The student guide to studying in Wales

If you live outside Wales, you may have already had the opportunity to visit for a summer holiday or weekend break. But you may not be familiar with the differences and advantages of studying your degree at one of the seven universities situated here.

Below are some of the reasons students choose to study in Wales each year - which you may decide is a good enough reason to study here yourself.

With the sheer variety of things to do, see, and experience across our university locations, there is something for everyone in Wales. You can try your hand at surfing, swimming or relaxing on one of Wales’s sandy beaches. Or even cycling, horse riding, hiking in the mountains, experiencing some live music, or exploring the 600 castles dotted around the country. There are certainly plenty of activities for students to take part in, and fun things to do during your spare time whilst studying at a Welsh university.

Wales is also home to many attractions such as Cardiff International White Water, Newport’s Velodrome or Zip World, all easily accessible to you through excellent rail and road links.

Whether you are looking for a vibrant city centre location, or a more tranquil, slower-paced, countryside environment to immerse yourself in whilst studying your undergraduate degree, Wales is full of inspiring contrasts. From the buzz of the cities, the beauty of the coast, and the calm of the countryside, students in Wales can experience it all!

With the average cost of living in Wales being lower than the UK average, you will certainly have more money in your pockets to enjoy your time here.

I would encourage you to extensively research any additional funding which may be available, to help you make those all-important and informed university decisions. For example, if you are successful in securing a place at a Welsh university to study an allied health care profession such as nursing, medicine, dentistry, paramedic science or operating department practice among others, you would be eligible to apply for the Welsh NHS bursary, to cover university fees and maintenance costs. This could mean that those studying an NHS-funded course at a Welsh university could leave university after their three-year degree, with little or no student debt (terms and conditions apply).