collageUsing the internet for important information doesn’t always bring up the right answer, and that is a fact. This is partly because the internet is filled with plenty of information that’s usually not from reliable sources. In case you’re looking for information on best colleges in wales, then the article below provides all you need to know and more.
Get the latest information on best colleges in wales, best sixth form colleges in wales, best colleges in north wales, what is the best university in wales, university of south wales, university of wales ranking. Also find up -to- date information on related posts on college learners.
Wales is part of the United Kingdom and sits to the west of England on the island of Great Britain. It is a mountainous country known for its natural beauty and rugged coastline. Welsh people pride themselves on their national identity and culture.
The Welsh language is the oldest language in Britain, with origins that date back almost 4,000 years. About a third of the country’s population speak Welsh today, with the highest numbers in Carmarthenshire and the capital, Cardiff. A Welsh village holds the distinction of having the longest place name in Europe and the second longest in the world.
The two biggest Welsh cities are Cardiff and Swansea. Cardiff is a city rich with history and culture. A visit to Cardiff Castle will take you back 2,000 years, while the Victorian-era Cardiff Central Market has stalls selling everything from handmade jewellery to fresh fruit and vegetables under its glass roof.
Swansea is Wales’ second largest city and is situated on the south coast. Nearby village, the Mumbles, has more than 20 pubs along its famous mile, with restaurants and shops boasting views of the Gower Peninsula’s coastline. A visit to Mumbles wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Joe’s ice cream parlour – a firm favourite with tourists and locals since 1984.
Home to Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales and England, Wales is a hot spot for those who enjoy the outdoors. There is a range of outdoor activities on offer, from cycling to hiking, kayaking to camping. Wales is also home to three national parks – Pembrokeshire Coast, Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons – as well as five areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Rhossili Bay, located in Swansea, has been named one of the top 10 beaches in the world. With 5km of beautiful sand and coastline, it is a popular spot for surfers and walkers alike.
The Welsh flag was only recognised in 1959 as the country’s national flag. Its green and white background alludes to the colours of the House of Tudor, the 15th-century royal dynasty of Welsh origin. In the middle of the flag is a red dragon, which has become one of the most iconic symbols of Wales.
If you are interested in studying in Wales, these are the country’s best universities, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021.
1. Cardiff University
Cardiff is the home of the devolved National Assembly for Wales. It is also an important industrial center—mainly for food processing, engineering, and other light industries—and a hub for commerce, law, higher education, media, and independent film production.
Cardiff University was established in 1883 as the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire. In 1893 it became one of the founding institutions of the University of Wales. In 1988 it merged with the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology and was renamed Cardiff University in 1999.
There are more than 300 degree programmes available for students to study at both undergraduate and graduate level. Some 100 of these programmes can be studied entirely or partly in Welsh. The university’s academic schools are organised into three colleges: arts, humanities and social sciences; biomedical and life sciences; and physical sciences and engineering.
Outside of the classroom, students are encouraged to participate in the university’s extra-curricular activities. Cardiff’s Students’ Union is one of the biggest in the UK and hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year. More than 200 clubs and societies are available for students to join, including the baking society, book club and sports teams.
The university is comprised of two campuses: Cathays Park and Heath Park. Of the 26 academic schools, 22 are based at the Cathays Park campus, as is the main Students’ Union building. Cathays Park about 1km from the city centre.
Heath Park is the university’s dedicated healthcare campus and is home to the remaining four academic schools as well as the University Hospital of Wales. The campus is surrounded by 100 acres of parkland and playing fields.
Cardiff prides itself on its diverse study body, which consists of about 8,600 international students representing more than 130 countries.
The university has nine research institutes, which specialise in fields such as crime and security, data innovation, and neuroscience and mental health. Its state-of-the-art facilities are used by organisations across the globe to support world-leading research.
Cardiff University is ranked 150-200 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2020, an influential league table of global institutions. Listing the top 500 universities in the world, the ranking is recognized as a benchmark of international university performance.
You can start your studies in September 2021 with either a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), or an accepted alternative equivalent assessment, provided you meet all the programme entry requirements.
