Aberystwyth University was founded in 1872 and was the first university in Wales. Aberystwyth University is the only university in the UK to offer every student a year’s work placement as part of their degree, leading to a better than average employability level, and there are currently 9,500 students enrolled.
Aberystwyth has one of the largest graduate schools for international relations in the world, with over 150 Master’s and PhD students enrolled. The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, which is shared with Bangor University, is a world class research and education centre researching issues including sustainable land use, climate change and the security of food and water supplies. It is also home to one of the five UK copyright libraries, the National Library of Wales, and has the largest Arts Centre in Wales.
Over 170 clubs and societies offer a wide variety of things to do away from study, and there is a Sports Centre on campus offering a range of activities. Surfing and water sports are also available on the coast, while the area was awarded EU Blue Flag for its rubbish-free environment.
Ranking
- 42nd in the Times University Guide 2021
- 49th in the Guardian University Guide 2021
Aberystwyth University ranks highly for student satisfaction in the UK and was rated in the top five in the world in a recent International Student Barometer survey. The University won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology at the 2013 Times Higher Education Awards. 95% of the research activity submitted by Aberystwyth University for the 2014 Research Excellence Framework is of an internationally recognised standard or higher.
- Former names: University of Wales, Aberystwyth
- Motto Welsh: Nid Byd, Byd Heb Wybodaeth
- Motto in English: A world without knowledge is no world at all
- Type: Public
- Established: 1872 (as The University College of Wales)
- Endowment: £43.3 million (2018)[1]
- Chancellor: John, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd
- Vice-Chancellor: Elizabeth Treasure
- Students: 7,720 (2019/20)[2]
- Undergraduates: 6,605 (2019/20)[2]
- Postgraduates: 1,115 (2019/20)[2]
- Location: Aberystwyth, Wales, United Kingdom