Academics |
Academic Program
Swansea University offers students the opportunity to become part of their world class research institution. You will be able to receive an outstanding experience academically and socially. You will enroll in regular university classes with their British counterparts and may participate for either a single semester or an entire academic year.
Studying in Swansea involves attending lectures, seminars and tutorials, which may be completely different to what you are used to. You are expected to attend all lectures and take notes during class. Different lectures will have different styles.
You choose your classes once you have arrived to Swansea University.
Please note that you can register for a maximum of 60 Swansea credits for a single semester (and there are no exceptions).
Course Descriptions and Syllabi
You can select classes from programs in the humanities and social sciences. You are not allowed to enroll in modules within Biological Science (Fall or Spring). You are advised to select Year 1 (HE level 4) or Year 2 (HE Level 5) modules. With the discretion of the department, it may be possible to select Year 3 (HE level 6) if students have a background in that subject area.
As the exams for Fall courses at Swansea take place in January following winter break, if you are only attending Swansea for the Fall semester, you will be able to have your exams proctored in the Education Abroad office at the corresponding time in January, however, if you enroll in the following subject areas, you must be physically present in Swansea in January to take the examinations:
- Engineering
- Math
- Economics
- Computer Science
- Business
- Geography
Review Swansea University’s website for more information regarding course offerings. The full list of undergraduate courses by subject is also available online here.
Course equivalency information for UAlbany Students
Credits earned on this program may be approved to satisfy the World History/International Perspectives or other UAlbany General Education requirements, if you earn appropriate credit in these areas and receive approval using the General Education Substitution Request form.
Courses may also satisfy major and minor requirements, with approval by the associated academic department(s). You may file a request to have additional courses approved for equivalency as necessary.
All courses successfully completed through this program abroad that are not assigned a specific UAlbany course equivalency will at least count as UAlbany General Elective credits. Credits and grades will appear on your UAlbany transcript.
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Faculty |
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Accommodations |
Housing
You can only apply for accommodation once you have been formally accepted to study at Swansea University by Swansea University. At Swansea, you have the choice of a wide range of housing options, including fully-catered halls, self-catering halls or self-catering university owned houses. Private accommodations are also available. The Accommodation Office will assist you in your search for housing.
If you live on campus housing, bedding is not included.
Meals
You can choose to live in the fully-catered hall but if you choose to live in a self-catered hall, your kitchen in your residence hall will be fully equipped, but you will need to provide your own crockery and utensils.
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Costs |
ESTIMATE OF COSTS
Review this program’s Estimate of Costs. Note, there may be several tabs in the Estimate of Costs. Please be sure that you are reviewing the tab for your anticipated semester abroad.
More Information
Click for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.
Remember to speak with the Office of Financial Aid at your home campus to determine how your aid package could apply towards your program abroad.
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Eligibility |
Academic Requirements
Sophomore, Junior and Senior students are eligible to participate. Applications are welcome from students in all majors and from UAlbany, other SUNY, and non-SUNY colleges/universities. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required. If your GPA is below the level indicated, consult with us about whether or not you should apply.
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Excursions |
Experiential Learning
Swansea University offers you the Buddy Scheme, where a Swansea student will help you settle into life at Swansea.
Student Clubs and Organizations
The Students’ Union organizes clubs and societies for many different activities, sports, religions and cultures. Every year, Swansea University hosts Freshers’ week for new students. The Fayres provides an introduction to the Students’ Union and showcase the fantastic services provided.
Swansea has many activities to keep you entertained from theaters, cinemas, museums, galleries, leisure centers as well as beaches and natural beauty. Check out Swansea student Life HERE. |
Scholarships |
Funding Opportunities
Most financial aid and academic awards will apply to semester programs.
External scholarships, listed on our website, are a good way to partially fund your study abroad experience. In addition, the Center for International Education and Global Strategy offers two scholarship programs for UAlbany students studying abroad on UAlbany or 4-year SUNY programs.
More information on applying to these scholarships is located on the Scholarships web page.
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Testimonials |
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Contact |
Speak with an Advisor
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Location |
About the City
Located on the southern edge of the Welsh Coal Field, the city of Swansea was once an industrial powerhouse known for its production of copper, coal, and steel, however, following the closing of the coal mines in the Welsh Valleys Swansea has reinvented itself into a cultural and commercial center of 200,000 that is the second biggest city in Wales.
Swansea is surrounded by different attractions, such as the Gower peninsula directly to the west of the University, known for its natural beauty and spectacular beaches, consistently voted among the best in the entire world. Students can also head north, into central Wales, visiting the dozens of small former coal communities and the mountains of Snowdonia, with their ancient history and connections to Arthurian lore, or you can head East, first to the Welsh capital of Cardiff, a short train ride away, or a bit further, to the metropolis of London, a world center of finance, fashion, music, and culture, a short three hour train journey away.
Travel Documents
A valid passport is required to participate in this program. U.S. citizens: If you are going to the United Kingdom to study for 6 months or less, you will get a Short-term Study visa. If you are going to the United Kingdom to study for more than 6 months, you will have to obtain a Tier 4 (General) visa. More information regarding the visa application process is available upon acceptance to the program.
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Duration |
Application Availability
Applications become available online one semester before the program start date, based on the following timeline:
- Spring/Winter/Spring Break programs: July
- Fall/Year/Summer programs: December
Program Dates
Academic Year 2024/2025
09/22/2024 to 6/6/2025
Fall 2024
09/22/2024 to 1/22/2025
*If you take courses with January exams, you will have to stay through the end of January, which will overlap with SUNY Spring semesters.
Spring 2025
01/23/2025 to 06/07/2025
The dates above are tentative. Once you confirm housing, you will be given arrival and departure dates.
Details about the full Swansea Academic Calendar are available online. |
Overview |
About the Program
Voted the UK’s "Best Student Experience", Swansea University takes pride in offering prospective students excellent academics as well as a vibrant social scene.
You'll find Swansea, the university between the city and the sea, at a prime location between the natural beauty of the Gower peninsula and the thriving community of Swansea City Centre packed with theaters, cinemas, restaurants and much more. On the campus itself you'll find excellent sports facilities, the Taliesin Arts Center, a wide range of dining options, and many other services. With over 30 fields of study, you can choose from a vast array of coursework to fulfill the majority of your home university’s requirements.
Following the 2014-2015 Academic year Swansea has opened a second campus called the Bay Campus located on the opposite side of the city from the original Singleton University and connected by bus lines, this new campus in home to the schools of Engineering and Management. Therefore if you are interested in taking courses from these parts of the University it is important to discuss this with your advisor to make sure that you will be able to get back and forth with enough time to attend all your classes.
Refer to the Swansea University’s exchange student web page for more information and updates.
Program Orientations
Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet other program participants, discuss in-depth the details of your program, and prepare of the overall education abroad experience. The fall semester pre-departure orientation will be conducted in mid-to-late May, and in late November/early December for the spring term abroad.
Upon arrival at Swansea University’s, you will attend a mandatory program orientation. This is an important and informative set of sessions organized by International Office of your host university.
Support Services
UAlbany’s Office of Education Abroad staff assists you during the application process, in your preparation to travel abroad, and on-site if necessary.
Swansea University’s International Office staff serve as an experienced resource for resolving issues that you may encounter in while abroad.
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