Aberystwyth University Open Day Guide
Aberystwyth open days are well-organised but require some planning on the visitor side, mainly because the town is remote and accommodation books up fast. This guide covers the practical logistics — getting there, where to stay, what happens on the day, and how to make the most of the visit if you are combining it with seeing the town.
When Open Days Run
Undergraduate open days typically run in October and in late spring (usually May or June). Postgraduate events are held at other points in the year. The university publishes dates well in advance — check the Aberystwyth University website for confirmed dates before booking travel or accommodation.
October open days coincide with the Aberystwyth Comedy Festival (first weekend of October) — which further reduces accommodation availability. If your open day is in early October, book accommodation as far ahead as possible.
Getting There
By train: Aberystwyth station is the end of the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury (around 2 hours). The university runs free shuttle coaches from the station to campus on open day mornings — check the current timetable on the university website as departure times vary. The walk from the station to campus is around 30–40 minutes uphill; the coach is the practical option.
By car: The main approach is the A44 from the east (from Rhayader and the Midlands) or the A487 from the north or south along the coast. Campus parking is on Penglais Road and adjacent areas and is signposted on open days. Parking fills early on busy open days — arriving by 9am gives the best chance of a campus space. If campus is full, town centre car parks are available and the shuttle coach can be picked up from the station.
What Happens on the Day
Open days typically include: a welcome session, subject-specific talks and tours with academic staff, a student Q&A, accommodation viewings and a campus tour. The format is well-established and the university’s student satisfaction record (top in Wales for ten consecutive years) is reflected in how open days are run — staff are accessible and the day is focused on giving applicants a realistic picture.
The campus sits above the town on Penglais Hill with views across Cardigan Bay. On a clear day the setting is one of the more striking of any UK university open day. On a grey October day the hill and the weather are both worth factoring into your first impression — they are accurate representations of the place.
The Night Before
If you are travelling from the Midlands, north-west England or further, arriving the evening before the open day is the most practical approach. The town is pleasant in the evening: the promenade, a meal at one of the seafront restaurants, and a look around the town centre gives a good first impression of what student life here actually looks like.
See where to stay for accommodation options. Book early for October visits. See restaurants and pubs for evening options.
After the Open Day
If you have time after the formal programme, the town is 20 minutes downhill on foot from campus. The promenade and seafront give a useful sense of what day-to-day life here looks like outside the university context. The Cliff Railway and castle are both worth a look if you have an afternoon free.
For everything relevant to the decision about whether to study here, see the prospective student guide — covering the location question, Welsh language and culture, cost of living and student life in honest detail.
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