Aberystwyth University Scholarships & Merit Awards (Exam-based)

Entrance Examinations & Merit Awards; student in library

Worth up to £3,000 plus an unconditional offer to study with us!

To be considered for our University Scholarships and Merit Awards you will need to sit two exam papers in subjects of your choice* with the exams being held at your school/college.

*Please ensure that you select exam papers which are acceptable to the Department(s) you have applied to study at. It is your responsibility to ensure you have selected appropriate subjects. Failure to do so may result in your scholarship application being rejected. Please read our FAQ's below before applying. 

Please note that although you must have applied to study at Aberystwyth University by the closing date, you do not need to wait to receive an offer before you can apply to sit the exams. 

If unsuccessful in achieving a financial award and/or unconditional offer, your original offer will remain the same. Why not give the exams a go and see if you can enhance your offer? There’s nothing to lose! 

Please note that Veterinary Science, Veterinary Nursing and Nursing applicants are not eligible to sit the exams.


Exams Overview

What awards are available?

University Scholarship – £1,000 per year
We have 50 university Scholarships to award to the candidates scoring the highest aggregate marks of both exam papers. Successful candidates receive £1,000 for each year of their course. University Scholarship holders also receive an unconditional offer.

Merit Award – £1,000 in the first year
We offer up to 100 Merit Awards each year to those achieving the next highest aggregate marks of both exam papers. Merit Award holders receive £1,000 during the first year of their course. University Merit Award holders also receive an unconditional offer.

Unconditional Offers*
Strong performance in the Exams can result in the University confirming your place without further conditions, resulting in an unconditional UCAS offer. Candidates who do not receive a Scholarship or Merit Award may be given an unconditional offer on the basis of their strong performance in the exams.

If unsuccessful in achieving a financial award and/or unconditional offer, your original offer will remain the same. Why not give the exams a go and see if you can enhance your offer? There’s nothing to lose! 


*The Unconditional Offer is for the course(s) you have already applied for. You will not be able to adjust your course following the results of the Aberystwyth University Scholarship and Merit Award Exams. There is no financial award with the unconditional offer. 

When and Where are the Exams?

When?

The exams for 2025 entry will take place on Friday, 7 February 2025. Remember to apply by 4pm (UK Time) Friday, 31 January 2025 to have your application considered.

Where?

At your UK school/college*. Please contact scholarships@aber.ac.uk if your school or college is unable to hold the exams.

*International applicants from select countries may be eligible to sit the exams. If international applicants do not attend an eligible school (e.g. an International School), there may be an option of sitting the exams at a British Council Office or alternative agreed invigilation centre. Please keep in mind that, although Aberystwyth University can support and advise on your exam location, any arrangements for this will be your responsibility, and you should make those arrangements directly with your school or alternative exam centre. If you have any questions before submitting your application, please email international@aber.ac.uk

What are the Aberystwyth University Scholarships & Merit Awards Exams?

  1. The Aberystwyth University Scholarship and Merit Award Exams are entirely optional exams for students applying for an undergraduate degree scheme at Aberystwyth that provide an opportunity to secure a financial award and/or unconditional offer.
  2. The exams will be online and you will need access to a school/college computer with Microsoft Word, internet connection, and a web browser (preferably Chrome, Firefox or Edge) in order to access and submit the exam papers. You, and your school/college, will be provided with full instructions prior to the exam day. If you have special circumstances that prevent you from completing the exams on a computer, please note this on your application form.
  3. Candidates who sit the Maths and Further Maths exams will be provided with additional guidance on how to submit their papers. 
  4. Candidates who choose to submit a Fine Art Portfolio or Photography Portfolio as one of their exams will be provided with additional guidance on how to submit their exam papers. Candidates must submit their portfolio digitally by the end of the day of the exams. In addition, please note that only ONE portfolio may be submitted for the Aberystwyth University Scholarships and Merit Awards Exams.
  5. You will sit TWO exams from the choice of subjects we offer (the choice of exam papers must be approved by the Department you have applied to study at).
  6. Each exam lasts for an hour and a half and both exams need to be taken on the same day.
  7. The exams are set and marked by our academic departments so they don’t follow any particular syllabus but they should be a similar standard to A-level exams. We do not offer marking schemes or feedback for exam papers.

What can be taken into the exams?

Candidates are not permitted to take mobile phones, smart watches or any similar digital devices into the Exams.  Unless specified otherwise below, no texts, dictionaries, atlases or other documents or equipment may be used:

  • Accounting & Finance- non-programmable calculators may be used.
  • Fine Art Portfolio – candidates must arrange to submit their portfolio digitally by the end of the day of the exams.
  • Business and Management – non-programmable calculators may be used. 
  • Chemistry – a periodic table is provided and a calculator may be used. 
  • Economics – non-programmable calculators may be used. 
  • Mathematics - Candidates may take into the examination any information booklets or statistical tables approved by their examining board for use in examinations. Candidates are permitted to use calculators, provided they comply with A level examining board regulations. 
  • Physics – all relevant information will be contained within the paper, but candidates may take into the examination room any ‘Information Booklets’ permitted by their Examining Boards for use in those examinations if they wish. Candidates are permitted to use calculators (provided they are silent, self-powered, without communication facilities, and incapable of holding text or other material that could be used to gain an unfair advantage).
  • Photography Portfolio – candidates must arrange to submit their portfolio digitally by the end of the day of the exams.

