Why Choose Swansea University?

One of the big questions we get asked is “when should I look for student accommodation?”. There is no “right” time to start looking for student accommodation, however there are pivotal months of the year where it is the best period to secure your property. October, November and December in Swansea is the 'peak' of the letting season for the next academic year, our advice is to look during this period. By January, usually more than 50% of the properties available for the next Academic Year in Swansea have sold, therefore there is reduced choice to choose from. - October: This may sound early - after all, most students only just started their course in September, but it’s a good idea to start putting the feelers out and discussing with potential flat/house mates what their plans are for the next academic year. Talking to other first or second year students can really help set the ball rolling and impact your decisions on what type of accommodation you are looking for. We start letting on October 1st eveey year! So if you’re looking to secure your house or flat early, October is the perfect time for you! - January: After the hype of Christmas it’s nice to get your house sorted. By this time of the academic year, hopefully you have a good idea of the type of accommodation you’re looking for and who you want to live with. If you’re still trying to figure this out, January is the best month to try and finalise these points. At this stage there should still be plenty of housing options for you to choose from, and hopefully there’s enough students in the same boat as you, so finding people to live with (that you know and like) should still be relatively easy. - March onwards: In Swansea by March and onwards can be viewed as “late” in terms of your search. Some providers may already be sold out of the majority of rooms, but will still have a few options for you to choose from up until May. The longer you leave it after May, the less options you’re likely to be left with.

From seaside promenades, to rocky cliffs, Swansea has some of the most beautiful walking routes to take full advantage of this summer. It goes without saying that Welsh scenery is nothing short of breathtaking and incredibly unique. You could be walking through a leafy woodland one minute and find yourself perched on a picture perfect cliff the next, all within a 2 mile walk. Swansea Promenade - those familiar with Swansea Bay promenade walk will know the bustle and buzz that comes with the walk from Swansea to Mumbles when the sun is out. Offering views across Swansea Bay and Mumbles pier, it's definitely one of the most popular. The walk passes local landmarks such as the Guildhall, the Patti Pavilion, Singleton Park and Clyne Gardens. Three Walks in Llanrhidian - this route offers 3 different routes to explore the North Gower Countryside by foot. The longer walk for those looking for a challenge is 8 miles, from Llanrhidian to Cheriton. Oxwich Point Walk, Gower - Part of the Gower coast path, the 3-4 mile walk through headlands, woodlands, and limestone cliffs leads to 16th century Oxwich Castle. Although on uneven ground, with a flight of stairs, the hard work is worth it, with about a mile of the route on a coastal path right by the sea, where you can expect picturesque views. Langland Bay to Caswell Bay - an easy, circular, 2 mile route is one for all the family. But its simplicity is not to be mistaken. The views on offer of both Caswell and Langland Bay are outstanding. The path consists of a coastal path and a short flight of stairs. Rhossili Bay to Mewslade - undeniably one of the most beautiful walks in Wales, the Rhossili to Mewslade path is a conveniently easy, 3 mile, circular walk that ends with a spectacular view of the internationally renowned Rhossili Bay. The circular walk at the western edge of the Gower Peninsula consists of grassy paths, clifftops, field paths and lanes, including Worms Head, and is suitable for all abilities. The last leg leads to sand and sea, perfect for those wishing to end their walk with a dip in the beautiful blue waters. Cwm Clydach, Clydach - this route is definitely one for those searching for scenic views. The peaceful 9 mile walk through unspoilt common land and woodland offers views towards the Brecon Beacons. It travels alongside the Lower Clydach River with remains of mines and tramways from the former coal mining valley visible. Penmaen to Three Cliffs Bay - at 1.7 miles, this route ins on the shorter side, but not any less worthwhile.The route, which has some fairly rough patches, consists of a path through a woodlands area, and a coastal walk. On your trek, be sure to spot a WW2 bunker and the historical Pennard Castle at the top of the valley before arriving at the lovely Golden sands at Thee Cliffs. Gowerton to Penlle’r Castell Heritage Trial - the most strenuous on our list, this linear path is one for those wanting a challenge and probably one for the more experienced walkers, due to its length. Starting deep within woodlands, the route goes through fields and pastures, running north-east from Gowerton Valley to the historic ruined fort of Penlle’r Castell which sits on the summit of Mynydd y Betws. Bishopston Valley and Pwll Du Bay - the path combines the natural beauty of Bishopston Valley’s moss strewn woodlands, steep sided river valley, and one of Gower’s secluded beaches - making it one of the most interesting walking routes on the list. Llanmadoc Walk, Gower - this pretty 2 mile route passes through the Old Rectory before continuing through Whiteford Woods. Abundant with historic landmarks, the path allows you to experience the Whiteford Burrows Nature Reserve, the 13th century Llanmadoc Church and a breathtaking view over the Loughor Estuary.

