Transcript
Introduction
This video contains lots of useful information about Aberystwyth University, from details about the facilities and courses on offer, to a look at the vibrant social and cultural life that you can enjoy here.
So what’s so great about Aberystwyth University, and why should you want to come here and study?
Student Quote: “ The town is basically populated by students, you see ‘normal people’ occasionally but mostly you see students and it’s a student town.”
We have a long heritage and pedigree as one of the leading institutions in the UK. It all started back in 1872 in this fantastic building down on the seafront. If you are in the Welsh and Education departments, you can still take classes on this incredible site, although now you will find most of the University located on the modern Penglais campus. A 10 minutes walk from the town centre; it is the nerve centre of the University for over 8,000 students. The campus has everything! Cafés, restaurants, bars, a buzzing Students’ Union, a fantastic Arts Centre …. and how about that view!
Being a campus university, Aberystwyth has a strong community feel, and everyone here is very welcoming, making it a really safe and friendly place to study.
Student Quote: “It’s friendly, it’s welcoming, I felt like it was my second home in just a few weeks. I’m really happy with that.”
There are plenty of places to live and you’ll have the added bonus of guaranteed accommodation in your first year, in one of the many halls of residence. Everything is set up to make that move away from home as comfortable as possible.
Student Quote: “It was surprisingly easy, I was expecting it to be more hard, the first week it was grand, just got used to using the washing machine and the tumble dryer was probably the hardest thing, I shrunk two t-shirts!”
The accommodation ranges from a shared house in Pentre Jane Morgan, to a luxury en-suite room in Rosser, all with high-speed internet connections. Many of the rooms are sea-facing and you have the option of staying in a catered or self-catered hall; our award winning student restaurants are open to all students so you can enjoy the best quality food out there.
The Halls of Residence are a great place to socialise and start your University experience. You will be living with people from all over the world, from all walks of life, making Aberystwyth a cosmopolitan University town, in the heart of Wales.
Student Quote: “really really easy, I was put in a flat with 6 other people who I had never met before and we all gelled straight away”
We also have a long established Entrance Scholarship and Bursaries programme, which is the best in the UK. With awards of up to £3,600 available, you will be amazed at how it can help you finance your studies.
Student Quote “I got an accommodation bursary because I put Aber as my first choice and I also got an academic excellence bursary”
Don’t just take our word for it:
- Statistically, Aberystwyth has one of the lowest dropout rates of any university
- The National Student Satisfaction Survey and The Times rated us in the top 10 for our high level of Student Satisfaction
- The MSN website voted us in the UK’s top 10 of University towns and cities
So what are you waiting for? We promise you, you won’t be disappointed!
Academic facilities
Aberystwyth is a well established University with a long tradition of academic excellence; we offer courses in virtually every subject you can think of … and then a few more besides. Our flexible degree programmes mean that you can pursue Single Honours, Joint Honours or Major/Minor degrees, on a fully modular basis. Whatever course you take, you will be supported by the staff and facilities of your department.
Student Quote “The courses that are provided here aren’t like any other ones that I could find. They let you explore yourself, so I felt that I would have the freedom here to discover where I wanted to go”
As well as a great teaching staff and a wide and varied syllabus, there are excellent facilities to help you get the most from your studies and succeed in your chosen subject.
The impressive National Library of Wales is one of the 5 great libraries in Britain. It has received a copy of every book published in the UK for over a century, and at the heart of the campus provides our students with access to over 6 million volumes and collections.
The University’s own libraries – including the Hugh Owen Library, the Old College library and the exclusive Law Library are modern, well-equipped, and seat over 1,300 readers. The library staff are experts in their field and there will always be someone on-hand to help you find that obscure resource.
Both in the libraries and around campus, the University is well served by the latest computing facilities. Over 900 PCs are available, many with 24 hour access, giving you the chance to finish that coursework in the early hours! We have extensive wireless coverage on campus so that you can work and study in more relaxed and informal places.
Student Quote “The libraries are great, there is a whole floor for science, there are loads of computing facilities up here and down in town as well, there is at least 4 24 hour computer rooms, which is really useful when your rushed on an assignment!”
Specialist support is available for students who need it, with qualified staff available for advice and guidance. We also have designated ‘green card’ areas in the libraries where students with visual or hearing impairments can access specialist software, and we offer additional time in examinations for students who require learning support.
This is the new Student Support Centre - the on campus one-stop shop to help you with any issues – social, financial, academic or personal. If you need us, then our trained staff are always here to help.
Student Quote “Particularly to disabled students I have never seen more care taken than here. I can guarantee that the University takes very seriously it due care not just to disabled students but to every student.”
We will give you the best opportunity to achieve your ambitions after University and help you to get the most from your qualification. The Careers Service, based in the centre of campus, offers a wide range of resources to help you plan for your future. Our experienced advisors will help you to arrange work experience, placements and travelling opportunities. The University offers a number of travel awards and exchange schemes to enhance your time as a student. We run the unique Year in Employment Scheme, providing an excellent opportunity to develop your skills, increase your employability as well as gain invaluable life experience, you could even earn some money!
