Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth University is a public research university in Aberystwyth, Wales. The University was first established in 1872 as the University College Wales. In 1894, it joined the former federal University of Wales as a founding member, and it was then that the university was renamed University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. In the mid-1990s the university was renamed the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. The University of Wales ceased to be a federal university on September 1, 2007, and Aberystwyth University regained its independence.

Aberystwyth University is housed on two campuses, Penglais, and Gogerddan. It offers several facilities for agricultural and research purposes.

Often referred to as the ‘Cultural Capital of Wales’, the Penglais Campus is the main campus of Aberystwyth University. The campus is nestled between the Cambrian Mountains and Cardigan Bay. It is home to Wales's biggest arts center, library, residential halls, and lecture theatres. This campus is the ideal place for students to meet new people, share interests, and develop as a community.

The Gogerddan Campus is a world-class research and teaching center that addresses global issues such as food security, sustainability, and climate change. It meets the research needs of the Institute of Biological, Environmental, and Rural Sciences.

Aberystwyth was named the "Greatest Town" in 2015 by the Academy of Urbanism. The town was given the name for its shops, restaurants, nightlife, and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The Penglais Campus of the University was the first in the world to win a Green Flag Award for environmental excellence.

The University is dedicated to providing world-class learning, teaching, and living environment. In 2015 it opened a new £45 million student residence, as well as a £4 million refurbishment program for upgrading its teaching and learning facilities.

Aberystwyth University provides an enhanced learning experience for students choosing to study here.

Listed below is a list of reasons why students should choose to study at Aberystwyth University.

• For three years in a row, the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 named Aberystwyth University as the Welsh University of the Year.
• The University offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in a variety of disciplines ranging from arts to science and business, all of which are taught by research-driven professionals. The University has global accreditations and provides varied employment opportunities.
• The University was also named University of the year for teaching excellence. It was awarded a Gold accreditation in the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for consistently providing excellent teaching and learning outcomes for students; this is among the best in the UK.
• 95% of the university’s research is considered internationally recognized in terms of its originality, magnitude, and austerity.
• Aberystwyth is a welcoming and friendly place to study and live in. It has beautiful scenery, with long coastlines and beaches, as well as excellent weather. Despite its small size, the town is diverse and interesting, with a wide range of activities and attractions.

Career Opportunities:

The Career Service within the University campus assists students with work experience opportunities, useful transferable skills, career planning, and CV, applications, and interview preparation. It also helps students with their plans by connecting them with employers, alumni, and professional organizations. These services are often offered online or through one-on-one interactions.

Part-time jobs, placements, graduate jobs, volunteering opportunities, internships, employment schemes, study year abroad, international exchanges, Erasmus, and business opportunities are all available through the ABER careers online portal. They also provide guidance and support to students interested in starting their own businesses. Experts on the portal host webinars, workshops, or events, provide one-on-one support and provide career-related resources and information to help students develop knowledge and skills that will benefit them in the future.

AberWorks is a programme that aims to help students gain work experience while still at university. Its main objective is to assist students in improving their skills and self-awareness to increase their chances of employability. Catering, administrative work, ambassador positions, and other opportunities are available with AberWorks.

Success Rate:

According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 97% of the university's graduates were employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. It was also estimated that 99% of graduates were employed or enrolled in further education within six months of undertaking a degree in Welsh.

Notable Alumni:

Some notable alumni of the University of Aberystwyth include:

• Prince Charles of Wales (Heir of the British throne)
• Carwyn Jones (First Minister of Wales and former leader of the Welsh Labour) 
• Sharon Maguire (Film director known for her role in Bridget Jones’s Diary) 
• Carwyn James (a Welsh rugby union player and coach), 
• Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah (Sierra Leonean politician who served twice as the country's third president)
• Sarah Hall (English novelist and poet)
• Belinda Earl (British businesswoman, and a Non-Executive Director of Woolworths Holdings Limited (RSA))
• Jan Pinkava (Oscar-winning animator, Pixar)

Student Services:

The university provides a wide range of services and facilities to its students to aid their well-being and future career. The Student Service addresses all issues related to personal, academic, and financial problems, disabilities and special learning difficulties, visas and immigration issues, mental health, and wellbeing. In addition, students are assigned a personal mentor who assists them with academics, employability, co-curricular activities, and the overall learning and living progression.

Accommodation:

Students can choose from a variety of on-campus and off-campus lodging options. The accommodation options available on-campus includes self-catered rooms with private bathrooms, standard or shared accommodation with private bedrooms, a shared toilet and kitchen, and studio accommodations with private bedrooms, kitchen, and bathroom facilities. Some of the catered and self-catered homes available are Cwrt Mawr Price Band 1 and 2, Rosser, Rosser G, Trefloyne, Pentre Jane Morgan, Seafront Residences, Fferm Penglais, Fferm Penglais Studio, and the Pantycelyn. Off-campus students can live in privately rented homes.

Medical Services:

Students must register with a General Practitioner to receive consultations, medications, therapies, and vaccines for meningitis, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, polio, tetanus, and human papillomavirus (family doctor). The Student Well-being Service also provides support for concerns such as friendship, bereavement, fear, stress, and other mental health issues.

Sports Service:

The University's athletic facilities include a gym with both strength and aerobic exercise machines, as well as a free weights room and a plate-loaded room. They have All Fit-Together Group Exercise and Group Classes to assist students in maintaining their health and improving their social, physical, and mental well-being. The University’s sports service includes a pool with changing rooms, a sauna, with swimming and aqua lessons. Climbing walls, dance studios, squash courts, sports cages, playing fields, tennis courts, and running tracks are among the other amenities provided by the sports service.

Library Facilities:

Hugh Owen Library and the Physical Sciences Library are the two libraries that make up the Aberystwyth University Library. The former is the university's main library, which stocks collections in humanities, commerce, law, social sciences, biology, and earth sciences, while the latter houses mathematics, physics, and computer science materials. Other collections of books at the Hugh Owen Library include children's books, diplomatic papers, government publications, statistical publications, rare books, and other e-learning resources. Individual and community study rooms, IT services, printing, photocopying, scanning, self-issue return machines, library clinics, online public access catalog, aid, and support are all available at each of these libraries.

Social Clubs:

Over 100 sports clubs and social societies provide students with incredible opportunities to immerse themselves in new environments. These social clubs provide students with the opportunity of learning new hobbies and skills, honing old ones, and making the most of their time here. Some of the societies and clubs include academic and career, faith and culture, film, media, literature and fandom, gaming, lifestyle and interest, performance and music, politics, campaigns and charity, athletics, ball, dance, martial arts, racket, and water and outdoor activities.