Preparing for your time in Aberystwyth

Webinar dates for Semester 1 & Full Year Exchange & Study Abroad students announced! Please note that all advertised times are in BST (British Summer Time).

Student Visas for Exchange & Study Abroad Students - Thursday 4^th July

This webinar is for students applying for a Student Visa only - i.e. for students studying abroad at Aberystwyth University for a Full Academic Year only.

Students applying for a Student Visa should make sure they attend the session.

• Webinar: Student Visas for Exchange & Study Abroad Students - 2PM

 

Accommodation & Student Support – Tuesday 9^th July

The first of our two webinar sessions will focus on Accommodation and Student Support Services. There will be two sessions, one taking place at 10am BST, and the other at 4pm BST to allow students from different time zones to attend. You only need to attend one of the sessions.

Both sessions will be recorded.

Please register for the session that suits your time zone below:

• Pre-Departure Webinar: Accommodation & Student Support – 10AM Session

• Pre-Departure Webinar: Accommodation & Student Support – 4PM Session

 

What to pack & what to expect – Tuesday 6^th August

The second of our webinar sessions will focus on what to pack and what to expect when you arrive in Aberystwyth. In this session we will go over some of the important information and dates in the first session with a specific focus on the practical arrangements of getting to Aberystwyth and how to make the most of your time here.

Again, there will be two sessions, one taking place at 10am BST, and the other at 4pm BST to allow students from different time zones to attend. You only need to attend one of the sessions.

The session will then finish with a Q&A for you to ask any outstanding questions you might have.

Both sessions will be recorded.

Please register for the session that suits your time zone below:

• Pre-Departure Webinar: What to pack & what to expect – 10AM Session

• Pre-Departure Webinar: What to pack & what to expect – 4PM Session

 

Before you make your way to Aberystwyth, it’s important to make sure you have purchased adequate travel and health insurance.

You should make sure you are covered for the duration of your stay in Aberystwyth.

There are three main airports we encourage students to arrive to when travelling to the UK. These are Birmingham International (BHX), Manchester (MAN), and London Heathrow (LHR).

Birmingham International is the nearest airport to Aberystwyth and is also where we run our Meet & Greet service from (for September intake only).

This service includes coach transfers from Birmingham International Airport to Aberystwyth University, with onboard refreshments, a designated comfort break, accommodation key allocations and assistance in moving into university residences.

If you are arriving from another UK airport or at a time when our Meet & Greet service isn't available, there are plenty of ways for you to get to Aberystwyth University.

Find out more about our Meet & Greet service and how to get to Aberystwyth, by train, coach, or taxi, visit the Your Arrival webpages.

However you decide to get to Aberystwyth, you will be sure to receive a warm welcome when you arrive.

During Big Welcome and Orientation Week, there will be lots of people on campus to help direct you to where to collect your keys and where to find your accommodation.

You should receive the details on which accommodation you have been allocated and your move in date in your accommodation offer and licence pack.

You may also find it helpful download and have a read over our Residents' Handbook.

The Residents' Handbook provides all the information needed during your stay in University accommodation and covers a wide range of topics including: Pre-Arrival, Maintenance, Cleaning, General Safety, Fire Safety, Travel Information, Living with others, and Health & Support.

You can find more information on moving into your accommodation, including where to pick up your accommodation keys on our Moving In webpages.

Moving to a new country can be a bit hectic so to help you prepare, we’ve made a Pre-Arrival Checklist.

We also asked some of our international students what items they found essential and most comforting during their time in Aberystwyth, which included:

• Walking boots
• Raincoat
• Camera
• Family photo's
• Journal

Many international students also chose to purchase through Unpacked, which offer Essential Student Packs with 15% discount when using the code #aber15 at the checkout!

Student Support Services

Our Student Support and Careers Service provides a wide range of services to assist you to develop the skills needed to make the most of your time at Aberystwyth University.

If you have disclosed a disability during your application to Aberystwyth University, our Accessibility Service will contact you before your time in Aberystwyth to see what types of support they can offer you during your time in Aberystwyth.

If you would like to discuss the types of support available at Aberystwyth before you arrive in Aberystwyth, please feel free to do so via the contact information provided in the below links.

Find out more about our services:

• Accessibility Service
• Advice, Information & Money Service
• Careers Service
• Wellbeing Service
• Visa Support & Advice Service

Signpost Mentor Scheme

All Study Abroad an Exchange student will automatically be signed up to Aberystwyth’s signpost mentor scheme. The scheme designed to enable students to make the most of their time at university.

Signpost Mentors can help with any aspect of life at university, whether academic, social, or financial. Acting as a link to services available for students within the university, the Mentor can also help with organising your studies and finding motivation.

Your Signpost Mentor will be in touch with you via your Aber email account during the first week of teaching to introduce themselves.