Is Aberystwyth a Good University?

Aberystwyth University is the oldest University of 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, physical 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.

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 a wide variety of 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 plenty of opportunities 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, Biological Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, 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 courses including Art History & Theory, Computer Science, International Politics, Accounting and 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 ground-breaking 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 plenty of 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.

Services for International Students

Aberystwyth University is dedicated to providing a warm and welcoming environment for its nearly two thousand international students.

 An expert team of international staff are at hand to answer any questions that may arise regarding visas, accommodation and banking and would go the extra mile to help students.

For new students, there is also an international buddy scheme which helps them settle into university life quickly and easily. 

To ensure that everyone feels at home within the university, there is a student orientation programme held in the first days of term.

Aberystwyth University also offers a wide range of scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. 

These scholarships can be applied towards tuition fees for taught courses or ground-breaking research programmes as well as accommodation. 

Furthermore, Aberystwyth University recognises language proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS and can offer exemptions from language course prerequisites if necessary. 

All of these services provided make transitioning to studying abroad easier than ever before!

University Accommodation

Aberystwyth University offers a wide range of accommodation options for its current students. All first year students are guaranteed a place in university-managed accommodation and international students are also guaranteed University accommodation for the duration of their study.

The university operates an Accommodation Office which maintains a regularly updated register of addresses covering traditional lodgings and self-catering accommodation such as shared houses, flats, bedsits and single-study bedrooms. 

The University staff are very knowledgeable about Aberystwyth housing issues and are more than happy to help out with any queries.

Furthermore, the cost of living in Aberystwyth is amongst the lowest in the UK meaning that finances should not be an issue when making your decision. 

International fee paying students also receive an International Accommodation Award which covers free accommodation at the Cwrt Mawr self-catered campus accommodation for all academic years at Aberystwyth.

If you would prefer to live in alternative student accommodation they can alternatively receive a £2,000 annual discount towards any other university-managed residence. Whatever you opt for you’ll ultimately have an enjoyable stay here at Aberystwyth University!

Alumni

HRH Charles, Prince of Wales, is the first alumni of Aberystwyth University to be mentioned. Well known for his position as the heir apparent to the throne of England, Charles holds a number of honorary degrees from several universities worldwide. 

While at Aberystwyth he earned a BA in history and archaeology in 1975—a step on his path to becoming an experienced patron to many charities and service organisations in Britain and overseas.

Alex Jones was another significant alumnus of the university, having studied philosophy before gaining employment as a BBC editor. He went on to become one of the most recognisable faces on British television, hosting shows like ‘The One Show’ and ‘Big Brother’. 

His time studying philosophy led him to appreciate learning about other cultures, which has been demonstrated by his frequent travels around the world for feature documentaries.

Jan Pinkava also graduated from Aberystwyth University with a degree in Computer Science. From here he found further success at Pixar Animation Studios where he worked on well-known films such as ‘Ratatouille’ and won an Oscar for his work on the film ‘Geri’s Game’ in 1998.