The establishment of Aberystwyth University is one of the great romantic, indeed heroic, stories of modern Welsh history. It was the work of a small group of patriots, led by Hugh Owen, a London Welshman, who sought from the 1850s onwards to raise enough money by public and private subscription to establish a college of university status in Wales. It was almost an impossible ambition. In 1872, the University was opened in a half-finished hotel building on the sea front in Aberystwyth. There were 26 ill-prepared students and a teaching staff of three.
The first dozen or so years were a desperate hand to mouth struggle for survival. The generosity of a few individual beneficiaries and organised appeals for support from the ordinary people of Wales, kept the University in being, and, perhaps more importantly, deeply rooted it in the affection of the Welsh people. A matter of considerable pride is that the University has made a significant contribution to the education of women, being one of the first institutions to admit female students.
From the 1960s the University relocated from the seafront to the Penglais campus. This finely landscaped site enjoys spectacular views over the town of Aberystwyth and the sea. New buildings, including major arts and science developments, halls of residence, a magnificent Arts Centre and first rate sports facilities are located here. Most recently, major investment from the Welsh Assembly Government has led to the founding of the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences.
Despite continuing expansion both of buildings and of student numbers, Aberystwyth has retained its traditional friendly intimacies, its vigorous student social life, and its high academic standards.
In 2007, all the colleges of the University of Wales entered a new phase of existence as independent universities, though strong bonds of co-operation remain, re-affirmed in the St David’s Day accord of 2009 between Aberystwyth and the other four leading universities of Wales. Newly independent, Aberystwyth University reflects with pride on the heritage of its past, and faces the future with the confidence.
Bangor University
The University was founded as the "University College of North Wales" (UCNW) on 18 October 1884 with an inaugural address by the Earl of Powis, the College's first President, in Penrhyn Hall. There was then a procession to the college with 3,000 quarryman (quarrymen from Penrhyn Quarry and other quarries had subscribed over £1200 to the university). The result of a campaign for better higher education provision in Wales,and following some rivalry between North Wales towns as to which was to be the base of the new college, it was incorporated by charter a year later.
Its students received degrees from the University of London until 1893 when UCNW became a founding constituent institution of the federal University of Wales. During the Second World War, paintings from national arts galleries were located at the Prichard-Jones Hall to protect them from enemy bombing; they were later moved to slate mines at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Students from University College, London were evacuated to continue their studies in a safer environment at Bangor.
During the 1960s, the University shared in the general expansion of Higher Education in the UK following the Robbins Report, with a number of new departments being created and new buildings built. On 22 November 1965, during construction of the extension to the Department of Electronic Engineering in Dean Street, a crane collapsed on the building. The three ton counterweight hit the second floor lecture theatre of the original building about thirty minutes before it would have been occupied by about 80 first year students. The counterweight went through to the ground floor. In 1967, the Bangor Normal College, now part of the University, was the venue for the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's lectures in Transcendental Meditation, at which The Beatles learnt of the death of their manager, Brian Epstein.
The change of name to Bangor University or Prifysgol Bangor was instigated by the University following the decision of the University of Wales to change from a federal university to a confederal, non-membership organisation, and the granting of degree awarding powers to Bangor University itself. The University has decided to take advantage of these powers, and every student starting 2009 will have a degree from Bangor University, whereas any student who started prior to 2009 has the option to choose Bangor University or University of Wales Bangor to have on their final graduation certificate.
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as one of Britain's leading teaching and research universities. Founded by Royal Charter in 1883, the University today combines impressive modern facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research with its proud heritage of service and achievement.
In 2005, the title 'Cardiff University' and a new Supplemental Charter was formally granted to the University by the Privy Council on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, meaning that Cardiff became a university in its own right, fully independent of the University of Wales. Cardiff University admits students to courses leading to Cardiff University degrees.
