A WORLD OFOPPORTUNITYSwansea University is a global university attr<strong>ac</strong>ting world-class staff and around2,000 international students from 120 countries. Our welcoming campuscommunity is situated in rolling parkland, by a be<strong>ac</strong>h, in a safe, friendly citylocation just three hours from London by direct train.Whether it’s the colours and sounds of the annual International Student Festival,learning Japanese or Arabic with the student societies, or swapping notes andideas with students from far-flung pl<strong>ac</strong>es, the rich diversity of cultures that finds ahome in Swansea is an integral part of your student experience.160This section will tell you about:• the support we provide, from your first enquiry until you graduate• how we help our international students to improve their English language skills• our <strong>ac</strong>commodation policy, scholarships, and bursaries• the International Foundation Programme that provides an alternative entry to our degrees.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT SWANSEA162Swansea’s International StudentAdvisory ServiceAs an international student at SwanseaUniversity, you (and your family) willbenefit from the information, advice andsupport offered by our InternationalStudent Advisory Service (ISAS).You can use ISAS as a resource centreto find out about issues such as workingin the UK, driving, healthcare, andobtaining visas to travel to othercountries, or just to keep in touch withother students in Swansea. ISAS alsoprovides a free service to help you.For further information, please cont<strong>ac</strong>tthe International Student AdvisoryService:Tel: +44 (0)1792 602000Email: ISAS@<strong>swansea</strong>.<strong>ac</strong>.<strong>uk</strong> or visit thewebsite at <strong>www</strong>.<strong>swansea</strong>.<strong>ac</strong>.<strong>uk</strong>/study/current/StudentSupportServices/ISASDeveloping your language skillsIf you think you need to improve yourEnglish language skills before startingyour studies, or if you need support withthe English language while studying withus, our English Language TrainingServices (ELTS) offers a range ofprogrammes to help you <strong>ac</strong>hieve your<strong>ac</strong>ademic goals.We offer:• a full-time, year-round Englishlanguage programme for students whoneed to improve their language skillsbefore starting their studies• an English for University Studiesprogramme that focuses on generalEnglish language skills, exampreparation, and English for <strong>ac</strong>ademicpurposes. It also introduces you toBritish culture and studying in theBritish Higher Education system• free <strong>ac</strong>ademic English support classesfor all enrolled, full-time internationalstudents.For more information, please see ourwebsite at: <strong>www</strong>.<strong>swansea</strong>.<strong>ac</strong>.<strong>uk</strong>/elts orcont<strong>ac</strong>t English Language TrainingServices (ELTS).Tel: +44 (0)1792 295391Email: elts@<strong>swansea</strong>.<strong>ac</strong>.<strong>uk</strong>Quality, affordable <strong>ac</strong>commodationSwansea enjoys a reasonable cost of living that comparesfavourably with the rest of the UK. Our residences offer a rangeof single, en suite rooms and shared houses, providingindependent living in a relaxed, community environment. All our<strong>ac</strong>commodation gives you <strong>ac</strong>cess to the wireless network, anda telephone and internet connection point. Welfare wardens areon hand to offer pr<strong>ac</strong>tical advice and assistance out of hours.Our <strong>ac</strong>commodation commitment: apply for <strong>ac</strong>commodation by30 June and confirm your attendance, you’ll be guaranteed apl<strong>ac</strong>e in our residences.For more information about the range of <strong>ac</strong>commodationavailable, page 146.Supporting your faithThe campus-based Chaplaincy Centre is provided by a team ofsix chaplains from the Anglican (Church in Wales), Baptist,Greek Orthodox, Methodist, Roman Catholic, and UnitedReformed Church. They work together to support the spiritual lifeof the University community, regardless of r<strong>ac</strong>e, status or faith.We’re one of the few universities in the UK to have a mosque oncampus, and we were proud to win the UK’s Best MosqueProvision award from the Federation of Islamic Students.The University also has a Jewish community, and other faiths aresupported by student societies and groups.163