning experiences, alongside exceptional support that guides our students every step of the way. Our highly qualified, industry-experienced staff work tirelessly to ensure students are prepared for a future in tech with the practical skills and knowledge they need to excel.

A huge thank you to our outstanding students, dedicated staff, and supportive community for making this recognition possible.

Together, we’re shaping the future of tech in Wales and beyond! 🌍💻

For further information about Computing courses at UWTSD, please click-here.

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