Aberystwyth University
Prifysgol Aberystwyth, more often known as Aberystwyth University, is a public research university located in Aberystwyth, Wales, United Kingdom. The previous federal University of Wales included Aberystwyth University as one of its original member institutions. Over 8,000 students are enrolled at this educational institution, which is comprised of three academic faculties and seventeen departments.
University College of Wales, Aberystwyth was first established in 1872 under the name University College Wales, Aberystwyth. In 1894, the institution became a founding member of the University of Wales and subsequently changed its name. The institution went through yet another name change in the middle of the 1990s, this time becoming the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. On September 1, 2007, the University of Wales separated from its status as a federal university, and Aberystwyth University resumed its status as an autonomous institution.
The Times and the Sunday Times Good Institution Guide honoured it as "University of the year for teaching excellence" for the second year in a row in 2019, making it the first university in the world to get this honour. It is the first institution of higher education anywhere in the world to be given the designation of Plastic Free University (for single-use plastic items).
The university first opened its doors in October 1872 with a total of 26 students. It received funding from both public and private subscriptions, and five regional committees (one each in London, Manchester, Liverpool, North and South Wales) guaranteed sufficient funds to cover operating expenses for the first three years of the institution's existence. The school's head administrator was named Thomas Charles Edwards. Over 70,000 people contributed to the second round of funding that was collected by churches across Wales in October of 1875. The admission examinations at Aberystwyth University were formerly administered by the University of London. This practise continued right up until 1893, when the institution became one of the founding members of the University of Wales. 1884 was the year when women were finally allowed.