The university is central to life in "Aber": in a town of 13,000 people, the addition of 7,500 students is going to make an impact. There's plenty of things to do – not least because the student union is one of the oldest and most active in the UK. The university performed well in the latest national research audit, with its geography and earth science department rated top of all Welsh institutions. Its graduates can be found in every walk of life, from Booker Prize Shortlisted Author Sarah Hall, to first minister of Wales Carwyn Howell Jones. The town itself, while small, has a lovely, breezy position on the west coast of Wales, and is known for a thriving local music scene. Good transport links, too, should you need to get away. Facilities Aberystwyth arts centre, recognised as a national centre for arts development, is a department of the university, so expect lots of arty goings-on. The university library is very well equipped, but should it fall short you can always pay a visit to the National Library of Wales, which is based in Aberystwyth. It's one of six legal deposit libraries in the United Kingdom and Ireland, which means it is entitled to request free of charge a copy of everything published in the United Kingdom Transport Although it's out on the west coast, trains will whisk you to Birmingham and beyond. Road links will take you to north or south-west Wales with ease.