Aberystwyth University: What it's really like

Looking for a Welsh university right on the coast? Aberystwyth could be the one!

Aberystwyth at a glance:

Elen, a former Aberystwyth student and now Student Recruitment Assistant for the university, shares what it’s like to study here.

What is Aberystwyth?

Aberystwyth - which everyone calls ‘Aber’ for short here - is a campus university based on the west Wales coast. There are 6,000 students here, making us a fairly small university - but we have over 1,700 hectares of land here, which actually makes us the UK’s biggest university (according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency 2018).

We’re the only university in the UK to win University of the Year for teaching quality for two consecutive years.

During 2022, Aber celebrates its 150th anniversary. We’ve also recently opened a new school of Veterinary Science, the first of its kind in Wales, and its new nursing school will open in September 2022.

Why apply to Aberystwyth?

The reason I chose to apply to Aber is because it had won Best University in Wales, with 90% student satisfaction (in the National Student Satisfaction Survey [NSS] in 2020). This was huge for me, as I wanted to know I was coming to a place where I could have lots of fun, but also enjoy an excellent quality of teaching – which was certainly the case.

For international students or those who’ve travelled far to get here, Aber offers a very close-knit and welcoming community. It’s unlikely you’ll feel homesick here, as you’ll be having such a great time.

 

Who isn’t the right fit for Aberystwyth?

If you’re looking for a university in a busy city, or with a large student population, Aber might not be the right fit for you. But if you’re more interested in a close-knit student community, please come and visit us for an Open Day.

Any application tips? 

The top application tip I can give you is to demonstrate your passion for your subject in your Personal Statement. Make your reason for wanting to study the subject really clear. You could also talk about your career hopes and ambitions post-study, and why studying this subject could take you there. Mentioning any relevant work experience might boost your application too.

What’s the location like?

Aber is right on the seaside - I like to say it’s like being on holiday all the time, with a bit of work thrown in! Students can enjoy 52 different pubs in the local area - one for every week of the year.

There’s the National Library of Wales right on the doorstep of the university, which provides exclusive access for Aber students, with over 4 million books to choose from.

What facilities does Aberystwyth have to offer?

The fantastic facilities at Aber include our own vessel and aquarium, which you can take advantage of if you choose to study biological sciences. For those studying animal sciences, we have an equine centre - you can even bring your horse to uni!

There are 140 different sports clubs and societies you can join; there’s a gym on-site; and there’s Aberystwyth Arts Centre, one of the UK’s largest arts centres. Here, you can enjoy comedians, cinema, and live music, right on the campus itself.

What is the accommodation like?

There is a range of accommodation on campus here, to suit all tastes and budgets. We have en suite rooms, or rooms with shared facilities, as well as self-contained studios. There’s guaranteed accommodation for all first year students, plus, you’ll get a free platinum gym membership when you live in halls.

How does the university meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?

Upon starting their studies at Aber, every student is automatically given their own personal tutor in the academic department. They can go to this person for support with course questions, or any concerns they have about student life. There’s also a dedicated Disability and Learning Support team on-hand to assist students with physical and mental health conditions, or specific learning differences.

Want to explore more UK universities? Remember, Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.