If you’re thinking about moving to Aberystwyth for uni, our guide has all the info you need to figure out if it’s the right town for you.
Updated: 16 Mar 2025Aberystwyth is a vibrant coastal town in the heart of Wales, located at the mouth of the river Ystwyth. The local scenery is stunning and is truly one of the major perks of living here. The town is relatively small, yet it’s considered to be Wales’ major learning centre and, in addition to the University of Aberystwyth, is home to the National Library of Wales and the country’s largest Arts Centre. Aberystwyth is popular with students and has plenty of things to discover. Read on and we’ll break down some of the key aspects of life in this unique seaside town.
For those who like to get out and about, Aberystwyth has plenty to see. Adventurous students can trek the coastal path, climb the mountainous wooded valleys, or take an Edwardian steam train along the coast to visit the Devil’s Bridge Waterfalls.
Those who prefer to stay closer to home are also well catered for. Ystwyth Books is a rare gem of a bookshop which houses many rare and out of print editions in a variety of subjects from literature and language to poetry and politics, wildlife art and architecture. It’s a great place to while away a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea.
NEXT: Read our list of the top 10 student things to do in Aberystwyth.
Aberystwyth nightlife has a laid-back atmosphere and the town is a hotspot for pubs and restaurants. Famously, the town has ‘a pub for every week of the year’ and as a student you’ll have plenty of opportunity to explore them and find a favourite. In actual fact, there are more than 60 places to grab a drink around the town. Here are three of our favourites:
The Libertine Cocktail Bar - A cosy and relaxed vibe with great service, The Libertine has a superb selection of cocktails to choose from. Alternatively, you can ask the bartender to mix up something new which matches your taste exactly. It’s a popular spot, so you might want to book a table if you’re in a group, to ensure you’ll have somewhere to sit.
The Inn on the Pier - Exactly what it says on the tin. Simple to find, and easy to love, this recently renovated pub is known for friendly staff and large central bar, serving a wide range of drinks and tipples. The interior makes use of old cinema seating, and if you ask nicely then you’re even allowed to bring your fish and chips in from next door.
Downies Vaults - Many things have been said about Downies over the years. It's most certainly unpretentious, popular, and accommodating, however if you are looking for a chic spot for a quiet drink then you may wish to reconsider. A rowdy student favourite, with unfathomably low prices, all we can say is that you’ll have to swing by on a Friday night and see for yourself.
A good place to start is to live in the University of Aberystwyth’s halls of residences buildings, since they are both convenient and very cost-effective. You can expect to pay between £114 - £192 per week for a self-catered single room or £205 for a catered room option. All utilities bills, Wi-Fi, contents insurance, and even sports centre membership are included in a single packaged rent amount.
After leaving halls you’ll be looking to rent locally, either by yourself or in a shared apartment with your new mates. A one-bedroom flat costs around £700 per month, and a three-bedroom flat in the centre of Aberystwyth costs an average of just £800 per month, which works out at less than £300 per person, per month. You’ll need to budget around £80 per month for utilities bills too, but nonetheless that’s astonishingly good value.
Thanks to its size, Aberystwyth is one of the few university towns in the UK where the best way to get around really is by walking. It costs nothing, and you’ll get loads of daily exercise. Plus, the air quality in coastal Wales is fantastic, so overall you’re on to a winner.
If you do need to use public transport then you can always hop on the bus, which will quickly get you around Aberystwyth and the neighbouring towns for £3 for a one-way ticket.
Obviously, your two main expenses are going to be your accommodation, which we’ve already covered, and your tuition fees, which will probably be covered by the student finance company for your nation. So what else will you have to spend?
You can expect to spend £160 - 180 per month on grocery shopping, and you can visit low-cost outlets and buy in bulk to keep these costs down. Transport, entertainment, and miscellaneous university supplies will comprise most of the rest of your expenses, so figure out your budget and make a strategy for staying on track of spending. Fortunately, Aberystwyth isn’t too expensive, with a pint of beer costing between £3 and £4 on average.
NEXT: Learn more about the cost of living in Aberystwyth.
Aberystwyth Pier is the oldest in Wales and, when it was first opened in 1865, it measured a whopping 244 metres in length. Over the years it has survived fires and renovations, and today remains an iconic feature of the town. This Grade II listed structure is styled with art-deco details and offers a variety of classic seaside attractions such as a fish and chip shop, ice-cream stall, a bar, amusement arcade, outdoor seating, and of course a traditional wooden promenade. It’s a great place for a stroll, and if you’re really lucky then you might see a murmuration of starlings, a huge twisting and turning flock of birds flying in unison over the pier at dusk.
The University of Aberystwyth is the only uni in town. It has a population of around 10,000 students, which represents 40% of Aberystwyth's total population, making the town a very student-centred place to live. The university has a high acceptance rate, and offers an excellent education, delivering internationally recognised research and superb student experience. Popular subjects include computer science, psychology, and zoology, and the university records consistently high student satisfaction ratings.
If we've convinced you to apply to uni in Aberystwyth, start searching for courses now.