The test results must have been achieved in the past 24 months and meet the minimum English equivalency score for your chosen programme.
Entry Requirement for Pre masters
This applies if you:
- come to campus, or
- start your studies virtually and join us on campus at a later date.
UKVI-approved SELTS include:
- IELTS Academic for UKVI
- Trinity Integrated Skills in English
- Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
- Language Cert SELT
Alternative tests accepted include:
- Pearson PTE Academic
- IELTS Indicator
- IELTS Academic
- LanguageCert International ESOL
- TOEFL iBT
- Cambridge ESOL
- Duolingo
Study Group is permitted to assess students’ suitability for entry onto programmes which are degree level and above under the registration for the UK Office for Students. You are therefore not required to have a UKVI SELT to obtain a Student Visa when you come to campus.
If you begin your course virtually and transfer to the UK to complete your programme, you may be issued a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) based on the Academic English Skills module assessments (as part of your Pre-Masters).
A CAS for a Student Visa will only be issued if you have met the minimum language requirement of CEFR B2 in all skills, and the academic entry requirements for your chosen programme
2 Swansea University
Founded in 1920, Swansea University was originally known as University College of Swansea. It was renamed the University of Wales Swansea in 1996 and officially became Swansea University in 2007.
The university consists of two campuses, both of which are situated on Swansea Bay. The university’s oldest campus, Singleton Park, sits in botanical gardens and mature parkland. Bay Campus opened in 2015 and is located on the beachfront, offering breathtaking views.
Academically, the university is organised into eight colleges: College of Arts and Humanities, College of Engineering, College of Human and Health Sciences, Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law, School of Management, Swansea University Medical School, College of Science, and The College, Swansea University. Each offers courses at undergraduate and graduate level.
With international students from more than 130 countries, Swansea is a diverse and multicultural university. Students are given the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or an entire year at one of the university’s partner institutions around the world, as part of its academic exchange programme.
At the heart of the university is its Students’ Union, which organises academic and cultural events throughout the year. It also oversees the 170 clubs and societies and 50 sports teams on offer at the university, including athletics and cross country, cheerleading, mountaineering, tennis and swimming.
In 2006, the Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize was launched to encourage creative talent worldwide. The annual prize is awarded to writers aged 39 and under in recognition of their literary excellence. The prize is named after Dylan Thomas, the Swansea-born poet who became one of the most influential writers of the mid 20th century.
Recent research projects at the university include diagnosing heart disease in India, targeting tumours with bacteria, and wildfires, carbon and climate change.
Matching the enviable quality of life by offering the perfect balance of teaching and research, Swansea University has been thriving on exploration and discovery since 1920. The research-based institution is a multi-community global perspective and is deemed a perfect location for staff and students to develop skills and a successful and sustainable career.
- Swansea University is amongst the top 30 research institutions in the UK. According to Research Excellence Framework, 2014, around 90% of the University’s research was considered international excellence, signifying that some of the University’s students are taught by some of the leading academic staff in the UK and the world.
- The University boasts about its successes in recent years and how its research work has outperformed several leading universities globally.
- Swansea University has actually done very well in the recent 10 years. They have paved their way through to be ranked as the top 3% universities globally, and they thrive with the motto of being ranked amongst the top 500 universities globally.
Mentioned below are the ranking obtained by Swansea university by several ranking agencies.
Swansea University: QS Ranking 2021
Global Rank: #474
The QS defines Swansea as something beyond academic excellence. It says that the University takes care of their students much more than just academics. Admissions at Swansea University world-class facility and is located in one of the safest zones in the UK.
- QS ranks Swansea University as #474 globally amongst 1003 institutions. According to the agency, Swansea University provides a great learning environment that consists of a mixture of teaching, research, and industry links.
- The University’s Employability Academy enables students for great career advice and skills development.
Swansea University: CWUR Ranking 2021
Global Ranking: #576
CWUR has ranked Swansea University as the #41 best university on a national scale and #576 out of 2000 universities worldwide. Apart from these, CWUR has given the institution a Research Performance Ranking of #537 globally, showing us how research-intensive the University is considered to be. CWUR has also given the University an overall score of 73.4 after evaluating the following individual rankings.
