[WelshStarKid]

(Original post by emmz992)
Hey guys, I'm a first year swansea student studying ancient history/egyptology, and I lived in the student village, so if you guys have any questions feel free to ask away (:

I've applied as my firm History With Ancient History so I suppose the question to ask you is : what's the Ancient History side like in the first year?

Also, seeing as you're doing a joint too, what's the work load like? I know it'll probably be more than a single but is it easily manageable so far?

Last question (for now :P) I swear haha: Do you have any idea what Swansea is like with their grades you need to get in? For example, I have been asked to get ABB. I am predicted A(History) A(English) C/D(Biology) with an ace personal statement mainly about a debate club I set up and run in school, charity work, debating best speaker awards ect

Yeah, it's exam season so the last question is definately to try and calm some nerves ;D

And I know you'll love to answer this question so I'll just add another one:
What do you LOVE about Swansea University?

[chill543]

i got a qeustion too - whats the nighlife like?
is there lots of good places to go?

[jeaton]

Hi guys, i've just finished my 1st year, got to say, it was top class.

I would say try to live on campus if you can, its so much easier, as most stuff happens on campus.

The night life is one of the best things about Swansea, Tooters on campus on Fridays is one of the best nights anywhere I've been. Wind street in town is where everyone goes most nights, its cheap to get a taxi if you share with a couple of people, or there are buses for a pound. Its basically a strip of bars, clubs and restaurants, with a couple of casinos too. Wednesday nights are student night and Wind Street gets invaded with students, all having the time of their lives, and its reasonably cheap too!

[emmz992]

Hey! This is an essay reply so I'm sorry in advance!

Ancient History is really great at Swansea. They have a diverse range of classes to choose from over the years of the course so much so that you can pretty much specialise in a few things in particular if you wish, or just try a bit of everything. There are a few compulsary modules you have to do which are introductions to certain things so everyone has the same basic knowledge. The great thing is the majority of the lecturers are great (admittedly one or two not so much, but they only took a few of my lectures in one module), they're really enthusiastic and have a good sense of humour. For the first year of ancient history you cover the three major areas - Archaeology (which includes stuff like art, architecture and methods of archaeology), writing (poetry, ancient historians etc) and the actual history (events, famous people/places).

Honestly, joint honours is not that hard (well, so far!). We have relatively little contact time (i.e. lectures/seminars) compared to some degrees (This year I've had nine hours of lectures a week, and nine seminars a semester - there are two semesters every year of ten weeks each. Although with you doing history, they might want more contact time, I don't know. The boys in my flat all did engineering and had 20+ hours of contact time in comparison) but on the other hand most lecturers expect a lot of reading/researching to make up for it. Each module will most probably expect 1, occasionally 2 pieces of coursework that will contribute to your overall module mark in addition to an exam for each module. All my essays so far have been 1800-3500 words each, but they are expected to be of a very high standard (you'll have lectures about this). Also it's worth noting (and this is for all uni's) that universities mark more harshly that your sixth form/college will. A first at Swansea is 70%, a 2.1 is 60%, 2.2 50% and so on. Don't be too disheartened if you get 50% in your first essay if you're used to getting 70% and above! They're marking harshly because they want you to improve. Your first year doesn't count towards your overall degree, but you do have to pass it to continue into second year. The reason they are harsh is because they want you to get better before it starts counting (: But yeah, all in all, easily manageable. Only piece of advice would be don't leave essays to the last minute. Everyone does it, but you'll ineveitably end up having two essays with due dates close to each other, and if you leave them you'll end up pulling all nighters to get them done because universities can be really harsh about missing deadlines even by a few minutes!

Swansea is actually really great about grades. I had swansea in my original five choices, but then didn't put it as my insurance or firm. When I let them know on ucas they actually sent me an email saying they'd liked my application so were going to keep my application on file just in case I ended up in clearing. I needed ABB for my firm and insurance, and that's also what Swans wanted, and ended up with ABC. Phoned up Swansea in clearing and because they'd kept my file everything was sorted in literally less than five minutes. With two A's and an ace personal statement you should be fine! If in doubt, just phone/email someone and remember enthusiasm is key with uni applications haha.

I can't honestly pin one thing I love about Swans. I love that the beach is so close. I love the community aspect of it. I love that the university has everything I need either on campus or very close to it. I love the nightlife (having heard about some of my friends' universities, we definitely seem to have a really great place for nights out. The on-campus club Tooters is ridiculously cheap, or you can go to Wine St in town which is made up of clubs, pubs, bars, restaurants, take aways and a casino). I love the enthusiastic and quirky lecturers. I love living independently with friends. I loved freshers (seriously do as much as you can, great times and also the best time for making friends and trying new societies!). Pretty much love swansea uni in general, and I'm so glad I came here... literally can't wait for second year - you will have an awesome time here!!

