Aberystwyth University

 

Overview

Aberystwyth University was founded in 1872 and was the first university institution in Wales. We have a long history of ‘Excellence’ in Teaching and Research within a unique learning environment. We offer extensive educational provision for undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students, as well as a dedicated International Language Centre offering pre-sessional language & study skills support
The University has more than 8,000 students studying in a stunning campus location overlooking Cardigan Bay on the West coast of Wales. Aberystwyth consistently ranks highly for student satisfaction in the UK and was voted best in the country in 2009. It is home to one of the 5 UK copyright libraries, the National Library of Wales, has the largest Arts Centre in Wales and boasts a lively social scene.
The three main faculties are the Faculty of Arts; Faculty of Science; and Faculty of Social Studies, which are sub-divided into various academic departments. Aberystwyth University is particularly strong in theatre, film & television studies; biological sciences; geography & earth sciences; law and criminology; history and Welsh history; management and business studies including an AMBA accredited MBA; Celtic studies; and computer science.
The Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University, was the first department of its kind in the world, founded in 1919 and is Rated 4* in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. It has one of the largest graduate schools for international relations in the world, with over 150 Master’s and PhD students.
The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) is a world class research and education centre researching issues including sustainable land use, climate change and the security of food and water supplies.
Aberystwyth University’s main library seats over 1,700 students and houses over one million titles. In 2007 Aberystwyth University opened its new Centre for Visualisation which has created some of the finest virtual reality facilities in the UK. There are over 900 PCs available to students and most can be used on a 24-hour open-access basis for word processing, databases and design. Further facilities include a gallery and studios for the School of Art, scientific laboratories, and materials to support practical work in theatre, film and television studies. The language laboratory helps students learn languages including English, German, Spanish and Welsh, among others.
There are brand new buildings on campus that house the Departments of Sport and Exercise Science and Theatre, Film and Television Studies, which includes radio and television studios and International Politics.

Ranking

Teaching and learning at Aberystwyth University is amongst the best in the UK, according to a Times Higher Education’s Student
Experience Survey published on January 14th 2010.
• Aberystwyth University is placed 4th in the survey’s Top 10 for Teaching and Learning – after Oxford (1), Cambridge (2) and St Andrews (3).
• The poll also shows that Aberystwyth University offers the best all-round student experience in
Wales, with an overall ranking of 6th across the UK.
• In the National Student Survey results published in September 2009, Aberystwyth was joint 6th
across the UK and top in Wales for student satisfaction.

Services for International Students

Aberystwyth University has a dedicated International Office www.aber.ac.uk/en/international which is able to answer most students’ questions on topics such as visas and the new Points Based System. Our International Student Adviser, who is part of both the International Office and Student Support, is on hand to assist with these questions and also those relating to working while studying, etc. Staff from the International Office travel overseas on a regular basis to meet with students  in their home countries. The International Office is also responsible for overseeing the provision of English Language courses for international students including pre-sessional courses; an International Foundation Programme (IFP); a pre-masters Programme; summer courses; the Study Year Abroad (SYA/JYA) programme; and the Trinity College Cert. TESOL course. In addition, the International Office is responsible for managing our European and International student exchange programme.
Aberystwyth has a wide range of international scholarships for undergraduate, post graduate taught and post graduate research students. There are over 170 clubs and societies covering most sports, as well as the comprehensively equipped Sports Centre on campus. Surfing and water sports are also on offer and the coast was awarded the EU blue flag for its rubbish-free environment. The Students’ Union or Guild provides entertainment with several catering outlets and three bars and also looks after the International Buddy Scheme.
Aberystwyth University’s Arts Centre underwent a £4.5million expansion in 2005 and puts on regular events. There are practice rooms for musicians. The University runs its own radio station, Bay Radio, involving students in all aspects. Similar media opportunities exist at the university newspaper, The Courier. The Students’ Union actively supports minorities through campaigns and support groups, and organises a number of community action projects. The University has active alumni associations worldwide.

Accommodation

Aberystwyth University has five halls of residence on the main campus, four on the seafront, one in town, and an extensive student village housing some 3,000 students. Places are guaranteed for all international students. Most rooms are single study and many have spectacular views. The cost of living in Aberystwyth is amongst the lowest in the UK with university hall prices ranging from £68 per week.
It is estimated that over 52 per cent of Aberystwyth University students reside on campus. For those wishing to find alternative arrangements, the Accommodation Office maintains a regularly updated register of addresses, covering traditional lodgings and self-catering accommodation in a range of shared houses, flats, bedsits and single-study bedrooms. The staff are familiar with all aspects of housing in Aberystwyth and are happy to advise students on relevant issues.
Student halls prices:
Catered:  £100 - 5 evening meals / 2 weekend lunches
Self-catering: £67 to £95 per week                             Private sector: £50+ per week

Campus

The main campus of Aberystwyth University is situated on Penglais Hill, overlooking the town of Aberystwyth and Cardigan Bay. The Penglais Campus is the site of 12 of the University's 17 departments, as well as most of the student halls of residence. Just below the Penglais Campus is the National Library of Wales, one of Britain's five copyright libraries. A BBC article suggests the library is "considered to be one of the world's greatest libraries, and its international reputation is certainly something that all Welsh men and women are intensely proud of.
The original Aberystwyth University building, next to the sea, known as "Old College", is the site of most of the University's administration as well as the Departments of Welsh and Education. The Llanbadarn Campus is located approximately one mile to the east of the Penglais Campus, and hosts part of the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rurual Sciences (IBERS) and the Department of Information Studies. The School of Art is located between the Penglais Campus and the centre of Aberystwyth, and offers courses including Fine Art, Art History, Museum and Gallery Studies.

Location

Aberystwyth offers a range of academic, social and cultural facilities within a compact and convenient setting. The central part of town covers an area of little more than a quarter of a square mile, so there are no additional daily travelling costs for students. In this busy shopping centre students will find banks, building societies, a post office, national stores and shops, doctors, dentists, opticians and many other shops. The area has the lowest crime rate in the UK, making it a safe and pleasant environment for students.
The town is dominated by the vast expanse of Cardigan Bay, and the beach is enjoyed by students as a place of relaxation in the summer, and at other times of the year the sea is ideal for surfing and sail boarding.
Arrivals at London, Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and other airports are linked by a national bus service to Aberystwyth. In addition, arrivals at Birmingham International Airport can easily get to Aberystwyth by a direct train in under three hours.
For further information please contact:
International Collaboration & Recruitment, ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY
The Student Welcome Centre, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, UK, SY23 3FB
Tel: +44 (0)1970-622367       Fax: +44 (0)1970-622063
E-mail: internationaloffice@aber.ac.uk          http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/international/