Overview of Aberystwyth University's Rankings

Aberystwyth University, located in the scenic coastal town of Aberystwyth, Wales, has established itself as a respected institution in the UK higher education landscape. Founded in 1872, it is one of the oldest universities in Wales and has consistently performed well in various ranking systems. These rankings evaluate universities based on criteria such as teaching quality, research output, student satisfaction, employability, and international outlook. Below, we delve into the university's performance across global, national, and subject-specific rankings, providing a comprehensive view of its standing.

Global University Rankings

Aberystwyth University features prominently in international ranking tables, reflecting its commitment to research excellence and global engagement. Organizations like QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE) assess universities worldwide using metrics including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, and citations per faculty.

QS World University Rankings

In the QS World University Rankings 2024, Aberystwyth University is positioned in the 501-510 band globally. This placement highlights its strengths in research impact and international faculty. Compared to the previous year (2023), where it ranked 481-490, the university maintained a stable position despite increasing global competition from over 1,500 institutions.

• Key Strengths: High scores in international student ratio (around 85/100) and employer reputation (78/100).
• Areas for Improvement: Citations per faculty scored 60/100, indicating room for growth in research visibility.
• Historical Trend: The university entered the top 600 in 2018 and has hovered in the 500-600 range since 2020, showing consistent improvement.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings

The THE rankings emphasize teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook. In the THE World University Rankings 2024, Aberystwyth is ranked in the 601-800 band out of more than 1,900 universities. This is an improvement from the 801-1000 band in 2023, driven by enhanced research quality scores.

Year	Global Rank Band	Key Metric Scores (out of 100)
2024	601-800	Teaching: 45.2 | Research: 52.1 | International Outlook: 68.3
2023	801-1000	Teaching: 42.8 | Research: 48.9 | International Outlook: 65.1
2022	601-800	Teaching: 44.1 | Research: 50.3 | International Outlook: 66.7

This table illustrates the university's upward trajectory in research and international metrics, positioning it competitively among mid-tier global institutions.

Other Global Rankings

• Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Jiao Tong) 2023: Not ranked in the top 500, but recognized for contributions in environmental sciences.
• U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities 2023: Ranked 601st globally, with strong performance in social sciences and arts & humanities (top 400).

Overall, Aberystwyth's global rankings underscore its appeal to international students, who make up about 15% of its 8,000+ student body.

National UK University Rankings

Within the UK, where there are over 130 universities, Aberystwyth holds a solid mid-table position. National rankings from sources like The Guardian, Complete University Guide, and The Times/Sunday Times focus on entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, and graduate prospects.

Complete University Guide 2024

Aberystwyth University ranks 42nd in the UK out of 130 institutions. This ranking is based on 10 performance indicators, with the university excelling in student satisfaction (4th in Wales) and research quality (top 40).

• Graduate Prospects: 78% of graduates in professional jobs or further study within 15 months (ranked 55th).
• Student Satisfaction: Scores 82% in the National Student Survey (NSS), above the UK average.
• Entry Standards: Average UCAS tariff of 128 points, reflecting accessible yet competitive admissions.

The Guardian University Guide 2024

In this guide, which weights student satisfaction and career prospects heavily, Aberystwyth is placed 58th in the UK. It performs particularly well in value-added metrics, showing how effectively it supports students from diverse backgrounds.

Indicator	Score (out of 100)	UK Rank
Satisfied with Course	85	32nd
Satisfied with Teaching	88	25th
Continuity of Teaching	92	15th
Feedback and Assessment	80	45th

The Guardian's emphasis on teaching quality reveals Aberystwyth's strengths in delivering personalized education in a supportive environment.

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Aberystwyth ranks 50th overall, earning praise for its campus facilities and employability outcomes. It is also noted as a University of the Year for Student Experience (Wales) in previous editions, highlighting its vibrant student life.

• Research Quality: 75% of research rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).
• Employability: Partnerships with organizations like the BBC and local industries boost graduate employment rates to 95% within six months.

Subject-Specific Rankings

Aberystwyth University shines in niche areas, particularly those aligned with its coastal location and Welsh heritage. Subject rankings provide deeper insights into departmental strengths.

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

• Agriculture & Forestry: 201-250 globally, top 20 in the UK. The university's Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) is a leader in sustainable agriculture.
• Earth & Marine Sciences: 251-300 globally, benefiting from its proximity to the Irish Sea for fieldwork.
• History: 151-200 globally, with the Department of History and Welsh History renowned for Celtic studies.
• English Language & Literature: 251-300 globally, supported by the National Library of Wales on campus.

Complete University Guide Subject Rankings 2024

The university ranks in the top 20 UK for several subjects:

Subject	UK Rank	Key Strength
Agriculture & Forestry	10th	Research impact in crop science
Environmental Sciences	15th	Sustainability initiatives
Politics	18th	International relations focus
Theatre & Dramatic Arts	12th	Performance facilities
Welsh	1st	Leading center for Welsh language studies

These rankings demonstrate Aberystwyth's expertise in interdisciplinary fields, attracting students interested in environmental and cultural studies.

Other Subject Highlights

In the THE World University Rankings by Subject 2023, Aberystwyth scores highly in Life Sciences (401-500 band) and Arts & Humanities (301-400 band). The REF 2021 further validated this, with 90% of submissions graded as world-leading or internationally excellent in subjects like computer science and law.

Student Satisfaction and Employability Rankings

Beyond academic metrics, Aberystwyth excels in student-centered evaluations. In the National Student Survey (NSS) 2023, it achieved an overall satisfaction rate of 82%, ranking in the top 50 UK universities. Specific praises include teaching quality (88%) and learning resources (85%).

• What Students Say: The beautiful campus and small class sizes (average 20 students) foster a close-knit community, ideal for personalized support.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Ranked highly for supporting underrepresented groups, with initiatives like the Aberystwyth Disability Service.

For employability, the High Fliers Research Limited 2023 survey lists Aberystwyth among the top 30 UK universities targeted by graduate recruiters. The Careers Service offers tailored advice, internships, and connections to sectors like media, environment, and public services.

Trends and Future Outlook

Aberystwyth University's rankings have shown steady progress over the past decade. From entering global top 600 in 2012 to current mid-tier placements, investments in research infrastructure—such as the £50 million IBERS expansion—and digital learning have paid off. Challenges include increasing international competition and funding constraints in Wales, but strategic plans aim for top 40 UK status by 2030.

Prospective students should consider these rankings alongside personal fit: Aberystwyth's rankings reflect a balanced, high-quality education in a stunning natural setting, making it an excellent choice for those valuing experience over prestige.

In summary, Aberystwyth University's rankings position it as a strong, well-rounded institution, particularly in specialized fields, with robust student support and global aspirations.