Swansea University

The University's mission statement states that:

"Swansea University will provide an environment of research excellence, with research being undertaken that is world-leading and internationally recognised, and that informs all other activities at the University.

Swansea will deliver an outstanding student experience, with teaching of the highest quality that produces graduates equipped for distinguished personal and professional achievement.

The University community will be a powerhouse for economic growth in the regional economy, and will greatly enrich the community and cultural life of Wales. It will contribute to the health, leisure, and wellbeing of citizens in South West Wales and beyond."

The Iowa Regents' Semester in Wales offers undergraduate students the exciting opportunity to study for a semester at a British university. Students are fully integrated academically and socially with their British counterparts at the Swansea University in Wales.

Students voted Swansea University the UK's best place to study. The University has beaten off competition from 170 institutions across the UK to win the Times Higher Education Supplement award for Best Student Experience. Over 10,000 undergraduates assessed their institutions and Swansea emerged as the clear winner, with outstanding ratings for its facilities, prospects, social life and course satisfaction. Students also said that their experience at Swansea University had exceeded their expectations.

Learn more about student life at Swansea University for visiting and exchange students.

Student Handbook (pdf)

This picturesque city has over 200,000 inhabitants. It enjoys excellent road and rail connections to all parts of Britain. London is only three hours away by train, and Stratford- upon –Avon and Oxford are similar distances. The city is an important commercial center and also a growing tourist destination.

Swansea has excellent shopping centers; the city market dates back to the Middle Ages, while the Quadrant Shopping Center is among the most modern in the country. Dozens of shops are housed in attractive undercover malls and arcades. Swansea’s splendid Maritime Quarter has been the role model for other national maritime developments. A variety of shops, restaurants, and museums are located here in a picturesque setting.

Swansea University lies on the wide sweep of Swansea Bay with the Gower Peninsula, an area of outstanding natural beauty, extending fifteen miles to its west. The Gower consists of a string of secluded and dramatic bays, cliffs, valleys, and sandy coves and is a natural playground for hiking, horseback riding, hang gliding, surfing, fishing, and rock climbing.

Swansea University has approximately 12,000 full-time students. The university is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Students come from all parts of the United Kingdom – England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales – as well as many other countries. With more than 2000 of students coming from outside the U.K., the campus enjoys an international flavor, yet unique Welsh cultural influences are also evident.

The university has an attractive campus setting, situated in acres of parkland along the seacoast just to the west of the city of Swansea. Academic and recreational facilities are first class. The Taliesin Arts Centre, Sports Centre, and University Students’ Union offer a wide array of leisure activities.

2012-13 Course/Module Search
Courses denoted TB1 are for Fall, TB2 are for Spring.

Fall (Autumn) Program
Students arrive approximately 2 weeks before the beginning of the fall or spring term officially begins. After orientation, students take the two-week British Culture & Politics course with the other American students on the program. After the pre-sessional module, program participants begin their university studies and take a full load of regular courses with British students. Students typically take 4 additional classes (modules) which award approximately 3 credits each. The Fall program ends in mid-December. Students who go to Swansea in the Fall will find that they have sufficient free time to travel around the U.K. and to visit many European cities.

Spring Program
In addition to all things offered in the fall program, students on the Spring program will have a one-month spring break from mid-March to mid-April. Most students decide to travel during the break; but students have the option of staying in Swansea in university housing. It may be possible to arrange a full-time internship for 4 additional credits during this time for students who wish to stay. In April, students resume classes, which will remain in session until mid-May. Students must sit for examinations. The examination period usually ends around the 10th of June.

Mini-Course (AMX 301 - British Culture & Politics)
This course is required of all program participants. It provides students with an introduction to both the unity and diversity of the British culture, including British historical, literary, and political life. Particular emphasis is placed on the regional distinctiveness of Wales as a part of the United Kingdom. This intensive mini-course awards 3 US credits. As part of this course, students will go on field trips to places of interest around Wales. This course will also serve as an ongoing orientation to the British university system; one goal of the course is to help students understand what is expected of them academically and help prepare them to succeed in class during their time in Swansea.

Pre-Sessional Course

The London pre-sessional AMX-315, British Culture and Politics is being offered in London as well as Swansea. This pre-sessional course is taught over three weeks by the Foundation of International Education and is based in London. The course is worth 10 credits (3 US credits). Please note that classes and excursions are subject to change.
Course Description:
This course will consider issues which have become central to British political and cultural debate. These will include differences between English, British and European identities, the role of the monarchy, parliamentary democracy and London’s multiculturalism. Welsh politics, culture and the relationship to the rest of the UK, England in particular, will also be discussed. The British media and cultural institutions will be closely examined.
Assessment:
50%: 6 page essay (can be double spaced)
40%: Final exam
10%: Participation
Arrival:
When students arrive instead of going directly to Swansea they will be picked up and taken to a hotel in London. Students will experience all that London represents in the 21st Century, and will be exploring its cultural, political, economical, and social issues. This course will be a $3000 supplement; this is because of the higher cost of staying in London as well as the salary for the staff.

This will be a great experience, and after the course is done, you will be taken to Swansea to sign up for classes before the 2nd semester begins. For the three week outline please go to the website.

London Pre-sessional

Fall Term:

Arrive in London and Orientation: Late August
London Pre-sessional Module: Early to mid September

Transfer to Swansea: Late September

Spring Term:
Arrive in London and Orientation: Early January

London Pre-sessional Module: Early to Late January

Transfer to Swansea: Late January

Approximate Program Dates for the Swansea with no Pre-sessional

Fall: Mid September to mid December

Spring: Early Mid January to Late June

See link for 2012-2013 application form, complete with exact academic year dates.

Fall 2010

$8900 Tuition Fee. (With London pre-sessional: $11900)

The program fee includes: (Swansea) Tuition & Regents' fees, housing, field trips, a semester bus pass, on-site orientation, and an official transcript.

The program fee DOES NOT include: airfare, meals, books, international health insurance, ISIC card, passport, and personal expenses. Students will be billed Swansea directly after they register for classes in Swansea.