With a proud history dating back to 1872, Aberystwyth University has 8185 students, including 1150 postgraduates, across three academic faculties covering eighteen major academic areas in the Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Science. The University is a leading teaching and research institution, with world-leading research identified in all 18 subject areas submitted in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2014) undertaken by the Research Excellence Framework (REF). Aberystwyth is the only University to be named twice consecutively as University of the Year for Teaching Quality in The Times / Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018 and 2019 and has achieved high scoring student satisfaction scores in the annual National Student Satisfaction Survey (NSS). Aberystwyth University has also been awarded as Welsh University of the Year in the 2020 Good University Guide published by The Times and Sunday Times 2020.
The University is committed to the provision of a world-class learning, teaching and living environment for its students and staff. Recent investments include a new £45m student residence opened in 2015, offering larger en-suite rooms and studio accommodation, and a £4m investment programme to refurbish facilities and spaces for teaching and learning. The University's Campus was the first in Wales to be granted the Green Flag award for the quality of its green estate. Located on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world and with the magnificent Cambrian Mountains as a backdrop, the vibrant town of Aberystwyth offers an interesting and varied experience. It is home to both the National Library of Wales (to which students have free access) and an award-winning Arts Centre. Encouraged by the University’s reputation, students from over 90 countries have been attracted to Aberystwyth.