Swansea University: US News Ranking (2021)
The US News, after evaluating Swansea University based on 13 parameters, has ranked it as #474 in best global University, #204 in best University in Europe, and #40 in best University in the United Kingdom. After evaluating these parameters, the US News also gave the institution an overall score of 51.2.
To conclude, Swansea University is a good university for students willing to pursue Medical, Computer Science, and Engineering as their career option. The institution is also a member of the Russell Group, which certainly demonstrates the quality of education. Moreover, the University is located in a great location that many alumni have stated that the workload and studying seem more manageable. Moreover, according to QS, Swansea University is rank as #232 in best performing University for international students and #236 for international faculty. All in all, Swansea University can be an excellent choice to study.
3. Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth University was named the ‘UK University of the Year’ for Teaching Quality’ by the Times Good University Guide in 2018 and 2019 and also has a Gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework. 97% of graduates are in employment or further education six months after graduation (Higher Education Statistics Agency 2018) and Aberystwyth is often described as the cultural capital of Wales.
Aberystwyth University is a public research university in Aberystwyth, Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding member institution of the former federal University of Wales. The university has over 8,000 students studying across 3 academic faculties and 17 departments.
Aberystwyth Business School at Aberystwyth University is a great choice for postgraduate study. The School has inspired generations of leaders in management and finance. We know that you have a choice of degrees from a wide range of universities. That’s why we work very hard to ensure that your experience as a student with us is as personally, professionally and academically fulfilling as possible
A top 40 UK university in The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016-17.
Amongst top 50 universities according to major UK employers
Aberystwyth University is amongst the top 50 universities in the UK for ‘best graduates in the workplace’ according to a report published by Times Higher Education (November 2015).
Aberystwyth amongst the top 200 most international universities
Figures by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings reveal that Aberystwyth University is amongst the top 200 most international universities in the world (January 2016). Aberystwyth University awarded Gold in the 2018 Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF).
World-leading research
95% of the university’s research is of an internationally recognized standard or higher research excellence framework (REF) 2014.
One of the safest places in Wales to be a student
The Complete University Guide 2017 has named Aberystwyth as the safest university in Wales to be a student. Aberystwyth University is a “WhatUni Top 10 University of the year”. Aberystwyth was shortlisted in a total of five categories – Best University, Accommodation, Courses & Lecturers, International and Postgraduate.
University of the Year for Teaching Quality – The Times and Sunday Times, Good University Guide 2018. Shortlisted in four categories in the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards (THELMAs) (2015); Shortlisted for ‘Business School of the Year Times Higher Education Awards (2014);
Winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology category award at the Times Higher Education Awards (2013). Silver Award under the Corporate Health Standard (CHS), the quality mark for workplace health promotion.
Awarded Athena SWAN Bronze Award for supporting women scientists. Awarded EcoCampus Gold Award.
Aberystwyth University has been presented with the Green Flag Award for the second year running at its Penglais Campus whilst Llanbadarn Campus has also been successful in gaining the award.
4. Bangor University
The 2019 National Student Survey placed Bangor University amongst the UK’s top 10 for student satisfaction, and hundreds of courses are offered across the arts, humanities and sciences. The University is located close to Wales’ stunning mountains and beaches and accommodation has also been rated as the best in the UK. Bangor is regarded to be amongst the UK’s best university locations, situated between the mountains of Snowdonia and the Irish Sea and offering some of the finest beaches and most beautiful scenery in the country.
Organization
The Academic Activities of Bangor University are grouped into three colleges:College of Arts, Humanities and Business
- Bangor Business School
- School of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences
- School of Language, Literatures and Linguistics
- School of Law
- School of Music and Media
- School of Welsh and Celtic Studies
- Centre for Research on Bilingualism
College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering
- School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering
- School of Natural Sciences
- School of Ocean Sciences
- The BioComposites Centre
College of Human Sciences
- School of Education and Human Development
- School of Health Sciences
- School of Medical Sciences
- School of Psychology
- School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences
5. University of Wales Trinity Saint David
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is ranked in the top 5 UK universities for student satisfaction with Teaching Quality (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019) and 7th in the UK for Academic Experience (Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2018). UWTSD has three main campuses in South West Wales, as well as a campus in London and learning centres in Cardiff and Birmingham.
