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Aberystwyth University
From The Student Room(Redirected from University of Wales, Aberystwyth)
TSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > Aberystwyth University
 Aberystwyth University is a university in the coastal town of Aberystwyth in Wales. It is one of the oldest universities in Wales and is a part of the University of Wales. The uni has expanded in recent years with some new departments. It plans to continue this expansion in the near future with a new psychology department being set up. FacilitiesLibrariesThere are four main libraries in Aber (that belong to the university anyway). On campus there's the Hugh Owen Library, which is the main library on the main Penglais campus, along with the Physical Sciences library in the Physical Sciences building (covering mainly physics, computer science and maths, but also a bit of geography). There's also the Thomas Parry Library, on Llanbadarn Campus, which stores mainly materials for students studying in the Institute of Rural Sciences and the Department of Information Studies). The Old College library has a collection geared towards students studying Education and Welsh. The three libraries together hold in excess of 1 million items. Opening times are OK, not the best (8:30am - 10:00pm weekdays during term time, 12:00 - 6:00pm weekends during term-time, and 8:30 - 5:30 during vacations, weekdays only). Aber is also home to the National Library of Wales, which is a copyright library (other examples include the British Library in London and the Bodleian at Oxford). This means that it is entitled to a copy of every book published in the UK, and it also means that Aber has the highest book:person ratio in the UK. It is not possible to take items from this library out on loan, but you can view them all on request. IT and ComputingCOMPUTING There are are large number of computers available for student use in several rooms dotted around campus, and in all four libraries. There are a large number of learning resources available, including fast Internet access, electronic journals, and a large number specialist software applications such as Minitab and CorelDraw. Welsh speakers are also accommodated well. Most of the computers were upgraded during Summer 2007, and are now much better than the old systems which were in place for a very long time. Unfortunately some of these older systems do still remain as not every PC has been upgraded. All computers run Windows XP, but Summer 2008 is apparently seeing an upgrade of the system to Vista. Fast internet (10MB/sec) is also available from hall bedrooms. PRINTING/PHOTOCOPYING The printing and photocopying system was also overhauled this summer. Printing now requires you to send your work to a central computer system, then going to one of the heavy duty printer/photocopying machines (dotted about the library and computer rooms), swiping your library card and choosing what you want to print. Prints will come out double-sided unless you specify when you send it to the printers not to be double sided. It is 5p for a B&W print/A4 copy, and 35p for a colour print.
SportsThe University has good sporting facilities. Up on the Penglais campus is the main sports centre which has a swimming pool, gym, weights room, sports hall for things like badminton and basketball, dance studio and also BoxRox, the indoor climbing wall. The sports centre runs a variety of daytime and evening classes for all abilities (check out the sports centre website www.aber.ac.uk/sportscentre). In addition, there is also an astropitch which is floodlit for use in the evenings, and the Sports Cage which has two squash courts and a large indoor sports area for the likes of football, netball, tennis etc. There are two playing fields, Vicarage Road (Vic) which has cricket pitches and nets, tennis courts, football and rugby pitches, and the larger Blaendolau (referred to simply as Blan) which has several rugby and football pitches, as well as artificial cricket wickets, nets and an American football pitch. There are numerous sports clubs that students can join, for which you require a Sporty Card. The Sporty Card not only allows you to join the clubs, but also provides insurance when participating in the sports, allows you to play in BUSA matches, as well as other benefits such as reduced rates for the gym and swimming pool. There are several highlights of the sporting year at Aber. Prior to Freshers week is Sports Week where freshers can arrive a week early and try out a number of sports, as well as getting to know people (the sports people are a very sociable lot). Then there is the annual Superteams event run over two weekends (Friday-Sunday) around March/April time. This involves teams of seven (women's the first weekend, men's the second) competing against each other over three days in a variety of sporting events (football, tug-o-war, volleyball, basketball, gym test, college mile, swimming, canoeing, sprints), cumulating in an after party where prizes are given out on the final Sunday. Then over the Bank Holiday weekend at the beginning of May is the Rugby 7's tournament. This is hugely popular with teams entering from all over the place. There are both men's and women's events, each further divided