Aberystwyth University: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 52°25′05″N 4°03′57″W / 52.41806°N 4.06576°W / 52.41806; -4.06576
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'''Aberystwyth University''' ({{lang-cy|Prifysgol Aberystwyth}}; sometimes shortened to "Aber") is a university located in [[Aberystwyth]], Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding Member Institution of the former federal [[University of Wales]]. As of late 2006, the university had over 12,000 students spread across seventeen academic departments.
'''Aberystwyth University''' ({{lang-cy|Prifysgol Aberystwyth}}; sometimes shortened to "Aber") is a university located in [[Aberystwyth]], Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding Member Institution of the former federal [[University of Wales]]. As of 2006, the university had over 12,000 students in seventeen academic departments.


The university was founded in 1872 as University College Wales. In 1894, the university became a founder member of the University of Wales and changed its name to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. In the mid 1990s, the university again changed its name to the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. On 1 September 2007, the University of Wales ceased to be a federal university and Aberystwyth became an independent university in its own right once again.<ref name="Three universities go independent">{{cite news|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6972832.stm|title = BBC Mid Wales News – Three universities go independent|accessdate = 3 September 2007|publisher=BBC | date=1 September 2007}}</ref> However, students who now enroll with Aberystwyth from the academic year 2009/2010 onwards (or have studied their 1st year in the academic year 2008/2009) have the choice to receive a University of Wales degree or an Aberystwyth University degree.
The university was founded in 1872 as University College Wales. In 1894, the university became a founder member of the University of Wales and changed its name to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. In the mid 1990s, the university again changed its name to the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. On 1 September 2007, the University of Wales ceased to be a federal university and Aberystwyth became an independent university in its own right once again.<ref name="Three universities go independent">{{cite news|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6972832.stm|title = BBC Mid Wales News – Three universities go independent|accessdate = 3 September 2007|publisher=BBC | date=1 September 2007}}</ref> However, students who now enroll with Aberystwyth from the academic year 2009/2010 onwards (or have studied their 1st year in the academic year 2008/2009) have the choice to receive a University of Wales degree or an Aberystwyth University degree.
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[[Image:main hall.jpg|thumb|The Quadrangle (or 'Quad') in Old College.]]
[[Image:main hall.jpg|thumb|The Quadrangle (or 'Quad') in Old College.]]


The Times Good University Guide 2011 ranks Aberystwyth 40th overall out of 114 institutions in the UK.{{citation needed|date=February 2011}} In the same guide, the School of Law came 34th overall out of 87 Law Schools across the UK.{{citation needed|date=February 2011}}
The Times Good University Guide 2011 ranked Aberystwyth 40th overall out of 114 institutions in the UK.{{citation needed|date=February 2011}} In the same guide, the School of Law came 34th overall out of 87 Law Schools across the UK.{{citation needed|date=February 2011}}


Aberystwyth was given 6th place in the 2008 [[Times Higher Education]] Supplement's "Student Experience Rankings", a large survey of student satisfaction in their University ranging from teaching standards to social life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thes.co.uk/upload/2039435/studentexp%20.pdf |title=Times Higher Education – Education news, resources and university jobs for the academic world |publisher=Thes.co.uk |accessdate=23 November 2008}}</ref>
Aberystwyth was given 6th place in the 2008 [[Times Higher Education]] Supplement's "Student Experience Rankings", a survey of student satisfaction in their University ranging from teaching standards to social life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thes.co.uk/upload/2039435/studentexp%20.pdf |title=Times Higher Education – Education news, resources and university jobs for the academic world |publisher=Thes.co.uk |accessdate=23 November 2008}}</ref>


The computer science department has been ranked 17th in the United Kingdom, and first in Wales according to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008)<ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2008/dec/18/rae-2008-computer-science-and-informatics |work=The Guardian |location=London | title=RAE 2008: computer science and informatics results | date=18 December 2008 | accessdate=23 April 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100414075417/http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2008/dec/18/rae-2008-computer-science-and-informatics| archivedate= 14 April 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> with a 100% research quality profile.
In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008) the computer science department was ranked 17th in the United Kingdom and first in Wales,<ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2008/dec/18/rae-2008-computer-science-and-informatics |work=The Guardian |location=London | title=RAE 2008: computer science and informatics results | date=18 December 2008 | accessdate=23 April 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100414075417/http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2008/dec/18/rae-2008-computer-science-and-informatics| archivedate= 14 April 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> with a 100% research quality profile.


As of February 2011 the School of Management and Business is one of only 28 departments in the world to have its Masters degrees, including the MBM, accredited by the [[Association of MBAs|AMBA]].<ref name="AMBAsearch">{{cite web|url=http://www.mbaworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=432&Itemid=132 |title=Business School search |publisher=Association of MBAs |accessdate=9 February 2011}}</ref> It is similar to the [[AACSB]] in the U.S. and [[EQUIS]] in Europe. Its MBA is also accredited by the same organisation.<ref name="aber2007">{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/en/archive/2007/12/uwa14507/|title = World wide recognition for School of Management and Business|accessdate = 7 December 2007|publisher=Aberystwyth University| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20071211195050/http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/en/archive/2007/12/uwa14507/| archivedate= 11 December 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
As of February 2011 the School of Management and Business is one of 28 departments in the world to have its Masters degrees, including the MBM, accredited by the [[Association of MBAs|AMBA]],<ref name="AMBAsearch">{{cite web|url=http://www.mbaworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=432&Itemid=132 |title=Business School search |publisher=Association of MBAs |accessdate=9 February 2011}}</ref> which is similar to the [[AACSB]] in the U.S. and [[EQUIS]] in Europe. Its MBA was also accredited by the same organisation in 2007.<ref name="aber2007">{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/en/archive/2007/12/uwa14507/|title = World wide recognition for School of Management and Business|accessdate = 7 December 2007|publisher=Aberystwyth University| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20071211195050/http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/en/archive/2007/12/uwa14507/| archivedate= 11 December 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>


The Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences was the first British university department to offer single honours degrees in human geography and physical geography,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/iges/|title = Institute of Geography & Earth Sciences|accessdate = 3 September 2007|publisher=University of Wales, Aberystwyth| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070905220143/http://www.aber.ac.uk/iges/| archivedate= 5 September 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> a course which has since been adopted by many other universities in the UK. Aberystwyth was ranked 11th of 60 UK universities for Geography and Environmental Studies in the 2009 ''[[The Guardian|Guardian]]'' University Guide<ref>{{cite news|url = http://browse.guardian.co.uk/education?SearchBySubject=&FirstRow=&SortOrderDirection=&SortOrderColumn=&Subject=Geography+and+environmental+studies&Institution=Aberystwyth|title = University guide: Geography and environmental studies|accessdate = 3 September 2007|date = 1 May 2007|work=The Guardian |location=London }}</ref> and, according to the 2009 Times Good University Guide, ranked the department at number 12 from 76 university geography and environmental science related departments.
Aberystwyth says that its Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences was the first British university department to offer single honours degrees in human geography and physical geography.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/iges/|title = Institute of Geography & Earth Sciences|accessdate = 3 September 2007|publisher=University of Wales, Aberystwyth| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070905220143/http://www.aber.ac.uk/iges/| archivedate= 5 September 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> It was ranked 11th of 60 UK universities for Geography and Environmental Studies in the 2009 ''[[The Guardian|Guardian]]'' University Guide<ref>{{cite news|url = http://browse.guardian.co.uk/education?SearchBySubject=&FirstRow=&SortOrderDirection=&SortOrderColumn=&Subject=Geography+and+environmental+studies&Institution=Aberystwyth|title = University guide: Geography and environmental studies|accessdate = 3 September 2007|date = 1 May 2007|work=The Guardian |location=London }}</ref> and, according to the 2009 Times Good University Guide, ranked the department at number 12 from 76 university geography and environmental science related departments.


The Department for International Politics was founded in 1919 and is the oldest such department in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aber.ac.uk/interpol/en/welcome/HoDs%20welcome3.htm |title=Postgraduate Courses – International Politics|date=26 April 2009 |publisher=Aberystwyth University}}</ref>
The Department for International Politics was founded in 1919 and Aberystwyth says it is the oldest such department in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aber.ac.uk/interpol/en/welcome/HoDs%20welcome3.htm |title=Postgraduate Courses – International Politics|date=26 April 2009 |publisher=Aberystwyth University}}</ref>


The university came under criticism in 2007 for its record on [[sustainability]], with a ranking of 97th out of 106 UK higher education institutions in the "[[Green League 2007]]".<ref>{{cite web|url = http://peopleandplanet.org/gogreen/greenleague2007/table|title = People & Planet Green League 2007|accessdate = 12 July 2007|publisher=People & Planet| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070710135819/http://peopleandplanet.org/gogreen/greenleague2007/table| archivedate= 10 July 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> However, the University has managed to climb up to 76th in Ranking for the revised Green League Table for 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://peopleandplanet.org/green-league-2009|title = People & Planet Green League 2009|accessdate = 8 January 2010|publisher=People & Planet}}</ref>
The university came under criticism in 2007 for its record on [[sustainability]], ranking 97th out of 106 UK higher education institutions in the "[[Green League 2007]]".<ref>{{cite web|url = http://peopleandplanet.org/gogreen/greenleague2007/table|title = People & Planet Green League 2007|accessdate = 12 July 2007|publisher=People & Planet| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070710135819/http://peopleandplanet.org/gogreen/greenleague2007/table| archivedate= 10 July 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> However, the University has risen to 76th in the revised Green League Table for 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://peopleandplanet.org/green-league-2009|title = People & Planet Green League 2009|accessdate = 8 January 2010|publisher=People & Planet}}</ref>


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[[Image:Occ.JPG|thumb|The Old College South Tower at the University.]]
[[Image:Occ.JPG|thumb|The Old College South Tower at the University.]]
The Department of History and Welsh History, and the Institute of Mathematics and Physics can trace their beginnings back to the formation of the University in 1872. The Department of Law was established in 1901 and, as such, is one of the oldest law schools in the UK. The School of Art has a history stretching back to 1917 when it was part of the only British university concerned with the Art and Crafts Movement. In 1936, it became a sub-department within the Education Department where, in 1965, the Joint Honours Art scheme was established. Single Honours Art and Masters degree schemes were introduced in 1974, one year after the subject had once again been given autonomy as a university department. Modern languages has been taught at Aberystwyth since c. 1874, making the current Department of European Languages one of the oldest departments in the UK to teach the subject. The Department of Information & Library Studies was founded in 1989 following the merger of the University with the [[College of Librarianship Wales]]. The Institute of Biological Sciences was formed in 1993 from the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Biochemistry and the Genetics Group of the Department of Agricultural Botany. These former departments, in turn, can trace their beginnings to the foundation of the University. In 1993, budgetary considerations caused the University to permanently close its department of philosophy. The efforts of some student philosophy organizations have so far failed to restore any funding for a philosophy department at Aberystwyth although there are a number of political philosophy related modules covered by the Department of International Politics.
The Department of History and Welsh History, and the Institute of Mathematics and Physics can trace their beginnings back to the formation of the University in 1872. The Department of Law was established in 1901. The School of Art dates back to 1917 when it was part of the only British university concerned with the Art and Crafts Movement. In 1936, it became a sub-department within the Education Department where, in 1965, the Joint Honours Art scheme was established. Single Honours Art and Masters degree schemes were introduced in 1974, one year after the subject had once again been given autonomy as a university department. Modern languages have been taught at Aberystwyth since c. 1874. The Department of Information & Library Studies was founded in 1989 following the merger of the University with the [[College of Librarianship Wales]]. The Institute of Biological Sciences was formed in 1993 from the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Biochemistry and the Genetics Group of the Department of Agricultural Botany. These former departments, in turn, can trace their beginnings to the foundation of the University. In 1993, budgetary considerations caused the University to permanently close its department of philosophy. The efforts of some student philosophy organizations have so far failed to restore any funding for a philosophy department at Aberystwyth although there are a number of political philosophy-related modules covered by the Department of International Politics.


===List of Departments and Institutes===
===List of Departments and Institutes===
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===Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences===
===Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences===


The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) is a world class award winning research and teaching centre at Aberystwyth University. IBERS is an internationally recognised centre of excellence and students' choice for the study of biological, environmental and rural sciences.
The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) is a research and teaching centre at Aberystwyth University for the study of biological, environmental and rural sciences.


