Best universities in Wales

Wales is part of the United Kingdom and sits to the west of England on the island of Great Britain. It is a mountainous country known for its natural beauty and rugged coastline. Welsh people pride themselves on their national identity and culture. 

The Welsh language is the oldest language in Britain, with origins that date back almost 4,000 years. About a third of the country’s population speak Welsh today, with the highest numbers in Carmarthenshire and the capital, Cardiff. A Welsh village holds the distinction of having the longest place name in Europe and the second longest in the world. 

The two biggest Welsh cities are Cardiff and Swansea. Cardiff is a city rich with history and culture. A visit to Cardiff Castle will take you back 2,000 years, while the Victorian-era Cardiff Central Market has stalls selling everything from handmade jewellery to fresh fruit and vegetables under its glass roof. 

Swansea is Wales’ second largest city and is situated on the south coast. Nearby village, the Mumbles, has more than 20 pubs along its famous mile, with restaurants and shops boasting views of the Gower Peninsula’s coastline. A visit to Mumbles wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Joe’s ice cream parlour – a firm favourite with tourists and locals since 1984. 

Home to Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales and England, Wales is a hot spot for those who enjoy the outdoors. There is a range of outdoor activities on offer, from cycling to hiking, kayaking to camping. Wales is also home to three national parks – Pembrokeshire Coast, Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons – as well as five areas of outstanding natural beauty. 

Rhossili Bay, located in Swansea, has been named one of the top 10 beaches in the world. With 5km of beautiful sand and coastline, it is a popular spot for surfers and walkers alike. 

The Welsh flag was only recognised in 1959 as the country’s national flag. Its green and white background alludes to the colours of the House of Tudor, the 15^th-century royal dynasty of Welsh origin. In the middle of the flag is a red dragon, which has become one of the most iconic symbols of Wales.   

If you are interested in studying in Wales, these are the country’s best universities, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021.

How to choose a UK university
Best universities in Scotland
Best universities in the UK
Apply to UK universities through Ucas as an international student
The cost of studying at a university in the UK
Best universities in England
Scholarships available in the UK for international students

1. Cardiff University 

Cardiff University was established in 1883 as the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire. In 1893 it became one of the founding institutions of the University of Wales. In 1988 it merged with the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology and was renamed Cardiff University in 1999. 

There are more than 300 degree programmes available for students to study at both undergraduate and graduate level. Some 100 of these programmes can be studied entirely or partly in Welsh. The university’s academic schools are organised into three colleges: arts, humanities and social sciences; biomedical and life sciences; and physical sciences and engineering. 

Outside of the classroom, students are encouraged to participate in the university’s extra-curricular activities. Cardiff’s Students’ Union is one of the biggest in the UK and hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year. More than 200 clubs and societies are available for students to join, including the baking society, book club and sports teams.  

The university is comprised of two campuses: Cathays Park and Heath Park. Of the 26 academic schools, 22 are based at the Cathays Park campus, as is the main Students’ Union building. Cathays Park about 1km from the city centre.

Heath Park is the university’s dedicated healthcare campus and is home to the remaining four academic schools as well as the University Hospital of Wales. The campus is surrounded by 100 acres of parkland and playing fields. 

Cardiff prides itself on its diverse study body, which consists of about 8,600 international students representing more than 130 countries.

The university has nine research institutes, which specialise in fields such as crime and security, data innovation, and neuroscience and mental health. Its state-of-the-art facilities are used by organisations across the globe to support world-leading research. 

2. Swansea University 

Founded in 1920, Swansea University was originally known as University College of Swansea. It was renamed the University of Wales Swansea in 1996 and officially became Swansea University in 2007. 

The university consists of two campuses, both of which are situated on Swansea Bay. The university’s oldest campus, Singleton Park, sits in botanical gardens and mature parkland. Bay Campus opened in 2015 and is located on the beachfront, offering breathtaking views. 

Academically, the university is organised into eight colleges: College of Arts and Humanities, College of Engineering, College of Human and Health Sciences, Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law, School of Management, Swansea University Medical School, College of Science, and The College, Swansea University. Each offers courses at undergraduate and graduate level. 

With international students from more than 130 countries, Swansea is a diverse and multicultural university. Students are given the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or an entire year at one of the university’s partner institutions around the world, as part of its academic exchange programme. 

At the heart of the university is its Students’ Union, which organises academic and cultural events throughout the year. It also oversees the 170 clubs and societies and 50 sports teams on offer at the university, including athletics and cross country, cheerleading, mountaineering, tennis and swimming. 

In 2006, the Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize was launched to encourage creative talent worldwide. The annual prize is awarded to writers aged 39 and under in recognition of their literary excellence. The prize is named after Dylan Thomas, the Swansea-born poet who became one of the most influential writers of the mid 20th century.  

Recent research projects at the university include diagnosing heart disease in India, targeting tumours with bacteria, and wildfires, carbon and climate change.

Best universities in Wales 2021

Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2021 results 

Read more: Best universities in the world