Preparing for your time in Aberystwyth

The Global Opportunities Team will host pre-departure webinars over the summer period to help you prepare for your time in Aberystwyth. We encourage all students to attend these webinars if they can.

Semester 2 Pre-Departure Webinar's, Monday 11th December 2023

Morning Session

Afternoon Session

Before you make your way to Aberystwyth, it’s important to make sure you have purchased adequate travel and health insurance.

You should make sure you are covered for the duration of your stay in Aberystwyth.

There are three main airports we encourage students to arrive to when travelling to the UK. These are Birmingham International (BHX), Manchester (MAN), and London Heathrow (LHR).

Birmingham International is the nearest airport to Aberystwyth and is also where we run our Meet & Greet service from (for September intake only).

This service includes coach transfers from Birmingham International Airport to Aberystwyth University, with onboard refreshments, a designated comfort break, accommodation key allocations and assistance in moving into university residences.

If you are arriving from another UK airport or at a time when our Meet & Greet service isn't available, there are plenty of ways for you to get to Aberystwyth University.

Find out more about our Meet & Greet service and how to get to Aberystwyth, by train, coach, or taxi, visit the Your Arrival webpages.

However you decide to get to Aberystwyth, you will be sure to receive a warm welcome when you arrive.

During Big Welcome and Orientation Week, there will be lots of people on campus to help direct you to where to collect your keys and where to find your accommodation.

You should receive the details on which accommodation you have been allocated and your move in date in your accommodation offer and licence pack.

You may also find it helpful download and have a read over our Residents' Handbook.

The Residents' Handbook provides all the information needed during your stay in University accommodation and covers a wide range of topics including: Pre-Arrival, Maintenance, Cleaning, General Safety, Fire Safety, Travel Information, Living with others, and Health & Support.

You can find more information on moving into your accommodation, including where to pick up your accommodation keys on our Moving In webpages.

Moving to a new country can be a bit hectic so to help you prepare, we’ve made a Pre-Arrival Checklist.

We also asked some of our international students what items they found essential and most comforting during their time in Aberystwyth, which included:

• Walking boots
• Raincoat
• Camera
• Family photo's
• Journal

Many international students also chose to purchase through Unpacked, which offer Essential Student Packs with 15% discount when using the code #aber15 at the checkout!

Student Support Services

Our Student Support and Careers Service provides a wide range of services to assist you to develop the skills needed to make the most of your time at Aberystwyth University.

If you have disclosed a disability during your application to Aberystwyth University, our Accessibility Service will contact you before your time in Aberystwyth to see what types of support they can offer you during your time in Aberystwyth.

If you would like to discuss the types of support available at Aberystwyth before you arrive in Aberystwyth, please feel free to do so via the contact information provided in the below links.

Find out more about our services:

• Accessibility Service
• Advice, Information & Money Service
• Careers Service
• Wellbeing Service
• Visa Support & Advice Service

Signpost Mentor Scheme

All Study Abroad an Exchange student will automatically be signed up to Aberystwyth’s signpost mentor scheme. The scheme designed to enable students to make the most of their time at university.

Signpost Mentors can help with any aspect of life at university, whether academic, social, or financial. Acting as a link to services available for students within the university, the Mentor can also help with organising your studies and finding motivation.

Your Signpost Mentor will be in touch with you via your Aber email account during the first week of teaching to introduce themselves.