IBERS is a new venture that has brought together staff from the Institutes of Rural Sciences and Biological Sciences at Aberystwyth University, and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER). Around 300 research, teaching and support staff conduct basic, strategic and applied research in biology from the level of genes and other molecules to the impact of climate change and bio-energy on sustainable agriculture and land use. They also provide high level research and skills training. There is formal collaboration with the College of Natural Sciences in Bangor University.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/ |title=Aberystwyth About IBERS |date=14 March 2012 |accessdate=2 May 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100504195557/http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/| archivedate= 4 May 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
A new venture, IBERS has brought together staff from the Institutes of Rural Sciences and Biological Sciences at Aberystwyth University and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER). Around 300 research, teaching and support staff conduct basic, strategic and applied research in biology from the level of genes and other molecules to the impact of climate change and bio-energy on sustainable agriculture and land use. They also provide skills training. There is formal collaboration with the College of Natural Sciences in Bangor University.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/ |title=Aberystwyth About IBERS |date=14 March 2012 |accessdate=2 May 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100504195557/http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/| archivedate= 4 May 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>


IBERS has a long history of substantial investment in facilities. As a result, staff and students in IBERS enjoy access to a formidable range of state-of-the-art equipment in first class laboratories. In addition, the geographic location of IBERS brings unrivalled access to natural habitats and managed landscapes. All of this is complemented by the excellent library resources (including the nearby National Library of Wales) and IT network available to the University as a whole. It now even has a new building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/facilities/ |title=Aberystwyth IBERS Facilities |date=14 March 2012 |accessdate=2 May 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100323040941/http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/facilities/| archivedate= 23 March 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
Aberystwyth says IBERS has a long history of substantial investment in facilities, and its geographic location allows easy access to natural habitats and managed landscapes. The library (including the nearby National Library of Wales) and IT network are available to the University as a whole, and there is a new building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/facilities/ |title=Aberystwyth IBERS Facilities |date=14 March 2012 |accessdate=2 May 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100323040941/http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/facilities/| archivedate= 23 March 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>


===Department of Computer Science===
===Department of Computer Science===
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In the 2008 [[Research Assessment Exercise]] (RAE 2008) the department ranked 20th in the United Kingdom for [[Computer Science]] and Informatics.<ref name=RAE-Aberystwyth>{{citation|url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/Journals/THE/THE/18_December_2008/attachments/RAE_2008_THE_RESULTS.pdf |title=THE 2008 RAE subject ratings|publisher= THE}}</ref>
In the 2008 [[Research Assessment Exercise]] (RAE 2008) the department ranked 20th in the United Kingdom for [[Computer Science]] and Informatics.<ref name=RAE-Aberystwyth>{{citation|url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/Journals/THE/THE/18_December_2008/attachments/RAE_2008_THE_RESULTS.pdf |title=THE 2008 RAE subject ratings|publisher= THE}}</ref>


The RAE 2008 results highlighted the Department of [[Computer Science]], with 70% of its research activity rated as world leading or internationally excellent and the remaining 30% rated as internationally recognised.<ref name="rae.ac.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.rae.ac.uk/Results/qualityProfile.aspx?id=186&type=hei |title=RAE 2008 : Quality profiles |publisher=Rae.ac.uk |accessdate=2 May 2010}}</ref> The Department is the only such department in Wales that has been awarded a quality profile with 100% of its research being of international quality.
The RAE 2008 results highlighted the Department of [[Computer Science]], with 70% of its research activity rated as "world leading" or "internationally excellent" and the remaining 30% rated as "internationally recognised".<ref name="rae.ac.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.rae.ac.uk/Results/qualityProfile.aspx?id=186&type=hei |title=RAE 2008 : Quality profiles |publisher=Rae.ac.uk |accessdate=2 May 2010}}</ref> The Department is the only such department in Wales that has been awarded a quality profile with 100% of its research being of international quality.


[[AberMUD]], the first popular internet-based MUD, was written in this department of the university by then-student [[Alan Cox]].
[[AberMUD]], the first popular internet-based MUD, was written in this department of the university by then-student [[Alan Cox]].
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The Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences (IGES) was formed in 1989 from the former Departments of Geography (established in 1917) and Geology. This department contains the E.G. Bowen map library, containing 80000 maps and 500 atlases.
The Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences (IGES) was formed in 1989 from the former Departments of Geography (established in 1917) and Geology. This department contains the E.G. Bowen map library, containing 80000 maps and 500 atlases.


Aberystwyth was the first department to offer students single honours degrees in human geography and physical geography.<ref>http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/iges/about/</ref>
Aberystwyth says it was the first department to offer students single honours degrees in human geography and physical geography.<ref>http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/iges/about/</ref>
{{Better source|date=May 2010}} In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2008, where the Institute was ranked in the top 12 departments in Britain for Geography,<ref name="RAE-Aberystwyth"/> with 20% of research classed as "world leading" and 45% classed as either "world leading " or "internationally excellent".
{{Better source|date=May 2010}} In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2008, the Institute was ranked in the top 12 departments in Britain for Geography,<ref name="RAE-Aberystwyth"/> with 20% of research classed as "world leading" and 45% classed as either "world leading " or "internationally excellent".


The institute has many research topics, most notably that of the Glaciology Centre, which with its strong international links, is world leading in its glacial research. This research has expanded to include studying and mapping glacial landforms on Mars.
Most notable of the Institute's research topics, glacial research is conducted by the Glaciology Centre, which has strong international links. This research has expanded to include studying and mapping glacial landforms on Mars.

Many of the staff are notable in their respective fields including: Mike Woods, Bryn Hubbard, Alun Hubbard, Alex Maltman, Peter Merriman, Charles Bendall, Simon Cook and Peter Abrahams.

The department, often is rated highly by students as the top place to study Geography in the UK.


===Department of Information Studies===
===Department of Information Studies===
The [[College of Librarianship Wales]] (CLW) was established at [[Llanbadarn Fawr, Ceredigion|Llanbadarn Fawr]] in 1964 in response to a recommendation for the training of bilingual librarians made in the Bourdillon Report on ''Standards of public library service in England'', (H.M.S.O., 1962). The College grew rapidly and became the largest institution for the training of librarians in Europe.<ref>Coleg LLyfrgellwyr Cymru/College of Librarianship Wales(2004), p. 9</ref> The independent College merged with the University in August 1989. The new department has since introduced courses by open, part-time and [[distance education|distance learning]] to supplement full-time student numbers.
The [[College of Librarianship Wales]] (CLW) was established at [[Llanbadarn Fawr, Ceredigion|Llanbadarn Fawr]] in 1964 in response to a recommendation for the training of bilingual librarians that was made in the Bourdillon Report on ''Standards of public library service in England'' (H.M.S.O., 1962). The College grew rapidly and claims to be the largest institution for the training of librarians in Europe.<ref>Coleg LLyfrgellwyr Cymru/College of Librarianship Wales(2004), p. 9</ref> The independent College merged with the University in August 1989. The new department has since introduced courses by open, part-time and [[distance education|distance learning]] to supplement full-time student numbers.


