Do your Research!

There are lots of things you should think about before you begin the application process to study abroad.

To get you on your way, please read the below information about studying at Aberystwyth University, in addition to the rest of the information provided on the student journey webpages.

How do the semesters work?

Aberystwyth University follows a two semester system.

Semester One runs from the end of September until the end of January of the following calendar year, with examinations held in January.

Semester Two runs from the last week of January until the end of May, with examinations held in May.

Detailed information on the exact dates is available here

What are the entry requirements?

The basic entry requirements are:

 *If your nationality is listed in the Appendix Visitor: Visa National List, or if you are planning to study at Aberystwyth University for a full academic year, you will need to provide specific tests or qualifications to prove that you meet Aberystwyth University’s English language requirements.

In addition to the English language tests and qualifications detailed in the above link, a range of Country-Specific Qualifications are also acceptable.

What courses are available?

We advise students to take 60 Aberystwyth (AU) credits per semester, which is usually three 20 credit modules (courses), and the full list of modules is available here:

Once your application has been successful, we will ask you to complete a Learning Agreement, which is a document detailing what modules you will study at Aberystwyth University. You can find out more about this process on the Completing your Learning Agreement webpage.

Aberystwyth University has dedicated Departmental Coordinators from each academic department who can advise you on suitable modules based on your academic needs and interests, and can help you understand module content, assessments and learning outcomes. If you would like to speak to one of our Departmental Coordinators, please get in touch with the Global Opportunities Team and we will arrange this for you.

Where will I live?

Aberystwyth University accommodation is arranged in either flats or individual houses to accommodate between 2 and 10 people, with fully fitted kitchens to offer you the independence to cater for yourself. Apart from our en-suite accommodation, all self-catered residences offer shared facilities including bathroom (toilets, wash basins, showers and/or baths) and kitchen facilities.

However, for those who do not want to share bathroom or kitchen facilities we have available studio rooms in Fferm Penglais which provide self-contained accommodation.

Visit the Accommodation Office website to find out more about the types and cost of accommodation at Aberystwyth.

You will be contacted about how to apply for accommodation after your student account has been created.

What visa do I need?

Visitor Visa (Single Semester)

If you are an EU/EEA national planning to study with us for a single semester only, you do not need to apply for a visa before studying with us. Instead, you will be allowed to enter the UK to study as a visitor. This means that you will not be allowed to do any paid or voluntary work (even if it is part of a course) and you cannot extend your stay in the UK.  

If you are not an EU/EEA national planning to study with us for a single semester and your country is listed in the Appendix Visitor: Visa National List, you need to apply for your 'Visitor visa' before travelling to the UK.

You can find out more about visitor visa’s, including additional documentation you will need to apply for this visa on the Visitor Visa webpages.

Student Visa (Academic Year)

If you are planning to study with us for a full academic year, you will need to apply for a Student Visa. You should research any additional requirements for a student visa before you apply, as this process is lengthier and comes at an additional cost.

You can find out more about student visa’s, including additional documentation you will need to apply for this visa on the Student Visa webpages.

Students will be contacted with specific visa information once their application has been successful. However, if you have any questions about the type of visa you will need before this, please feel free to contact our dedication Immigration Advisor by email at immigrationadvise@aber.ac.uk.

What will it cost?

As an exchange student, you will not pay tuition fees Aberystwyth University, but instead continue to pay fees to your home university.

Aberystwyth generally has a lower cost of living compared to many other UK universities. This is because we are not based in a major city, and the fact that we are a campus university.

This means that most of our university facilities are located close together on one campus, which is only a stone’s throw away from our university residences and from the main town of Aberystwyth, meaning that you don’t have to spend much money on transport!

To help you plan your finances and living costs, here is an outline of what you could expect to spend.