Swansea University understands the important of face-to-face teaching time, allowing students to ask questions to their tutors and staff members, helping students feel comfortable with asking questions, increasing the quality of their work. For example, tutors offer “office hours” where students can ask open questions with out feeling embarrassed or under pressure. Swansea always drives for students to be prepared for the working world, by dedicating teaching time to helping us write and build professional CV’s, gain proficiency in popular software that is used in the professional environment.
Theory can only take students so far, putting this theory to practice can help students with a deeper understanding of a subject, which Swansea University believes in too. For many of the group projects set, students are required to put their theory to practice and build something from what they have learnt in the module. For example, for a final year project in Aerospace Engineering, the assignment was to design and build a glider, that can protect an egg. Practicals help students enforce theory, learn and fail and make the student think about the problem at hand, all important skills to learn.
Student life is a positive factor about this university, with many options of clubs and societies, ranging from chess to climbing 100m cliffs. There are many opportunities for students to get involved and build social groups. The night life in Swansea has been rated highly, top 10 in the UK, with many options of clubs and bars for any demographic.
Another positive factor about Swansea University, is the new campus (Bay campus) that’s situated next to a beach. Bay Campus was built in 2016, with lots of new facilities such as a wind tunnel and research groups, aiming to capture more engineering students. Many companies populate some of the buildings, including Rolls Royces and Pfizer, allowing for great networking opportunities.
However, the location of the campus isn’t a positive, as you are a 40 minute walk from the city, leaving you with an expensive options on campus. The bus system is unreliable at times, causing further problems in exam seasons and your social life.
Despite this, I would highly recommend this university to someone who is looking for a great all round study and social experience. The opportunities and positive factors out way the negatives that have been stated. I came into the first year nervous to talk to anyone, and I have become more confident, finding hobbies that have changed my life for the better.