Since 1956 the university has also offered professional training in [[archive]] administration and [[records management]], first as a Diploma course and since 1995 as a modular Master's course. The course is run in partnership with the [[National Library of Wales]] and the Ceredigion Record Office, who contribute to the taught courses, support the practical work of the students and assist with research projects.
Since 1956 the university has also offered professional training in [[archive]] administration and [[records management]], first as a Diploma course and since 1995 as a modular Master's course. The course is run in partnership with the [[National Library of Wales]] and the Ceredigion Record Office, who contribute to the taught courses, support the practical work of the students and assist with research projects.
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The department has had various notable academic staff in the field including [[E. H. Carr]], [[Leopold Kohr]], [[Andrew Linklater]], [[Ken Booth (academic)|Ken Booth]], [[Steve Smith (academic)|Steve Smith]] and [[Michael Cox (academic)|Michael Cox]]. In 2006, a new building for the Department of International Politics was completed and opened on the main Penglais Campus.
The department has had various notable academic staff in the field including [[E. H. Carr]], [[Leopold Kohr]], [[Andrew Linklater]], [[Ken Booth (academic)|Ken Booth]], [[Steve Smith (academic)|Steve Smith]] and [[Michael Cox (academic)|Michael Cox]]. In 2006, a new building for the Department of International Politics was completed and opened on the main Penglais Campus.


The department is also home to a number of journals. These include "Intelligence & National Security", "International Relations" and "Critical Studies on Terrorism".
The department is also home to a number of journals including "Intelligence & National Security", "International Relations" and "Critical Studies on Terrorism".


===Department of Law and Criminology===
===Department of Law and Criminology===
The Department of Law and Criminology is housed in the Hugh Owen Building, which is located on the main campus. This department was founded in 1901. Ranked within the top twenty institutions for Law in the United Kingdom,{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} it is the oldest law school in Wales.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} Furthermore, the Department is home to the specialist research centre, the ''Centre for Welsh Legal Affairs''. All lecturers in the Department are engaged in research and the ''International Journal of Biosciences and the Law'', and the ''Cambrian Law Review'' are edited in the Department. Over the years a large number of well-known legal academics, practitioners and politicians have taught in the Department. Recently the Department has worked closely with the [[Quality Assurance Agency]] in testing new processes for teaching quality assessment. The Department is one of only a few universities in the United Kingdom which offers the two-year [[Bachelor of Laws|LL.B]] scheme to graduates in a discipline other than law. Information published in 2006 indicates a [http://www.qedlaw.co.uk/2008/09/23/llb-progression-university-of-aberystwyth/ progression rate] from first year to second year of about 93.5% on the LLB courses.
The Department of Law and Criminology is housed in the Hugh Owen Building, which is located on the main campus. This department, founded in 1901, is home to a specialist research centre, the ''Centre for Welsh Legal Affairs''. All lecturers in the Department are engaged in research and the ''International Journal of Biosciences and the Law'', and the ''Cambrian Law Review'' are edited in the Department. Recently the Department has worked closely with the [[Quality Assurance Agency]] in testing new processes for teaching quality assessment. The Department offers the two-year [[Bachelor of Laws|LL.B]] scheme to graduates in a discipline other than law. Information published in 2006 indicates a [http://www.qedlaw.co.uk/2008/09/23/llb-progression-university-of-aberystwyth/ progression rate] from first year to second year of about 93.5% on the LLB courses.


In 2006 the Department of Law & Criminology started a [[Legal Practice Course]]. The LPC is a requirement for anyone who wishes to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales. The Times Good University Guide 2009 ranks its School of Law 34th overall out of 87 Law Schools across the UK.<ref name="extras.timesonline.co.uk"/>
In 2006 the Department of Law & Criminology started a [[Legal Practice Course]] (the LPC is a requirement for practice as a solicitor in England and Wales). The Times Good University Guide 2009 ranked its School of Law 34th overall out of 87 Law Schools across the UK.<ref name="extras.timesonline.co.uk"/>


===Department of Psychology===
===Department of Psychology===
In 2007, Aberystwyth added Psychology as a subject to its portfolio of module schemes by establishing a Centre for Applied Psychology within the Department of International Politics. This allowed the university to establish several new joint honours degrees schemes and lead to the establishment of a new independent Psychology Department in 2008; the first time Psychology has been offered as a study course at Aberystwyth for 50 years. The department is now aiming for full British Psychological accreditation by 2012.
In 2007, Aberystwyth added Psychology as a subject to its portfolio of module schemes by establishing a Centre for Applied Psychology within the Department of International Politics. This allowed the university to establish several new joint honours degrees schemes and led to the establishment of a new independent Psychology Department in 2008, the first time Psychology has been offered as a study course at Aberystwyth for 50 years. The department is now aiming for full British Psychological accreditation by 2012.


===Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies===
===Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies===
The Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies is one of the largest departments in the university in terms of numbers of undergraduate students{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} and was established in the late 1970s. The department incorporates a [[BBC]] studio built in 2001.
The Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies was established in the late 1970s. The department incorporates a [[BBC]] studio built in 2001.