in to the 'serious' league and the 'social' league (for those just there to have fun). WelfareWelfare plays a big part of your time here at Aber, everything is done to make sure you settle in as easily as possible. In your department, you will be issued with a personal tutor who you will meet with several times a year in order to discuss personal issues or issues relating to your course. Each hall of residence has a dedicated residential team of wardens to ensure that your time in halls is as pleasant as possible. You can easily approach one of the wardens if you need to discuss an issue with them, such as moving rooms or other residential issues. The Guild of Students (Students' Union) also have a dedicated team of advisors if you need to speak to someone if things get tough. There is also a student-run Nightline service based in Aber, available on 01970 621717 (or 1717 internally). If you get into financial difficulty the University has a hardship fund which you can apply to if you are really in need of some extra cash. However, you have to prove that you are in genuine financial trouble, and the university will not help you if they think you have been wasting your student loan on getting drunk every night. HealthcareThere are a few doctors and dentists surgeries dotted around town; upon arrival in Aberystwyth one of the things you will have to do is complete a medical questionnaire, and hand it back into your Residence reception It will then be sent off to the NHS, and in due course you will recieve an NHS card with your NHS number, address, and doctor's surgery on it. There is also the University health centre, located on the sea front next to the Old College, but this is just an advice centre, not a fully-fledged surgery. Bronglais hospital, the main hospital serving the Aberystwyth area, is located just downhill from the main Penglais campus. ShopsUnfortunately, one of the downsides of living in Aberystwyth is the lack of shopping, especially compared to a large city. However, all is not lost. Aber is actually surprisingly well-equipped for a small Welsh town, and can cater for just about everything you need. You won't find your River Islands or your Nexts or your TopShops (although there is a Burtons), but you will find a lot of specialist independent shops, particularly selling Welsh goods, and some of these can provide good opportunities for buying unusual gifts. Some of them are also handy for basic things like household goods or other items, Charlies Stores, nestled behind the Cambrian, is good for this. There are some national chain shops, including Boots, Argos, Matalan, Peacocks, WH Smith, Officers Club, Burtons, New Look, Dorothy Perkins etc, so there is enough here to get by, although if you like your shopping your best bet is to hop on the train to Birmingham or the X40 bus to Cardiff. As for supermarkets, Aber has quite a few, although no Tesco/Sainsburys/ASDA. In the town centre you will find 2 SPAR shops (one of them 24 hours!), an Iceland and a Lidl, as well as a Somerfield [who offer a 5% student discount] near the new retail park on the edge of the town centre. There is a medium sized Co-op behind the main campus, which serves as the main student supermarket for those who live in halls on campus and are too lazy to go to town. There's also a Morrisons on the Parc-y-Llyn retail park, situated on the edge of town, which is the cheapest supermarket in the Aber area, but a pain to get to if you don't drive. The best way for non-drivers would be to get the 501 bus, which serves town, both Uni campuses and Morrisons. It's £1 a go, or you can get a £30 AHA ticket which gives access to all Aber area buses for free and buses travelling further [such as the TrawsCambria network] at 50% fare. Morrisons has also recently expanded, and is now the biggest shop in town. It shares its retail park with Halfords, for all your motoring needs, Comet for electricals and also Focus for DIY bits. Just across the road is a hotel and McDonalds. RestaurantsOn the fast-food restaurant front, Aberystwyth has the chains of McDonalds and KFC to keep everyone filled with junk. McDonalds is on the edge of town near Morrisons, making it a bit of pain to get to if you don't drive. The 501 bus stops over the road though. KFC inhabits the old site of Burger King, being right in town and easy to get to, but not quite as large as Maccie D's. There are also plenty of places to get your kebab after a big night out. Sam's Fried Chicken is near Stars (the fancy dress shop) and stays open late to feed lots of hungry drunk students. They do a kebab pizza, which is rather good at absorb excess alcohol. Lip Lickin' Chicken is also much within the same vein, and these are not the only two places to get some hard earned munchies after dancing the night away. As any good seaside town should, Aber is not short of a chippy or two. Behind Penglais campus (just opposite Co-op) there's a chippy, but just check it's opening hours because it doesn't stay open as late as some might like. In town there's a fairly big selection of where to go for your fish and chips. There are also places to get Indian, Chinese and pizza from. Aberystwyth also has its gems of restaurants. The Pier's Brasserie provides rather lovely views over the bay and Aber itself, with