Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth University (Prifysgol Aberystwyth) is located on the beautiful coast of mid Wales, surrounded by breath-taking scenery of rolling hills and sea. The university, part of the local town affectionately known as “Aber”, forms a vibrant cosmopolitan cultural hub. This beautiful town offers some of the most picturesque views in Wales.

Whatever your interest, there is plenty to do in Aberystwyth; with beautiful sandy beaches just a stone’s throw away, and the Cambrian Mountains on our doorstep. There’s no beauty quite like the beauty of Aberystwyth.

Students love its location and social life, while it’s internationally renowned for the quality of its teaching and research.

Aberystwyth University has three faculties:

• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Business and Physical Sciences
• Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences

Our student reviewers were very positive about studying at Aberystwyth, with almost all celebrating the high-quality learning environment and sense of community at the University and in the town. Students also voted the University in fifth place in the university of the year category at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2018, and the University has also been nominated for six categories in the upcoming 2019 awards.

Aberystwyth University students on Whatuni say:

“I’ve felt very supported and I’ve loved my course. There are heaps of opportunities and you never feel lost in a crowd. Everything is affordable and it’s just really great.”

“Amazing. Best experience of my life. Lots of opportunities to meet new people. Learn new things and enjoy life here in general. Staff and union people are very friendly and helpful.”

“It’s a unique place where everyone is in one big family. I love the fact I’ve met the best friends and had an amazing experience so far. I don't really want to leave.”

“I absolutely love this university and have had the best experience possible. Aber is incredible and I wish I could spend more time here. I can't recall a bad day here.”

With excellent support services, Year in Industry degree options and AberForward Internships, the University is passionate about giving students “real-world” experience in preparation for their future careers. It is also worth noting that 97% of our graduates are in employment or further education 6 months after graduating, according to HESA. (Higher Education Statistics Agency 2018)

The high number of events organised by the careers service is mentioned by a number of our student reviewers.

Aberystwyth University students on Whatuni say:

“I used the Go Wales scheme to gain work experience which has really helped my resume. The careers dept is very friendly and active within the university and there are a lot of opportunities.”

“Aber connections helped me to find two part time jobs and we get lots of emails about opportunities.”

“Lots of career events and plenty of chances to meet with professionals.”

The University offers a wide range of undergraduate courses and the flexibility to study joint honours or major minor combinations in the following subject areas:

• Accounting and Finance
• Agriculture
• Animal Behaviour
• Art and Art History
• Biochemistry
• Business and Management
• Computer Science
• Countryside Conservation
• Criminology
• Drama
• Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Ecology
• Economics
• Education and Childhood Studies
• Engineering
• English and Creative Writing
• Equine Science
• Genetics
• Geography
• History
• Human Biology and Health
• Information Studies
• Law
• Marine and Freshwater Biology
• Marketing
• Mathematics
• Microbiology
• Modern Languages
• Physics and Astronomy
• Plant Biology
• Politics and International Politics
• Psychology
• Sport and Exercise Science
• Theatre, Film and Television Studies
• Tourism
• Veterinary Biosciences and Animal Science
• Welsh and Celtic Studies
• Wildlife Conservation
• Zoology

You can find out about course entry requirements and further details on the website. 

Aberystwyth University students on Whatuni say:

“I like how personal the lecturers are and I feel very comfortable going to them if I have any problems, either with the course or more personally. I genuinely can’t find fault with the teaching.”

“They are always available when you need them.”

“The lecturers are friendly and informative.”

“We've got really good lecturers who are very passionate about the module which makes it great to learn from.”

Aberystwyth University’s Students’ Union is led by students for students with the aim of giving you the best student experience possible.

Made up of five full-time officers and seven part-time officers, as well as liberation and section officers, this is a student union that’s well equipped to help its students. Elected by the students and independent from the University, they support students and stand up for their rights.

Open all year-round, the Students’ Union offers a sociable and relaxing space to study, unwind or actively participate in activities. You can also find two bars, including fresh Starbucks coffee and Nosh Da food, along with a student shop.

The entertainments team ensure a busy and full programme of events for the year. During Welcome Week, a whole host of events and activities run, to enable you to explore everything on offer.

