Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth University is the oldest university in Wales, first opening its doors back in 1872 with just 26 students. 

It quickly became known as ‘the people’s university’ due to its early funding from public donations and individual benefactors. Nowadays more than 10,000 students study across three faculties – arts, sciences and social sciences – at two side-by-side campuses.

The Penglais Campus is located near the town centre and offers easy access to the sea and countryside via Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains. 

It is the home to Wale’s largest Arts Centre having theatre, live music, cinema, cafes, and bars.

Here students find a wide range of facilities for course related activities such as lectures, experiments, tutorials, workshops and laboratories.

Further out of town lies the Llanbadarn campus which is home to the university’s equine teaching centre and Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS). 

This research institute tackles important challenges such as food security, sustainability and climate change. With such a diverse range of academic opportunities on offer it’s no wonder Aberystwyth University remains a favorite amongst many international students.

Aberystwyth University offers an exceptional student experience, evidenced by its high rankings in the UK. 

As stated, it was Top in England & Wales for Student Satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2022 and has been amongst the Top 3 UK Universities for Teaching Quality and Student Experience (GUG 2024).

The quality of teaching at Aberystwyth is unparalleled: 98% of their research is rated “internationally recognised standard or higher” according to the Research Excellence Framework 2021. 

What this means for students is that they can be sure that they’re learning from experts within their field, meaning not only a high-quality course but also an opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research.

Aberystwyth understands that financial commitment involved with any university education. That’s why they offer a comprehensive range of Scholarships and Bursaries to those who may need additional financial support.

Further, their inclusive environment welcomes everybody and supports all members of the community in their academic journey, making sure no student is left behind. 

It’s this dedication to providing an outstanding student experience coupled with excellent teaching which makes Aberystwyth such an attractive option not just nationally but internationally too.

Available Programs

Our programmes provide students with the opportunity to grow professionally and personally. From foundation, undergraduate, taught and research postgraduate courses, we offer a wide range of dynamic and inspiring learning opportunities. 

Our Professional and Executive MBA courses cover subject areas including accounting, nursing to veterinary science and zoology.

The University’s commitment to excellence is evident through our award-winning student experience and teaching quality. 

Our professors share their knowledge with our students through hands-on research experiences giving them the chance to explore beyond the material learnt in lectures while being internationally renowned experts in their fields. 

Here we value our student’s diversity from a wide range of backgrounds as they discover their potential here at this University, setting them up for success after graduation.

 Aberystwyth University Rankings

Aberystwyth University is a top public higher education institution located in the city of Aberystwyth, United Kingdom. 

Established in 1872, it offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in various disciplines like Art History & Theory, Computer Science, International Politics, Accounting & Finance and more. 

Additionally, the university provides students with many facilities including well-equipped libraries, language centres and other student support services.

Recently Aberystwyth University has received strong recognition for its excellent academic standing from prestigious organisations like QS World University Rankings. 

In 2024 it was ranked #661-670 out of over 200 universities surveyed from across the world. Moreover, the University has been awarded as the Best University for student experience and teaching quality and Welsh University of the Year (The Times and Sunday Times). 

This excellent ranking marks Aberystwyth University as one of the best schools for students to pursue their academic pursuits. With its safe environment, innovative teaching methods and outstanding research opportunities, it is clear why so many students choose to study here every year.

Why Choose Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth is an idyllic student town situated between the beautiful mountains and the sea of west Wales. 

The area provides many opportunities to explore and spend time in nature, making it a perfect place to learn, relax, and socialise. It has a warm, friendly atmosphere that makes Aberystwyth so unique from other areas in Wales.

The University of Aberystwyth is committed to providing its students with the best possible education and experience. 

Its location ensures much of the teaching takes place in a fantastic learning environment as reference material. 

This includes outdoor field trips, beach visits for geology classes, mountain hikes for biology studies, and astronomy classes using stars visible from our night sky. 

This gives you an invaluable dimension to your studies that cannot be found anywhere else.

Academic Reputation 

Aberystwyth University has established itself as one of the best universities in the United Kingdom, being placed in the top 40 UK universities in the main national rankings. 

It currently holds the award for “University of the Year for Teaching Quality” which has been held for two consecutive years, 2018 and 2019.

Additionally, its World University Rankings placed it in the 301—350 group for 800 university rankings and was rated among the top ten of UK higher education institutions for overall student satisfaction according to a 2016 National Student Survey (NSS). 

It also is shortlisted in four categories in the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards (THELMAs) (2015).

Aberystwyth University’s academic reputation is highly respected by students and academics alike. 

With its excellent teaching quality, highest rating performance on student satisfaction surveys and high scores from world-renowned universities, Aberystwyth University stands out from other universities due to its outstanding reputation and strong academic profile. 

Its ongoing dedication towards excellence ensures that both undergraduate and postgraduate students receive top-notch quality education.