University of Wales, Swansea

The University of Wales, Swansea was founded in 1920 as University College, Swansea, the fourth college of the University of Wales, following the report of the Haldane Commission into University Education in Wales. It is located on the north coast of Swansea Bay, east of the Gower Peninsula, just outside the city of Swansea - the second largest city in Wales. Swansea has recently adopted the public name of Swansea University and was granted its own degree-awarding powers in 2005 (though they currently still award Wales degrees).

Related Topics:
1920 - University of Wales - Swansea Bay - Gower Peninsula - Swansea - Wales - 2005

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As of 2004, the university had over 10,300 students. In the past year, it has undergone major restructuring, expanding popular areas such as History, English and Computing but controversially closing the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, the Centre for Development Studies and the Department of Philosophy. The Department of Chemistry has also ceased to take undergraduate students, although it continues to carry out research and post-graduate teaching.

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Swansea University is currently having problems with staff and student relations. In 2004 a huge row broke out after many students were forced to live yards from major building work even during exams, and the university offered almost no compensation.

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In 2005 the controversial closures have lead to the suspension of philosophy lecturer Colwyn Williamson on charges (denied) of computer hacking, which a small but vocal minority saw as an attempt to silence him as a whistleblower, an outstanding legal case between the student body and the university and regular demonstrations some of which have involved a police presence.

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Swansea University library holds the papers of the late Richard Burton It is hoped that the collection will form the hub of a learning resource dedicated to the actor?s life and work.

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Swansea University is building a new Institute of Life Sciences, with a new IBM Blue/C computer at its core.

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The Times university Top 100 league table recently listed the University as the 42nd best university in the UK, up from 50th position in 2004.

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