| Swansea Metropolitan University | |
|---|---|
| Prifysgol Fetropolitan Abertawe | |
| Vice-Chancellor | Professor David Warner CBE |
| Students | 5,765[1] |
| Undergraduates | 4,520[1] |
| Postgraduates | 1,075[1] |
| Other students | 175 FE[1] |
| Location | Swansea, Wales, UK |
| Campus | Urban |
| Website | www.smu.ac.uk |
Swansea Metropolitan University (Welsh: Prifysgol Fetropolitan Abertawe, is a university based in Swansea, Wales, UK.
Swansea Metropolitan University has been a major centre for the delivery of vocational higher education since 1853. The University employs more than 500 staff and teaches more than 6,000 students. The University was formed from the three former Swansea colleges of Art, Teacher Education and Technology which were founded in 1853, 1872 and 1897 respectively.
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The University has seen a significant evolution in its history over the past 150+ years.
For most of the twentieth century there were three separate educational institutions serving the city of Swansea: the Swansea College of Art (established in 1853); the Swansea College of Education (established in 1872) and Swansea Technical College (established in 1897).
During this time, the College of Art, one of the oldest in the UK, 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 University's teaching and humanities courses are still taught.
The Technical College, located in Mount Pleasant, was a well known and respected supplier of vocational qualifications and where many of the 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 and 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 Faculties that make up the University today. They are:
The Faculty of Art and Design which is based in the redeveloped former Dynevor Grammar School, in the heart of the city centre, and is now known as the Dynevor Centre for Art, Design and Media,
The Faculty of Humanities (which includes the School of Education) remains prominent in the provision of teacher training and now has an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes. It has also expanded to include courses in performance and literature, counselling and psychology.
The Faculty of Business and Management which is based on the site of the former College of Technology, 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 is true to the traditions of the former 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 the UK with a strong record of graduate employment and research success.
And 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.
Swansea Metropolitan University has four faculties:
Schools:[2]
Based in the Dynevor Centre for Art, Design and Media
Schools:
Based on Swansea Metropolitan University’s Townhill campus
Schools:
Based on Swansea Metropolitan University’s Mount Pleasant campus
Schools:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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