Parents and Guardians

A student dressed in graduation robe walking with her mother.

Supporting your child to make the right decision

As a parent, guardian or someone with caring responsibilities, you will find yourself as one of the most important and trusted sources of information and advice for your child. Deciding to go to University is a big step in their journey toward independence and although this is an exciting time we understand that it can also be challenging.

The following information will help you understand the process better so that you can plan ahead and support your child in making the right decision. Fill out the form below to receive helpful tips and advice for your child.

Parent Q&A

Saturday 8th May

Why go to University?

Going to university is a big decision and can be a life-changing experience. With so many options available you may be questioning whether higher education is the right choice. Here are five reasons why going to university may be the right option for your child.

1. Improve career prospects

Competition in the job market is fierce and a degree will give your child the best possible start to their career. Not only are options open once they graduate, but they are likely to progress much quicker in their chosen career than a non-graduate. There are also opportunities to undertake work placements and internships. At Swansea we are proud to say that we are the UK top 10 for graduate prospects (DLHE 2018).

2. Increase Earning potential

A degree from Swansea University will give your child the edge when it comes to competing for jobs. On average, graduates earn £12,000 per year more than non-graduates.

3. Develop key skills

Our interdisciplinary degree schemes allow students to develop skills such as communication, organisation, time management, team-work, leadership, presentation and problem-solving alongside their studies.

4. Gain independence

Going to university and living away from home is a time for your child to gain independence and develop self-confidence. It is not only in-depth knowledge of their chosen subject they will enjoy but all the other aspects of student life as well. Joining clubs and societies and being part of the Students’ Union all adds to the experience.

5. Make friends for life

Living in halls of residence or shared housing is a first time experience for many students and your child will find that it is a great way to establish friendships that will last a lifetime. Swansea is proud of its multicultural campus and your child will be part of a community of students from around the globe.

Where to live at Swansea University

Preparing for September - Parent Q&A

Parents trip to Swansea University

Student Life at Swansea University

Why choose Swansea?

How much does it cost to go to university?

We know one of the biggest concerns can be the cost of going to university. Take a look at our tuition fees page for information on:

how much it will cost to study at Swansea University
how and when graduates pay back their loans
maintenance loans, which help towards living expenses while at university.

The amount your child is eligible to borrow depends on factors including where they will be studying and your household income. It is worth noting, you do not pay fees upfront and students can apply for tuition fee loans to cover all or part of their fees.

At Swansea University, we also have a number of scholarships and bursaries available.

Key information

When to start thinking about university

Decisions your child makes at an early stage, even at GCSE, can have an impact on what and where they end up studying. It is completely normal for young people to be unsure about their future and find the process quite daunting. You may find the following resources quite useful to guide your child when thinking about GCSEs:

BBC Bitesize - Everything you need to know about choosing your GCSE subjects
Which? University - How important are GCSE choices when it comes to University

One of the best ways to explore what subjects your child is interested in is to attend an Open Day. At an Open Day you will get the opportunity to speak with staff and students, listen to subject talks and find out more about student life.

When and how to apply to university

For specific information on when and how to apply for an undergraduate course, please see the UCAS website.

You can also use our handy application timeline to identify key dates.

Student accommodation

Take a look at our accommodation guide for parents. It has lots of information and outlines the accommodation process for each year of study.

My son or daughter has mentioned Clearing, what does this mean?

If your son or daughter hasn't secured a place at University, didn't get the grades they expected or did better than expected then they can take part in Clearing.

Clearing is a UCAS process which matches applicants to course vacancies. For further information please see our Clearing Advice for Parents page.

Why choose Swansea University

We don't like to toot our own horn, but...

Swansea University won UK University of the Year 2019 in the WhatUni? Student Choice Awards; voted for entirely by students.

As well as being crowned University of the Year, Swansea took the top spot in the International category and placed top three in the Postgraduate, and Course and Lecturers categories.

Swansea University has been awarded the highest possible rating for teaching excellence and student outcomes. Our TEF Gold Award is recognition for our outstanding teaching quality, learning environment and student outcomes.

As a Swansea University student, there are many opportunities for your child to gain international experience. They can study abroad for a semester or year as part of their degree or spend some of the summer on a volunteering programme or internship abroad. For further information please see our international opportunities.

Swansea University is set in an amazing location and really is a city by the sea. From the Maritime Quarter and Uplands to nearby Mumbles, Swansea is a city with plenty of charm and bags of character. Take a look at our Student Guide to find out why your child will find themselves right at home in Swansea.

Will my child fit in at university?

One of the biggest concerns for parents and guardians is will their child settle, make friends and feel like they belong at university. At Swansea, we have over 150 clubs and societies and a strong campus-based student community. Joining a club or society will be a great way for your child to meet like-minded people and make friends. If they can’t find the perfect society we make it really easy for them to start their own!

During Freshers Week all students are encouraged to attend the Freshers Fayre on campus, this is a great opportunity to start meeting people and discovering all the clubs and societies on offer. Our Student’s Union Officers are on hand throughout Freshers Week to answer questions and help new students settle in.

The support doesn’t stop there…

Swansea Employability Academy

During their studies and after graduation, Swansea University students have access to a dedicated Employability Academy. During their time at Swansea they will have the opportunity to engage with industry, take on placement opportunities and work experience so they are fully equipped for the world of work once they graduate.

The Academy provides a wide range of support including:

Placements
Careers fairs
CV writing workshops.

We have a number of Careers Advisors available during and outside term time, so you can be assured that they will receive all the support they need.

Calling all entrepreneurs

Our award-winning Enterprise team are always on hand to encourage budding entrepreneurs, by developing their skills and helping them gain valuable experience through a unique support programme. Take a look at some of our student stories and the businesses they have set up whilst studying at Swansea.

Next steps...

If you haven’t done so already, attending an Open Day with your child is a great way to get answers to all your questions and to see what it’s really like to be a student at Swansea. Take a look at our undergraduate open day pages, for further information and to book your place.

Alternatively, you can contact our admissions team on Email or call 01792 295111

We look forward to welcoming you to Swansea!