Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth, United Kingdom • Founded 1872 • World Rank #1249
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 1872, the Aberystwyth University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Aberystwyth (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), Wales.
Officially recognized/chartered by the Privy Council, Aberystwyth University (AU) is a medium-sized coeducational UK higher education institution. Aberystwyth University (AU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 152-year-old UK higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
AU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Need to mail, call, or visit Aberystwyth University? Address, phone, and digital contact options below. Religious and cultural accommodation queries route through specific student services.
Academic Details
The numbers below cover the academic side of Aberystwyth University. Academic calendar conventions vary — semester, trimester, or quarter systems each carry different teaching rhythms.
Academic Structures
Below is how Aberystwyth University is organised academically — the schools, faculties, and units that house its programmes. Larger institutions often run multi-faculty divisions to coordinate cross-disciplinary work.
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
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- 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
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Sciences (Faculty) 11 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Archiving
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Finance
- Information Management
- Law
- Library Science
- Management
- Marketing
- Political Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Aberystwyth University's catalogue, with name search and level grouping. Capstone or dissertation requirements vary across programmes — confirm what you'll be assessed on before applying.
389 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom
Honours Degree 259 programmes
Showing 10 of 259.
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 4 programmes
Postgraduate Certificate 1 programme
How to apply to Aberystwyth University
Practical steps to apply to Aberystwyth University, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.
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1
Research programmes at Aberystwyth University
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Aberystwyth University offers 389 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
Apply directly via Aberystwyth University's online portal at www.aber.ac.uk. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
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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
A short Q&A covering Aberystwyth University's essentials — founding, location, scale, ranking, and academic structure.
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 6,000-6,999.
What is Aberystwyth University's ranking?
It ranks #1249 globally and #80 in United Kingdom.
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.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom
The leading universities in the United Kingdom are listed below — useful for sizing Aberystwyth University against the country's top tier. Top-tier institutions in the United Kingdom typically set admissions standards that downstream universities track.
Members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Membership in Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) signals a shared commitment to academic quality and cross-institutional exchange. These other members of the same network sit alongside Aberystwyth University in that ecosystem, and may offer mobility benefits or programme partnerships.
Faculties at nearby universities
Climate and seasonal factors apply consistently across universities near Aberystwyth University, but campus altitude or coastline exposure can shift the experience meaningfully even within a cluster.
Where Else to Study Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Natural Sciences & Mathematics is taught at multiple universities across the United Kingdom — these alternatives to Aberystwyth University are worth weighing. Each programme reflects different academic traditions, industry connections, and research priorities.
Universities Compared with Aberystwyth University
Below: institutions that students typically weigh against Aberystwyth University when finalising their shortlist. The comparison set reflects scale and prestige; specific programme fit still needs separate verification.
Studying in United Kingdom: guides and resources
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