About Us

IBERS is an internationally-recognised research and teaching centre

The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) is an internationally-recognised research and teaching centre providing a unique base for research in response to global challenges such as food security, bioenergy and sustainability, and the impacts of climate change. IBERS' scientists conduct research on genes and molecules, whole organisms and the environment.

In January 2018 we received Royal Society of Biology (RSB) Accreditation for 20 of our undergraduate bioscience courses. In addition, 5 of our Integrated Master’s courses were awarded Interim Royal Society of Biology (RSB) Advanced Accreditation status (becoming Advanced Accreditation when the first cohort of students graduate from the MBiol degree courses in the summer 2018.)

 

IBERS receives strategic research funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to support long-term, mission-driven research and is a member of the National Institutes of Bioscience. IBERS also benefits from financial support from the Welsh Government, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)and the European Union.

With over 300 members of staff, IBERS is the largest Institute within Aberystwyth University, teaching over 1000 undergraduate students and 150 postgraduate students. IBERS is home to the National Plant Phenomics Centre, and the BEACON Centre of Excellence for Biorefining - a partnership between Aberystwyth, Bangor, Swansea Universities, the University of South Wales.

IBERS was also awarded a BBSRC Excellence With Impact Award in 2011.

IBERS works both with academic and industrial partners, developing and translating innovative bioscience research into solutions designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change and plant and animal diseases and deliver renewable energy and food and water security.

Student Satisfaction

Aberystwyth: top university for student satisfaction in Wales and one of the best universities in the UK for overall student satisfaction.

Here are the highlights for the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) in the 2018 National Student Satisfaction Survey. 

92% overall student satisfaction (NSS 2018)

Top in the UK for Assessment & Feedback in the subject area of Microbiology (NSS 2018)

2nd in the UK for overall student satisfaction in the subject area of Animal Science (NSS 2018)

2nd in the UK for Learning Support in the subject area of Biology (NSS 2018)

3rd for Teaching on my course & overall satisfaction for the subject of Agriculture and others in Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture and related subjects (NSS 2018)

Some of our undergraduate degree schemes have also performed exceptionally well: 


100% for overall student satisfaction for our C100 Biology degree scheme (NSS 2018).
100% for overall student satisfaction for our C500 Microbiology degree scheme (NSS 2018).
100% for overall student satisfaction for our C600 Sports & Exercise Science degree scheme (NSS 2018). 
100% of our students agree that staff are good at explaining things for the subject of Genetics (NSS 2018). 
98% student satisfaction for the Learning Opportunities for our C600 Sports & Exercise degree scheme (NSS 2018).
97% student satisfaction for Learning Opportunities for our C164 Marine & Freshwater Biology degree scheme (NSS 2018).
97% of our students agree that staff are good at explaining things in the subject area of Zoology (NSS 2018). 
95% of our students agree that staff are good at explaining things for the subject of Biological Sciences (NSS 2018).
92% student satisfaction for the subject of Biological Sciences (NSS 2018). 

 

Employability

Our continued commitment from campus to career. 

We offer a growing range of four-year courses with an integrated Year in Industry, giving you the chance to spend time working for a company in your chosen field of study. Real-life work experience like this can make a crucial difference when it comes to getting a job. 

In the 2018 Destination Leavers of Higher Education (DLHE) survey conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Office (HESA) show that 98% of our graduates were in work or further study within 6 months, 3% more than Biological Science graduates nationally. HESA 2018*. 

 

The Good University Guide, The Times and Sunday Times

Aberystwyth University has been named University of the Year for Teaching Quality for the second year running. It’s the first time a university has been given the prestigious award for a second consecutive year by The Times / Sunday Times Good University Guide, which is published on Sunday 23 September 2018. Aberystwyth University is ranked top in the UK for teaching quality in the 2019 edition of the Good University Guide, up five places on 2018.

Publication of the Guide also sees Aberystwyth maintain its place amongst the UK’s top 50 universities.

 

Here are some of the highlights from the Good University Guide for the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences. 

Agriculture, Animal and Biological Sciences (IBERS)

Second in the UK for the subject of Animal Science (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019);

Top in the UK for Teaching Quality and Student Experience for the subject of Sports Science (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019); 

Top 10 in the UK for Teaching Quality and student experience for the subject of Animal Science (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019);

Top 10 in the UK for the subject of Agriculture & Forestry (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019) 

Top 15 in the UK for Teaching Quality and Student Experience for the subject of Biological Sciences (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019);

Top 20 in the UK for the subject of Sports Science (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019).   

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