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Aberystwyth or Swansea Uni?

gracerubes

I have been to both open days , but so stuck between these two for studying psychology 😩😩

Reply 1

PG Study Chester

Official Rep

Original post by gracerubes

I have been to both open days , but so stuck between these two for studying psychology 😩😩

Hello @gracerubes :flower2:

,

I went to Aberystwyth as an undergraduate (few years ago now, though), and I just wanted to say how brilliant a time I had! It was a fantastic university and a super town. I was in the English department and found all the tutors really supportive, knowledgeable and encouraging. They were all, without exception, really enthusiastic about wanting the students to do well and helped us all achieve the best work we were capable of. I think my experience at Aberystwyth was part of the reason I wanted to continue studying. I don't think that I personally had any downsides to being at Aberystwyth - it's not a huge campus and feels as though everyone knows each other, all the students were friendly. I'm sure that alumni and current students at Swansea will say the same thing about their experiences at Swansea too though - I am probably being extremely biased!
A tip I would give would be to make a list of all the aspects of each university that you really liked, and those that you did not. Think about every facet of the university - not just the course, but student life, support, the larger town, etc. You could think of categories such and for each category mark the university out of 5. Which one comes on top with your scoring? Are there any things in the downsides of the universities that would be really difficult to live with for the duration of your time at the uni? Overall, consider which university did you feel the most at home at? Why?
There are lots of websites that offer quizzes and advice on how to choose the university that is right for you and I'd strongly suggest that you have a look at these for some advice and suggestions.

Good luck making your decision!
Jess
PhD English
University of Chester

Reply 2

Swansea Students

Official Rep

Original post by gracerubes

I have been to both open days , but so stuck between these two for studying psychology 😩😩

Hi @gracerubes,

It's great to know that you are interested in Swansea uni and that you've attended an open day!

I'm a current student at Swansea uni, Economics. I completed my undergrad here and then returned for postgrad so obviously that shows just how much I've loved it.

Swansea as a city is generally very cool, calm, peaceful and welcoming. The residents are basically the same; helpful and kind.

Most lecturers in Swansea uni are super nice and welcoming. Majority of them love it when their students show interests in their modules, academics and from there you could start having random conversations. I've got lecturers that are very free and easily talk about their families, time in uni, how they have fun and so many other random topics that get me wondering... "How did we even get to this topic?"😅.

We have a lot of extra curricular activities that you could get involved in; competitions, sports, societies, you name it. If you are into sports, varsity is something you can look forward to. It's simply the sports event of the year everyone anticipates, featuring Swansea Uni vs Cardiff Uni. It's usually a wild ride😂😂. And as for societies, we've got tons, check them out, Societies! You could even start a new society by getting a couple of signatures. There's something for everyone. It is jolly good fun studying at Swansea uni.

Swansea uni also has a lot of professional opportunities that you can engage in alongside your studies. For instance, I've worked with Academic Quality Services, Admissions team, Centre for Academic Success and many more teams within Swansea uni as a part of the Swansea Paid Internship Scheme and other routes. Plus I'm a senior student ambassador. So if you'd like to gather work experience while studying or perhaps only during breaks, Swansea provides lots of opportunities for that. There are also a lot of off campus opportunities that you could get over time.

There are a lot of student support teams as well and they could help with anything ranging from your academics, to finance, wellbeing and all of that.

You could also check out our student stories here, Student Stories - Swansea University to see if any of them brought up a point that you are worried about.

But overall, like Jess said, figure out the most important things to you. It could be cost, rankings, where your friends plan to go, proximity to you, opportunities available, facilities or whatever it is. Then rank the unis to see which one seems to have more points. Some factors may be more important to you than others, remember to consider that as well.

I don't study Psychology but a friend of mine does. I know she thoroughly enjoys her course and is now considering a postgrad at Swansea Uni as well. If you want to know more about the course, you can contact her here, Unibuddy - Swansea University. Her name's Wendy.

Wishing you the very best and I hope you feel happy and at home with the uni you choose.

Kind regards,
Ella.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 3

Aberystwyth University Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by gracerubes

I have been to both open days , but so stuck between these two for studying psychology 😩😩

Hey,

It’s great to hear you’re considering Aberystwyth - especially for Psychology! My name is Mostafa and I'm a current student and ambassador for the university.

Aberystwyth is also known for its excellent teaching quality, and we regularly score highly in student satisfaction rankings, which says a lot about how supported students feel here. The setting itself is beautiful too - the seafront, sunsets, and green surroundings give the town a peaceful and inspiring feel.

Living in Aberystwyth is also more affordable compared to larger cities, and the university guarantees accommodation for first-year students. Everything is within walking distance - lectures, the beach, shops, cafés - so life here is super convenient and easy to settle into, especially if you’re moving away from home for the first time.

One of my friends currently studying Psychology at Aberystwyth has spoken really highly of the course. They’ve particularly enjoyed the balance between theoretical learning and practical skill-building. In the first semester (1st year), there's a strong focus on social psychology, while in the second semester, you get to explore a more neuroscience-based module.

The research methods module runs across both semesters and is a real highlight. In the first part, the focus is on qualitative research, where students are guided through the process of designing and conducting interviews, as well as learning how to transcribe and analyze the data using the relevant tools and techniques. Later in the year, the focus shifts to quantitative research, and students learn how to use SPSS to carry out a wide range of statistical tests, without needing a background in advanced maths, which is a big plus for many!

The teaching style at Aberystwyth is another strength of the course. In addition to lectures, there are seminars and practical sessions, which are sessions with usually around 20 students (or fewer in the Welsh-medium modules) - which create a more interactive learning environment. These smaller sessions are particularly helpful for developing practical skills with software like NVivo and SPSS, and they also provide more opportunities for students to ask questions and engage directly with lecturers.

Overall, the Psychology course at Aberystwyth really supports students in developing both academic and practical skills, and the department is full of passionate and supportive staff who are genuinely dedicated to your success. You'll also be assigned a Personal Tutor from your department who will be able to support you and guide you throughout your time at the university.

During Freshers’ Week, there are loads of events and meet-and-greets to help you meet other students, and there’s a wide range of clubs and societies you can get involved with - from sports to music, debate, volunteering, and more. Getting involved in student life can really help ease those “far from home” nerves, and at Aber, you’re never short of opportunities to make friends and feel part of something.

Accommodation is also something students tend to feel reassured about - like I said earlier, first-year students are guaranteed a place in university-managed accommodation, and all halls are within walking distance of the campus and town. Whether you’re looking for en-suite options, quieter areas, or more social blocks, there’s a good variety to choose from, and support is available from our friendly team of RAs if you ever need help settling in.

I hope this helps! If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

All the best,
Mostafa

Reply 4

gracerubes

Thank you all so much for your advice and your overview of the universities ! I’m very happy to say that I’ve confirmed Aberystwyth as my final choice and I’m off to study psychology there in September!!

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