Aberystwyth University - In Depth

Founded: 1872, receiving charter in 1889. Founding college of Wales University, with Bangor and Cardiff in 1893. Structural features: Part of Wales University.

Site: Old College on sea front; Penglais 400-acre campus overlooking Cardigan Bay; Llanbadarn campus and accommodation within walking distance of Penglais. (Nearly all students live within walking distance of main teaching buildings.)

How to get there: Regular rail service from London Euston via Birmingham (5 hours) and coach service (Trans Cambria). For university, bus service from station (Wayn Circular).

Academic features: Range of courses relating to the environment. Physics or life sciences with a foundation year. Sports and exercise science department. Industrial year scheme. Information and library studies by distance learning. Flexible degree schemes allow students to keep options open until end of first or second year.

Special features: Around 50 annual entrance scholarships worth up to £1150 pa. and approx 100 merit awards of £400 (must sit exams in UK). Music bursaries (£400).

Awarding body: Wales University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc. BScEcon, LLB., MPhys, MMath, BEng, MEng.

Length of courses: 3 years; 4 years (BEng, MMath, MPhys, language and sandwich courses); 5 years (MEng).

Library & information services: 4 libraries, with total of 700,000 volumes, 3500 periodicals, 1100 reader places; also departmental collections. Annual expenditure on information provision. £119 per (FTE) student. Access to National Library of Wales (copyright). IT and library services converged. Approx 700 PCs available in public rooms and halls of residence. 2600 residential rooms with network access points, 700 in academic departments. IT facilities open 24 hours/day; IT support from helpdesks. Talks, tours and courses on library and information services for new students; introductory and follow-up IT courses on various software.

Other learning facilities: Film, audio and video facilities; video conferencing; and language laboratories. Specialist collections: 600 books printed pre-1701; private press books; first editions collection (Matthew Arnold, Swinburne and Shelley), 1747 edition of Shakespeare annotated by Samuel Johnson.

Study abroad: Formal exchange links with universities across Central and Eastern Europe - many open to non-linguists.

Careers: 12 full-time staff. Information and advice (also available to graduates and those who do not complete their courses). Year in employment and job-link schemes.

Student advice & services: Student health centre, university chapel (available for baptisms and marriages), SU student advice & counselling service, learning support unit, childcare manager, nursery, after-school club, half term and holiday schemes.

Amenities: SU houses nightclub venue, bar, travel shop, food outlets, bank, shop, etc. Over 100 societies.

Sporting facilities: 50+ acres of playing fields, cricket wickets, tennis courts, winter sports facilities on town outskirts; Cader Range and Snowdonia within easy reach. On campus sports hall: wide range of indoor sports, heated indoor swimming pool. Fitness suite; all-weather pitch. Many sports teams.

Accommodation: All first years in university accommodation (guaranteed), 50+% of all students. 3600 places available (2000 for first years): 2600 self-catering places, from £36 per week (shared), £46 pw (single) to £65 pw (single ensuite), term-time or longer; 1100 places half-board (2 meals/ day) from £65 pw (shared), £76-£79 pw (single), term-time only. Students usually live in privately owned accommodation for second year: rents approx £50 pw self-catering (plus bills), £65 B&B. Very few students live at home.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £4775 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term-time work: Part-time work restricted to 15 hours pw during term. Some work on campus in bars and library (plus office work out of term-time); Job Link scheme helps students find work (term-time and vacation).

Financial help: £437,000 government funds, £16,000 own funds (average award £600). Special help for mature students, those with disabilities or childcare costs or whose financial circumstances worsen suddenly; also available for international students. Apply for help to Student Support Office.

Tuition tees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £7375 pa (classroom), £9775 (lab/studio).