Top 10 Things To Do When You’re A Postgrad Student In Swansea

Swansea student As a new postgraduate student in Swansea, you're no doubt pleased with the quality of tuition you receive, and you can always rely on Postgrad.com for student welfare and accommodation advice – including information on the great student accommodation options from Fresh. So, with your basic needs taken care of, what else can Swansea offer you? Fortunately, as Wales’ second city, the answer is PLENTY! And here, in no particular order, is a list of our top 10.

1. Explore Swansea's markets

Swansea has all the usual UK high street shopping retailers, but for more interesting and economical shopping experiences, visit Wales' largest indoor market, Swansea Indoor Market in Oxford Street. There are other markets, too, such as Uplands Market and Morriston Market, both of which are worth visiting for unusual bargains.

2. Take a trip to the seaside

This is very easy to do given that Swansea is a coastal city (the clue's in the name). Oxwich Bay with its soft golden sands is a great place to visit. It's part of the nearby Gower Peninsula, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

3. Visit a museum

Wales has a long and, colourful history, from Ancient Celtic Britons to the Industrial Revolution and beyond. Visit Swansea Museum or the National Waterfront Museum for a fascinating glimpse into the past.

4. Walk in the park

Swansea's many parks are great for just getting away for a couple of hours whether to indulge in some quiet study, nurse a hangover in the fresh air or enjoy some exercise. Swansea Council maintains an A-Z list of all of Swansea's parks.

5. Attend a festival

Swansea International Festival takes place over two weeks in early October and is a must-see event with venues all over the city presenting great music, drama, exhibitions and more. Music lovers also flock to the Swansea International Jazz Festival and the Swansea Festival of Music & Arts.

6. Savour some local delicacies

Swansea has an interesting and delicious range of local cuisine – so make sure you try it out. Penclawdd cockles in batter are definitely worth a try, but not all local-produced delicacies are equally tasty. Some taste wonderful, while some others are very much an acquired taste, but that's beside the point. It's the experience that counts.

7. Enjoy sport

Whether as a dynamic player or just a lazy spectator, there are many opportunities in Swansea to get involved in sports. Penlan Leisure Centre is just one of several well-equipped sporting and swimming centres in Swansea, and there are always amateur and professional rugby and football matches to see live.

8. Enjoy great pubs

Varsity, Revolution and Yates are pubs that are well known and popular with students, but there are many more pubs throughout the city – so make sure you take the time to explore. And if you fancy some great live music to accompany your pint, check out the No Sign Bar in Wind Street.

9. Spend a night at the casino

Fancy channeling your inner Bond for a night? Then why not enjoy a night at the modern Grosvenor Casino on Swansea High Street. It's equipped with roulette, blackjack and poker tables and a range of slot machines. Being a casino, there are, of course, plenty of opportunities to lose all your money (not ideal for a student we know!) while having an enjoyable time, but if you can tear yourself away from the tables, there are also great bar and restaurant facilities as well as large video screens showing live sporting events.

10. Explore Wales

Wales is a small country, so exploring other parts of Wales from Swansea is very easy. Whether you want to visit Wales' capital city, Cardiff or spend a couple of days in the stunningly beautiful Snowdonia National Park, you'll find it easy to go anywhere in the country. Always look out for student discounts when booking bus or train tickets.