Student life in Aberystwyth

The medical students who followed the Communal and Rural Education Route have reflected in the student blogs about their “once in a lifetime experience”, as Angharad has put it, following these longitudinal clerckship studies in Aberystwyth, with its friendly inclusive population praised for welcoming internationals, LGBTQ+ and BAME’s students and staff.

They joined some of the 80 Aberystwyth University student led societies holding regular socials and events. They have enjoyed training with some of the 50 Aberystwyth University sports clubs ranging from Rugby League, caving, ultimate frisbee, swimming and water polo to sailing, athletics, kickboxing, surf club, etc. Many student societies and sports clubs organise day trips for their members. The medical students have made friends for life there with some Aberystwyth University undergraduates and postgraduates. They are offered a year’s membership to the Sports Centre, with free access to 60 group exercise classes held every week, a swimming pool, a sauna, a gym, an indoor climbing wall, some sports halls, a running track etc.

There is plenty of opportunity to go out in Aberystwyth with a choice of two cinemas and many events, festivals, exhibitions and classes held in the largest Arts Centre in Wales. Aberystwyth also benefits from several night clubs and more coffee shops, pubs and restaurants where you can meet friends in town than anyone can dream of.

Many evening and daytime Welsh classes are held by Learn Welsh (learnwelsh@aber.ac.uk) to cater for all levels and abilities. Local native speakers are always happy to speak Welsh with new and experienced Welsh learners.

Both groups of students in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 have been extremely positive about their experience and the learning opportunities that rural medicine has had to offer. A high proportion of the students have said that they want to come back to Aberystwyth to do their foundation jobs at Bronglais General Hospital and are considering a career in rural general practice.

Find out more about the Rural Education Route on the CARER blog.

Watch the video about medical studies and applying to medical schools.

To get more information about medical studies and the Rural Education Route, contact: cmestaff@aber.ac.uk or leave a message in the contact page of this website.

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