Academic Standards
A Tradition of Excellence
Aberystwyth was the first University in Wales. Its founders were driven by the determination that Wales should have excellent Higher Education, as good as anything found elsewhere in the United Kingdom. That tradition of access to academic excellence is still the driving force behind the University’s approach to teaching and learning.
At this level, academic standards need to be judged by four criteria:
Quality of Teaching
In the 2009 National Student Survey, 89% of Aberystwyth students said the teaching on their course was Good or better, placing Aberystwyth University 22nd out of more than 200 Universities surveyed in the UK.
Quality of Research
University teachers need to be at the forefront of their discipline, where the new work is happening. Your child will be taught by academics who are at the cutting edge of research. As we write, Aberystwyth’s academics are leading research, amongst many, many, other things, in:
- mapping the mineral composition of the moon by data from an X-ray camera in lunar orbit;
- working with politicians and diplomats to lay the ground for President Obama’s declared aim of progress towards nuclear zero;
- developing sustainable bio-fuels which can be grown on otherwise non-arable land.
Check out some of our other recent Research News
Rates of completion
A University’s completion rate is the proportion of its students who complete the degree they started. At 87.5%, Aberystwyth’s completion rate is in the top third of Universities in the UK.
Learner Support
It is Learner Support, above all, which makes that completion rate what it is.
The front line of support is the tutor who actually teaches the course –and, as you’ve already seen, our students rate their teachers very highly indeed.
Secondly, as your child adjusts to independent living, he or she will be assigned a Personal Tutor to give support for the whole duration of the course, dealing with the non-academic stuff – which is actually more likely to cause non-completion than any lack of academic skills.
Thirdly, there are dedicated Learning Support staff: experts in teaching basic skills like essay composition, but also in supporting students with Special Learning Needs.
If you your son or daughter is thinking of applying to Aberystwyth and you think that he or she may need expert support of any kind, contact the Aberystwyth Student Support Service: we’ll be more than happy to talk things through with you.