Whether you're clubbing every week, or just going to a pub with friends, nights out can be a big part of student life. When you go out, there are a few things you should think about so you can make the most of your nights out at uni and stay safe, especially if alcohol's involved. Before you leave Where you're going, what's playing and who you'll meet are probably some of your top thoughts when you're getting ready. But there are couple things you should do before you're out the door so you're set to have a good night: Make sure you've charged your phone before you leave If you plan on carrying cash, go to the cash-point during the day and avoid using them at night Put your keys, ID and other valuables somewhere you won't lose them Don't keep your wallet in your back pocket If you've brought a bag don't leave it unattended when you're out If you're meeting up at a friend's place first for pre-drinks, be cautious about how much you drink. Drinking alcohol in moderation is fine. But while under the influence of alcohol you can make yourself vulnerable and more likely to be a victim of crime. Also be wary of inviting strangers to your home for pre-drinks (or at the end of the night). Remember, too much alcohol affects your normal everyday decisions which can put you at risk or into trouble. Stay with friends It might seem obvious, but sticking with your mates in a packed bar can be trickier than it looks. Here's some advice to help you and your friends connected: Use licensed cabs and pre-book your journey to town and back home Tell your friends where you're going before you head off to the loo or the bar Take someone with you when you split from your group of friends Have a groupchat with your mates so you can stay in touch throughout the night if one of you goes to the bar If you notice you haven't seen a friend for a while, send them a message in the group chat Head home together and make sure everyone knows how and when each of you are getting home Drink safety Odds are you or some of your friends will be drinking. Having a couple drinks throughout the night isn't a worry. But overdoing it on the beers or smashing tons of shots isn't safe. Here are a few tips when it comes to drinking safely: Eat before you drink so your body can better process your drinks – alcohol on an empty stomach will have you over the toilet in no time Pace out your drinks so you're not plastered when the taxi arrives – if you want to keep track of what you're drinking you can check out the Drinkaware drinks calculator Don't accept a drink from someone you don't know Avoid mixing different types of drinks, if you're drinking beer or wine stick to just the one Drink water or soft drinks throughout the night and if you're feeling too drunk Recognise the signs that you or one of your friends is drunk – slurred speech, blurred vision, losing balance If one of your friends has had a bit too much to drink make sure to get them some water and fresh air to help them sober up Avoid drinking and swimming – alcohol numbs your senses and can make it more difficult to get yourself out of trouble No "minesweeping" – collecting unattended or near empty drinks just because you're dry – you don't know what's in those drinks or who's mouth has been on it As a whole, drugs consumed in a drink or otherwise isn't safe – you should never consume an unknown substance (whether its food a drink or a drug) as the consequences of doing so could be life threatening Drink spiking While it's extremely rare, there is unfortunately a risk of drink spiking when you're out. So always keep your eye on your drink and don't leave it unattended. If you need to go to the loo, ask your friends to watch your drink. If you suspect yours or someone else's drink has been spiked, immediately find a safe spot, notify venue staff and get some water. Staff will be able to offer help and safety and potentially locate the person who spiked your drink. Respecting others A few drinks will affect your decision-making and perception skills. What you want may not be what someone else wants. Everyone deserves to have their boundaries respected, and there are some simple rules to live by: Always treat everyone you meet with respect Be conscious of how people respond to you on a night out – if someone doesn't want to talk to you or you're making them uncomfortable take the hint and leave them alone It doesn't matter how much you or others have had to drink, never touch someone without their consent If you or someone you know has been treated inappropriately, try to diffuse the situation and move the people involved to safety. Avoid situations that have become hostile always walk away — this de-escalates the situation and keeps you safe. If you continue to feel unsafe you can always let venue staff know and they can help you as best they can. Getting home safe How you get home might be one of the last things you think about when planning a night out. It's good to plan your journey home, or have a couple of options in mind depending on where the night takes you. If you've met someone on your night out, think about the risks of inviting them back to your place or staying at theirs. Make sure you're confident that you'll be safe and have a way of getting home afterwards. Getting a cab or bus home is safer than walking, so make sure you have money to get home. Areas around university campuses generally have good transport networks so you should figure out what works best for you. Never accept a lift from a stranger. If you become a victim of crime, report to the Police or University Security immediately. Walking home safely We wouldn't recommend getting home on foot, even if it's only a short distance. But if you're set on walking home there are steps you can take to make sure you arrive safely: Don't walk alone Stick to open, well lit areas and walk with purpose Walk on the oncoming traffic side of the pavement so you're fully aware if a car stops near you Call and chat to a friend while you're walking home alone Carry a personal attack alarm for emergencies If you think you're being followed, cross the road and see if you're still followed. Try and stop at a busy area like a petrol station, pub or takeaway, and phone the police. Stay safe everyone!

