Aberystwyth University and the National Research Network for Low Carbon Energy and Environment.

About Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth University possesses a long and distinguished record of undertaking cutting edge research that has been recognised as being world leading or internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour, and as stated in the University’s Strategic Plan 2012-17. We are committed to building on this success over the next five years and are working towards a strong return in the Research Excellence Framework exercise in 2014 from which we can further build in the period to 2017’.



Research is an integral part of the University's mission and work. It is supported by a Research Strategy, the purpose of which is to ensure that the University can continue to produce a significant volume of high quality work and respond to the rapidly changing environment in the UK in relation to research and its funding.

The University has an excellent range of facilities and resources to assist with research activities including four substantial libraries, access to a wide range of electronic information sources, and the vast resources of the prestigious National Library of Wales on its doorstep.

- 4th in the UK and 1st in Wales for student satisfaction, National Student Survey 2016- 3rd in Wales in the Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016- A top 40 UK University according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016-17- The safest place to study in Wales and amongst the 10 safest in the UK, the Complete University Guide 2016- 92% of graduates are in employment or further education 6 months after graduating, HESA 2015- 95% of the University’s research is of an internationally recognised standard, REF 2014

About NRN-LCEE

The Sêr Cymru National Research Network for Low Carbon, Energy and Environment (NRN-LCEE) is a major pan-Wales initiative funded by the Welsh Government Sêr Cymru initiative and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.

The Network supports collaborative and interdisciplinary research in Wales into the interactions between land, water, the provision of food and energy production, at different spatial scales across air-land-water systems.

Our aims:- To support and promote excellent, internationally competitive science in Wales- To foster increased and novel collaboration between researchers in Wales- To establish a new basis for a sustainable increase in research funding to Wales- To encourage researchers with excellent track records to establish themselves in Wales

Our partners:The NRN-LCEE is a pan-Wales initiative comprised of partners from Bangor, Aberystwyth, Cardiff, South Wales and Swansea Universities, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology at Bangor, the British Geological Survey Wales, and the UK MetOffice.

About Aberystwyth

Colourful Victorian seafront houses glance down over the graceful 2km sweep of the promenade, where students, locals and visitors mingle as they jog or walk along. The town retains much of its Victorian character and architecture, and many hotels and student residences are located along the seafront.

Tradition dictates that visitors and students alike ‘kick the bar’ at the northern most point of the promenade underneath Constitution Hill (or ‘Consti’ as it’s known to locals), a tradition that dates back to the early twentieth century, though its origins are unclear.

The town is often visited by Bottlenose Dolphins which are usually seen feeding off of South Beach at dawn or dusk.

Aberystwyth town is visited by many to sample the numerous cafes, bars, and restaurants. It was the first town in Wales to win the converted Purple Flag for a welcoming and safe nightlife.

Aberystwyth castle straddles two sides of the town’s promenade. The once impressive structure now lies in ruins; most of the decay was caused by centuries of storms from the Irish Sea.

For those looking for a panoramic view of the town, Constitution Hill is the best place to take in the seaviews. The mountains form a backdrop to the town and University itself. For those not keen on walking up Constitution Hill a seasonal alternative is in place; The Electric Cliff Railway is the longest electric cliff railway in Britain. It runs every few minutes during the spring, summer and early autumn. The summit reveals an amazing panorama which on a clear day extends as far as the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire to the mountains of Snowdonia to the North.