Overall, I really enjoyed this course and feel like I am much better equipped to pursue a career in psychology. It has laid the groundwork for formal doctoral training, however, did not provide us with the required work experience to apply for this training. Though this may be because of the circumstances in which I completed this course.

A negative to note is that whilst I was assured blended learning, my programme was delivered entirely online which I feel took from the quality of teaching to some extent. However, the lecturers tried to adapt to the best of their ability in times of uncertainty to all of us.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Swansea. When I first arrived, I was slightly underwhelmed by the accommodation that I had been assigned. Although I loved the fact that it was on campus (and therefore, just a 5-minute walk to either my lecture halls or the beach), it was a very old building and fairly dingy rooms and kitchen. However, after meeting my 19 other flatmates the first year quickly got off to a good start. Some of those flatmates were the ones I lived with for the following 2 years of my experience and together we have become lifelong friends. As a group we often headed either into town for a trip to the pub and the inevitable night out that would follow, or alternatively, turn the opposite way out of the university and out to the Gower to explore its many stunning hikes and beaches. To me, I’d walk around Swansea and its area and think that no other institute offers a student life like the one at Swansea.
My course (BSc Geography) was the highlight of my entire uni experience. Geography is such a broad course and the first year felt a lot like a taster session to get a feel of what you did and didn’t like. Consequently, from 2nd year onwards, the wide range of choices meant that I could pursue the sub-disciplines that I was most passionate about. For me, that was mostly modules which focused on ecological or physical processes and led to what was the best experience I had whilst at uni and one of the best of my life. During 2nd year every geography student is offered to go on a trip to places such as Berlin, Mallorca or Vancouver. I was lucky enough to get on a trip where we spent 2 weeks submerged in the rainforests of Borneo. Both socially and academically it was a huge turning point for both me and everyone else on the trip. We saw orangutans, swam in jungle rivers, played football with the locals along with many other unforgettable experiences. From that point on my course only seemed to get better and by graduation, I realized it was the course and the friends I made on it which I will miss the most.
Early on I joined the university’s hockey club and stayed with them for my full three years there. Even though I was rarely present at socials, that was never held against me. I played for a combination of the 1sts and 2nds during my time at the club and loved almost every minute of it. The club is a part of both the BUCS leagues and the regional leagues, meaning we faced a variety of opponents, and each season culminated in what is the second-largest varsity in the UK (behind only Oxford vs Cambridge) where all sports clubs from Swansea and Cardiff compete against each other, with the rugby game being the grand finale held in either Principality Stadium or Liberty Stadium. I was lucky enough to make the team for Varsity in my final year and can honestly say that it was my best hockey experience to date.
So, for anyone thinking of joining Swansea, I couldn’t recommend the university enough.

Swansea University has been everything I had hoped for and more, so not only I did my undergraduate there, but I have also stayed for a Master’s!

First of all, it made me love linguistics even more, thanks to all the amazing lecturers that taught me over the years. The academic staff at Swansea University is not only extremely knowledgeable, but also incredibly supporting: whenever you don’t quite understand something, or you need some extra help with an assignment, their office door is always open and they are always ready to help!

Secondly, Swansea University takes care of its students. Whether it is financial aid or well-being support, the university is always ready to step up for its students. I remember one year a friend of mine was expected to pay the deposit for her new accommodation before the student loan kicked in and the university contacted the landlord to negotiate a later payment date.

Also, Swansea University provides so many extracurricular opportunities: from societies to sports to internships and years abroad, you name it! While I was studying for my bachelor’s, I had the chance to obtain a professional qualification for teaching English to speakers of other languages (CELTA), thanks to which I got some pretty amazing summer jobs, and I even became a Student Ambassador to earn some extra money.

And last but not least, Swansea University is in the perfect location: it is officially the closest university to the beach and it is not far from the Gower, one of the most beautiful places in Europe. One of the things I love the most about Swansea is that I can have BBQs and bonfires on the beach with my friends and that I can run along the seafront. And the nightlife is great too! There are so many different clubs, pubs and restaurants, and going out is never boring or too expensive.

Swansea University has a lot to offer and studying there was most definitely one of the best decisions of my life!