Decision time

So you’ve got your A-level results and it’s time to make a decision about which uni to go to. But there are so many to choose from in Wales let alone anywhere else. Which one is best suited to you? Laura Barnhouse helps you explore Welsh Universities…


Swansea University
Best for surfers

Student population: Almost 12,000
Clubs in city: Three and numerous late night bars.
Departments rated 'excellent' for Teaching Quality by the UK Government Quality Assurance Agency (QAA): 15
Position on Sunday Times League Table: 44

“The university is based on a fairly small campus which means that you always see people you know around campus. I think this makes you feel really at home and settled. It also has fantastic sports facilities and great nightlife.
“The best thing about Swansea University though has to be its location. It’s right next to the beach and the park, which means that on a hot summer day there’s no better place to be. Surfers love it here as it’s right next to the sea and near the Gower which has many good beaches for surfing.”
Gerwyn Hughes, Sixth Year, Sports Science.

“In the first year you can live in a Student Village which is a fun place to live and a great introduction to student life. It’s impossible not to make friends there.”
David Jones, Second Year History.


Cardiff University

Best for city slickers

Student population: 19,722
Clubs in city: Too many to count.
Departments rated excellent: 21
Position on Sunday Times League Table: 22

“Cardiff University is a prestigious yet unassuming university with a compact layout. Everyone is welcome here.”
Daniel Barnhouse, Third Year, Law.

“Cardiff University’s buildings are stunning, the courses are brilliant and there is a great social scene.”
Nicola Richens, Third Year, Education and Criminology.


The University of Wales, Aberystwyth

Best for outdoor lovers

Student population: 7000
Clubs in town: Two main clubs and loads more bars.
Departments rated excellent: Nine
Position on Sunday Times League Table: 49

“Even though Aber is a small city there is always loads going on for students. This makes it really easy to make friends and have fun.”
Faye Burnell, Third Year, Information Management.

“I love the close, campus-based ‘family’ feeling you get. Everyone knows everyone else, it’s safe, there’s no crime and there are plenty of pubs, cafes, hairdressers and clothing shops in town.”
Martyn Teece-Round, Final Year Agriculture and the Environment.


The University of Wales, Bangor

Best for Welsh speakers

Student population: 9000
Clubs in city: Two
Departments rated excellent: Six
Position on Sunday Times League Table: 50

“What’s not to love about Bangor? There’s loads going on for students, the location is stunning and the university’s great?”
Abbey Jones, Second Year, History with Film Studies.

“I came to Bangor because I love extreme sports. There are plenty of facilities around here for them. I already canoed regularly but now I go rock climbing quite a bit as well.”
Josh Berry, First Year, Spanish.


University of Wales, Lampeter

Best for quiet types

Student population: Under 10,000
Clubs in town: None
Departments rated “excellent": Two.
Position on Sunday Times League Table: 53

“The courses at Lampeter are great and it’s a huge bonus that the university is set in a quiet town.”
Helen Anderson, Third Year, Philosophy.


University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC)

Best for practical types

Student population: 10,000
Clubs in city: Far too many to count.
Departments rated excellent: Nine.
Position on Sunday Times League Table: 87

“UWIC is a fun place to be thanks to its welcoming attitude and great atmosphere. Anyone would feel at home here and there are always loads of social events going on.”
Nathan Talbot, First Year Retail Management.

“I was accepted into a more prestigious uni but I turned it down to come to UWIC because I felt more at home here. You are made to feel really welcome at UWIC. No one is at all stuck up and everyone was so willing to go out of their way to help me.
“The best thing about UWIC has to be its location. Cardiff is such an amazing place for a student to be; the city is really geared up for students.”
Freya Swenson, First Year Product Design with Electronics.


Swansea Institute of Higher Education

Best for arty types

Student population: 6000
Clubs in city: Three and numerous late night bars.
Departments rated excellent: NA
Position on Sunday Times League Table: 117

“Swansea’s a great place to go to uni. It’s right by the sea and pretty Mumbles, there are loads of bars and clubs here and Cardiff’s only an hour away should you fancy a big shopping trip.” Dawn Jacobs, PGCE.

“My course is wicked and when I’m not at uni I can be out on the Gower surfing. Who wouldn’t love it here?”
Jack Davies, Second Year, Graphic Design.


Trinity College Carmarthen

Best for all-rounders

Student population: 2,500
Clubs in town: Two
Departments rated excellent: NA
Position on Sunday Times League Table: NA

“The Student Union is great here. There is always plenty going on outside the classroom and class sizes are small so I always get plenty of help there as well.”
Ryan Edwards, First Year, Advertising and Media Studies.


University of Glamorgan, Trefforest

Best for Valley lovers

Student population: 21,500
Clubs in village: None but loads in nearby Cardiff and Pontypridd.
Departments rated ‘excellent’: Seven
Position on Sunday Times League Table: NA

“When we’re not at lectures we often explore the Brecon Beacons and sometimes we head into Cardiff for a bit of shopping.”
Judith Thomas, First Year, History.


North East Wales Institute of Higher Education (NEWI), Wrexham.

Best for career seekers

Student population: 7,500
Clubs in town: Five
Departments rated excellent: NA
Position on Sunday Times League Table: 119

“There are some great facilities here including a huge sports centre, a Chinese medicine clinic and a scene of crime lab. NEWI has its own car racing team as well!”
Rich Morgan, Second Year, Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering.


Feature written for The Big Issue
Photo by Sacred Destinations