Swansea University

Based in Wales’s second largest city, Swansea University is renowned for its research reputation, teaching excellence and its unique seafront location. Established in 1920, the University will be celebrating its Centenary in 2020.

The University has two campuses and comprises seven academic colleges that offer hundreds of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees with opportunities to work and study abroad.

The Singleton Park Campus is surrounded by leafy parkland and a five-minute walk from Swansea Bay beach, ideal for socialising with friends and playing sport.

As well as being next to the beach and surrounded by parkland, both University campuses are only ten minutes either side of the city centre where you can enjoy the local attractions and nightlife.

Swansea was one of the top 3 universities in the University of the Year category at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards in both 2015 and 2016, and in the top 5 in 2017. This high performance is repeated across other league tables, and in the glowing reviews from their student reviewers.

The university has been awarded a Silver in the 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework.

Singleton Park Campus is home to:

• College of Arts and Humanities
• Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law
• College of Science
• College of Human and Health Science
• Medical School

The Bay Campus opened in 2015 and is home to:

• College of Engineering
• School of Management

Students say:

“Lectures are mostly enjoyable and engaging, modules are relevant and challenging. Onsite accommodation is very modern and affordable, part of 2 sports clubs which is great for social events. Going out on the town is comparable to most big city universities, transportation around the city and to/from campus is very good”

“Very safe environment! Conducive for learning. Great facilities. Awesome accommodations. Easy to access information. Travelling through the city is easy. Lectures are friendly.”

“My overall experience has been good during my undergraduate degree, so much so that I wish to keep studying for a PhD in the future. Also I have made many new friends, played a great deal of sport and joined some cool societies”

Swansea is listed as one of the UK’s Top 15 Universities for graduate job prospects, and according to the Higher Education Statistical Agency (HESA), 94.8% of Swansea University graduates are in employment and/or further study within six months of graduating.

Playing a large role in this statistic is Swansea University’s Careers and Employability Service. This service can help you increase your employability while at University.

Services include:

• Guidance and support to help students explore their career options while studying
• Assistance with writing CVs, application forms and mock interviews
• Careers and Employability workshops to help develop key employability skills
• Information on current job vacancies
• The annual Careers and Employability fair held at Swansea University with local and national employers
• The Swansea Employability Award (SEA)
• Swansea University’s Week of Work

The University also offers plenty of opportunities to study and work abroad as well as helping you find work during your studies.

Placed in the UK Top 15 for graduate employment (Guardian University League Table 2017), Swansea University can really help you once you’ve graduated.

If you fancy doing some volunteering during your studies, Student Volunteering run programmes to help students get involved in charity work supporting their local area and in destinations abroad. While The Go Global team provide opportunities to study and work abroad as part of your degree.

Swansea University is praised by students for its workshops and general support when it comes to finding employment both as a student and as a graduate, with the Swansea Employability Award (SEA) receiving particular praise.

Students say:

“The University has an Employability Academy, which is open for advice throughout the week and allows you to book appointments with careers advisors. Here you can seek job interview advice, gain advice on CV writing, and also apply for funded internships if possible. There a number of Employability weeks which are held throughout the academic year also.”

“Careers sessions and talks by external people. SEA award which is great to have on your CV”

“Lots of job fairs are on throughout the semesters. There's also a Swansea Employability Award which is a scheme to help the students find a job.”

The University offers hundreds of undergraduate degree schemes in a variety of subject areas and is positioned in the UK Top 30 in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework League Table.  They also have a 5-star rating for teaching quality from QS Stars global university ratings system.

The university’s lecturers are praised in our student reviews for their enthusiasm, knowledge and support. The university has also been rated highly for its online resources and for making course material accessible to students. Student opinion is also reflected in Swansea University’s success in the 2017 Whatuni Student Choice Awards, coming 4th in the Course and Lecturers category.

Students say:

“Always happy to help, provide relevant information, make the subject clear and easy to understand”

“Friendly and approachable, have clearly set office hours should they be required to clarify anything in between lectures”

“The lecturers are very intelligent and nice and do everything to make sure students succeed”

Swansea has a very active Students’ Union who organise hundreds of students events each year highlights include:

• Welsh Varsity – Swansea take on Cardiff in over 30 sports, a phenomenal event that every student can enjoy, wear your t-shirt and join the Swansea #GWA Green and White Army
• Summer Ball – A festival style event held on the meadow of the Singleton Park Campus, former acts include Rudimental, Florence and the Machine, Chase and Status

Independent from the university Swansea’s SU is made up of 5 full time officers, 16 part-time officers and a team of other staff and volunteers.

Our student reviewers were very positive about the provision of affordable, diverse events by the SU.

Students say:  

“They do well to offer the variety of events they provide while keeping costs for students low”

“The students’ union is very supportive, complaints are taken seriously and information is always shared to students.”

“The students’ union put on a lot of events for students especially during freshers!”

Accommodation includes:  

• FREE wireless broadband
• FREE contents insurance
• Telephones in study bedrooms (with free calls throughout the University network)
• TV points in all study rooms
• Welfare Wardens in residence
• Student Residents’ Committees
• Part-catered and self-catered residences (Bay Campus is self-catered only)
• En-suite and standard rooms with shared bathrooms (Bay Campus has en-suite rooms only)
• Family accommodation
• 40, 47 and 51-week tenancies

Bay Campus (on campus)

All the rooms at the Bay Campus are en-suite and are self-catered. As well as standard rooms, this campus has premium rooms (which is larger and has a double bed), twin bedrooms as well as both one and two-bedroom flats.