===Institute of Rural Sciences===
===Institute of Rural Sciences===
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===School of Management and Business===
===School of Management and Business===
In 1998 the Department of Economics (founded 1912), the Department of Accounting and Finance (founded 1979) and the Centre for Business Studies merged to create the School of Management and Business. The [[Master of Business Administration|MBA]] programme at Aberystwyth was established in 1985 and is accredited by the [[Association of MBAs|AMBA]]; it was the first business school in Wales to achieve this.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} The school's postgraduate programmes in Management and International Business Management are both MBM (Masters in Business Management) accredited by the Association of MBAs.<ref name="AMBAsearch"/> Only 28 business schools throughout the world, as at February 2011, have achieved this programme accreditation<ref name="AMBAsearch"/><ref name="aber2007"/> and Aberystwyth is one of only 9 in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/smba/en/News/New%20Director%20New%20Accreditation.htm|title = New Director Brings New Programme Accreditation to Aberystwyth|accessdate = 11 December 2007|publisher=Aberystwyth University}}</ref> Recently the school has been ranked 16th in Europe for accounting research by the Journal ''Accounting and Business Research''<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/en/archive/2006/07/uwa7406/
In 1998 the Department of Economics (founded 1912), the Department of Accounting and Finance (founded 1979) and the Centre for Business Studies merged to create the School of Management and Business. The [[Master of Business Administration|MBA]] programme at Aberystwyth was established in 1985 and is accredited by the [[Association of MBAs|AMBA]]. The school's postgraduate programmes in Management and International Business Management are both MBM (Masters in Business Management) accredited by the Association of MBAs.<ref name="AMBAsearch"/> 28 business schools in the world, as at February 2011, have this programme accreditation<ref name="AMBAsearch"/><ref name="aber2007"/> and Aberystwyth is one of 9 in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/smba/en/News/New%20Director%20New%20Accreditation.htm|title = New Director Brings New Programme Accreditation to Aberystwyth|accessdate = 11 December 2007|publisher=Aberystwyth University}}</ref> Recently the school has been ranked 16th in Europe for accounting research by the Journal ''Accounting and Business Research''<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/en/archive/2006/07/uwa7406/
|title = Masters in Finance Programmes|accessdate = 11 December 2007|publisher=Aberystwyth University| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080111222723/http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/en/archive/2006/07/uwa7406/| archivedate= 11 January 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>{{Better source|date=January 2011}} and 22nd in Europe for Finance and Financial Economics by the ''Journal of Business Finance & Accounting''.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/old/uwa9704.shtml|title = Accountancy at Aberystwyth in European Top 20|accessdate = 21 December 2007|publisher=Aberystwyth University| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080111222734/http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/old/uwa9704.shtml| archivedate= 11 January 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>{{Better source|date=January 2011}} In the most recent subject specific teaching quality reviews the Accounting and Finance degrees schemes and the Economics degree schemes at Aberystwyth were both judged to be excellent, this is the highest category that can be awarded.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/old/Abernewsbackup/february98.htm|title = Press Releases|accessdate = 11 December 2007|publisher=Aberystwyth University| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080111222728/http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/old/Abernewsbackup/february98.htm| archivedate= 11 January 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>{{Better source|date=January 2011}} The research training masters are also [[Economic and Social Research Council|ESRC]] 1+3 recognised.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/smba/en/Postgraduate/PG%20Programmes/Masters%20in%20Finance.shtml|title = Masters in Finance Programmes|accessdate = 11 December 2007|publisher=Aberystwyth University| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20071109193311/http://www.aber.ac.uk/smba/en/Postgraduate/PG%20Programmes/Masters%20in%20Finance.shtml| archivedate= 9 November 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>{{Better source|date=January 2011}}
|title = Masters in Finance Programmes|accessdate = 11 December 2007|publisher=Aberystwyth University| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080111222723/http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/en/archive/2006/07/uwa7406/| archivedate= 11 January 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>{{Better source|date=January 2011}} and 22nd in Europe for Finance and Financial Economics by the ''Journal of Business Finance & Accounting''.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/old/uwa9704.shtml|title = Accountancy at Aberystwyth in European Top 20|accessdate = 21 December 2007|publisher=Aberystwyth University| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080111222734/http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/old/uwa9704.shtml| archivedate= 11 January 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>{{Better source|date=January 2011}} Aberystwyth says that in the most recent subject-specific teaching quality reviews Aberystwyth's Accounting and Finance degrees schemes and Economics degree schemes were both judged as excellent, the highest category awarded.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/old/Abernewsbackup/february98.htm|title = Press Releases|accessdate = 11 December 2007|publisher=Aberystwyth University| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080111222728/http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/old/Abernewsbackup/february98.htm| archivedate= 11 January 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>{{Better source|date=January 2011}} Aberystwyth also says that the research training masters are also [[Economic and Social Research Council|ESRC]] 1+3 recognised.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/smba/en/Postgraduate/PG%20Programmes/Masters%20in%20Finance.shtml|title = Masters in Finance Programmes|accessdate = 11 December 2007|publisher=Aberystwyth University| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20071109193311/http://www.aber.ac.uk/smba/en/Postgraduate/PG%20Programmes/Masters%20in%20Finance.shtml| archivedate= 9 November 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>{{Better source|date=January 2011}}


===School of Art===
===School of Art===
The teaching of art at Aberystwyth has a history that goes back to 1917, when it was one of only a few British universities to be concerned with the Art and Crafts Movement. Today, the School has a portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate degree schemes, allowing either specialised or interdisciplinary studies of Fine Art, Art History, and Museum and Gallery Studies.
Art has been taught at Aberystwyth since 1917, when it was one of only a few British universities to be concerned with the Art and Crafts Movement. Today, the School has a portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate degree schemes, allowing either specialised or interdisciplinary studies of Fine Art, Art History, and Museum and Gallery Studies. Set in its own grounds, the School is self-contained within the listed Edward Davies building (originally a chemistry laboratory). The School houses studios for painting and photography, darkrooms, print workshops; also a Mac suite, lecture theatres, seminar rooms, a museum, two modern galleries, and extensive art archives as resources for students.<ref>{{cite web|title=http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/art/about-us/|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/art/about-us/}}</ref>
Set in its own grounds, the School is self-contained within the listed Edward Davies building (originally a chemistry laboratory). The School houses studios for painting and photography, darkrooms, print workshops, a Mac suite, as well as lecture theatres and seminar rooms. The School also accommodates a museum, 2 modern galleries, and extensive art archives, which act as resources for students.<ref>{{cite web|title=http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/art/about-us/|url = http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/art/about-us/}}</ref>
[[The Guardian]]'s University guide 2012 ranks Aberystwyth University as 8th out of 82 universities for Art and Design.<ref>{{cite web|title=http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2011/may/17/university-guide-art-design|url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2011/may/17/university-guide-art-design}}</ref>
[[The Guardian]]'s University guide 2012 ranks Aberystwyth University as 8th out of 82 universities for Art and Design.<ref>{{cite web|title=http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2011/may/17/university-guide-art-design|url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2011/may/17/university-guide-art-design}}</ref>


Line 325: Line 320:
{{Refimprove section|date=January 2010}}
{{Refimprove section|date=January 2010}}


In 2001 the Department of Sport and Exercise Science was established under Prof. Jo Doust, the department was then taken over by Prof. David Lavallee in 2007. The department delivers undergraduate programmes in sport and exercise science, performs research in the sport and exercise sciences, and provides consultancy services to individuals and organisations in Wales and the rest of the UK.
Established under Prof. Jo DoustIn in 2001, the Department of Sport and Exercise Science was taken over by Prof. David Lavallee in 2007. The department delivers undergraduate programmes in sport and exercise science, performs research in the sport and exercise sciences, and provides consultancy services to individuals and organisations in Wales and the rest of the UK.


The Department has seen much success in its short history, including academic success for students and staff/researchers. For example recently students have won the 2007 and 2008 British Psychological Society (BPS) Division of Sport & Exercise Psychology H.T.A. Whiting Undergraduate Dissertation Prize and there is a history of success (undergraduate and postgraduate prizes) for communications at the annual student conference of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).
Students won the 2007 and 2008 British Psychological Society (BPS) Division of Sport & Exercise Psychology H.T.A. Whiting Undergraduate Dissertation Prize.


====Research====
====Research====
The department is active in research, and members of staff are involved in various projects including collaborative work with other Universities and organisations. The department has made contributions to respiratory and endurance physiology, and the role of exercise in mental health and well-being. Members of academic staff have an established record of publications in scientific journals, as well as contributing to book chapters, popular magazine articles and television and radio broadcasts on issues related to their research work. In the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008, the Department of Sport and Exercise Science, which was returned for the first time since its formation in 2001, had 65% of research submitted rated as being recognised internationally and 15% being of international excellence.
The department is active in research, and members of staff are involved in various projects including collaborative work with other Universities and organisations. The department has made contributions to respiratory and endurance physiology, and the role of exercise in mental health and well-being. In the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008, the Department of Sport and Exercise Science, which was returned for the first time since its formation in 2001, had 65% of it submitted research rated as "recognised internationally" and 15% rated as of "international excellence".


