Accommodation: Where to Live? – A guide for students in all years of study:

Are you starting at university in September and wondering where to live? Are you a seasoned uni student thinking of striking out on your own? Wondering how to decide where to make your “home away from home”? Continue reading for top tips and advice on student housing in university. As I am a current Swansea student, I will also add in my two pence on things to consider.

Reply 1

Swansea Students

Official Rep

University Student Housing – if you are a new student and this is your first time leaving the comforts of home to start your journey in higher education – then university halls may be the perfect fit for you! They provide a comfortable environment within reasonable distance from university (in most cases) and have basic amenities like laundry facilities, common rooms, etc. A key advantage of halls is that you get ample opportunities to make friends. Most universities also host student lead events such as movie nights for the halls.

In Swansea University the student halls are conveniently located on the grounds of the Singleton and Bay campuses. They are less than 15 minutes from the beach and supermarkets! Have a tour of the accommodation here. ]https://www.swansea.ac.uk/virtual-tour-stand-alone/?s=accommodation

Top Tip: Firstly – apply early for university accommodation! If you have received your decisions and are in contact with students joining the same course as you, you can sometimes request assignment of rooms together! Not all universities do that, but it is worth checking out.

(edited 10 months ago)

Swansea University

Private Student Halls – if you like a bit of space away from campus or are looking for built-in facilities then private student halls may be an option for you. Additionally, it is important to have their information at hand in case you have missed the window to apply for university accommodation. Beware of any additional requirements such as guarantors. They have the same vibe as university student halls but may have more options such as ensuite, studio, dual occupancy, and quiet flats.

Swansea University are working in partnership with private student housing companies to bring more options to its students. You can find out more about them here. https://www.swansea.ac.uk/accommodation/accommodation-options/true/

Top Tip: Contact them early to get quotes on rent and contract length so you can compare it to other options.

Reply 3

Swansea Students

Official Rep

Private Student Houses – this option (called HMOs) has recently been gaining popularity. It is most usually chosen by returning students. Once you know your adopted city a bit more or have made great friends in your first year, you may want to move out of student halls and into a house off-campus together. The advantage here is greater independence, private lettings, and control over your contract in terms of length (something to consider if you are intending to work during uni holiday season). Depending on the individual landlords, these houses come with a variety of options. If looking to save costs – shared bathroom housing may appeal instead of the student hall ensuites. Proximity to conveniences such as station, city centre etc may be worth considering.

As a current Swansea student, I chose to stay in private housing. The popular student areas in Swansea are the Uplands, Brynmill and Sketty – all with a varied range of housing options available.

Top Tip: Make sure to attend in person house viewings before making any decisions and read your contracts carefully!

Reply 4

Swansea Students

Official Rep

Independent Residential Living – this option may appeal to mature students who are moving to Swansea for higher education and bringing your family along. Things to keep in mind are houses and residential areas with street/garage parking. Parents may also want to scout areas with nurseries and schools of their choice.

In Swansea, the university has dedicated housing for students with families called Beck House located off campus. Take a tour here. https://www.swansea.ac.uk/virtual-tour-stand-alone/?s=accommodation&g=10&c=tours_2850073

Top Tip: Don’t forget to ask the university accommodation team to help you sort this as they may have advice and contacts with private landlords!

Hope these tips help you in your student journey!

Ruchika Yadav – Swansea Student Ambassador – Third Year Medical Student

Reply 5

swanseajack1

Can I ask whether the university is building increased number of halls especially on Singleton campus to make up for loss of accommodation in HSV. The big accommodation in Swansea is that there is approv1180 rooms on Singleton whereas there are 2000 on the Bay. The majority of Students study on Singleton meaning students need to travel between campuses or from the city centre.