The Union also runs the Advice Centre, providing independent support and representation, whether academic, welfare or financial, for students who may find themselves needing extra support while at university. Students are also given a platform to get their voices heard, whether it be on aspects of their course or on university issues.

As in many other areas of the University, our student reviewers spoke of the friendly, welcoming environment that can be found at the SU.

Aberystwyth University students on Whatuni say:

“I think they’re great.”

“The students’ union is good, they work and help societies a lot and care about the students.”

“Students’ Union is very helpful and the societies are awesome!”

There’s plenty of both university and private housing available, and prices are seen as reasonable.

Best of all, the University guarantees accommodation for first year students and also include a platinum gym membership worth £125, for students who choose to live in university-owned accommodation. There are seven self-catering residences, including wonderful sea-front residences on the Victorian promenade to Pentre Jane Morgan, a student village situated on top of Penglais hill. For students who would prefer to live in Welsh-medium halls, Pantycelyn-Penbryn caters to this very need. Current information on accommodation costs are viewable here.

Many student reviewers found the university provided pleasant, comfortable accommodation for students to live in, and they ranked the University 7th for accommodation at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2018.

Aberystwyth University students on Whatuni say:

“It’s very good and I have help 24 hrs”

“It is on the seafront and it is very beautiful. My room is big and bright. There are 2 bathrooms and big kitchen. Moreover, my flatmates are really good.”

“Really nice! Great kitchen, nice desk space and my bathroom is great.”

“Accommodation is well looked after, issues dealt with simply and quickly. Decent storage space and many different options to choose from.”

Being a campus University everything is within easy walking distance, meaning little to no travel costs.

Campus facilities include state of-the-art lecture rooms, practical labs, three libraries along with a range of cafes, restaurants and coffee shops. For the more active there’s a floodlit 3G pitch, a gym, weights room, dance studio, climbing wall and 50 acres of playing fields.

There’s also the award-winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre, featuring theatres and a cinema.

Students also have access to the National Library of Wales, which is one of only five copyright libraries in the UK.

Aberystwyth University students on Whatuni say:

“Top quality.”

“They're great. We have had a new library and lecture rooms are big and spacious.”

“Always refurbishing and modernising, no complaints.”

Aberystwyth is a vibrant, cosmopolitan town and our reviewers love its location and social scene. Students and locals get on well in a close-knit community, and it’s recognised as one of the safest places in Wales to be a student. (Complete University Guide, 2018)  Nightlife is well-rated and if you want to shake off the night before, there are plenty of places to go walking with amazing views over the sea.

Aberystwyth University students on Whatuni say:

“Amazing, safe and quiet. Just the perfect place.”

“Beautiful”

“It's brill, I enjoy the fact that we can go out at night with only a tenner and have a really good night out. Everything is pretty cheap and everyone is really friendly.”

There are over 100 sports clubs and societies, with groups including the Debating Society and the Film Society. Sporting activities include football, rugby, hockey, equestrian, hiking, sailing, surfing and more – giving you the chance to get out and enjoy one of Aberystwyth’s greatest assets.

Our student reviewers found the clubs and societies at Aberystwyth to be inclusive and easy to get involved with, giving them such high ratings that they placed 7th in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2018 in this particular category.

Aberystwyth University students on Whatuni say:

“Very social and caring community.”

“Loads available, cheap to join and great fun.”

“Amazing, and as a society you get to partake in super teams, where all societies and clubs compete against each other, and is really fun. Being part of a society here really helps with meeting new people too.”

Aberystwyth’s support services are highly rated, from academic help to emotional and practical support in times of crisis. Support includes health and wellbeing, study advice and financial help.

Student reviewers were incredibly complimentary about the support services at Aberystwyth, calling the teams approachable, friendly and accessible.

Aberystwyth University students on Whatuni say:

“Excellent. There are lots of people who you can turn to if you have any problems and you always feel like you're supported. The student support dept was also completely fantastic in arranging for me to see an educational psychologist and in providing the support that followed this.”

“Very good from all areas.”

“The tutors are amazing, I have had some issues related to my dissertation and have been helped loads, in order to direct me better. They listen well and as we are a small uni we get to know everyone in the department.”