==Geography of the university campuses==
==Geography of the university campuses==

Revision as of 10:27, 7 June 2012

Aberystwyth University
Prifysgol Aberystwyth
File:Uwa crest colour-new.png
MottoNid Byd, Byd Heb Wybodaeth
(A world without knowledge is no world at all)
TypePublic
Established1872 (as University College Wales)
PresidentSir Emyr Jones Parry, GCMG PhD FInstP
Vice-ChancellorProfessor April McMahon
Students12,245[1]
Undergraduates8,260[1]
Postgraduates2,500[1]
Other students
1,485 FE[1]
Address
Old College, King Street
Aberystwyth SY23 2AX
, , ,
United Kingdom
Colours
                       
AffiliationsUniversity of Wales
AMBA
ACU
Universities UK
HiPACT
SEDA
HEA
Websitehttp://www.aber.ac.uk/
Aberystwyth University logo

Aberystwyth University (Welsh: Prifysgol Aberystwyth; sometimes shortened to "Aber") is a university located in Aberystwyth, Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding Member Institution of the former federal University of Wales. As of 2006, the university had over 12,000 students in seventeen academic departments.

The university was founded in 1872 as University College Wales. In 1894, the university became a founder member of the University of Wales and changed its name to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. In the mid 1990s, the university again changed its name to the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. On 1 September 2007, the University of Wales ceased to be a federal university and Aberystwyth became an independent university in its own right once again.[2] However, students who now enroll with Aberystwyth from the academic year 2009/2010 onwards (or have studied their 1st year in the academic year 2008/2009) have the choice to receive a University of Wales degree or an Aberystwyth University degree.

The National Student Survey named Aberystwyth fifth in the UK in 2006 and tenth in 2007, for overall student satisfaction.[3][4][5] The Times Good University Guide 2008 ranked Aberystwyth joint first in the UK for student satisfaction. In the League table Aberystwyth is ranked 2nd in Wales after Cardiff University and 39th out of 113 institutions in the United Kingdom overall.[6] Aberystwyth was also short-listed for a best student experience award by the Times in 2007.[7]

History

The main Entrance to Old College at Aberystwyth University.

The University was founded in 1872 as University College Wales. The first Principal was Thomas Charles Edwards and initially there were just 26 students. In 1894, the college joined the University of Wales as a founder member (prior to this students had been submitted for examinations to the University of London).[8] One of the newest departments in the University is the Department of Sports and Exercise Science, which was established in 2000. Joint honours Psychology degrees were launched in September 2007.

The university's coat of arms was awarded in the 1880s. The shield features two red dragons, the red dragon being a common symbol of Wales, and an open book, symbolising learning. The crest is an eagle or phoenix above a flaming tower; it possibly symbolises the rebirth of the College after the fire of 1885.[9] The motto is "Nid Byd, Byd Heb Wybodaeth": "A World Without Knowledge, is No World At All".

Reputation and academic rankings

The Quadrangle (or 'Quad') in Old College.

The Times Good University Guide 2011 ranked Aberystwyth 40th overall out of 114 institutions in the UK.[citation needed] In the same guide, the School of Law came 34th overall out of 87 Law Schools across the UK.[citation needed]

Aberystwyth was given 6th place in the 2008 Times Higher Education Supplement's "Student Experience Rankings", a survey of student satisfaction in their University ranging from teaching standards to social life.[10]

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008) the computer science department was ranked 17th in the United Kingdom and first in Wales,[11] with a 100% research quality profile.

As of February 2011 the School of Management and Business is one of 28 departments in the world to have its Masters degrees, including the MBM, accredited by the AMBA,[12] which is similar to the AACSB in the U.S. and EQUIS in Europe. Its MBA was also accredited by the same organisation in 2007.[13]

Aberystwyth says that its Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences was the first British university department to offer single honours degrees in human geography and physical geography.[14] It was ranked 11th of 60 UK universities for Geography and Environmental Studies in the 2009 Guardian University Guide[15] and, according to the 2009 Times Good University Guide, ranked the department at number 12 from 76 university geography and environmental science related departments.

The Department for International Politics was founded in 1919 and Aberystwyth says it is the oldest such department in the world.[16]

The university came under criticism in 2007 for its record on sustainability, ranking 97th out of 106 UK higher education institutions in the "Green League 2007".[17] However, the University has risen to 76th in the revised Green League Table for 2009.[18]

UK rankings
2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
Times Good University Guide 40th 46th[19] 43rd[19] 39th[20] 46th[21] 50th 49th[22] 43rd 43rd 49th 34th 47th 47th 48th 48th 48th 42nd= 54th 48th= 52nd
Guardian University Guide 49th 71st[23] 69th[24] 67th[24] 92nd[25] 70th[26] 71st 65th
Sunday Times University Guide 43rd 43rd[27] 49th 47th[28] 49th[28] 49th[29] 50th[30] 47th 37th 41st 37th 46th 43rd
The Complete University Guide 47th=[31] 55th[32] 45th[33] 43rd
The Daily Telegraph 43rd[34] 53rd=
FT 42nd 44th 42nd 43rd

Departments

Aberystwyth university was ranked 40th overall in the UK in the 2011 Times Good University guide.

File:Occ.JPG
The Old College South Tower at the University.

The Department of History and Welsh History, and the Institute of Mathematics and Physics can trace their beginnings back to the formation of the University in 1872. The Department of Law was established in 1901. The School of Art dates back to 1917 when it was part of the only British university concerned with the Art and Crafts Movement. In 1936, it became a sub-department within the Education Department where, in 1965, the Joint Honours Art scheme was established. Single Honours Art and Masters degree schemes were introduced in 1974, one year after the subject had once again been given autonomy as a university department. Modern languages have been taught at Aberystwyth since c. 1874. The Department of Information & Library Studies was founded in 1989 following the merger of the University with the College of Librarianship Wales. The Institute of Biological Sciences was formed in 1993 from the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Biochemistry and the Genetics Group of the Department of Agricultural Botany. These former departments, in turn, can trace their beginnings to the foundation of the University. In 1993, budgetary considerations caused the University to permanently close its department of philosophy. The efforts of some student philosophy organizations have so far failed to restore any funding for a philosophy department at Aberystwyth although there are a number of political philosophy-related modules covered by the Department of International Politics.

