Aberystwyth University
Established in 1872, Aberystwyth University is a traditional, research-led institution with the benefits of all the modern facilities that one would expect of a Higher Education Institution in the 21st Century. We are consistently voted one of the best universities in the UK for student satisfaction. The University offers postgraduate opportunities in each of its 17 departments, which have been highly graded for their research and teaching. Postgraduate students enjoy access to the National Library of Wales and information services that are among the best in the UK. Postgraduate accommodation is available adjacent to the campus, in town and on the seafront just a short walk from the campus. The University's Arts Centre is the largest venue for the arts in Wales, offering an active and extensive programme of music, film, drama and exhibitions of the highest quality. The University has an impressive range of sports facilities available to all staff and students, and provides an active fitness and recreation programme. The coast provides opportunities for water sports, whilst inland there are facilities for ramblers, walkers and mountain biking. As a student at Aberystwyth, you are only a short walk from your accommodation to the campus, sports facilities, and town. Aberystwyth provides an educational and lifestyle experience that is second to none.
The university offers postgraduate taught course and research degrees across 17 different departments: Art; Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences; Computer Science; Education & Lifelong Learning; English & Creative Writing; European Languages; Geography & Earth Sciences; History & Welsh History; Information Studies; International Politics; Law & Criminology; Management & Business; Mathematics & Physics; Psychology; Sport & Exercise Science; Theatre, Film & Television Studies; and Welsh. Most courses are available Part and Full-time with some courses in Law and Information Studies available through Distance Learning. Professional courses are also available such as the MBA and Legal Practice Course. All academic staff are research active and engage in regular professional development. Postgraduates have access to a Research Training and Development Programme, in addition to their registered programme of study, which is free to all Aberystwyth research students regardless of their source of funding.
RAE results show that 85% of research activity submitted by Aberystwyth University is of an international standard, with world leading research identified in 15 of the 16 subject areas submitted.
These mean that Aberystwyth University is now second only to Cardiff University in Wales for quality of research according to two leading publications, the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) and Research Fortnight. The Research Fortnight RAE2008 Quality Index of University Research places Aberystwyth 41st out of 119 in the UK, and according to the THES Aberystwyth University has climbed 15 places to 45th out of a total of 132 Universities.
The findings also reveal that 48% of research activity at Aberystwyth University is rated as world leading or internationally excellent and 97.4% of researchers work in disciplines where world leading research is undertaken.
The teaching and learning facilities at the University are outstanding. Over 600 public area work-stations are available with 24-hour access, to fast and environmentally friendly equipment. The University's Hugh Owen Library, houses over 1,000,000 titles and provides access to a wide range of printed materials and electronic databases. Individual departments have extensive laboratory space housing specialist equipment for use by postgraduates and staff. In addition, Aberystwyth is home to the National Library of Wales, one of only 5 great copyright libraries in the UK. It is entitled to receive a copy of every book, magazine and periodical printed in the UK. It has an unrivalled holding of materials from researchers in each of the University's main subject areas. Aberystwyth scholars are exceptionally fortunate in having this superb repository on their doorstep.
Institution gallery
