Academic Standards and Employability
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.
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. You will be taught by academics who are at the cutting edge of research. As we write, Aberystwyth’s academics are leading research, in many disciplines. 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. Completion rates are important because they indicate whether you are likely to be successful in your studies. 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…
Your Employability
From your first day at Aberystwyth to your last you will receive structured access to competence and skills building both through the curriculum you are following, and via bespoke activities all designed to optimize your employability. The next section will outline some of our excellent facilities, read on…