List of Departments and Institutes

  • Art[35]
  • Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences[36]
  • Computer Science[37]
File:University East Enterance.jpg
The Old College's East Entrance at the University
  • School of Education and Lifelong Learning[38]
  • English and Creative Writing[39]
  • European Languages[40]
  • Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences[41]
  • History and Welsh History[42]
  • Information Studies[43]
  • International Politics[44]
  • Law and Criminology[45]
  • School of Management and Business[46]
  • Institute of Mathematics and Physics[47]
  • Psychology[48]
  • Sport and Exercise Science[49]
  • Theatre, Film and Television Studies[50]
  • Welsh[51]

Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences

The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) is a research and teaching centre at Aberystwyth University for the study of biological, environmental and rural sciences.

A new venture, IBERS has brought together staff from the Institutes of Rural Sciences and Biological Sciences at Aberystwyth University and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER). Around 300 research, teaching and support staff conduct basic, strategic and applied research in biology from the level of genes and other molecules to the impact of climate change and bio-energy on sustainable agriculture and land use. They also provide skills training. There is formal collaboration with the College of Natural Sciences in Bangor University.[52]

Aberystwyth says IBERS has a long history of substantial investment in facilities, and its geographic location allows easy access to natural habitats and managed landscapes. The library (including the nearby National Library of Wales) and IT network are available to the University as a whole, and there is a new building.[53]

Department of Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science at Aberystwyth was founded in 1970. The department is known for its research in Computational Biology and Robotics[54]

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008) the department ranked 20th in the United Kingdom for Computer Science and Informatics.[55]

The RAE 2008 results highlighted the Department of Computer Science, with 70% of its research activity rated as "world leading" or "internationally excellent" and the remaining 30% rated as "internationally recognised".[56] The Department is the only such department in Wales that has been awarded a quality profile with 100% of its research being of international quality.

AberMUD, the first popular internet-based MUD, was written in this department of the university by then-student Alan Cox.

Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences

The Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences (IGES) was formed in 1989 from the former Departments of Geography (established in 1917) and Geology. This department contains the E.G. Bowen map library, containing 80000 maps and 500 atlases.

Aberystwyth says it was the first department to offer students single honours degrees in human geography and physical geography.[57][better source needed] In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2008, the Institute was ranked in the top 12 departments in Britain for Geography,[55] with 20% of research classed as "world leading" and 45% classed as either "world leading " or "internationally excellent".

Most notable of the Institute's research topics, glacial research is conducted by the Glaciology Centre, which has strong international links. This research has expanded to include studying and mapping glacial landforms on Mars.

Department of Information Studies

The College of Librarianship Wales (CLW) was established at Llanbadarn Fawr in 1964 in response to a recommendation for the training of bilingual librarians that was made in the Bourdillon Report on Standards of public library service in England (H.M.S.O., 1962). The College grew rapidly and claims to be the largest institution for the training of librarians in Europe.[58] The independent College merged with the University in August 1989. The new department has since introduced courses by open, part-time and distance learning to supplement full-time student numbers.

Since 1956 the university has also offered professional training in archive administration and records management, first as a Diploma course and since 1995 as a modular Master's course. The course is run in partnership with the National Library of Wales and the Ceredigion Record Office, who contribute to the taught courses, support the practical work of the students and assist with research projects.

Department of International Politics

File:IPD.jpg
The International Politics Building.

The Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth was founded in 1919, and claims to be the first such department in the world.[59] It was founded shortly after World War I stating that its purpose was that of furthering political understanding of the world in the hope of avoiding future such conflicts. This goal led to the creation of the Woodrow Wilson chair of International Politics.[60]

The department has 500 undergraduate students and 120 postgraduates studying at Masters Degree and PhD level.[61] Of all Aberystwyth's submissions to the 2008 RAE, it had the highest proportion of research that was regarded as world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour.[62]

The department has had various notable academic staff in the field including E. H. Carr, Leopold Kohr, Andrew Linklater, Ken Booth, Steve Smith and Michael Cox. In 2006, a new building for the Department of International Politics was completed and opened on the main Penglais Campus.

The department is also home to a number of journals including "Intelligence & National Security", "International Relations" and "Critical Studies on Terrorism".

Department of Law and Criminology

The Department of Law and Criminology is housed in the Hugh Owen Building, which is located on the main campus. This department, founded in 1901, is home to a specialist research centre, the Centre for Welsh Legal Affairs. All lecturers in the Department are engaged in research and the International Journal of Biosciences and the Law, and the Cambrian Law Review are edited in the Department. Recently the Department has worked closely with the Quality Assurance Agency in testing new processes for teaching quality assessment. The Department offers the two-year LL.B scheme to graduates in a discipline other than law. Information published in 2006 indicates a progression rate from first year to second year of about 93.5% on the LLB courses.

In 2006 the Department of Law & Criminology started a Legal Practice Course (the LPC is a requirement for practice as a solicitor in England and Wales). The Times Good University Guide 2009 ranked its School of Law 34th overall out of 87 Law Schools across the UK.[19]

Department of Psychology

In 2007, Aberystwyth added Psychology as a subject to its portfolio of module schemes by establishing a Centre for Applied Psychology within the Department of International Politics. This allowed the university to establish several new joint honours degrees schemes and led to the establishment of a new independent Psychology Department in 2008, the first time Psychology has been offered as a study course at Aberystwyth for 50 years. The department is now aiming for full British Psychological accreditation by 2012.

Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies

The Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies was established in the late 1970s. The department incorporates a BBC studio built in 2001.

Institute of Rural Sciences

The Institute of Rural Sciences on Llanbadarn Campus was formed by the merger of the Welsh Agricultural College, which had hitherto been independent, and the University's Department of Agriculture in 1995.

School of Management and Business

In 1998 the Department of Economics (founded 1912), the Department of Accounting and Finance (founded 1979) and the Centre for Business Studies merged to create the School of Management and Business. The MBA programme at Aberystwyth was established in 1985 and is accredited by the AMBA. The school's postgraduate programmes in Management and International Business Management are both MBM (Masters in Business Management) accredited by the Association of MBAs.[12] 28 business schools in the world, as at February 2011, have this programme accreditation[12][13] and Aberystwyth is one of 9 in the UK.[63] Recently the school has been ranked 16th in Europe for accounting research by the Journal Accounting and Business Research[64][better source needed] and 22nd in Europe for Finance and Financial Economics by the Journal of Business Finance & Accounting.[65][better source needed] Aberystwyth says that in the most recent subject-specific teaching quality reviews Aberystwyth's Accounting and Finance degrees schemes and Economics degree schemes were both judged as excellent, the highest category awarded.[66][better source needed] Aberystwyth also says that the research training masters are also ESRC 1+3 recognised.[67][better source needed]

School of Art

Art has been taught at Aberystwyth since 1917, when it was one of only a few British universities to be concerned with the Art and Crafts Movement. Today, the School has a portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate degree schemes, allowing either specialised or interdisciplinary studies of Fine Art, Art History, and Museum and Gallery Studies. Set in its own grounds, the School is self-contained within the listed Edward Davies building (originally a chemistry laboratory). The School houses studios for painting and photography, darkrooms, print workshops; also a Mac suite, lecture theatres, seminar rooms, a museum, two modern galleries, and extensive art archives as resources for students.[68] The Guardian's University guide 2012 ranks Aberystwyth University as 8th out of 82 universities for Art and Design.[69]

Department of Sport and Exercise Science

Established under Prof. Jo DoustIn in 2001, the Department of Sport and Exercise Science was taken over by Prof. David Lavallee in 2007. The department delivers undergraduate programmes in sport and exercise science, performs research in the sport and exercise sciences, and provides consultancy services to individuals and organisations in Wales and the rest of the UK.

