Founded in 1872 as the University of Wales, over the past 144 years AU has established a global reputation for teaching and research. In the THE World University Rankings, it is ranked among the Top 40 in the UK Sited in the coastal town of Aberystwyth in Wales, the eponymous Aberystwyth University (AU, estb.1872) has developed a global reputation for high-quality teaching and research. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016-17, AU is ranked among the Top 40 universities in the UK and among the Top 200 worldwide. According to the UK’s Research Excellence Framework 2014, 95 percent of AU’s research is of “internationally recognised standard or higher”. Moreover, an HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) 2015 study indicates that 92 percent of AU graduates are in employment or in further education six months after graduation. Currently, AU’s nine academic departments and institutes — biological, environmental and rural sciences; computer science; mathematics; physics; modern languages; information studies; international politics; law and criminology, and psychology — offer over 300 undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes to 9,000 students. “All students have a personal tutor who supports them on their academic journey and can signpost them to other student support structures, should more be needed,” says Prof. John Grattan, pro tem vice chancellor of the university. Founded in 1872 as University College Wales, after several name changes it was christened Aberystwyth University in 2007. Aberystwyth. Located on the west coast of Wales, Aberystwyth (pop.14,000) is positioned between mountains and the picturesque Cardigan Bay. The bay is overlooked by the town’s medieval castle ruins, a Victorian pier and promenade and working harbour, offering spectacular vistas of beaches and flora and fauna. The coastal town also hosts the impressive National Library of Wales which houses over 7 million volumes, and offers a wide range of shops, cafes, restaurants, cinemas and lively nightlife. Moreover, students also have the option to participate in a range of water sports including surfing and kayaking. Aberystwyth experiences an oceanic climate similar to other regions of the UK. Winters are cold with temperatures ranging between 2.2°C-6.4°C and summers are mild with temperatures ranging between 15.2°C-19.2°C. The nearest international airport is Birmingham, 3.5 hours by train. Rail and road connections are also available to Heathrow and Gatwick international airports. Campus facilities. The university is spread across three campuses — Penglais, Llanbadarn and Gogerddan. The main Penglais Hill campus overlooks Aberystwyth town and Cardigan Bay, and hosts most academic buildings, Arts Centre, Students’ Union and several student residences. Sited contiguous to the Penglais campus is the National Library of Wales, one of Britain’s five legal deposit libraries. The Llanbadarn campus is located approximately a mile to the east of Penglais Hill and hosts the faculties of law and criminology, information studies, management and business. The Gogerddan campus, on the outskirts of town, hosts the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science and the under-development £40.5-million (Rs.338 crore) Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise campus. AU students are permitted access to three excellent libraries, two on…