a great time to go being sunset in summer. It's normally quite quiet and the menu is lovely, for those who love fish and similarly those who don't. Tides is a new restaurant situated on the seafront, just opposite the pier, and this offers elegance and good food, as does the Gwesty Cymru hotel and restaurant, once again situated on the seafront. BanksLloyds TSB, NatWest, Barclays, HSBC, Nationwide, Abbey, and Halifax all have a presence in Aber. There's no Co-Op or RBS (although NatWest is owned by RBS). There are also a couple of cash machines on campus, as well as plenty in town TransportTrains are two-hourly to Birmingham New Street, taking about three hours. Cheap day return is about £14 with a railcard. Unfortunately the service is inconsistent and very rarely makes it to Birmingham, you often have to change at Wolverhampton. If the train is on time and you make the 12 minute change you can be at London Euston in around 4.5 hours (if you miss it London trains are half-hourly so you won't have to wait long). You can also change at Shrewsbury for services to Manchester and the north west. Aber has an extensive local bus network, travel free for a year of you get an AHA card for £30. AHA membership also gives 50% discounton the TrawsCambria network, which goes to places such as Bangor, Camarthen, and Cardiff. Careers serviceAber Careers is the main careers advisory service for the university. Throughout each of your three years they will provide you will useful information and seminars on things like CVs, interviews, and application forms. They also run an appointment service where you can talk to a careers advisor on what you want to do after graduation. There is also an extensive careers library. Part-time jobsFor such as small town, Aber is well-equipped when it comes to looking for a part-time job. There are many pubs and clubs which always want bar staff, and shops are always looking for people, particularly seasonal workers over the summer tourist period. Joblink, run by Aber Careers and the Union, specialises in helping you find part time jobs. Religious facilitiesThe are a couple of religious societies at the University, Methsoc and Cathsoc. There was talk of a Jewish Society but it didn't manage to gain enough members this year. Methsoc meets on Sunday evenings at St. Pauls Methodist Church and on Tuesdays at the Manse. Cathsoc on the other hand meets on Wednesday evenings at St Winifred's and on a Sunday after the morning service. There is also a Christian Union, however they are not actually part of the university. They were kicked out a few years ago for not displaying equal rights to women. Despite this they do have a strong presence around campus. They meet on Friday evenings at the PJM amenities block. There are many churches of different denominations around town, so there is sure to be one to suit every need. SocialBars, Pubs and clubsBelieve it or not, there are over 50 alcohol-serving establishments in Aberystwyth! There's everything from cheesy nightclubs such as Pier Pressure, to family pubs such as Wetherspoons, to more "fun" pubs such as the Academy and the late-opening Bay, and classy cocktail bars such as the Cambrian. Most pubs charge around the same for a drink (typically in the £1.80-£2.20 range), but there are a number of differences to this. Rummers for example, has a VERY popular "happy hour", where vodka, gin and whisky are all just 60p a shot! This occurs all night Tuesdays, and from 7-9:30 on all other days. Other gems in the Aberystwyth pub scene include Cambrian cocktails (expensive but highly intoxicating), and Downies, where you can get a quadruple vodka and Red Bull for £4. A typical night out would probably start at Wetherspoons, then head to two or three stops in town before hitting either Pier or Bay (or sometimes both!) Aber may have a lot of bars, but there are not many nightclubs, with the Pier, the Bay and Why'Not being the main ones in town. Pier Pressure holds a "pound party" on a Thursday, when most drinks are just £1 each! Aberystwyth does have a single 24 hour pub, also on the Pier (called "Inn on the Pier"), but since converting to 24 hour licensing, has risen its prices sharply. EventsUndoubtedly the biggest social event of the year is the May Ball (yes, unlike Cambridge it is actually held in May!), which sees most of the university population decked out in smart suits and dresses sipping champagne and watching the booked bands. Recent acts to perform at the May Ball include Chesney Hawkes, Jools Holland, and Liberty X. The ball is either held on campus (with the Arts Centre holding most of the events), or at Pontryhydfendigaid Hall, an events venue to the south of Aberystwyth that is accessed by coaches that are laid on. Things to do at the May Ball usually include a chocolate fountain, fun fair, live acts, and a lot more besides. As well as this special occassion, the social calendar in Aberystwyth is hectic. Different events occur on a daily basis, whether it be organised by the Union or by the numerous clubs and societies. You will also find a regular array of sporting events occuring throughout the year, including the popular Rugby 7's tournament, held in May of each year. Clubs and societiesThere are literally hundreds of clubs and societies to choose