Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth: The first University Institution in Wales

• Join a thriving and cosmopolitan postgraduate community.
• Be part of an institution with 139 years of excellence in teaching and research
• Attend a convenient, compact and friendly campus institution in a stunning environment.
• Enjoy access to the National Library of Wales (one of the five great copyright libraries), adjacent to the campus.
• Utilise information services that are among the best in the UK.
• Study in departments that are highly graded for their research and teaching, and are approved and recognised by UK Research Councils.
• Study on a scenic coastal campus that is convenient, compact and located in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK
• Know that you are in the UK's safest and most friendly learning environment

Where else could you find all of these factors together in one place?

Location

Aberystwyth is located on the beautiful shores of Cardigan Bay on the west coast of Wales. It is not just a pleasant market town. It is very much a university town. As Aberystwyth is in the area with the UK's lowest crime rate, the insurance costs for our students that are substantially less than those in urban areas.

Study

Aberystwyth provides you with a well balanced range of academic interests in three faculties: Arts and Social Sciences and Science. A myriad of individual research opportunities exist which can lead to the award of an MPhil or PhD degree. We also offer an extensive selection of taught postgraduate programmes. Aberystwyth offers you an exceptional residential academic experience if you wish to pursue full-time study. Our distance learning courses allow you to study for higher degrees without leaving your job or home, except to attend short residential study schools.

Financial Assistance

The funding available will depend on the type of course being undertaken and different categories of student may be eligible for certain types of funding. The best advice that we can give is that you make enquiries at an early stage to make sure what you are eligible to apply for and to ensure that you do not miss any crucial deadlines. Additional information may also be found on www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/funding-fees/

Future Career

Enhanced employability is an additional benefit for studying a higher degree at Aberystwyth University. Employers recognise the superior skills that post-graduate study provides you with and this is shown both in enhanced salaries on commencement and faster promotion paths. Typically, employers are now seeking graduates with higher level analysis and evaluation skills, better creativity and innovation, and more sympathetic critical thinking and organisational skills. Skills that Postgraduate study at Aberystwyth University will provide you with. See also www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/employability/

Social Life

Aberystwyth has a large range of pubs and clubs which extend a warm welcome to students. The town is fortunate in having an extensive range of eating places ranging from competitively priced and intimate bistros to the high quality restaurants one associates with a major tourist centre. Our Students' Union and Arts Centre are located on the main campus and are the focus for entertainment. In addition the Guild of Students organises the annual May Ball. See also www.aber.ac.uk/en/student-life/social-life/

Research Ratings

World leading research has been identified in 15 of 16 subject areas at Aberystwyth University according to the results of the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008.

Aberystwyth University is now second in Wales for quality of research and 41st out of 119 in the UK according to the Research Fortnight RAE2008 Quality Index of University Research.

The findings also reveal that 48% of research activity at Aberystwyth University is rated as world leading or internationally excellent and 97.4% of researchers work in disciplines where world leading research is undertaken.

Five academic departments (1 in 3 of submissions) had over 60% of their research activity rated 4* (world leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour) or 3* (internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour).

• 40% of research submitted by the Department of International Politics is rated 4*, placing the Department in the top 3 in the UK.
• 70% of research submitted by the Department of Computer Science rated 4* or 3*.
• 65% of research submitted by the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences and the Department of Welsh is rated 4* or 3*.
• 60% of research submitted by the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies is rated 4* or 3*.

"I am very pleased with the results of the RAE 2008 and warmly congratulate academic staff on their achievements. The hard work involved in the preparation of submissions has borne fruit. The outstanding success of several of our departments confirms the high quality and impact of their research."

Professor Noel Lloyd
Vice-Chancellor at Aberystwyth University

Research training

Aberystwyth is committed to the provision of high quality research training for postgraduate students, and has developed a Research Training Programme for this purpose. The programme is interdisciplinary, and provides a range of modules which will help develop and enhance your research skills. Interaction through the course helps to foster a thriving research environment in which students from different disciplines can meet regularly and explore common research issues

Apply

Our Postgraduate Prospectus may be obtained from our Postgraduate Admissions Office. Alternatively, please see www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/howtoapply/

Contact details

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Aberystwyth University
Recruitment & Admissions
Student Welcome Centre
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth
SY23 3FB

Tel: +44 (0) 1970 622090
Fax: +44 (0) 1970 622921
E-mail: pg-admissions@aber.ac.uk