[Aconfusedstudent]

I have a conditional to study English Literature (ABB)

I think i'm or target to get it and I applied for accommodation the night I got the email for Penmaen. I have friends who go to swansea and i've visited them in the student village which definitely seems like the funny laid-back place to be but I can't bare catching the bus everyday when theyre often so busy. It's also like £300 or something for a bus pass. But other than that it did seem hilarious.

I'm so excited to go though, so much so I get nervous I haven't got the grades to be so excited about it. WAA!

Anyone know anything about English there?

[WelshStarKid]

(Original post by emmz992)
Hey! This is an essay reply so I'm sorry in advance!

Ancient History is really great at Swansea. They have a diverse range of classes to choose from over the years of the course so much so that you can pretty much specialise in a few things in particular if you wish, or just try a bit of everything. There are a few compulsary modules you have to do which are introductions to certain things so everyone has the same basic knowledge. The great thing is the majority of the lecturers are great (admittedly one or two not so much, but they only took a few of my lectures in one module), they're really enthusiastic and have a good sense of humour. For the first year of ancient history you cover the three major areas - Archaeology (which includes stuff like art, architecture and methods of archaeology), writing (poetry, ancient historians etc) and the actual history (events, famous people/places).

Honestly, joint honours is not that hard (well, so far!). We have relatively little contact time (i.e. lectures/seminars) compared to some degrees (This year I've had nine hours of lectures a week, and nine seminars a semester - there are two semesters every year of ten weeks each. Although with you doing history, they might want more contact time, I don't know. The boys in my flat all did engineering and had 20+ hours of contact time in comparison) but on the other hand most lecturers expect a lot of reading/researching to make up for it. Each module will most probably expect 1, occasionally 2 pieces of coursework that will contribute to your overall module mark in addition to an exam for each module. All my essays so far have been 1800-3500 words each, but they are expected to be of a very high standard (you'll have lectures about this). Also it's worth noting (and this is for all uni's) that universities mark more harshly that your sixth form/college will. A first at Swansea is 70%, a 2.1 is 60%, 2.2 50% and so on. Don't be too disheartened if you get 50% in your first essay if you're used to getting 70% and above! They're marking harshly because they want you to improve. Your first year doesn't count towards your overall degree, but you do have to pass it to continue into second year. The reason they are harsh is because they want you to get better before it starts counting (: But yeah, all in all, easily manageable. Only piece of advice would be don't leave essays to the last minute. Everyone does it, but you'll ineveitably end up having two essays with due dates close to each other, and if you leave them you'll end up pulling all nighters to get them done because universities can be really harsh about missing deadlines even by a few minutes!

Swansea is actually really great about grades. I had swansea in my original five choices, but then didn't put it as my insurance or firm. When I let them know on ucas they actually sent me an email saying they'd liked my application so were going to keep my application on file just in case I ended up in clearing. I needed ABB for my firm and insurance, and that's also what Swans wanted, and ended up with ABC. Phoned up Swansea in clearing and because they'd kept my file everything was sorted in literally less than five minutes. With two A's and an ace personal statement you should be fine! If in doubt, just phone/email someone and remember enthusiasm is key with uni applications haha.

I can't honestly pin one thing I love about Swans. I love that the beach is so close. I love the community aspect of it. I love that the university has everything I need either on campus or very close to it. I love the nightlife (having heard about some of my friends' universities, we definitely seem to have a really great place for nights out. The on-campus club Tooters is ridiculously cheap, or you can go to Wine St in town which is made up of clubs, pubs, bars, restaurants, take aways and a casino). I love the enthusiastic and quirky lecturers. I love living independently with friends. I loved freshers (seriously do as much as you can, great times and also the best time for making friends and trying new societies!). Pretty much love swansea uni in general, and I'm so glad I came here... literally can't wait for second year - you will have an awesome time here!!

Don't apologise! I'm usually the one writing monster essays ;D
I will say thankyou so, so much for the time you took to write this. Not only has it helped a few of my fears over grades but this "essay" has lots of useful pointers and even some information I didn't know! (Including what percentage you need for the different degree awards! And the heads up they're harsh markers but I suppose I expected it, other wise what is a degree worth I suppose.)

Seeing as you've done Ancient History as a joint honours do you have any books you would reccomend for someone looking for some things to read over the summer?

