Swansea is the second largest city in Wales and is located on the Gower Peninsula in south-west Wales. It is renowned for its excellence in the arts, culture, music, and sports, as well as its delicious seafood and bustling Swansea Market. In addition, Swansea’s vibrant student population is one of its defining features; Swansea is ranked as the ninth cheapest university town in the UK. This blog will introduce the cost of living in Swansea, from food, entertainment, transport, and tuition to student accommodation!
Cost of living in Swansea: Student Accommodation
Rent is one of the most significant expenses in daily life. Comfortable student accommodation is a haven for international students in a foreign country and an essential part of an exciting study life. Swansea offers various student accommodation options, generally categorized into on-campus accommodation and off-campus accommodation.
On-campus student accommodation in Swansea
Traveling to Swansea University may be the first time many students have lived away from home, and applying for on-campus accommodation can help them quickly settle into their new environment. Swansea University’s on-campus residence halls cater to various accommodation needs. Accommodation is usually for 51 weeks, with some halls of residence offering 40-week postgraduate flats, and students can discuss the exact length of the tenancy with Swansea University’s Accommodation Team. The cost of Swansea campus student accommodation depends on your campus and room type. On-campus student accommodation in Swansea:
- Singleton Campus: £535-£675/month
- Bay Campus: £600-£810/month
- Beck House: £460-£600/month
- Hendrefoelan Halls of Residence: £380/month
Off-campus student accommodation in Swansea
Due to the limited number and high price of school dorms, there are usually few good options after May. Most students choose to live in off-campus student accommodation in Swansea at the start of their second year. Off-campus student flats in Swansea are similar in type to school halls of residence, and almost all students live in them, with the rent included in the bill. Rent will increase depending on the flat type, but the overall price is similar to a dormitory. The cost of off-campus accommodation depends on your chosen housing type and location. According to data from the uhomes.com rental platform, the usual choice of en-suite flat for international students is £360 per month. Students who prefer to be alone can choose studio or 1-bedroom apartments for £800 per month. uhomes.com’s student flats include utilities, so students don’t have to worry about paying fees.
Cost of Living in Swansea: Tuition
Tuition fees are among the most significant expenses when studying abroad. These fees vary considerably in Swansea depending on the university and the chosen specialization. Below, we provide an overview of the tuition fees for the University of Swansea.
Swansea University, located in Swansea, the second largest city in Wales, was founded in 1920 and is one of the earliest 29 universities in the history of the United Kingdom. With its long history, high-quality teaching, and world-class research, the University is a world-class university and one of the oldest universities in the UK. Swansea University is ranked 298th in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
- Undergraduate: Tuition fees for undergraduate programs at Swansea University range from £15,000 to £19,000 per year for international students, depending on the course.
- Postgraduate: Fees for postgraduate courses can vary significantly, typically ranging from £16,000 to £20,000 per year, with some specialized courses, such as those in engineering or business, potentially costing more.
Cost of Living in Swansea: Daily Life
Food
Here are some approximate prices for everyday food items in Swansea:
- A Fresh White Bread (500g) loaf costs around £1.16.
- A large carton of milk (1 liter) is usually priced at about £1.25.
- Eggs are available for approximately £2.34 per dozen.
- Apples (1kg) can be found for about £2.23.
- Beef Round (1kg)for approximately £10.00.
For those who prefer to cook for themselves, this will cost around £180-£300 per month. In addition, many supermarkets in Swansea will launch discount activities, generally in the evening, timely attention to the information of each supermarket can buy more cheap food.
Eating out is an excellent option for students if you can afford it. Swansea’s food offerings are endless, with Verdi’s and Joe’s Ice Cream Parlours being the most popular desserts in the summer, as well as a wide range of pizzas and authentic snacks from all over the world, each of which you will want to try with your friends! In Swansea, the average single person spends £6-£20 in affordable restaurants and £35-£70 in mid-range restaurants.
Entertainment
Along with the great shopping deals you can get with your student status, Swansea is full of low-cost fun and relaxation. There’s The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, popular with art lovers, Wales’ largest museum of Egyptian artifacts, and the Taliesin Arts Centre, where you can taste history and art. As we head into summer, a weekend To-Do List can only be completed with a free trip to the beach. Swansea Beach and Langland Bay near Swansea University are postcard-worthy, with sunrises and sunsets that will make your heartbeat. Of course, after school, you can also catch a movie at the cinema, go to the gym, meet up for mini-golf, drink with friends at the pub, or join one of the many societies at Swansea University! You might spend around £150 to £200 monthly on these activities.
Mobile Network
In Swansea, the mobile network is as trustworthy as it gets, with leading providers such as EE, Vodafone, Three, and O2 offering their services across the city. Generally speaking, £30 per month will cover your daily internet needs. Most operators require the SIM card to be tied to a UK bank card, so please prepare in advance.
Cost of Living in Swansea: Transportation
As the second largest city in Wales, Swansea has an extensive bus network covering every corner of the town. Local bus routes connect Swansea with popular neighboring attractions such as the Gower Peninsula and the Mumbles. Swansea bus tickets are £4.10 each way, and students can travel on public transport for the day. Students studying in Swansea can purchase a monthly pass for £72.00. In addition, Swansea has strong links with the rest of Wales and the rest of England, and London can be reached by train in 3 hours, with a single journey ticket of £35.
FAQ
Is Swansea an expensive place to live?
Swansea is not expensive for students. It is the ninth cheapest university town in the UK, and the cost of living is at least 20 percent lower than in London. Students spend an average of £186 per week.
What is the average cost of accommodation for students in Swansea?
The cost of accommodation in Swansea is related to location and room type. On-campus student accommodation in Swansea averages £700 per month, and off-campus student accommodation averages £600 per month.
What are the transportation costs for getting around Swansea?
Public transport in Swansea is relatively affordable, with single tickets for local transport costing between £2.50-£4.50 and taxi rides between £1.09-£1.24 per kilometer. A monthly bus pass costs around £72, and cycling is an affordable and popular option. The cost of an occasional taxi ride can be as much as £20 to £30 per month, making a total monthly transport budget of around £70 to £100.
