Aberystwyth University
Tradition
Established in 1872, Aberystwyth was the first university institution in Wales. For this reason the University has always enjoyed a certain prestige, a tradition all its own. The University opened in September 1872, with 27 students and 2 members of staff. Since those pioneering days, the University has expanded to over 7,500 students. Until 2007, Aberystwyth University was a constituent part of the federal University of Wales. In 2007 constitutional changes resulted in the establishment of the University as an independent institution under the title Aberystwyth University.
Academic Organisation
The University is governed by a Court and Council who devolve responsibility for certain functions to a range of authorities and bodies. The academic structure, which regulates the quality of teaching, is based on three major faculties – Arts, Social Sciences, and Sciences. Each department is allocated to a particular faculty:
Arts: School of Art, School of Education and Lifelong Learning,
Department of European Languages, Department of English and Creative Writing, Department of History, Department of Theatre, Film and Television and the Department of Welsh.
Social Sciences: School of Management and Business, Department of Information Studies, Department of International Politics, and the Department of Law and Criminology.
Sciences: Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Computer Science, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences,
Institute of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Institute of Rural Sciences, and the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences.
In 2008, it is anticipated that the Institutes of Biological and Rural Sciences will merge with the world-famous Institute of Grassland and Environmental Science into a major new centre of excellence in these areas.
Proud of its tradition as a pioneering university, Aberystwyth has innovated in a number of new academic areas. It was one of the first universities to teach Geography, Drama and Art, and the first to establish the academic discipline of International Politics. In recent years, Aberystwyth University has established new centres of excellence and expertise in criminology, creative writing, psychology, sport and exercise science and television and film studies.
Innovation
There has been a substantial investment in the academic infrastructure in recent years. In 2005, a £5m extension to the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies opened, as did the £5m new building for International Politics. In October 2007, a new £12m Visualisation Centre opened on the University’s campus. This major investment is tangible evidence of the University’s links with industry and commerce.
Aberystwyth University also enjoys considerable success in attracting research grant income. In recent years, the University has enjoyed one of the highest ratios of grants awarded per academic member of staff, of any British university.
Academic Facilities
The teaching and learning facilities at the University are outstanding. In the summer of 2007, the University’s Information Sciences updated over 600 public area work-stations, available on 24-hour access, to faster and environmentally friendlier products. The University’s Hugh Owen Library, houses over 1,000,000 titles and provides access to a wide range of printed materials and electronic databases. In addition, Aberystwyth is home to the National Library of Wales, one of only 5 great copyright libraries in the UK. It is entitled to receive a copy of every book, magazine and periodical printed in the UK. It has an unrivalled holding of materials from researchers in each of the University’s main subject areas. Aberystwyth scholars are exceptionally fortunate in having this superb repository on their doorstep.
Location
The majority of the University is located on Penglais campus, which enjoys spectacular views over the sea. Departments are also centred on the campus at Llanbadarn and the School of Art. The University’s administration is based in the Old College, the historic core of the Institution, which is located on the promenade.
Links with the town and the region are strong in both business and social areas; the University is the major employer within the region, and is vital to the local economy. A number of ‘spin-out’ companies have been established and the University is a strong provider in supporting tourism and education in Wales.
Living in Aberystwyth
The Town
The town of Aberystwyth was granted its Royal Charter in 1277. Today it is a community of over 15,000 people, and home to a range of notable national institutions. Over the centuries, Aberystwyth has, on many occasions, been a centre of political activity, and its status as a centre of religious and cultural activity has been continuous since its foundation. To many people, Aberystwyth is regarded as the spiritual and cultural capital of Wales.
Aberystwyth is located in the area with the lowest crime rate in the UK. Accordingly, insurance premiums on car and property are low. Unlike larger urban centres, Aberystwyth has a strong community feel, with friendly interaction between people.
It is a bilingual community in the sense that both the English and Welsh languages are widely used in social, business and professional circles; it is a community in which people can live their lives through the language (or languages) of their choice. Welsh and English are used in the local education system, and there is a choice of two secondary schools which have an excellent academic record – one English-medium and one in which most subjects are taught through the medium of Welsh with students and staff from over 90 countries around the world, Aberystwyth University is a truly cosmopolitan institution.
Cultural and Leisure Facilities
Aberystwyth University’s Arts Centre is the largest venue for the arts in Wales. It offers an active and extensive programme of music, film, drama and exhibitions of the highest quality, graced both by local performers and artists and international stars. There are several galleries located around Aberystwyth, providing a strong artistic identity to the town. As a major tourist venue, the town is also home to a number of musical, theatrical and film festivals.
The University has an impressive range of sports facilities available to all staff and students, and provides an active programme of fitness and recreational courses. Naturally, its location greatly enhances the range of sports available in the town. The coast provides opportunities for surfing, sailing, canoeing, wind-surfing, whilst inland there are facilities for ramblers, walkers and mountain biking. The coastal paths around Aberystwyth provide superb scenic walks. Just 5 miles to the north of the town is the coastal nature reserve of Borth and Ynyslas, which has miles of sandy beaches.
Retail
Aberystwyth is home to many major retailers, but in addition, has a range of smaller, independent concerns. The town is also the venue for major trade and specialist food festivals. Aberystwyth therefore provides a broad range of choice in it is retail provision.
Transport Links
The town is linked by a main railway line to Shrewsbury and Birmingham (c. 2.5 hours). Centrally located, on the Welsh coast, Aberystwyth is also linked by road to the south and South Wales and the English midlands. Travellers to Aberystwyth by the road and rail will see spectacular scenery.
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