Education Abroad Office
Swansea University
| Area: | Exchange Program |
| Location: | Swansea |
| Country: | Wales |
| Term: | Spring, Fall, Academic Year |
USC's exchange program in Wales is designed to provide American students with first-hand knowledge of Welsh life and culture. The program is located in Swansea, approximately 35 miles west of Cardiff, the capital city. Renowned as South West Wales' premier entertainment center, Swansea (pop. 230,000) is filled with numerous theatres, art galleries, museums, and pubs. Situated along the south central coast of Wales, Swansea enjoys direct train access to London (3 hours) and other major cities in the UK. Students will attend Swansea University which was founded in 1920. The University overlooks Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, an area recognized for its outstanding natural beauty including spectacular cliffs and unspoiled beaches.
Category: 1, no foreign language proficiency requirement, all courses taught in English
Cost: USC resident tuition rates + in-country costs
Requirements: 3.0 GPA, preference given to students with a major/minor/concentration in History, Political Science, English or Engineering, however all qualified students are eligible to apply
Students on exchange pay in-state tuition directly to USC and do not pay tuition to Swansea. All housing, food, and personal expenses are paid by the student in Swansea. Swansea recommends that students budget approximately £130-£180 per week for accomodations and approximately £100 per week for general living expenses. The United Kingdom is an expensive place to study abroad due to the weak exchange rate between the dollar and pound. To get a better idea of life on site, you will find on the numbeo website indications on the cost of living in Wales compared to other countries in the world.
Students attending Swansea University on exchange may choose from a variety of courses in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Students attend classes with Welsh students and other international students. Students typically take three classes equaling 15 credit hours per semester.
To see courses USC students have taken at this university, please reference the Registrar's Course Equivalency Table.
Through its Student Life office, Swansea provides students with plenty of opportunitites to get involved with student organizations, sports clubs, and volunteer work. Students also have the opportunity for individual travel through the Cardiff airport, located near the Swansea campus.
Per university policy, all USC students will be charged for emergency medical, evacuation and repatriation insurance of for their time abroad. Students will be enrolled in this insurance by the education abroad office prior to their departure. Contact the Education Abroad Office for more details.
Students are encouraged to submit housing applications early as on campus housing is not guaranteed. For students who prefer to live off campus, upon acceptance to Swansea University students will be able to access an off campus messaging board to assist students in finding roommates, if they wish. It is normally necessary to secure off-campus housing after arrival. Room and board costs are paid in Swansea and vary based on the type of accommodation chosen.
Classes begin in late September and end in December for the fall semester. There are some courses that may require students to stay into January to take final exams or complete all of their final papers before their exit in December, therefore students wanting to go for the fall semester only need to plan ahead and consult with the Education Abroad Office. In the spring, classes begin in January and end in June.
Orientation will occur during the first few days after arrival. Students will learn about the university and Swansea as well as other important health and safety information.
U.S. citizens who attend Swansea University for one semester (less than 6 months) do not need to apply for a visa in advance. You will receive a Student Visitor visa at the airport. Students studying for the full academic year will need to apply for the PBS Tier Four General Student visa.
Starting on January 8th, 2025 all US passport holders who do not hold a visa [non-visa nationals aka, those studying in the UK for under 6 months will require that students obtain a Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to entry to the UK. With the ETA, all non-visa nationals may enter and leave the UK freely within the UK at any time (within a 6 month period). You must obtain this prior to your first entry to the UK. To gain more information on the ETA, please contact the Education Abroad Office and/or consult the Visa Tips and Information Page. If you hold an EU or UK/Ireland passport, please contact the Education Abroad Office to determine your eligibiility to enter without the ETA.