Swansea University Accommodation

Swansea University Campus is surrounded on 3 sides by parkland and on the fourth by the sea. It is located just over 2 miles from the city and the same from Mumbles which marks the start of the Gower Peninsula, the first area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Britain. It should be understood that the University halls are designed primarily for students, not for children or adults expecting a high level of luxury. However, the residences have achieved a Visit Wales 3 star and 4 star campus grading and they meet a level of comfort that we expect most visitors to be happy with. We will welcome any feedback where this is not the case.

Swansea: the city

Birthplace of Dylan Thomas, Swansea is Wales' second largest city, and is within walking distance of the five-mile sweep of Swansea Bay. During its 19th century industrial heyday, Swansea was one of the key centres of the world copper industry, earning the nickname 'Copperopolis'.

From state-of-the-art museum exhibits, sports facilities, galleries and theatres, to medieval castles, nature reserves and exotic gardens, Swansea combines the best of old and new: a modern, energetic city with strong historic roots.

Home and inspiration to Dylan Thomas, Swansea and Mumbles are essential destinations for learning about Wales' most famous literary figure. And sitting on the five-mile sandy stretch of Swansea Bay, just minutes from the Gower Peninsula, Swansea is also a perfect base for exploring some of the UK's most celebrated coastline.

Travel beyond Gower to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales and Aberglasney one of the finest gardens in Wales or stay closer to the campus and visit Clyne Gardens with its sweeping lawns and mysterious woods.

Swansea’s award winning Marina and Maritime Quarter are home to the National Waterfront Museum and the LC leisure complex & water park, both popular visitor attractions. In the city centre, you'll find the largest indoor market in Wales, where you can sample and buy many local delicacies such as cockles, laverbread and traditional Welshcakes.

Swansea visitor attractions

The National Waterfront Museum tells the story of Wales' industrial and maritime heritage. Swansea Museum is the oldest museum in Wales, opened in 1841. It contains a variety of exhibitions connected to Swansea and its people. The Dylan Thomas Centre celebrates the life and works of the poet and writer Dylan Thomas (1914-1953). The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery contains a mixture of traditional and modern art as well as a collection of porcelain and Swansea china.

Historical attractions include Swansea and Oystermouth Castles, dating from the 14th and early 12th centuries respectively. The 1930s Guildhall is a fine display of classical architecture with its white Portland stone façade and the 19th century Patti Pavilion is a Grade II listed building situated within Victoria Park, staging many shows, plays and musicals throughout the year.

Dates of Swansea's academic vacations

Rooms are mainly available during the Easter and Summer vacation.

Easter: mid-March to mid-April (excluding Easter weekend)
Summer: mid-June to late-September

Getting to Swansea

Swansea Bay is in south-west Wales, UK, and is easy to reach by car, train, coach, sea or air. Just a 3½ hour drive from London, and 2¾ hours from Birmingham, it's the ideal place to escape to for a relaxing short break, in peaceful surroundings.
In addition, fast and frequent train and coach services link major UK cities to Swansea Bay.

By Car: The M4 runs directly to Port Talbot, Neath and Swansea. The M6, M5, M42 and M50 connect the area to Southern Scotland, North and South West England, and the English Midlands. Swansea Bay operates an efficient Park & Ride scheme from three sites, Landore, Fforestfach and Fabian Way. Buses operate a frequent service to and from the city centre. For more details, go to www.swansea.gov.uk/parkandride.

By Train: Frequent trains run direct from London Paddington, Bristol, Manchester and Cardiff to the Swansea Bay area, and there are good connections from north-east, south and south west England. For rail information, contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk.

By Air: Cardiff International Airport is only 50 minutes away from Swansea Bay by road or rail and offers scheduled flights from major UK and European cities such as Manchester, Newcastle, Belfast, Paris, Brussels and Cork. Airlines operating from CIA include KLM, Ryanair, bmibaby and other low-cost airlines.

Useful contact numbers: Swansea Airport 01792 204063 www.swanseaairport.com.

Cardiff International Airport 01446 711111 www.cardiffairportonline.com. 

Swansea: the history

The history of Swansea includes a continuous period of human occupation stretching back one thousand years, and there is evidence for consistent occupation of the surrounding area for thousands of years before that into prehistory.

Swansea was the main town of the region for much of the medieval period. In the 18th century, the beauty of its surroundings led local dignitaries to attempt to establish it as a tourist resort. It achieved far greater prominence with the onset of the Industrial Revolution. Mirroring the similar population explosions in the South Wales Valleys, the town's population rose from 6000 to 17,000 between the 1801 and 1851 censuses. Industry grew throughout the 19th century, drastically changing the shape and even geography of the town and its surroundings. In the 20th century, industry declined but the town continued to grow in population.

Swansea officially gained city status in 1969.

Swansea: the university

The University is located in Swansea, Wales. It was chartered as University College of Swansea in 1920. The new title of Swansea University was formally adopted on 1st September 2007. It is the third largest university in Wales in terms of number of students. The university campus is located next to the coast at the north of Swansea Bay, east of the Gower peninsula, in the grounds of Singleton Park, just outside Swansea city centre.
Swansea and Cardiff University compete in an annual varsity match, known as the Welsh version of the Oxbridge event, termed the Welsh Varsity.

Famous Swansea Alumni

Andy Hopper CBE FRS, co-founder of Acorn Computers Ltd, Sir John Meurig Thomas, Chemist, Martin Coles, President of Starbucks Coffee International, Sylvia Heal MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Geoffrey Thomas, President of Kellogg College, Oxford, Andy Hopper CBE FRS, Head of Computing at Cambridge University
Professor Dame Jean Thomas, first female Master, St Catharine's College, Cambridge
D.Z. Phillips, philosopher, Welsh rugby internationals Rob Howley, Alun Wyn Jones and Dwayne Peel, Simon Jones, Worcestershire and England cricketer, Richey Edwards and Nicky Wire of rock group Manic Street Preachers.