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is based in Swansea and was formed in 2010, making it one of the youngest universities in the UK. The main campuses are based in and around Swansea’s city centre as well as the towns of Lampeter and Carmarthen in South West Wales, with a campus also located in London for international students. The University has just under 10,000 students enrolled in total.
Trinity Saint David has a long history in teacher training and has recently introduced Yr Athrofa, the Institute of Education, to operate on the Carmarthen and Swansea campuses. The aim is to produce a new and innovative approach to teacher education, with the university and partner schools jointly responsible for the construction and delivery of all training programmes.
Following the the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David was in the top 20 in the UK for academic experience and the the joint best university in Wales for high-quality staff/lectures and good personal relationships with teaching staff.
London Campus
Studying at The University of Wales Trinity Saint David London gives you the opportunity to explore and experience one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic cities. The London campus is located within Kennington Business Park and offers international students a range of different programmes in business, management and IT.
Services for International Students
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David provides international orientation to new students as well as a cultural programme that consists of weekend trips to various locations in England and Wales. English language support, in areas such as academic writing, note taking and critical analysis, is available on all three main campuses.
Ranking
- 101st in the Times University Guide 2021
- 56th in the Guardian University Guide 2021
In the Research Excellence Framework 2014, 60% of submitted research work was judged to be either outstanding or very considerable in terms of its reach and significance. This demonstrates the strength of the University’s research work and the contribution it makes in seeking solutions to real world challenges.
The latest table ranks 980 institutions from 79 countries, making it THE’s most comprehensive table to date. With a strong focus on a university’s international research reputation, the results place Bangor University 38th out of the 91 UK universities that meet the table’s criteria for inclusion
The 2014 Research Excellence Framework recognised that more than three quarters of Bangor’s research is either world-leading or internationally excellent. Based on the university submission of 14 Units of Assessment, 77% of the research was rated in the top two tiers of research quality, ahead of the average for all UK universities.
In 2017, Bangor University became the only university in Wales to be rated ‘Gold’ by the new Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) which means that the university is deemed to be of the highest quality found in the UK, providing “consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students.”
In recent years, Bangor has been rated highly by its students in two independent surveys of student opinion. In the National Student Survey, the university has been consistently ranked highly both within Wales and in the UK higher education sector. In 2017, Bangor University’s students placed the university eighth among the UK’s non-specialist universities and second among Welsh Universities.
For the second year in a row Bangor was awarded Best University in the UK for Clubs and Societies at the 2018 WhatUni Student Choice Awards. It also regained the award for best Student Accommodation which they originally won in 2016. The university was also placed second overall for ‘Courses and Lecturers’ and retained third place in the category ‘University of the Year’. WhatUni award nominations are based on the reviews and opinions of the university’s own students. This is the fourth year in a row that Bangor University has won a national WhatUni Award.
Accommodation
All three main campuses have halls of residence available for students, with many of these rooms prioritised for first year students. All of the accommodation at Carmarthen is on-campus, with catered rooms for first-years and en suite self-catered accommodation for returning and postgraduate students. First-year students are guaranteed rooms at the Lampeter campus, with a choice of standard or en suite rooms. The Swansea campus has over 300 rooms available across five halls of residence.
Location
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is based across three main campuses in South West Wales: the Carmarthen campus, the Lampeter campus and the Swansea campus.
South West Wales is a beautiful area in which to live and work with market towns surrounded by a mixture of hills and rolling countryside, providing a stimulating environment and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. The sea is never far away offering both sandy and rocky beaches, coastal inlets, and excellent walking.
Also within easy reach of the University are Wales’ three National Parks: the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, and the Pembrokeshire Coast. Local tourist attractions include the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Aberglasney Gardens, the Dolaucothi Roman Gold Mines and a National Wetlands Centre. The area is also full of archaeological and historical sites such as the Cistercian abbey at Strata Florida and the nearby Teifi Pools.
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