Need a sounding board for your freelance ideas? Some input to help take your business to the next stage? 

Wherever you are at with your business or freelance idea, the USW Enterprise Team is happy to meet you on a one-to-one basis and offer guidance. 

Meet us: 

• In-person for a Business Surgery at any of the university campuses, or
• Virtual support by telephone or video call. 

We can also link you into the wealth of support that is available to start-up businesses in Wales.

Graduate Route Visa (Self-Employability Route)

The new graduate route visa enables graduates to undertake employed or self-employed work at any level.

For more guidance and how to apply, please refer to this article.

For official information regarding the Graduate Route Visa, see: https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa

MyCareer is a dedicated free resource by USW Careers that offers articles, advice, tools and more.

With self-employment and startup tools such as:

• Social media management
• A beginner's guide to freelancing
• Funding your new business
• The importance of a business plan
• How to finance your business
• Key skills required for entrepreneurship

Start your journey here:

More Enterprise online resources coming soon!

Startup Stiwdio is USW’s dedicated co-working and incubation space designed to help develop and grow new business ideas and is located at our Cardiff and Newport campuses.

Students and graduates can benefit from a free virtual or physical membership, with support including:

• Dedicated business support programs and events
• 6 months free booking and accountancy services
• 1-year free legal support 
• Help with patent and trademark registration
• Access to meeting rooms

Click on this link to be redirected to the Stiwdio main page.

Big Ideas Wales - Entrepreneurship support from under 25’s

Business Wales - Offering support to all new and existing businesses which includes the business sector fact sheets, free online BOSS workshops and Business planning information to help you build your knowledge and your business.

Prince's Trust - Offers start-up support for 18-30 year olds. 

HM Revenue & Customs - Once you’ve set up your business, you must register as self employed with HMRC.  HMRC has a lot of useful information on setting up a business.

ipse - Support for freelancers and the self employed.