Aberystwyth University

Award Winners

Aberystwyth is the Welsh university of the year and has been awarded the prestigious ‘University of the Year for Teaching Quality’ accolade for two consecutive years (Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2018 & 2019). This makes the university the first Welsh institution to be ranked number one for the award and also has helped them to climb into the top 50 in the official UK league table.

The editor of the Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide, Alastair McCall, said, “Twice a winner of our award for University of the Year for Teaching Quality, Aberystwyth this year scoops the national prize for Wales. This will come as no surprise to its students, who have rated it the best in Wales for teaching quality and the wider student experience for the past four years. It was the standout candidate to be the Welsh University of the Year for 2020.”

Aberystwyth University’s gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework demonstrates the institution’s commitment to providing outstanding teaching. They take pride in their history of academic excellence dating back to 1872 and continue to develop stimulating and relevant degree programmes taught by research-led experts.

Supported by superb facilities and resources, the university’s faculties align their Teaching and Research to provide study programmes that make use of each lecturers’ disciplinary research to educate students on the latest developments in their specific fields.

Aberystwyth aspires to provide a varied and engaging learning environment to challenge and encourage students to grow in knowledge, critical thinking and research skills by using a wide range of learning techniques. The ultimate goal is to prepare each student for their future career path.

Three distinct faculties made up of 17 Academic Departments make up Aberystwyth University:

Faculty of Art and Social Sciences

• School of Art
• School of Education
• Department of English and Creative Writing
• Department of History and Welsh History
• Department of International Politics
• Department of Law and Criminology
• Department of Modern Languages
• Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies
• Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies

Faculty of Business and Physical Sciences

• Aberystwyth Business School
• Department of Computer Science
• Department of Information Studies
• Department of Mathematics
• Department of Physics

Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences

• Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences
• Department of Geography and Earth Sciences
• Department of Psychology

International English Centre

Aberystwyth University also provides a specialist International English Centre (IEC) offering various courses to international students as well as general support for their English language development. International students can enjoy English language tuition, rated among the highest quality in the UK, with the IEC ranked 3^rd in the official league table of university English language centres in the UK (EL Gazette, 2018). The IEC offers a range of comprehensive programmes and courses, including International Foundation Certificates, pre-Master’s and pre-Sessional courses, summer courses and general English courses for a number of levels.

All departments combine teaching, research and service staff to support students throughout their studies.

International and EU applicants will be required to provide evidence of sufficient English knowledge, which they must provide before being formally accepted to commence study at the university. The university accepts IELTS or TOEFL results, but also has other suitable qualifications recognised, such as the SELTs and tests where Aberystwyth University will make its own assessment.

IELTS score requirements for undergraduate courses

• Score of 6.5, with minimum 5.5 in each component for Science courses
• Score of 6.0 overall, with minimum 5.5 in each component, for Computer Science and Business School courses.
• Score of 6.5, with minimum 5.5 in each component, for Arts and Social Sciences courses.

IELTS score requirements for postgraduate courses

• 6.0, with minimum 5.5 in each component for programmes under Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics and Management & Business (MSc and MBA).
• 6.5, with minimum 5.5 in each component for courses in Art Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences Education Lifelong Learning History & Welsh History Information Studies Law & Criminology (Taught LLM courses) Management & Business (PhD and MPhil) Modern Languages, and Welsh.
• 6.5, with minimum 6.0 in each component for programme under International Politics
• 7.0, with minimum 6.0 in each component, for courses in Geography & Earth Sciences Law & Criminology (PhD, MPhil and LLM by Research) Psychology, and Theatre, Film & Television Studies.
• For English & Creative Writing courses, students require a score of 7.5, with minimum 7.0 in each component for Masters, and 7.5 in each component for PhD.

International scholarships are available to international students studying either undergraduate, postgraduate or research programmes.

International Excellence Undergraduate Scholarship

Offers a discount on tuition fees worth GBP 8,000 over three years on a merit basis to international students studying full-time who have demonstrated significant academic excellence and ability.

Students do not need to apply for scholarships as they will be automatically assessed upon application. EU applicants are eligible for a much wider range of EU Scholarships ranging greatly in the amount awarded and covering various costs of study, such as tuition and accommodation. Students are encouraged to verify the details and criteria for various funding opportunities by consulting the university website or contacting the institution directly.

Excellent academic and non-academic facilities are offered to students at Aberystwyth University, including:

Aberystwyth Arts Centre

Largest arts centre in Wales, located on the main Penglais Campus and featuring extensive artistic facilities: cinema, theatre, comedy, music, dance, art gallery, café, bar and shop.

Sports Centre

Modern fitness suite, various exercise classes, free weights room, swimming pool, saunarium, spinning room, climbing wall, running track, sports cage, 3G all-weather artificial pitches and playing fields are among the excellent sports facilities.

Library and Learning Resources

Modern lecture halls, hi-tech labs, recently refurbished central library, 24-hour library service, large computer rooms, Wi-Fi, learning hubs and quiet spaces are all around the university to assist students in their studies.

Students’ Union

Over 50 sports clubs, 80 societies, various volunteering initiatives, shop, bar, nightclub and welfare & support services are all based from, and supported by, the Students’ Union, allowing students to pursue interests in an organised and rewarding manner.

National Library of Wales

The National Library of Wales, based next door to Penglais Campus, is one of only five legal deposit libraries in the UK providing access to a huge collection of reading materials.