UK students per year:£9,000

International Students per year:

• Full-time arts/social sciences: £13,450*
• Full-time science: £15,000*

 *Aberystwyth International Scholarships, worth £2,000 each year towards tuition fees, are available for International (non-EU) students commencing a full-time undergraduate programme in September 2019. See here for details and conditions. 

The university offers a generous package of Scholarships and Bursaries. They don’t need to be repaid and by combining selected packages together, it is also possible to receive over £40,000!

• Entrance Scholarships and Merit Awards – You will be required to sit two exams from the choice of subjects the university offer. Each exam lasts for an hour and a half. Depending on the marks you achieve in both papers, there are 4 levels of awards:

- FACULTY SCHOLARSHIPS – £2,000 PER YEAR
We have 20 faculty scholarships available, which are worth £2,000 a year,

- MERIT AWARDS – £1,000 IN THE FIRST YEAR
We have 20 faculty scholarships available, which are worth £2,000 a year.

- UNI SCHOLARSHIPS – £1,000 PER YEAR We have 20 faculty scholarships available, which are worth £2,000 a year

REDUCED OFFERS*
All Scholars and Merit Award holders will receive a reduced offer.

• Aberystwyth Bursary - A means-tested award to support students from lower income families

• Sports Scholarships - £500 per year and free Platinum Club membership of the University Sports Centre. Candidates may be awarded a Sports Scholarship if they can demonstrate that they have recently reached a high standard in their chosen sport, and a commitment to develop their performance in the field of sports while in the University.

• Music Scholarship - £650 per year, free membership of Music Centre ensembles and use of practice and library facilities. 

• Departmental awards - Up to £500 per year from the Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science departments

• Welsh Medium Study Scholarship – up to £250 per year by following part or all of your course through the medium of Welsh.

• Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences - World class courses delivered by the award-winning Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS). IBERS and Aberystwyth University has a long-established global reputation for teaching and research in agriculture and rural science. IBERS provides a unique base for research in response to global challenges such as food security, bioenergy and sustainability, and the impacts of climate change. IBERS' scientists conduct research on genes and molecules, whole organisms and the environment. Become a student of IBERS and become part of the largest and best-resourced university department of its kind in the UK.
• Department of Geography and Earth Sciences – The Department of Geography and Earth Sciences is one of the largest of its kind in the UK, and offers a wealth of Single Honours degrees, as well as numerous Joint Honours and Major/Minor programmes. The department of Geography and Earth Sciences were recently placed in the top 10 UK departments for Geography and Environmental Science (Times and Sunday Times Good Uni. Guide 2019), and received 100% satisfaction for their Human and Physical Geography degree schemes (NSS 2018).
• Department of International Politics - The period following the end of the First World War saw the establishment of the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University, the first department of its kind in the world. A lot has changed since 1919 but the study of International Politics remains indispensable for understanding the changing world in which we live. In times of revolutions, hunger, turmoil and terrorism our teaching and research remain true to the department’s founding ideals: to strive for a safer and more just world order

Entry requirements will vary depending on your course and the university considers each student on an individual basis. For more information on other entry requirements, head to the university’s website.

• Biology Typical Entry Requirements
  • A levels:  BCC-ABB, with B in Biology or Chemistry (depending on degree specialism).
  • BTEC:  DMM – DDM in a science subject.
  • International Baccalaureate:  28-30 points, with 5 points in Biology at Higher Level
  • European Baccalaureate:  70%
  • UCAS Tariff:  104-128 points
  • Plus GCSE (or equivalent):  English or Welsh and Mathematics C/4
• Geography Typical Entry Requirement
  • A levels:  BBC-ABB
  • BTEC:  DMM – DDM 
  • International Baccalaureate:  28-30 points
  • European Baccalaureate:  70%
  • UCAS Tariff:  112-128 points
  • Plus GCSE (or equivalent):  English or Welsh and Mathematics C/4
• International Politics Typical Entry Requirements
  • A levels:  BBC-ABB
  • BTEC:  DMM – DDM 
  • International Baccalaureate:  28-30 points
  • European Baccalaureate:  70%
  • UCAS Tariff:  112-128 points
  • Plus GCSE (or equivalent):  English or Welsh C/4