Swansea City Guide
Swansea is the second-biggest city in Wales. It is a flourishing coastal city that provides an amazing experience for students, and it is situated along the South Wales coast. The major universities in the city are Swansea University and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. The city's friendly neighbourhood, diverse dining options, exciting nightlife, and miles of stunning beaches make it an excellent choice for students.
Universities
Swansea University is a well-known research university that is ranked 37th out of the top 50 universities in the United Kingdom. It is particularly known for its engineering, maths, and science courses. The university is spread across two campuses: Bay Campus, situated on a 65-acre beachfront property, and Singleton Park Campus, which is situated in mature parkland with views of Swansea Bay. Additionally present in Swansea, with three campuses spread throughout the city, is the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. With excellent academic standing, both universities provide a broad range of programs.
Student Areas and Accommodation
In Swansea, well-liked neighbourhoods for students are Brunswick, Sandfields, Sketty, and Uplands. The city centre also offers student housing. Most first-year students reside in private student housing or university halls. Many students relocate into shared houses or apartments in these neighbourhoods after their first year, as they provide a variety of amenities, handy locations, and good housing options.
Getting around
A comprehensive public bus system serves Swansea's city, beach, marina, and grand theatre. Additionally, Singleton campus, the city centre, and Bay campus offer bikes for rent. Connectivity to other parts of the UK is offered by the train station, which is only ten minutes' walk from the city centre. Cardiff Airport is the closest for international travel, approximately one hour's drive away. Heathrow and Gatwick airports in London are 3.5 and 4.5 hours away, respectively, while Bristol Airport is two hours distant.
Food and Drink
With a wide selection of restaurants, pubs, and bars, Wind Street serves as the hub of Swansea's food and drink scene. Among the many well-known locations are Slug & Lettuce, Proud Mary, ASK Italian, Nando's, TGI Fridays, and The Smoke Haus. Discounts for students are available at many places, which lowers the cost of eating out.
Nightlife
According to Student Hut, Swansea ranked 9th among student cities for nightlife in 2020. The hub of the city's nightlife is Wind Street, which is lined with a lot of bars and clubs. Popular on-campus destinations for nights out are Swansea University's student unions, JCs, and Cove nightclub. Some student favourites are Peppermint, Flickering Lights, Heaven, Proud Mary etc.
Study Spots
Swansea University offers lots of places to study, including a large library with sections for both solo and group study sessions. Both university campuses provide a range of study spaces. There are lots of study-friendly cafes in the city for those who would rather live off campus.
Local Amenities
Swansea provides a variety of student facilities. There are lots of stores and supermarkets in the city centre and student neighbourhoods, and many of them give student discounts. Sports facilities are available on both university campuses, and there are numerous gyms in the city. There is easy access to medical care, including general practitioners and dentists, thanks to the University Health Centre on the Singleton campus.
Swansea is a great place to pursue higher education because of its vibrant student community, stunning coastal setting, and excellent academic reputation. Additionally, the university has an employability hub that assists with job opportunities and CV checks, and a Discovery SVS hub that offers volunteer opportunities.
Swansea offers a distinctive and rewarding student experience, regardless of what draws you in—its well-known universities, its vibrant cultural scene, or the breathtaking Gower Peninsula.
Insider Tips
As someone who has lived in the city while studying, here are a few insider tips. First things first: obtain as many Clubcards and Advantage cards as you can. These will allow you to accrue points or discounts on your purchases. Second, make the most of all the chances the university provides to expand your CV, such as volunteering and joining the student representative body. Don’t forget to join a club/society. And lastly, make every effort to enjoy yourself at the beaches! The bonfires are elite.