Over the last two days, we have deep cleaned over 100 properties and 250 bedrooms to professional standard ready for all our new tenants to move in! A few moving in notes: Our team work Monday - Friday 9-5 except for bank holidays, so emails and phone calls will be answered during these hours. If there is an emergency, you can contact our out of hours maintenance man Bobby. If you are looking for tenant advice please click on the 'tenant advice' section of our website, or contact us by email at lettings@digsswansea.biz. Please make sure you download the Arthur Tenant app, this will allow you to view your outstanding bills, view your tenancy agreement and contact us about any queries or issues. Follow us on Facebook Digs_swan and Instagram digs_swansea, we post very regularly! Our office is based next door to Co-op in Brynmill. Make sure you read your tenancy agreement again to ensure you are complying with the property rules. If you have anything you would like to ask us or need help with please speak to us through the Arthur Tenant app and 'raise an issue'. Or alternatively call us on 01792514516. We hope you settle into your new home and our team look forward to giving you the best student experience! 

Digs Swansea provide these notes as a guide to help you understand our cleaning expectations when you move out, so that you can meet the terms and conditions of your tenancy and to ensure the return of your deposit at the end of your tenancy period. The kitchen The cooker , including the oven is clean and has all its attachments (particularly any grill pan provided). The fridge/freezer is empty, the freezer has been defrosted, all shelves are clean and it has been switched off with the door left open. Don't forget to clean behind it. All surfaces and the floor in the kitchen are clean and stain free and the bins are emptied and clean. All the cupboards are empty of goods and wiped clean. All walls, windows and windowsills are clean and stain free. If crockery and cutlery has been provided, ensure any breakages have been replaced. Lounge, passageways and communal living areas Lounge, passageways, communal areas should be vacuumed, clean and stain-free. All rubbish is bagged and removed. External areas All rubbish has been removed and no rubbish is left unbagged in the yard/garden/corridors/lane/sheds or storage areas. The balconies/yard/garden are clear of rubbish and clean and tidy. Bedrooms Bedrooms should be vacuumed (including under/behind the bed and behind the wardrobe and in the drawers) All personal possessions have been removed. All posters and blu-tack or sellotape & marks have been removed. All rubbish is removed. All furniture that was in the room at the beginning of the tenancy has been put back. The blinds and curtains are hung properly on their hooks. Paint work and windowsills have been wiped clean. Wardrobes and chests are empty and polished.  Bathroom and separate toilets The toilet, sink and shower have been cleaned. All others surfaces are clean, including the floor. All toiletries have been removed and all bins emptied. Inventory and moving in arrangements We endeavor to ensure that all properties are handed over in a clean/tidy condition at the start of tenancy. However, please be aware that in most cases previous tenants may only have vacated on 30th June and therefore tenants wishing to move in on or around the 1st July may have cleaning and necessary maintenance being carried out around them. Services available We can arrange for your flat to be cleaned at the end of your tenancy. We will charge for this and for any painting that may be required. These sums will be deducted from your deposits, as will any others identified at the final inspection. For a list of our current rates for cleaning, please go to the contact form and we will get straight back to you. Damage to the property includes breakages, burns and residue from smoking. Please note: a deep clean will be required if tenants have been smoking in the accommodation. For more information, please feel free to ask.

