Swansea Metropolitan University

History

For most of the 20th century there were - in addition to Swansea University - three separate further educational institutions serving the city of Swansea: the Swansea (Municipal) School of Art and Crafts (established in 1853); the Swansea College of Education (established in 1872) and Swansea Technical College (established in 1897).

During this time, the School of Art and Crafts, one of the oldest in Britain, was based on Alexandra Road not far from its present location at the bottom of Mount Pleasant Hill opposite Swansea Central Police Station.

The former College of Education was based in the Townhill area of the city where the Metropolitan University's teaching and humanities courses are still taught.

Swansea Technical College, located in Mount Pleasant, was a well known and respected supplier of vocational qualifications; where many of the Metropolitan University's programmes are still based, including business, computing, engineering and construction.

In 1976 the three institutions came together to form the West Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education. In 1992 the institution was renamed Swansea Institute of Higher Education and became an independent Higher Education Corporation away from local authority control. In 2008 and following a successful two-year inspection, the Privy Council gave permission for the institution to be renamed Swansea Metropolitan University.

Despite these radical changes, the university has stayed close to its roots, with the three founder institutions still reflected in the four Faculties that make up the university today. They are:

The Faculty of Art and Design, based in the redeveloped former Dynevor Grammar School, in the heart of the city, and now known as Swansea College of Art a constituent campus of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

The Faculty of Humanities (which includes the School of Education), which remains prominent in the provision of teacher training, has an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes and has also expanded to include courses in performance and literature, counselling and psychology;

The Faculty of Business and Management, based on the site of the former Swansea College of Technology, which has a portfolio of programmes which includes business, leisure and tourism, public services, management and health and social care;

The Faculty of Applied Design and Engineering, which is true to the traditions of the former Swansea College of Technology in that it is a key supplier of skilled workers for a number of different modern-day industries covering engineering, logistics, construction, computing, industrial design, and the creative industries.

There has been a revolutionary change in the make-up of the institution over the past half century, moving from three separate establishments offering few higher education programmes, to a university that has now close to 7,000 students and is an established and respected provider of undergraduate, postgraduate and research qualifications, as well as professional programmes. Yet, at the same time, it has remained true to its 157+ year past, staying a vocationally driven, industry-focused university, serving the local and wider community beyond.

The university is also one of the most financially secure institutions in Britain, with a strong record of graduate employment and research success.

Despite being an institution that focuses on teaching, sixty per cent of the university's research work has been rated as being of 'international significance', and in some cases 'world leading' according to the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, with particular strengths in art and design, teaching and engineering.

Faculties

Swansea Metropolitan University has four faculties:

Faculty of Applied Design and Engineering

Schools:

Faculty of Art and Design

Based in Swansea College of Art.

Schools:

Faculty of Humanities

Based on Swansea Metropolitan University’s Townhill campus

Schools:

Faculty of Business and Management

Based on University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Business campus, High Street Swansea

Schools:

Student accommodation

There are five halls of residence based on two separate campuses. There are over 300 rooms for first year students to apply for with a mixture of standard study bedrooms and rooms with en-suite facilities. For students who do not plan to stay in halls, there is no shortage of good quality housing in the private rented sector.

Libraries

The campuses at Dynevor, Mount Pleasant and Townhill each have a comprehensive library well-stocked with materials relating to the courses taught on each site. Students can also access electronic books and electronic journals, plus other databases and information on and off campus 24/7, via the library website. In all three libraries photocopiers are available for use, in addition to open access computer areas with PCs linked to the university wireless network.

IT and computing

Open Access PCs are available in all three libraries; in addition there is a dedicated computer suite available in the Thompson Building on the Mount Pleasant Campus which offers extended opening hours. All PCs offer a range of general purpose packages and have internet connectivity. Printing provision is available in all areas. Technical queries and support to users is provided by a dedicated group of staff technicians.

Careers Service

The Careers Service is available to all and aims to enhance employability and to assist career planning. Employability is at the heart of the university’s undergraduate provision.

A Careers and Employability Service provides advice and guidance on career planning, job seeking skills, CV writing, interview techniques and confidence building.

Each campus library has a careers section where students are able to research career options and acquire specific employer knowledge. Online information and guidance is also available and students can develop E-portfolios and Personal Development Plans to create an employability profile.

Enterprise

The university has a track record of supporting graduates who wish to start their own business and they rank as the best in Wales for producing successful graduate start-up businesses. In total, 26% of all thriving Welsh graduate start-ups, which have survived three years or more, began life at the university.

Employability and entrepreneurship are embedded in the curriculum through the promotion of entrepreneurial skills such as creativity and innovation as well as providing advice on commercialising ideas and making them work.