Careers Service

Whatever your reason for choosing to study at Swansea Metropolitan University; whether as an essential step towards a career or to gain an advantage in an increasingly competitive job market, it is vital that you plan ahead. The Careers Service aims to enhance the employability of students and graduates of Swansea Metropolitan University.

Qualified Careers Advisers provide free unbiased, confidential information and guidance to help you to identify and develop your employability skills and market them effectively to employers. Practical support on job seeking is also provided including help in creating an effective CV and preparing for interview.

The Open Access Careers Library offers a wide range of information and resources to help with your career planning, including internet access and careers guidance software packages such as Prospects Planner. The Careers Library holds comprehensive reference materials including free magazines and directories.

Work Experience

Work experience provides a valuable link between your academic studies and the world of work. Employers require evidence of your ability to apply your skills and subject knowledge in the workplace. They will also be looking for graduates with commercial awareness.

Certain courses arrange work placements as an integral part of the study programme. However, if this is not an option for you, support is available to identify the opportunities available. Work experience takes many forms including paid, voluntary, part-time and vacation work.

Student Jobshop

The University's Jobshop works closely with students and local employers to provide an effective, free and easy to use student employment service for students who are looking for part-time, seasonal or vacation work in the Swansea area whilst studying. Part-time work is a good way of supplementing your income and enhancing your CV with work experience. All vacancies are able to be viewed via this link.

Further information and contact details for our careers services

Counselling

In addition to the problems common to most students, international students often have to cope with confusing legal complexities, immigration requirements, foreign exchange, cultural differences, homesickness and other problems. A Student Counsellor is available to help students deal with these issues.

Further information and contact details for our Counselling Service

English Language Support for international students

What kind of support is on offer?

All students are expected to have a good working knowledge of the English language. However, academic situations can present new problems. As a result, the Student Services Department offers support in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) as well as in Study Skills. The English language support/Study Skills support tutor (David C. Williams) offers both 1-1 tutorial sessions and classes. Subjects and examples of content are as follows:-

• Essay structure: from 3000 word essays to dissertations
• Referencing skills: citations and bibliographies
• Critical analysis: facts versus opinions
• Academic Reading: authentic reading texts on your subject area
• Academic Listening: listening to lectures & tutorials
• Academic Writing: discussion essays, paraphrasing, summary writing
• Academic speaking: presentations, pronunciation
• Vocabulary skills: the academic word list, linking words, collocation
• Grammar skills: tenses, sentence structure, parts of speech

In addition to the above there will be an English Conversation Club (based at Mount Pleasant Campus) where all international students can meet twice a week. Check notice-boards/plasma screens and your e-mail for details (October start).

How do I arrange for an English language support session?

• Contact David C. Williams on telephone 01792 481 020 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Disabilities

Students with disabilities and health problems are important to us and you are encouraged to inform us of a disability or health problem before you arrive so that we can ensure that any needs for support and assistance are met.
Student Services staff will help you with applications for the Disabled Student's Allowance, organising support workers and obtaining technical equipment. They can also advise on suitable accommodation, access issues and arrange discussions with academic staff.
Special arrangements can be made for examinations and assessments if necessary.
The University has a lively disabled students group which provides informal support to members and useful feedback on developing facilities.

D.I.A.L.
Disability Information and Advice Line.

This is an independent organisation.
It provides a free legal and welfare rights service to all disabled people and their families in the Swansea area. D.I.A.L. can give advice on the following: benefits, grants, housing, equipment, mobility, respite care, self-help and access. This advice is confidential. The D.I.A.L. information line is 01792 588322 Monday to Thursday 10.00am - 3.30pm

Dyslexia Support and Study Skills

Staff are available to help and give advice to those who feel they require specialist assistance.
There are tutors who offer expert tuition for those who require the appropriate help to enable them to achieve their potential. This support is available at designated times during the week. Information sheets are also available on a wide range of topics including essay writing, examination techniques, researching and referencing.

Further information on our Dyslexia Support ans Study Skills Service

Financial Advice

For many students, managing your finances on a strict budget will be a new experience. We can offer advice to those who encounter financial hardship during their time at the University. Contact the Student Financial Helper in the Finance Office or enquire at Student Services.