Swansea Metropolitan University
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Welsh: Campws Abertawe
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Former names
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Swansea Metropolitan University, West Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education (1976), Swansea (Municipal) School of Art and Crafts (1853); Swansea College of Education (1872), Swansea Technical College (1897). |
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Parent institution
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University of Wales Trinity Saint David |
| Students | 5,765[1] |
| Undergraduates | 4,520[1] |
| Postgraduates | 1,075[1] |
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Other students
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175 FE[1] |
| Address |
Mount Pleasant
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Swansea SA1 6ED |
| Campus | Urban |
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Swansea Metropolitan University (Welsh: Prifysgol Fetropolitan Abertawe) is the former name of the university – based in Swansea, Wales, UK – which on 1 August 2013 merged with and became a constituent campus of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
Employing more than 500 staff and teaching over 6,000 students, the Swansea Metropolitan University grew out of the three former Swansea colleges of Art, Teacher Education, and Technology which were founded in 1853, 1872 and 1897 respectively and merged in 1976 to form a major centre for the delivery of vocational higher education.
Contents
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:[2]
- Swansea School of Glass (Alexandra Road campus)
- Automotive Engineering
- Built and Natural Environment
- Applied Computing
- Digital Media (Music Technology based in the former BBC building, Alexandra Road)
- Industrial Design
- Logistics and Manufacturing Engineering
Faculty of Art and Design
Based in Swansea College of Art.
Schools:
- School of Contextual Studies and Visual Communication
- School of Fine and Applied Arts
- School of Photography and Video
- School of Research and Post Graduate Studies
Faculty of Humanities
Based on Swansea Metropolitan University’s Townhill campus
Schools:
- School of Education
- School of Social Sciences and Performing Arts
Faculty of Business and Management
Based on University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Mount Pleasant campus, Swansea
Schools:
- Swansea Business School
- School of Leisure, Tourism and Sport
- School of Public Service Leadership
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. The Accommodation Department allocates all rooms in halls over the summer from July until September. Every effort is made to give students one of their three main preferences, although because of demand this may not always be possible.
Townhill Campus • 259 individual study bedrooms - Small number of flats including two flats for disabled use • Amenities include the Main Refectory (Metro 2), Campus Café, Student Bar (Metro Lounge) with Starbucks Coffee, Fitness Centre and Library
Mount Pleasant Campus • 37 study/bedroom units • 6 twin bedroom units • Amenities include two Cafés (Metro and Metro Xtra) as well as Starbucks Coffee and a Library
Private Sector For students who do not plan to stay in halls, there is no shortage of good quality housing in the city centre. The university’s Residential Services Team can assist in finding suitable accommodation in the private rented sector.
Libraries
All main campuses at Dynevor, Mount Pleasant and Townhill have a comprehensive library well-stocked with materials relating to the courses taught on each site. All three offer a wide range of books and journals, as well as other resources and facilities. 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’s network offering the option to print and photocopy in black and white or in colour. Additionally, students can access the university’s wireless network if they bring in personal laptops.
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.
Notable alumni
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See also
- University of Wales Trinity Saint David
- List of universities in Wales
References
External links
- Swansea Metropolitan University – Official website
- Swansea Metropolitan Students' Union – Official website