Hendrefoelan Student Village (off campus)

Hendrefoelan Student Village houses over 1,200 students, with each flat or house hosting between 7-10 other students.

Singleton Park Campus (on campus)

Singleton Park offers a range of different sized rooms, including self-catered, en-suite, standard, inclusive and a catering card package. Some are available for 40 weeks, while others you can have for up to 51, meaning you don’t have to move out during term holidays.

Beck House (off campus)

Beck House is specifically for families, international students and postgraduates. These are single rooms in houses with between 6-11 other students, most of which are mature. 47 or 51-week contracts are available for standard rooms or a large en-suite.

There are also offer designated rooms for those looking for single sex, alcohol free, quiet or Welsh-speaking accommodation.

Our student reviewers praised how well-maintained Swansea University accommodation is.

To find out more, visit Swansea’s accommodation pages.

Students say:

“8 rooms to a flat shared kitchen and individual bathrooms. Very well managed and all the staff are lovely”

“Very nice. Problems quickly resolved.”

“Very modern, well looked after”

Both campuses offer an impressive range of facilities to enhance your student living experience.  Singleton Park has an on campus theatre and cinema, shops, catering outlets, and even a museum.  Swansea University is home to the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK outside of London. If you like your sports, you’ll be pleased to hear they have 50m and 25m pools, playing fields, athletic facilities, gyms and tennis courts.

The Bay Campus has a state-of-the-art library, an 800 seat auditorium, several coffee shops, dining hall and retail shops.

The University also has its own beach and water sports centre where you can try stand-up paddle boarding, surfing and beach volleyball.

Students were impressed by the continual investment into, and improvement of, facilities at Swansea University.

Students say:

“Getting better and better every day. Bay campus is amazing and modern, excited for whole science department to move here. Singleton campus is constantly changing to factor for student’s needs”

“Amazing! The law library has everything you could need and if not we have access to online sources.”

“Really great they have been working on providing and refurbishing study areas that aren't the library which is a real help when it comes to group work”

One of the most common things to come up in reviews is the beach and how close it is to the university, perfect for summer BBQs and winter walks. As well as several beaches, the city centre is walking/cycling distance (or a short bus ride from both campuses) so you’re never far from the shops and bars.

Ask any student where they spend their student nights and they will almost certainly tell you about Wind Street (just look at our reviews!) – the hub of Swansea’s night life. There will be bars you recognise such as Walkabout and Revolution but also quirky independent bars such as Flickering Light, Lil London and Prohibition.

Students say:

“There is the beach and Mumbles which makes for a lovely way to spend a weekend. For night life there is wind street which is always a laugh”

“Chilled city with nice people.”

“Wind street, that's all you need to know.”

Swansea University’s range of societies includes academic clubs, societies to grow your skills for future careers, as well as general hobbies and interests. Why not try Beer-Pong, Glee or Quidditch if you’re looking for something new! The University also offers Sport for All, which means you can get involved whether you’re an elite athlete or just looking to improve your general fitness.  Swansea University has over 50 sports teams and 120 societies and clubs available to join.

If there isn’t a club for you, you’ll be encouraged to set one up for yourself.

Students say:

“Lots of choice. Make uni much more fun.”

“Very welcoming and inclusive”

“Large and enjoyable, especially the sports societies”

The university has been positively mentioned for its range of student support in several review categories. Their support covers wellbeing, money advice, disability and help for international students, amongst others.

Once you graduate you will become a life member of the Swansea University Alumni Association so you can stay connected long after you leave. Benefits include: special offers and discounts, a copy of the annual magazine, e-newsletters, Alumni events, reunions and Swansea University memorabilia.

Students say:

“My tutors have always been happy to help me.”

“I am able to get support on pretty much anything I need, both academic and personal”

“Everyone in the uni is really helpful, no matter tutor or just a staff member. If you need help, they're there for you.”

UK Students Per Year: £9,295

International Students Per Year: Please refer to website

How much you will pay depends on where you live and you may be eligible for financial assistance (income-related) and/or a scholarship bursary.

Excellence Scholarships

£3,000 will be awarded to all students who achieve AAA at A-Level (or equivalent including the Welsh Baccalaureate Award). Each scholarship will be worth £3,000 over three years.

Merit Scholarships

£2,000 will be awarded to all students who achieve AAB at A-Level (or equivalent including the Welsh Baccalaureate Award). Each scholarship will be worth £2,000 over three years.

Sport Scholarships

Each year the University offers several undergraduate entrance scholarships for outstanding students in their sporting activity. Scholarships are worth up to £1,000 per year.

Music Scholarships

Swansea University offers scholarships for talented musical performers worth up to £1,000 per year including a cash payment and regular instrumental and vocal lessons. 

Swansea University has a 5 QS Stars rating for teaching excellence and Teaching Excellence Framework Silver.

With hundreds of partner institutions across the globe and strong links with industry there are fantastic opportunities to gain work experience and/or study abroad as part of your degree.

Research

A third of all research from Swansea University was judged as ‘World Leading’ (the top rating) in 2014 REF.

Many of Swansea University’s departments are renowned across the UK for their research work, including their Colleges of Science, Human and Health Sciences and Engineering, amongst others. They also provide project support for other researchers.

Swansea University accepts a wide range of qualifications not just A Levels and BTEC National Diploma.  Each course has a different requirement and this can be found on the relevant course page on the website.

Some courses have requirement ranges for example AAB-BBB at A Level, this means the University will take things like your personal statement into account as well as your predicted grades before making a conditional offer.

Find your course here.