As one of the most specialised and compact Fine Art departments in Britain, the School of Art belongs to the largest University outside London. The University of Wales, Aberystwyth, founded in 1872, was the first constituent College of the federal University of Wales and has a student population of nearly 8000 students. Besides its prestigious history, the University has a reputation for high academic standards, a strong sense of collegiality, and one of the best locations of any campus in Britain. The University's prime objective is to introduce students to the finest and most advanced scholarship in the arts, sciences, and economic and social studies. It is dedicated to developing the individual's potential to study, evaluate and apply knowledge, and participate in society as mature, educated, confident, and thoroughly tested individuals.
Students can pursue degree schemes that offer either specialised or broad-based study.
While each degree scheme has a core of compulsory modules, there are optional modules which students may choose in order to construct the type of education that best suits them. Learning takes place within the context of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals, workshops, and field studies. These are informed by both traditional and innovative methods of teaching and assessment. In its desire to meet the social and personal needs of students, the University offers a variety of excellent accommodation and centres for social life, culture, and recreational activities, as well as counselling, medical, welfare, and careers support for school-leavers, mature students, home and international students, and those with special requirements.