Swansea is a vibrant and exciting student city located in south Wales. With miles of sandy beaches, stunning waterfront views, picturesque landscape and gorgeous countryside, Swansea is the perfect place for any student to enjoy their studies. The city has something for everyone from outdoor activities to international food, shopping malls and plenty of nightlife activities. All of this makes Swansea an ideal student living destination. If that wasn’t enough, let’s get cracking with our 17 reasons to study in Swansea. 

1. Loads of courses available 

You’ll find Swansea University and one of the University of Wales Trinity St. David’s campuses in Swansea, offering over 500 undergraduate courses between them. No matter what your academic interests are, you’ll be able to find something that matches them in Swansea. 

2. Beautiful beaches 

South Wales is known for its stunning waterfront views and picturesque landscapes. After a long week of studying and going to classes, relaxing on the beach with your uni mates is the perfect way to unwind. Bonus points for all the beautiful views you’ll see while you kick back. 

3. Numerous outdoor activities 

Ever fancied giving surfing a go? You can in Swansea. You'll find lots of chances to take a couple of lessons and, once you’re confident, there are plenty of beaches you’ll be able to hit up with your board. Surf’s up! 

4. A vibrant city centre  

Walking around the city centre, you’ll find plenty of shopping, restaurants, bars and clubs. Some of the popular places for students to go include No Sign, Sin City and Founders & Co. 

5. Access to the Gower peninsula 

A designated area of natural beauty, the Gower peninsula is well worth a visit during your studies. You’ll find cliffs, woodlands, and gorgeous beaches. There’s a lot to explore here, so we’re sure you’ll be back more than once throughout your time at uni. 

6. Excellent transport connections 

Among other destinations, you can get a direct train from Swansea to London, Cardiff and Manchester, and there are plenty of chances to explore some of the UK’s bigger cities if you want to. The nearest commercial airport is in Cardiff, so there’s not far to go if you need to travel internationally. 

7. An affordable cost of living compared to other UK cities 

Swansea is smaller than many other UK uni cities, and its location in south Wales also helps to keep it budget-friendly. Rent is lower than many larger UK uni cities, so you might find your budget will stretch further. 

8. A multicultural community 

No matter what your background is, you’ll be welcomed in Swansea. The city has a friendly atmosphere, and the unis in the city welcome a lot of international students each year, so you’ll be able to meet people from all over the world. 

9. Opportunities for internships, placements and part-time work 

Across the city you’ll find a lot of businesses looking for students to work for them, whether on an internship, placement or permanent part-time basis. As the city has a high student population, most of the part-time jobs on offer are very understanding of your studies, meaning you’ll be able to find a job that can fit around your uni commitments. 

10. A huge castle 

Unfortunately, only about 10% of Swansea Castle is left standing now, but it was once huge. To this day, however, you can check out the ruins of the castle and see some of the amazing 14th century architecture. 

11. Leisure facilities such as gyms, libraries, theatres and art galleries 

You can’t spend all your time studying, of course, and you’re in luck. Swansea offers lots of different activities to get involved in while you’re taking a break from the uni grind. You could visit the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery or see a show at the Grand Theatre. There’s plenty to discover, so you’ll be kept busy even when you’re not studying. 

12. Famous faces 

Some of the celebrities with connections to Swansea include poet Dylan Thomas, actor Catherine Zeta-Jones and scriptwriter Russell T. Davies. 

13. Free entry or discounted tickets to many tourist attractions in Wales 

Many attractions in Wales offer student tickets, and sometimes student tickets are free. You might also get perks for being a local resident, so make sure you have ID to prove your uni address if you want to take advantage of these offers. 

14. Plenty of events year round  

The Swansea events calendar is packed. From music festivals, sports championships and cultural celebrations, there’s plenty going on to get involved with. Checking out these events is a great way to feel like you’re a part of the city’s culture and also provides good opportunities to meet people with shared interests. 

15. Ample student discounts at local shops and businesses 

As well as discounted tickets to visitor attractions, you’ll find that a lot of shops and restaurants offer student discounts. Make sure you take your student ID out with you when you’re going shopping or to grab some food in case you can get it a little bit cheaper. 

16. A wide range of volunteering projects available for students 

If volunteering during your studies is something you’re interested in, Swansea has a dedicated Volunteer Centre run by the Swansea Council for Voluntary Service. Volunteering is a great way to get some experience under your belt and build out your CV. 

17. Learn a new language 

If you don’t already speak Welsh, you’ll have a chance to learn the language while you’re studying. All new street signs are in both Welsh and English, so you’ll come across the language a lot just moving around the city. It’s also unsurprisingly spoken by many of the local people, so you could even take lessons. 

Swansea University is a prestigious university located in the stunning Welsh city of Swansea. As one of the largest universities in Wales, it offers a wide range of courses across its seven colleges, making it a great choice for students looking to further their education. With state-of-the-art facilities and experienced staff, Swansea University provides students with an excellent learning environment. In addition, the university is home to an award-winning Student’s Union which seeks to enrich student experience through various social activities, support services and campaigns. Allowing students to explore the vibrant city of Swansea and vast natural beauty of Wales; it’s no wonder why so many choose Swansea University for their studies! 

Swansea is a vibrant and exciting city with plenty of things to do for students. From exploring the beautiful beaches, breathtaking waterfront views and picturesque landscapes to visiting local shops and businesses, Swansea offers the best of both worlds with a mix of urban life and nature. With its bustling nightlife and an array of music festivals, sports championships and cultural celebrations, there’s always something new to discover. In addition, students can take advantage of discounts at many attractions and shops or get involved in volunteering opportunities across the city.