Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth, United Kingdom • Founded 1872 • QS 2027 #801-850
Updated Sep 2026 · Source: aber.ac.uk
Overview
Aberystwyth University is a public university in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, on the west coast of Wales, sited between the Cambrian Mountains and Cardigan Bay.
It was founded in 1872 as the first university college in Wales, opening in a former seafront hotel with a handful of teachers and 25 students, funded largely through public and private subscription led by Hugh Owen. It was also one of the first UK institutions to admit female students.
The university later moved its main campus to Penglais Hill, overlooking the town and Cardigan Bay, where it now houses academic buildings, student residences, an arts centre and sports facilities. Today it has more than 6,000 students and around 2,000 staff, organised into a range of academic departments and faculties covering subjects from the sciences to the arts and humanities.
It holds one of the five copyright libraries in Britain and describes teaching and research as central to its mission, with recent recognition for sustainability including Plastic Free University status and a commitment to reach net zero by 2030-31.
Location & Contact
Where to find Aberystwyth University, plus its phone, email, website, and social media links.
Academic Details
A snapshot of Aberystwyth University's academic profile — enrolment, staffing, and recognition.
Academic Structures
The academic units through which Aberystwyth University delivers teaching are listed below.
Unit 19 items
- Department of Art
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Department of Computer Science
- Department of English and Creative Writing
- Department of European Languages
- Department of History and Welsh History
- Department of Information Studies
- Department of International Politics
- Department of Law and Criminology
- Department of Psychology
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science
- Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies
- Department of Welsh
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences
- Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences
- Institute of Mathematics and Physics
- Institute of Rural Sciences
- School of Education and Lifelong Learning
- School of Management and Business
Degrees
Also Joint Honours degrees
Doctoral 20 programs
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Cinema and Television
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- English
- European Languages
- Film
- Fine Arts
- Geography
- History
- Law
- Library Science
- Management
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Sports
- Theatre
- Writing
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Privy Council.
Arts (Faculty) 19 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Art History
- Cinema and Television
- Earth Sciences
- Education
- English
- Film
- Fine Arts
- French
- Geography
- German
- History
- Italian
- Museum Studies
- Painting and Drawing
- Photography
- Printing and Printmaking
- Spanish
- Theatre
- Writing
Science (Faculty) 17 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agriculture
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Environmental Studies
- Genetics
- Geography
- Marine Biology
- Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Physics
- Psychology
- Rural Studies
- Sports
- Tourism
- Zoology
Social Sciences (Faculty) 11 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Archiving
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Finance
- Information Management
- Law
- Library Science
- Management
- Marketing
- Political Sciences
Programs Offered
Every programme Aberystwyth University currently runs, grouped by degree level and searchable.
383 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom
Honours Degree 254 programmes
Showing 10 of 254.
Master of Business Administration 7 programmes
Master of Philosophy 11 programmes
Showing 10 of 11.
Master's Degree 69 programmes
Showing 10 of 69.
Doctorate 20 programmes
Showing 10 of 20.
Professional Doctorate 18 programmes
Showing 10 of 18.
Foundation 3 programmes
Postgraduate Certificate 1 programme
Scholarships in United Kingdom
Funding routes available to students in the United Kingdom are listed below.
How to apply to Aberystwyth University
A five-step path through the application process at Aberystwyth University.
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1
Research programmes at Aberystwyth University
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Aberystwyth University offers 383 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
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2
Review admissions criteria
Each programme at Aberystwyth University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
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3
Gather supporting documents
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
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4
Lodge your application
Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS (ucas.com) rather than directly to Aberystwyth University. Postgraduate applicants apply directly through Aberystwyth University's own admissions portal at www.aber.ac.uk.
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5
Confirm receipt and track progress
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (1970) 622 900. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aberystwyth University
Common questions about Aberystwyth University, answered from data on record.
How old is Aberystwyth University?
The institution opened in 1872 (approximately 154 years ago).
Where can I find Aberystwyth University?
The institution is located in Aberystwyth, United Kingdom.
What is Aberystwyth University's control type?
It is a public higher-education institution.
How many students does Aberystwyth University have?
The institution has a student body of 8,970.
What is Aberystwyth University's ranking?
It ranks QS 2027 #801-850.
What programmes are available at Aberystwyth University?
Programmes at Aberystwyth University cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How many faculties does Aberystwyth University have?
The institution comprises 19 academic units.
Is Aberystwyth University officially recognised?
The institution holds recognition from Privy Council.
Where can I learn more about Aberystwyth University?
You can find Aberystwyth University online at www.aber.ac.uk.
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Members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
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