Student Quote “I studied Spanish so I went to study in Bilbao it was a fantastic experience, I again lived 10 minutes from the sea, and of course, who couldn’t get into the Spanish way of life”
We are flexible, responsive and supportive, giving you the best possible education and opportunities for the future.
Excellent facilities, great courses and comprehensive welfare and support - this sums up academic life here at Aberystwyth.
Sports and societies
The Athletic Union oversees student sport and are here to support and organise the 50 or so Sports Clubs – no small feat when you consider the combined membership of over 6,000 students!
Our teams are very successful and through our affiliations to the Welsh Universities Athletic Union and British Universities & Colleges Sports, we provide you with plenty of sporting opportunities.
Aberystwyth University is blessed with some of the best facilities for sport in Wales. From the extensive 34 acre Blaendolau playing fields, to the state-of-the-art Sports Centre on campus, we give you the opportunity to pursue almost any sport or activity you can think of.
The nationally renowned Vicarage Playing Fields are the home of our football, rugby, and cricket first teams. We also run intramural leagues and tournaments. Our University Leagues provide a weekly opportunity for informal sports fanatics, with its Sunday afternoon football matches proving very popular!
This hall, known as ‘The Cage’, is large enough to house 6 badminton courts, 2 volleyball courts, 2 tennis courts, netball, 5-a-side soccer and archery - to name just a few! All you need is a Club Sporty membership to gain access to all this.
Student quote “We have a good community feel to all the sports teams, there are loads of different sports that you can play”
The town of Aberystwyth also has a thriving sports scene, with rowing, running and several golf courses. Being a University by the Sea, surfing, sailing and canoeing are some of the most popular sports on offer for those whose idea of fun is taking to the water!
And for those of you who want something a bit different, we have an equestrian centre on the Llanbadarn campus.
Student Quote “There is pretty much a club for every taste, if there isn’t, if there are enough of you can create a club so no matter what you are interested in 99% of the time there is going to be something for you.”
The Sports Centre promotes health through exercise and sport and along with the clubs you will find a range of non-competitive and group exercise classes.
The Wellness Centre enables you to exercise in a whole host of ways to help you meet friends and feel part of the community. Many of our members join to use the excellent gym and swimming pool but you can also join in with some of our popular classes including Pilates, circuit training, dance and free weights. Whatever you wish to try, expert advisers are on hand to guide you on the path to a healthier lifestyle. So rest assured that Aberystwyth University gives you a full and wide-ranging programme to keep fit and healthy.
Student Quote “On the whole excellent, there is something here for everyone, even if its scuba diving or mountain biking even if you like go-karting the university can accommodate that.”
Whatever your sporting preference or ability, the University caters for everyone – so you’ve got no excuse. Come here, have a great time, and enjoy getting fit!
Social Life
As well as exceptional academic facilities Aberystwyth is home to a lively and vibrant social scene, giving you plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind. With over 100 bars, restaurants and cafes in the town, and a thriving cultural scene, once you’ve been out in Aberystwyth, you won’t want to go anywhere else.
Student Quote “I like going out to see interesting films and live bands and there is always stuff like that going on, there is a really great live music scene.”
Aberystwyth is full of exciting things to do. The award winning Arts Centre is one of the largest in western Britain, and the largest in Wales. It houses a concert hall, theatre, gallery spaces, cinema, studio theatre, workshop spaces, and the unique creative units for artists in residence. There is a café, Craft & Design shop, bookshop and bars. The centre hosts some of the best theatre and performance groups out there, all of which is complemented by an annual arts festival and a summer season of in-house productions.
There is a busy programme of exhibitions and workshops each year covering all art forms. The Arts Centre cinema has invested in a top of the range digital projection system which is capable of “Live Streaming” of the very best productions from around the world - from the New York Met, Royal Opera and National Theatre, all of which you can see in the comfort of this great cinema.
The result is a fantastic facility right in the heart of campus that provides great opportunities for students to enjoy a rich cultural life.
Student Quote “I love the Arts Centre, I think it’s such a bonus for all student to be able to go there. There is a diverse range of dance, theatre arts work, art installations are wonderful to go see. Even if your not doing a creative course. They have such a broad range. The cinema plays everything from your Toy Stories to your obscure films from foreign countries.”
The Guild of Students run varied events throughout the year including club nights, themed nights, live bands, comedy evenings and they also play host to an array of celebrity guests. No matter what type of night out you enjoy, whether it’s discussing the issues of the day or dancing the night away, there are plenty of memorable experiences to be had.
Student Quote “When ever I come here I know it sounds really bad but I feel like I’m on holiday! I’m from outside London and it’s really intense there, it’s nice to be in the countryside and to be around people that care about you, you can’t walk through town without seeing someone you actually know.”
But if you just fancy time to unwind the guild is open everyday from 10am with several pool tables, 7 plasma TV screens, a host of interactive gaming machines and lots of comfortable seating, The Guild of Students is the place to be.
The Guild administers over 50 different societies including, music clubs, student radio, chess, sci-fi and even circus training! - so there’s something for everyone to get involved in.
Student Quote “Were both members of Aber Amnesty, its one of the biggest in the country, a lot of people from Aber come here and it’s a great way to socialize.”
To be honest, there’s so much to do, you’ll need 3 years here just to see it all!