Hi there, I'm Luna.
I'm a bit like an AI, except instead of making pictures of people with 16 fingers, I can help you find the perfect course and uni.
Would you like some help in your search?
Swansea is a city in west Wales on the stunning Gower peninsula. It’s a popular choice for students, due to the excellent education on offer, its coastal location and affordable living costs. There’s also plenty to keep you entertained, from a thriving nightlife scene to delicious food plus great arts and culture. If you’re thinking about studying here, then read on for our guide to being a student in Swansea. You’ll find out about accommodation options, where to go on a night out and more about the two universities in the city.
CONTENTS
- Student activities in Swansea
- Nightlife in Swansea
- Student accommodation in Swansea
- Transport in Swansea
- Student costs in Swansea
- Universities in Swansea
Student activities in Swansea
Swansea is known for great culture, music, sport and shopping, so as a student there’ll be plenty for you to do. If you fancy a spot of shopping, the city is home to the biggest indoor market in Wales. Swansea Indoor Market opens from Monday to Saturday with an eclectic range of stalls selling delicious food, locally grown produce, handmade gifts and antiques.
For those culture lovers, Cinema & Co is a unique indie film house in the city centre that comes with a fully stocked bar and art gallery. It shows a huge range of new and classic films and is the perfect place to hang out on a rainy weekend.
As well as all the excitement of the city, Swansea is surrounded by some incredible coastlines and landscapes. Situated at the west of Swansea Bay, Mumbles is one of the top attractions in Wales. This stunning nature reserve is a designated area of natural beauty and is worth a visit during your time here. You’ll discover gorgeous beaches, breathtaking cliff tops and beautiful woodlands, as well as some world-class ice cream.
Check out our guide to the top ten things to do in Swansea
Nightlife in Swansea
As a student in Swansea you’re spoilt for choice on a night out. There are loads of options for cosy pubs, fancy bars and dance clubs.
Wind Street is a right of passage for many students and is home to pubs, clubs, restaurants and plenty of cheap drinks. If you’re looking for a classic student night out to bond with new pals, take a trip up and down the street and call in at places like BrewDog, Wetherspoons, Slug & Lettuce and Peppermint cocktail bar.
Outside the city centre, BrewStone is a popular pub with a wood fire, craft beer and yummy food. It’s known for the Brewniversity Challenge quiz night every Tuesday, so grab your smartest mates and put your thinking caps on. The pub also does two for one pizza between 5pm and 7pm.
If live music is more your thing, check out venues like the Bunkhouse and Hangar 18. Swansea Arena is the city’s largest music venue and hosts big acts as well as comedy and the Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK tour.
Student accommodation in Swansea
Many students choose to stay in halls of residence while at uni in Swansea, especially in their first year of study. These are run by the universities themselves, and the cost depends on the type of room you pick.
For example, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David offers self-catered, single ensuite rooms for between £125 to £140 a week. The more expensive rooms will be larger, although all will include WiFi and utility bills in the cost.
Renting privately in the city is also an option. Swansea is known to be much more affordable to rent than many other places in the UK, and about 20% less than in nearby Cardiff. You can expect to pay around £630 a month for your own studio flat in the city centre. If you’re willing to live a little further out, this cost can drop to about £520 a month. A room in a shared house is even cheaper, at around £400 a month. If you do rent privately you’ll have to budget for WiFi and utility bills, although these are generally cheaper than in other cities. We’d recommend budgeting about £45 a month to cover this.
Transport in Swansea
Many students walk or cycle around Swansea as it’s a relatively compact city. There are good cycle lanes in the centre and further out, including links to scenic routes on the National Cycle Network and the Celtic Trail.
Swansea also has a good bus network and students can apply for a My Travel Pass, which will give you discounted bus fares if you’re between 16 and 21. Students at Swansea University can make use of First Cymru's Campus to Campus Service, which runs between the two campuses and the city centre.
Swansea train station is the only rail hub in the city. If you’re going to be travelling by train it’s a good idea to pay for a 16-25 Railcard. This will get you a third off train fares all year. From Swansea, you can catch a train to Cardiff in just over an hour, and to London in three hours, as well as direct trains to Carmarthen, Manchester and Shrewsbury.
For travelling even further, the nearest commercial airport is in Cardiff. Rhoose Cardiff International Airport flies all over the UK and Europe and is about an hour on the train from Swansea.
Student costs in Swansea
Living costs in Swansea are relatively cheap compared to other big UK cities like Cardiff, Bristol and London.
Food wise, the city is home to all the usual supermarket chains including low-cost options like Aldi, Lidl and Iceland. There are also weekly markets to browse where you’ll pick up produce for a bargain. Swansea University recommends a weekly budget of about £35 for food, which totals at £1,400 over the academic year. On average, you can expect to spend 87p on a loaf of bread, £1.06 on a kilogram of rice, £1.92 for a dozen eggs and 69p on a kilogram of potatoes.
Obviously, cooking for yourself is the cheapest way to eat, but eating out is part of the fun of living away from home and making friends. An average, inexpensive meal at a restaurant in Swansea costs about £14, although there are cheaper options at takeaways and cafes. Nights out in Swansea can definitely be done on a student budget. The average price of a pint of beer is £4, but there are plenty of places that offer drinks deals and student discounts to help keep costs down.
Other costs as a student in Swansea will depend on your own personal lifestyle, and Swansea University suggests a budget of around £18 a week for leisure expenses. Swansea is great for shopping, so if you’re browsing the high street make sure you’ve got a valid student ID on you. This will get you discounts in loads of stores both in person and online. Socialising can also be done cheaply, with student tickets available for things like the cinema and bowling. Your uni will also offer clubs and societies that are free (or very cheap) to join.
Remember to budget for course costs such as printing or materials, as well as things like laundry and toiletries. In total, we recommend budgeting about £700 a month on top of your tuition fees.
Read more about the cost of living as a student in Swansea
Universities in Swansea
There are two universities in Swansea – Swansea University and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s SA1 Waterfront Campus.
Swansea University is a research-led institution with two campuses, both in beautiful locations. One even has its own beach! The uni offers excellent teaching and boasts an outward-looking, multicultural perspective. It’s particularly known for courses in childhood & youth studies, paramedic science and Celtic studies.
University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is known for a friendly, inclusive and supportive learning environment. The Swansea campus is home to the uni’s STEM degrees as well as a modern library. UWTSD has invested over £350 million into this campus, so you’ll be studying in high-specification rooms with specialist equipment.
If you like the sound of Swansea but not sure what to study, take a look at the courses on offer at Swansea University and UWTSD. Or, read more reasons to study in Swansea.