The University's breadth of expertise in research and research-led teaching encompasses: the humanities; the natural, physical, health, life and social sciences; engineering and technology; preparation for a wide range of professions; and a longstanding commitment to lifelong learning. The University is also home to three major new Research Institutes, offering radical new approaches to neurosciences and mental health, cancer stem cells and sustainable places.
From its outstanding central location amidst the parks, Portland-stone buildings and tree-lined avenues that form the city's elegant civic centre, the University's students and staff are drawn from throughout the world, attracted by its international reputation and commitment to innovation and excellence in all areas of activity. Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of Britain's leading research universities.
Having gained national and international standing, Cardiff University's vision is to be recognised as a world-leading university and to achieve the associated benefits for its students, staff and all other stakeholders.
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Cardiff Metropolitan University was previously known as University Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC). CMU provides education and training opportunities that are accessible, flexible and of the highest quality, and has been independently acclaimed for its high academic standards and for its high level of student satisfaction.
One tenth of CMU students are from overseas, and our Associate College (the London School of Commerce) deliver international foundation programmes on our Llandaff campus. It is already teaching University of Wales degrees, through CMU, in London, Bangladesh and Malaysia. We also have UWIC students resident in Singapore.
Learning and teaching will always be at the heart of what we do at CMU. We hope you fully experience our efforts to maintain a personal touch within a friendly and supportive learning environment.
Our students have many different reasons for choosing to study here. For some, the quality of the course is important; for others it is the social life and facilities offered by the city. A proportion of students tell us they chose Cardiff because the city does not leave them feeling overwhelmed.
Whatever the reasons for choosing Cardiff, our students say that when they leave us at the end of their course they take with them memories of friendship, warmth and hospitality.
Glamorgan Univesity
With close to 100 years of experience in higher education, the University has played a significant role in the economic, social and cultural advancement of Wales. The talents of many generations of staff have enabled us to develop into a thriving, modern University with a reputation for excellent learning and teaching, a growing recognition for international research excellence, first class facilities and outstanding student support.
As an established institution of higher learning, we are committed to providing access with excellence; dedicated to providing an academically distinctive portfolio of excellent and professionally relevant courses coupled with a high quality student experience, giving students access to the latest technologies and industry standard equipment.
We acknowledge the benefits of collaboration with other universities in Wales, the UK and overseas. In Wales, for example, collaboration with Cardiff University has resulted in a range of exciting initiatives, including the Universities Police Science Institute (UPSI). We are also a member of the St David’s Day Group – a partnership with the four other major universities in Wales (Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea) to drive forward the knowledge economy of Wales.
International partnership development will continue to be a key strategic priority for the University. In recent years, collaborative agreements have been signed with institutions in a number of countries including Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA which have facilitated student and staff exchanges and joint research activities.
At a regional level, Glamorgan is playing a key role in improving stands of educational attainment. We are committed to working with partners to develop a range of initiatives including the Merthyr Learning Quarter, with the Welsh Assembly Government and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, and the Universities’ Heads of the Valleys Institute (UHOVI), in collaboration with the University of Wales Newport and public and private sector partners, to provide accredited higher education opportunities at all levels across the region.
Swansea University
Swansea University is a research-led university that has been making a difference since 1920. The University community thrives on exploration and discovery, and offers the right balance of excellent teaching and research, matched by an enviable quality of life.
Set in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the breathtaking Gower Peninsula, the University's location is captivating. With 15,921 students and 2,510 staff, Swansea's multicultural campus community provides a global perspective and opportunities to gain skills that last a lifetime.
Swansea University will provide an environment of research excellence, with research being undertaken that is world-leading and internationally recognised, and that informs all other activities at the University. It will deliver an outstanding student experience, with teaching of the highest quality that produces graduates equipped for distinguished personal and professional achievement.
The University community will be a powerhouse for economic growth in the regional economy, and will greatly enrich the community and cultural life of Wales. It will contribute to the health, leisure, and wellbeing of citizens in South West Wales and beyond.
The University is planning an ambitious campus expansion and development programme that will enable it to double in size and further enhance the student experience. Read about the proposed Bay Science and Innovation Campus here.