from, and you get to decide which ones to join at Freshers' Fayre, held over the Tuesday and Wednesday of Freshers' Week. There are academic and non-academic societies, ranging from Aber Paintball, Aber GeogSoc, Aber MUN (Model United Nations) to AberPride (LGBT Soc), with much more as well, which can all be found recruiting members at the Societies fair during Freshers week. Sports clubs include shooting, football, riding, rugby, lacrosse, badminton and ultimate frisbee, but this is just a select few, with many more as well. Most sporting societies come under the Athletics Union, where there really is something for everyone. During freshers' week, a fair is held where all the sports clubs can be found giving lots of free things away and telling you why you want to join them. All societies will charge a small membership fee, usually around £3-6. You will also need a Board of Societies card (£3) in order to join societies, as well as a Club Sporty card (£30) to join sporting societies. The Sporty card also gives you access to the university sports centre, as well as insuring you to take part in any sport club activites. AccommodationAccommodation policyFirst year undergraduate students are guaranteed a place in University-owned and managed accommodation. Students generally move out into the private sector for their second year, and often move back to Pentre Jane Morgan (the student village) for their third year, although priority for accommodation is always given to the first years. FacilitiesMost residences have their own laundry and computer room, and some have games rooms and lounges. All have a dedicated wardening team There is also a bar at Cwrt Mawr. More detailed facilities can be found under the Residences section. ResidencesAccomodation is located either on the main Penglais campus, in town, or on the seafront. A quick rundown of each residence is below. Penbryn 550-ish students. Supposed to be catered, but you get a pre-loaded meal card with a set cash value which some may find only enough for one meal a day. Restaurant used to have a reputation for serving inedible food, but has been done up recently. Has its own laundry and computer room. Quite old, and it shows, most rooms are uncarpeted. Large corridor sizes too, you could be sharing with up to 28 others! Mainly first years, and party loving first years at that with great social lives. Pantycelyn Found between campus and the hospital and is mostly Welsh-speaking, being home mainly to students with Welsh as their first language. Nice-looking building, but has a lot of twin rooms. Also catered. Also has a computer room and a laundry. 250-ish students Cwrt Mawr. The main self-catered halls on campus [so consequently has a reputation for being very party-like, but Penbryn can certainly rival this]. Flats vary from 6 - 11 people, all blocks were recently done up. Has amenity block with its own computer room, games rooms, laundry, and has a very popular bar run by the Guild of Students. 550-ish students Trefloyne A more recently-built version of Cwrt Mawr where all flats have 7 rooms. Shares a laundry and computer room with Rosser. 150-ish students Rosser Only en-suite residence on campus, so is very popular despite its rather small rooms. 8 people to a flat and was built around the same time as Trefloyne. Has a computer room and laundry, and recently had a bar, but this was closed at the end of the 06/07 academic year. 300-ish students, eaching having their own shower, sink and toilet, and sharing a kitchen with the 7 other members of their flat. Pentre Jane Morgan. The student village, over the bridge from the main road from Penbryn and campus. Houses of mainly 5 or 6 students. Mainly a third year place, but home to a lot of freshers too, as student numbers rise. Has an amenity block with computer room and laundry. It's the largest residence, with nearly 1000 students, but it does have a stroing sense of community, and is surprisingly quiet. Brynderw. Next to the School of Art, overlooking the retail park with Lidl and Argos, and the train station. Self-catered flats of 4-6 people, non-ensuite. Does not have its own laundry, although there is a 24 hour computer room next door. Its reception is on the seafront! 250-ish students. Seafront residences. Most are on the seafront, some are on the street behind. Alexandra Hall is the most recently refurbished with some en-suites, but is the most expensive. There are laundries in Alexandra Hall and Pumlumon, but nearest computer rooms are in the Old College. You'll get great views if you get a sea view room. Clarendon House is also here, which offers en-suite accomodation for postgrads. 