Results and Payment

Results

We aim to contact all candidates and Exams Officers 4-6 weeks of the exams taking place to notify them whether they have been successful, or unsuccessful in their attempt to secure a University Scholarship, Merit Award, and/or Unconditional Offer based on their performance in the exams. 

Payment*

Award holders in receipt of the University Scholarship or Merit Award will receive payments in two equal instalments (December and March) directly into their bank accounts once registered as a student with us. University Scholarship and Merit Award holders are reminded to enter their bank details onto their student portal (under 'Personal Information') in order for us to be able to make the payments. 

*Please note there is no financial award with the Unconditional Offer. 

Terms and Conditions

Information for Applicants

Guide for Applicants

Candidates are advised to familiarise themselves with our Guide for Applicants 2025 and accompanying Submission Upload Video.

If you are submitting a Fine Art Portfolio, Photography Portfolio, Mathematics or Further Mathematics Exam Paper, you will be using Blackboard Assignments to submit your paper(s). Candidates for these subjects are advised to review the Guidance for Fine Art Photography, Maths and Further Maths.

All candidates are advised to familiarise themselves with the Policy on Good and Unfair Academic Practice for the Exams.

Which exam papers should I choose?

1. Check your Departmental Requirements - In order to be considered for a financial award and/or unconditional offer, it is important to select exam papers that are acceptable to the Department(s) you have applied to study at.  
 
2. Choose relevant Exam Papers - Ensure you choose subjects that are relevant for the degree scheme(s) you wish to pursue. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have selected appropriate subjects. Failure to do so may affect your eligibility for an award.  
 
3. Review Past Papers - It’s a good idea to look at some of our past papers to get a feel of the type and level of questions asked, but please note that the format of exam papers may change from year to year. 

If you are applying for a course which includes a foundation year and you’re unsure about which subjects to choose, please email us: 
scholarships@aber.ac.uk 

Please note that Veterinary Science, Veterinary Nursing and Nursing applicants are not eligible to sit the exams.

What if I have special exam requirements?

Please consult with your Exams Officer regarding any arrangements you have in place for normal school/college exams.

Eligible candidates may be entitled to 25% extra time, and arrangements as per normal school examinations, please see our Policy on making reasonable adjustments for applicants sitting the Exams.

How do I apply?

  1. Seek permission from your Exams Officer to sit the online exams at your school/college on Friday, 7 February 2025. You will need their contact details on your application form. The deadline for applications is 4pm (UK Time) Friday, 31 January 2025. 

  2. Check our webpage for which 2 exam papers you should choose. Each department has specific requirements and it is your responsibility to choose subjects that are relevant to the degree scheme you wish to pursue. Failure to do so may affect your eligibility for an award. 

  3. Submit your online application*. This must be done in one sitting. You should receive a confirmation email following your submission. Please get in touch if you don’t receive this email: scholarships@aber.ac.uk  

*Interested international applicants should visit this webpage to check their eligibility before submitting an application. 

Please note that although you must have applied to study at Aberystwyth University by the closing date, you do not need to wait to receive an offer before you can apply to sit the exams. If unsuccessful in achieving a financial award and/or unconditional offer, your original offer will remain the same. Why not give the exams a go and see if you can enhance your offer? There’s nothing to lose! 

Information for Mature Applicants or Deferred Entry

Mature Applicants

We welcome applications from mature applicants but please note that you are not permitted to sit the exams if you have already been a student at any University for more than one semester. 

Deferred Entry

If you intend to defer your application to the University you can sit the exams and defer any award alongside your deferred entry. Alternatively, you may prefer to sit the exams whilst you're on your year out.

Information for International Applicants

Undergraduate international applicants from select countries may be eligible to sit the Aberystwyth University Scholarship and Merit Award Exams.

For further information, including the list of eligible countries, please check our webpage.

Benefactors

The provision of our Scholarships & Merit Awards has been made possible by generous donations from a number of benefactors over the years.

Some awards have eligibility restrictions in place, but it is not necessary to apply for a specific Scholarship – if your exam results are sufficiently high we will award a suitable Scholarship to you.

However, you should let us know if you are the son of a Nonconformist Minister and therefore eligible for consideration for the David Morgan Thomas of Caterham Memorial Scholarship.

We have published a list of our Benefactors and the terms and conditions associated with individual awards online.

Information for Schools and Colleges

Guidelines for Schools and Colleges

Please review our Guidelines for Schools and Colleges 2025.

Candidates are required to sit both papers in the same day. Schools may determine start times to suit their own timetables. The exams last for one and a half hours each.  

All instructions and materials for the exams will be sent to the nominated Examinations Officer approximately one week before the exams. 

There is no charge associated with sitting the exams, but the University is unable to contribute to any invigilation or room booking costs which may be incurred. Normal exam arrangements apply.

If you have any questions that have not been answered in the above document, please contact scholarships@aber.ac.uk.

Apply now