Thanks again for everything you've put so far! Definately what I need to get excited over the university for motivation for the exams!

[Love.life]

I've got my conditional offer for Economcis and it's my firm choice.
Although I loved Swansea when I went to visit its hours away from where I live and I don't know anyone else who's applied here!!

[WelshStarKid]

(Original post by Love.life)
I've got my conditional offer for Economcis and it's my firm choice.
Although I loved Swansea when I went to visit its hours away from where I live and I don't know anyone else who's applied here!!

Nobody in my entire sixth form has applied to Swansea apart from me!
It's why I started this thread to maybe get to know some names at least of others going ;D

I've put Swansea as my firm for History with Ancient History
So not quite economics but I doubt we'll ony know people in our classes right?
;D
What accomodation are you hoping to get?

[chill543]

(Original post by WelshStarKid)
Nobody in my entire sixth form has applied to Swansea apart from me!
It's why I started this thread to maybe get to know some names at least of others going ;D

I've put Swansea as my firm for History with Ancient History
So not quite economics but I doubt we'll ony know people in our classes right?
;D
What accomodation are you hoping to get?

somebody who went to my school and was in the school band with us that i know has gone and done the same course that i want to do there

but i can wait, only 2 more exams now xD its gunna be good

[Love.life]

It was a good idea :P
Yeah but I'm not planning on just knowing my class anyways so it's cool I've applied for all the en-suite halls as first choices, I cant remember what they're called.


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[WelshStarKid]

(Original post by Love.life)
It was a good idea :P
Yeah but I'm not planning on just knowing my class anyways so it's cool I've applied for all the en-suite halls as first choices, I cant remember what they're called.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

I've applied for ensuites too!
Finally, I found someone applying at least to be on campus, so many people on this site have gone for the student village :P Well, the ones I've seen anyway. I'm hoping to get into a medium room at Preseli (ensuite, 17 to a floor), so fingers crossed

[WelshStarKid]

(Original post by chill543)
somebody who went to my school and was in the school band with us that i know has gone and done the same course that i want to do there

but i can wait, only 2 more exams now xD its gunna be good

I've finally finished my exams!
^_^

Fingers crossed I get in! Swansea looks amazing
Until then though, time for an amazing summer!

[chill543]

(Original post by WelshStarKid)
I've finally finished my exams!
^_^

Fingers crossed I get in! Swansea looks amazing
Until then though, time for an amazing summer!

I FINISHED TOOOO

i cant wait! (my sister tells me all about uni lol )

[chill543]

(Original post by WelshStarKid)
I've finally finished my exams!
^_^

Fingers crossed I get in! Swansea looks amazing
Until then though, time for an amazing summer!

witch halls u staying in mrs welsh?

[Love.life]

(Original post by WelshStarKid)
I've applied for ensuites too!
Finally, I found someone applying at least to be on campus, so many people on this site have gone for the student village :P Well, the ones I've seen anyway. I'm hoping to get into a medium room at Preseli (ensuite, 17 to a floor), so fingers crossed

I know that one of my top 2 choices and I've gone for a medium room too I'm just lazy so being on campus sounded good too me lol, plus I don't know the area so I thought i'd be better off there :P


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[WelshStarKid]

(Original post by chill543)
witch halls u staying in mrs welsh?

Mrs Welsh? :P
Well *insert witty nickname here I'm far too tired to think of xD* I'm hoping to stay in Preseli, at least that's what I put in the preference box anyway.

What about you?

[WelshStarKid]

(Original post by Love.life)
I know that one of my top 2 choices and I've gone for a medium room too I'm just lazy so being on campus sounded good too me lol, plus I don't know the area so I thought i'd be better off there :P


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

You're not the only lazy one don't worry xD
I like my sleep and didn't want to wake up any later than I had to to get to a lecture ;D Especially if I went to Sin City or any other the other night life venues the night before xD

So have you been to any of the open days then?

[Theturnbull9]

(Original post by WelshStarKid)
You're not the only lazy one don't worry xD
I like my sleep and didn't want to wake up any later than I had to to get to a lecture ;D Especially if I went to Sin City or any other the other night life venues the night before xD

So have you been to any of the open days then?

Anyone know when we will get our offers for accommodation?

[Love.life]

Haha, exactly, it's common sense :P
I have been to one, it was sometime last year I don't really remember when but it was nice weather so it was probably September :L you?


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[GarethH]

Unconditional Offer to study Accounting and Finance... probably going to stay in the student village.

anybody else daft enough to do accounting? lol