Whether you’re an avid walker, keen to try glamping for the first time, live for surfing or are simply a sucker for relaxing on the beach, you can do it all in Swansea Bay. Here are some things you can do in Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower this summer! 1. Discover one of Britain's best beaches, Rhossili Bay Build a sandcastle, try your hand at kayaking or coasteering, or just sit, relax and take in the breath-taking views of Rhossili Bay. With three miles of unspoilt sand and sea, you’ll quickly understand why Rhossili Bay has been included within Britain’s top ten beaches round-up for six consecutive years (as voted for in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards). Rhossili sits at the westernmost point of the Gower Peninsula, which was itself the first place in the UK to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 2. Hit the waves Swansea Bay is known for its abundance of beautiful beaches, perfect for donning a wetsuit and trying your hand at surfing. Head to Caswell Bay to find Gower Surfing, a fully licensed surf school in Swansea Bay, which offers group lessons or one-to-one teaching, to suit all levels of abilities. Of course, if surfing isn’t for you then Swansea Bay is well-equipped with a variety of other activities including stand-up paddle boarding, sea kayaking and kitesurfing. 3. Walk the Welsh coastline With a path that wraps around the entire coastal border of Wales, it’s fair to say the walking routes in Gower and Swansea Bay are not to be missed. With a range of distances and a mix of terrains, Swansea Bay walking routes offer a little bit of everything from clifftops, sandy beaches, waterfront and woodland. For a variety of sceneries, try the Oxwich Point walk which will take you along one of Gower’s most dramatic headlands, through sunlight dappled woods and across wild open cliffs, ranging between 3.5 miles to 4.5 miles in distance…depending on how energetic you’re feeling! 4. Make a day of it in Mumbles Mumbles is a cosy and cosmopolitan coastal town, recognised as one of Dylan Thomas’ many stomping grounds and considered the gateway to Gower. There is so much to see and do in Mumbles it’s easy to spend a day exploring here – you’ll find independent boutiques and quirky galleries, picturesque walking and cycling routes along the promenade and lots of great places for a bite to eat including Bistrot Pierre. 5. Indulge in a world-class ice cream Swansea Bay has a reputation for founding incredible ice cream producers, one of which being Verdi’s, located at the end of the Mumbles promenade overlooking Swansea Bay. Try one of their ice cream sundaes – you won’t regret it. 6. Take a tour of Oystermouth Castle Oystermouth Castle sits majestically on a hill in Mumbles, boasting sweeping and spectacular views of Swansea Bay. With an exciting history, Oystermouth Castle includes ancient graffiti art from the 14th century, a medieval maze of deep vaults and secret staircases, as well as a 30-foot-high glass bridge. 7. Go on a foodie tour of Swansea Bay Visitors to Swansea Bay will quite simply be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in the area. Swansea Bay boasts a range of historical pubs such as Reynoldston’s King Arthur Hotel and Llangennith’s Kings’ Head, both serving classic and seasonal dishes with produce sourced locally. But for restaurant food with a side of 360-degree views of Swansea Bay, head to the Grape & Olive which can be found at the top of the Meridian Tower in Swansea. With floor to ceiling glass windows, this restaurant offers much more than great food and on a clear day you’ll have views right across the bay. 8. Experience Wales' largest waterpark If the weather isn’t on your side (let’s face it, we can’t always rely on British weather even in the summer) or you’re looking for a day out with family, Wales’ largest waterpark LC2 based in the heart of Swansea features an exciting network of pools, rides and slides under one roof. From wave pools, rollercoaster slides to surf simulators, the LC2 is guaranteed to keep the family entertained for hours. Of course, if it’s relaxation you’re after, head to the luxury spa to unwind in the sauna and steam room. 9. Step into the life and times of Swansea’s most famous son, Dylan Thomas You haven’t experienced the cultural offering of Swansea Bay until you’ve learnt about playwright and poet Dylan Thomas, arguably the region’s most famous export. Have a tour and stay overnight in Dylan’s birthplace, 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, fully restored to its 1914 condition. Immerse yourself in Dylan’s early life in the house where one of the most celebrated poets and writers of the 20th century was born, spent the first 23 years of his life and first put pen to paper.

What is a gaurantor and why do I need one?

It can be easy to leave looking for next years' student home to the last minute. Searching early on means you have a better chance of finding somewhere you really like, so it's better to get looking early! Here are some tips to prepare for your property search! Know your group size Have a chat with your future housemates and make a list of 'must haves' for your student home. Figure out your group size, so you can start looking. Emergency points of contact It could be the letting agent, an external contractor or even the landlord themselves, but finding out who to contact in the event of an emergency is vital. Consider your commute  It’s always worth considering your campus commute when viewing a property. You might fall in love with a house the minute you walk in, but that feeling can quickly turn bittersweet when you realise that the transport links are poor, especially when those harsh winter mornings begin to roll in. Scope the local area Regardless of how perfect a property might seem, it’s important to find out if the surrounding areas are up to the same standard. What's the neighbourhood like? Is there a decent supermarket close by? Are there nice places to eat and drink within walking distance? It’s a good idea to get off the bus a stop early so you can take a walk around and get a feel for the area and the local amenities.