Aberystwyth University, UK

Founded in 1872 as the University of Wales, over the past 144 years AU has established a global reputation for teaching and research. In the THE World University Rankings, it is ranked among the Top 40 in the UK 

Sited in the coastal town of Aberystwyth in Wales, the eponymous Aberystwyth University (AU, estb.1872) has developed a global reputation for high-quality teaching and research. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016-17, AU is ranked among the Top 40 universities in the UK and among the Top 200 worldwide. According to the UK’s Research Excellence Framework 2014, 95 percent of AU’s research is of “internationally recognised standard or higher”. Moreover, an HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) 2015 study indicates that 92 percent of AU graduates are in employment or in further education six months after graduation. 

Currently, AU’s nine academic departments and institutes — biological, environmental and rural sciences; computer science; mathematics; physics; modern languages; information studies; international politics; law and criminology, and psychology — offer over 300 undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes to 9,000 students. “All students have a personal tutor who supports them on their academic journey and can signpost them to other student support structures, should more be needed,” says Prof. John Grattan, pro tem vice chancellor of the university. 

Founded in 1872 as University College Wales, after several name changes it was christened Aberystwyth University in 2007.

Aberystwyth. Located on the west coast of Wales, Aberystwyth (pop.14,000) is positioned between mountains and the picturesque Cardigan Bay. The bay is overlooked by the town’s medieval castle ruins, a Victorian pier and promenade and working harbour, offering spectacular vistas of beaches and flora and fauna. The coastal town also hosts the impressive National Library of Wales which houses over 7 million volumes, and offers a wide range of shops, cafes, restaurants, cinemas and lively nightlife. Moreover, students also have the option to participate in a range of water sports including surfing and kayaking.

Aberystwyth experiences an oceanic climate similar to other regions of the UK. Winters are cold with temperatures ranging between 2.2°C-6.4°C and summers are mild with temperatures ranging between 15.2°C-19.2°C. The nearest international airport is Birmingham, 3.5 hours by train. Rail and road connections are also available to Heathrow and Gatwick international airports. 

Campus facilities. The university is spread across three campuses — Penglais, Llanbadarn and Gogerddan. The main Penglais Hill campus overlooks Aberystwyth town and Cardigan Bay, and hosts most academic buildings, Arts Centre, Students’ Union and several student residences. Sited contiguous to the Penglais campus is the National Library of Wales, one of Britain’s five legal deposit libraries. 

The Llanbadarn campus is located approximately a mile to the east of Penglais Hill and hosts the faculties of law and criminology, information studies, management and business. The Gogerddan campus, on the outskirts of town, hosts the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science and the under-development £40.5-million (Rs.338 crore) Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise campus.

AU students are permitted access to three excellent libraries, two on Penglais and one on Llanbadarn, with students and staff also allowed to use the enormous research collections of the National Library of Wales. Together, the three libraries provide 1,100 reading places. Moreover, the award-winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre is one of the UK’s largest arts centres and houses cafes, theatres, a cinema, bar and shops. 

Sports facilities are extensive and include a swimming pool, saunarium, wellness centre, climbing wall, free weights, dance room, squash courts, main sports hall, vicarage playing fields, tennis courts, 3G pitch, Blaendolau playing fields, floodlit artificial turf and running track. In addition, the university offers 200 sports clubs and social societies which host activities all year round. Moreover, Aberystwyth town offers an array of sporting facilities including floodlit tennis courts, Bowling Green, skate parks and several watersports clubs. 

Admission. All applications for undergraduate programmes must be made through the UK’s centralised Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Application forms are available online at www.ucas.com. The UCAS code for Aberystwyth University is ABWTH A40. The deadline for foreign students is June 30 for the term beginning September. The minimum academic requirement for admission into undergrad programmes is completion of Plus Two with a minimum 75 percent average. Furthermore, students must demonstrate proficiency in the English language (IELTS score of 6, TOEFL score of 550 or class XII English score of 70 percent). Students who don’t meet the entry requirements have the option of enrolling in a foundation programme, completion of which guarantees progression to the university’s undergrad study programmes.

For admission into postgrad programmes, students must apply directly to the university. The minimum eligibility requirement is completion of a bachelor’s degree with an average of 55 percent-plus.

For further information, contact International Office, Aberystwyth University, Cledwyn Building, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3DD Wales. Tel: +44 1970 622367; Fax: +44 1970 622063; e-mail: international@aber.ac.uk or ug-admissions@aber.ac.uk; website: www.aber.ac.uk.

Accommodation. The university offers a range of residential accommodation including catered residences and en-suite self-catered accommodation, with prices ranging from £78-136 per week. Self-catered housing is offered in flats or individual houses which accommodate two-ten students, with fully-fitted kitchens and dining areas. Catered accommodation provides single or shared study rooms and shared bathroom facilities in blocks that accommodate around 12-25 students. The university’s accommodation office also helps students find private sector housing.

Degree programmes. AU offers a wide range of bachelor’s, Masters and doctoral programmes (see box).