Students won the 2007 and 2008 British Psychological Society (BPS) Division of Sport & Exercise Psychology H.T.A. Whiting Undergraduate Dissertation Prize.

Research

The department is active in research, and members of staff are involved in various projects including collaborative work with other Universities and organisations. The department has made contributions to respiratory and endurance physiology, and the role of exercise in mental health and well-being. In the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008, the Department of Sport and Exercise Science, which was returned for the first time since its formation in 2001, had 65% of it submitted research rated as "recognised internationally" and 15% rated as of "international excellence".

Geography of the university campuses

Sunset as seen from Constitution Hill.

The main campus of the university is situated on Penglais Hill, overlooking the town of Aberystwyth and Cardigan Bay. The Penglais Campus is the site of 12 of the University's 17 departments, as well as most of the student halls of residence. Just below the Penglais Campus is the National Library of Wales, one of Britain's five legal deposit libraries. A BBC article suggests the library is "considered to be one of the world's greatest libraries, and its international reputation is certainly something that all Welsh men and women are intensely ... proud of".[70] The original university building, next to the sea, known as "Old College", is the site of most of the University's administration as well as the Departments of Welsh and Education. The Llanbadarn Campus is located approximately one mile to the east of the Penglais Campus, and hosts the Institute of Rural Sciences and the Department of Information Studies. Additionally, the Llanbadarn Campus is the site of the Aberystwyth branch of Coleg Ceredigion, a further education college, and not part of the University. The School of Art is located between the Penglais Campus and the centre of Aberystwyth, in what was originally the Edward Davies Chemical Laboratory, site of the now-defunct Department of Chemistry.

Student residences

The various student residences owned, leased or managed by the university offer over 3,500 bed-spaces in total.[71] All feature wired access to the University's computer network and a support network of residential tutors.

Penglais Campus:

  • Cwrt Mawr (self-catered flats, capacity 485)
  • Pantycelyn (traditional catered predominantly Welsh speaking hall, capacity 260)
  • Penbryn (traditional catered hall, capacity 525)
    • Rendel (Blocks 1 & 3) (2 is now emergency accommodation and office space)
    • Davies Bryan (Block 4)
    • Alban Davies (Block 5) (Now remodelled into academic space for the Psychology Department)
    • Ifor Evans (Block 7)
    • Thomas Charles Edwards (Blocks 8 & 9) (Now remodelled as Cwrt Mawr Blocks M & N)

Names of halls within Penbryn are no longer used; they are now known by their numbers

  • Trefloyne (self-catered flats, capacity 146)
  • Rosser (self-catered en-suite flats, capacity 332), expanded in 2011 to include new postgraduate block

Llanbadarn Campus:

  • Aeron, Cletwr, Dyfi, Einion and Leri – 5 residences that housed a total of 298 catered students (closed in June 2007 and since demolished)

Pentre Jane Morgan (the Student Village):

  • 178 self-contained houses accommodating typically 5 or 6 students each; but it has 'room' for a greater capacity when some rooms have bunkbeds allowing for 9 students each in some cases.
  • A second student village is planned, to be built by 2014, to provide more ensuite acommodation. This will accommodate for the closing of Llanbadarn (2007) and Pantycelyn (2013). The site will sit opposite the existing student village, PJM, and accommodate an estimated 900 students. However, due to the previously mentioned closing halls, the expansion will only see total of 500 additional rooms to the campus in total.

Town:

  • Brynderw (self-catered flats, capacity 146)
  • Seafront Residences (self-catered flats located on the seafront and Queen's Road, overall capacity 720–800 including the redeveloped Alexandra Hall and Clarendon House Postgraduate residence). The original Seafront residences (Plyn' and Caerleon) were destroyed by fire in 1998. Seafront residences include Alexandra, Aberglasney, Balmoral,Blaenwern,Caerleon, Carpenter, Ceredigion, Clarendon, Pumlumon and Ty Gwerin Halls. [72]

The University also own a small number of houses such as Penglais Farmhouse (Adjacent to Pentre Jane Morgan) and flats in Waun Fawr, which are let on an Assured Shorthold Tenure to students with families. Provision of disabled access rooms is catered for within the PJM development.

List of Presidents of the University

List of Principals and Vice-Chancellors of the University

Notable staff

Notable alumni

Royal and Establishment alumni

Academic alumni

Military alumni

Legal alumni

Civil Service alumni

Political alumni

Business/finance alumni

Sports alumni

  • Cath Bishop PhD, former professional British rower, turned civil servant
  • John Dawes, Rugby player, who captained Wales and the British Lions.
  • Carwyn James, Welsh and British and Irish Lions rugby coach (1949?–1951)
  • Leigh Richmond Roose, MM, International footballer
  • Berwyn Price, International 110m hurdles athlete, Commonwealth Games & World Student Games gold medallist.
  • Jonathan Spratt, professional Rugby Union player for Ospreys.
  • Angela Tooby, Five Time Winner of Welsh Cross Cross Country Championships, English Cross-country champion 1985, UK Cross-country Champion 1988, silver medal World Cross-country Championships, Auckland.

Arts alumni

See also

Further reading

  • Iwan Morgan (ed.), The College by the Sea (Aberystwyth, 1928)
  • E.L. Ellis, The University College of Wales, Aberystwyth: 1872–1972, University of Wales Press ISBN 978-0-7083-1930-7 (2004)
  • Ben Bowen Thomas, "Aber" 1872–1972 (University of Wales Press, 1972)
  • J Roger Webster, Old College Aberystwyth: The Evolution of a High Victorian Building (University of Wales Press, 1995)
  • Emrys Wynn Jones, Fair may your future be: the story of the Aberystwyth Old Students’ Association 1892–1992 (Aberystwyth Old Students’ Association, 1992)

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External links

52°25′05″N 4°03′57″W / 52.41806°N 4.06576°W / 52.41806; -4.06576