700-ish students. Rents are around the £75 a week margin for self-catered, and about £92 a week for catered. Self-catered accommodation includes the Christmas and Easter vacations, but catered does not; you will have to empty your rooms and move out at this time. You can store your stuf in residence though. The fees include basic contents insurance and an internet connection. Private sectorPrivate sector accomodation in Aberystwyth can vary, and the better accomodation is in pretty short supply. Most second year students will live in the private sector for their second year, and most of these houses are located in the town centre itself. Private sector houses range from huge 10-bedroom houses to small 4-person flats. Some students also live in Llanbadarn village and in Waun Fawr [the village behind Penglais campus at the top of the hill, you'll go through it if you're getting the bus to Morrisons/Llanbadarn]. The standard is usually pretty good; the Accomodation Office holds a list of private sector housing, along with the landlords' contact details. Estate agents are also in town which cater for students, but experience has shown it to be better, and cheaper, to not go through the agents and instead contact landlords directly. Rents in town vary, you could pay from £50-80 a week, and bills are NOT included in most cases, including internet. Student unionThe list of the main Union activities are listed here: Monday - Film night Tuesday - Comedy Works Wednesday - RELOAD Thursday - Pound Party Friday - Cashback Saturday - Random Theme Night Sunday - Bar Footsie The Saturday Theme nights vary quite a bit. From Pirates to Jingleballs and The Beerkellar to Back to School Night. The Union also has a work station linked to the computer network and a cafe called the Underground which students can purchase food during the day and at the evening events. PricesStudent Union drink prices vary depending on which night you are there, but on the whole you will not pay more than £2 for a drink,and that is on an expensive night. On Fridays, which is Cashback, most bottles are just £1 each, and pints are £1.30, making the event quite popular. At Reload on Wednesdays, vodka + mixer is 99p. There are lots more promotions too, such as Bar FootSie on a Sunday [union operates stock market style prices which can make for a VERY cheap night out if you don't mind what you drink] EnvironmentArchitectureCampus architecture tends to be typical bruatlist 1960's university campus type, especially since most of the Penglais Campus was built in the 1960's. However, the Penglais campus boasts great views of the sea and of town, the best spots being the Arts Centre/Piazza, and the top floor of the Llandinam [Geography] Tower. There are differences to this though. The Old College, on the Promenade, looks more like a castle than a university building [it was orginall envisaged to be a hotel but its owners went bust before it opened], and the Art Department [overlooking the train station and Argos/Iceland/Lidl next to Brynderw hall] is another exampleof older architecture within the University. Local areaTeaching qualityThere are 10 subject areas taught at Aberystwyth feature in the top 10 for student satisfaction with teaching according to the Guardian University Guide 2009. They are: 1. Physics: 1st with student teaching satisfaction of 94% 2. Sports and Exercise Science: 3rd with student teaching satisfaction of 97% 3. Earth and Marine Sciences: joint 3rd with student teaching satisfaction of 94% 4. Economics: 3rd with student teaching satisfaction of 91% 5. Geography and Environmental Studies: 4th with student teaching satisfaction of 95% 6. Agriculture and Forestry: Joint 4th with student teaching satisfaction 88% 7. American Studies: Joint 4th with student teaching satisfaction of 93% 8. Media Studies, Communications and Librarianship: joint 6th with student teaching satisfaction of 81% 9. Politics: 7th with student teaching satisfaction of 93% 10. English: 10th with student teaching satisfaction of 94%
Other subject areas taught at Aberystwyth that feature in the top 30 include Computer Science 11th (85%), Art and Design 18th (82%), History 22nd (93%), European Languages 22nd (89%) and Biosciences 27th (82%). The Department of International Politics has a world-class research environment committed to producing cutting-edge work on the key theoretical and practical challenges of contemporary international politics. Having achieved the highest possible ranking in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise, the Department is recognized as one of the premier places to study Politics and International Relations in the UK, and has a long-standing international reputation for excellence.
How Do I Apply to Aberystwyth?
Equality of Consideration Everyone is eligible to apply to us for admission as a student. We make no distinction on grounds such as sex, age, ethnic origin, disability, religion, marital/parental status, or any comparable grounds. Each application which we receive is considered on its own merit. Widening Access Aberystwyth is committed to the widening of access. We offer, in partnership with other local HE and FE institutions, the nationally recognised West Wales Summer University which guarantees an appropriate progression route to Higher Education for eligible students from non-traditional backgrounds. Furthermore, Aberystwyth has traditionally operated a flexible policy towards the admission of mature-aged students, many of whom do not have conventional entrance requirements. Aberystwyth has a number of bursaries available for school/college leavers from low income families. Other Aberystwyth ArticlesWhy not read these other Aberystwyth Articles? www.aber.ac.uk www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline Links
http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/ (AberNewsOnline) |
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