Universities of Wales

Location: Aberystwyth 
Number of students: 8,970
Aberystwyth University website

Founded in 1872, Aberystwyth University is Wales' oldest university institution, with a long-standing reputation for teaching excellence and research. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, covering subjects including law, veterinary science, zoology, nursing and accounting.

The university welcomes students from more than 100 countries, creating a friendly and inclusive international community. Its main campus overlooks the beautiful Cardigan Bay coastline, while the seaside town of Aberystwyth offers a welcoming environment for students to live, study and explore.

Accolades:

• Welsh University of the Year (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
• Top in Wales and second in the UK for Student Experience (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
• Top in Wales and third in the UK for Teaching Quality (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
• Top in Wales for Student Satisfaction (National Student Survey 2023)

Location: Bangor 
Number of students: 9,350
Bangor University website

Situated in North Wales, between the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and the waters of the Menai Strait, Bangor University enjoys one of the most scenic settings of any UK university. Founded in 1884, it has a long history of academic excellence and providing a great student experience.

The university is made up of three colleges and 11 academic schools, spanning the arts, humanities and sciences. Students can enjoy a friendly university community, with accommodation within walking distance of the campus and plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding mountains, lakes and coastline. Bangor also offers good value for money, ranking among the top 15 UK universities for value for money in the StudentCrowd University Awards 2024.

Accolades:

• Best university in Wales (University Compare 2026)
• 85% of research rated world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
• Top 35 in the UK for Students' Union (Whatuni 2025)

Location: Cardiff 
Number of students: 12,265
Cardiff Met website

Cardiff Metropolitan University, known locally as Cardiff Met, is a modern university with a strong focus on employability, practical learning and student support. Its history dates back to 1865, when the Cardiff School of Art first opened. Today, the university has two campuses, Llandaff and Cyncoed, both within easy reach of Cardiff city centre.

Students benefit from small class sizes, supportive tutors and strong links with industry, offering opportunities for work placements and internships. The university's Cardiff Met EDGE initiative helps students develop ethical, digital, global and entrepreneurial skills to prepare them for life after graduation.

Cardiff Met is also well known for its sporting achievements, with students competing at national and international levels, including European, Commonwealth and world competitions.

Accolades:

• 8th in the UK for employability (Uni Compare University Guide 2023)
• UK & Ireland University of the Year (Times Higher Education Awards 2021)
• Cardiff ranked the most affordable student city in the UK (NatWest Student Living Index 2022)

Location: Cardiff 
Number of students: 31,505
Cardiff University website

Founded in 1883, Cardiff University is Wales' largest university and the only Welsh member of the prestigious Russell Group. Located in the heart of the Welsh capital, it has an international reputation for academic excellence, research and teaching.

The university offers more than 300 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with students benefiting from historic buildings alongside modern facilities, including the Centre for Student Life and 16 libraries. Its research-led teaching, strong industry links and dedicated careers support help prepare students for life after graduation.

Outside their studies, students can enjoy everything Cardiff has to offer, from international sporting events and cultural attractions to green spaces and a lively social scene. The university also has more than 300 clubs and societies, providing plenty of opportunities to meet people and try new activities.

Accolades:

• Highest ranked university in Wales, 179th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2027)
• 90% of research rated world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
• 12th in the UK for graduate employability (The Times Good University Guide 2026)
• 3rd best Students' Union in the UK (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2026)

Location: Swansea 
Number of students: 18,985
Swansea University website

Founded in 1920, Swansea University is a research-led university recognised for its teaching quality, research and student satisfaction. It has two beachfront campuses along Swansea Bay. The leafy Singleton Park Campus is set between the beach and the historic grounds of Singleton Park, while the Bay Campus sits directly on the beach.

The university welcomes students from over 100 countries and has three academic faculties covering medicine, health and life sciences, science and engineering, and humanities and social sciences. Students benefit from dedicated careers support, with opportunities for internships, work placements and studying abroad on selected courses.

Outside their studies, students can enjoy Swansea's lively social scene, explore the nearby Gower Peninsula and take part in more than 170 clubs and societies.

Accolades:

• Ranked among the top 350 universities worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2027)
• 95% of students surveyed would recommend Swansea University (UniCompare 2026)

Main locations: Cardiff, Newport, Pontypridd
Number of students: 20,790
University of South Wales website

The University of South Wales (USW) is one of the UK's largest universities, with a strong focus on preparing students for their future careers. Established in 2013 following the merger of the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport, it has campuses in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd.

The university combines academic learning with practical experience, working closely with industry partners to help students develop the skills needed for their chosen careers. Many courses offer professional accreditations, while specialist facilities include an aircraft hangar, hospital ward, crime scene house, music recording studios and international-standard sports facilities.

Students benefit from small class sizes, supportive teaching staff and opportunities to experience the cities, coastline and countryside of South Wales.

Accolades:

• Shortlisted for University of the Year (Times Higher Education Awards 2023)
• Top in Wales for Computer Science and Information Systems, and Marketing and Public Relations (Guardian University Guide 2024)
• Cyber University of the Year for four consecutive years (National Cyber Awards 2019 to 2022)

Location: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Swansea 
Number of students: 15,415
University of Wales Trinity St David website

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) combines a rich academic heritage with a modern, career-focused approach to education. Its origins date back to 1822, when St David's College was founded in Lampeter. The university holds one of the oldest Royal Charters in the UK, after Oxford and Cambridge.

UWTSD has three main campuses in Wales, at Carmarthen, Lampeter and Swansea, each offering a friendly and welcoming community atmosphere. Students benefit from small class sizes and high-quality teaching from lecturers who are active in research or industry.

With an emphasis on practical skills and employability, the university combines academic study with opportunities to develop the knowledge and experience needed for life after graduation.

Accolades:

• 7th in the UK for student satisfaction with teaching quality (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021)
• 2nd in the UK for satisfaction with feedback (Guardian League Table 2021)
• 1st in the UK for courses and lecturers (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2019 and 2020)

Main location: Wrexham 
Number of students: 8,560
Glyndŵr University website

Wrexham University is one of the youngest universities in the UK, having been established in 2008, although its origins date back to the Wrexham School of Science and Art in 1887. Formerly known as Wrexham Glyndŵr University, its history and ethos are closely linked to the 14th-century Welsh prince and scholar Owain Glyndŵr.

The university has four locations across North Wales, at Wrexham Plas Coch, Wrexham Regent Street, St Asaph and Northop. It offers a friendly, supportive learning environment, with 14 academic schools providing a wide range of degree programmes.

With a strong focus on employability and practical learning, Wrexham University has developed links with leading employers including Airbus, Kellogg's, JCB and the BBC. The university is also investing £80 million in campus improvements, including new facilities designed to enhance the student experience.

Accolades:

• Ranked first in the UK for Social Inclusion for the fifth consecutive year (Complete University Guide 2023)
• Top 10 in the UK for Teaching Quality (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)

Find more information about the studying in Wales and how to apply by visiting the Study in Wales website.

Location: Cardiff, South Wales
Number of students: 914
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama website 

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) is Wales' national conservatoire, offering specialist training in music, drama, design and arts management. Based in Cardiff, the College welcomes talented students from more than 40 countries, providing a creative and collaborative environment in which to develop their skills.

Students benefit from teaching by experienced industry professionals and opportunities to work with leading artists and arts organisations, including the BBC and Welsh National Opera. The College is also a vibrant arts centre, hosting more than 500 public performances and exhibitions each year, from orchestral concerts and opera to drama and musical theatre.

Accolades:

• First UK institution to achieve gold standard quality assurance across music, drama and under-18 provision in the international MusiQuE quality review.
• 100% overall course satisfaction for BA Acting, BA Design and the BMus (Hons) Strings department (National Student Survey 2025).