Institute of Arts and Humanities: Live and learn in an exceptional environment

13 Dec 2016

In this day and age, with STEM graduates on the rise and populating the workforce, there seems to be a persistent, nagging assumption that a liberal arts degree no longer holds any job market value, and that graduates struggle to find rewarding employment roles.

But those sold on this misconception could not be further from the truth. An education in arts and humanities is undoubtedly invaluable; it pushes the boundaries of the human mind to help create an understanding of complex human issues, ideas and perceptions, encouraging you to think critically and independently, and to speak articulately. These are traits that are every graduate would do well to have, regardless of where they hope their career will take them.

According to Fast Company, CEOs still believe that employees trained in the liberal arts add value to their companies. It is a sentiment that Steve Jobs agrees with saying, “It’s technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields the results that make our hearts sing.” Skills like creativity and critical thinking are where arts and humanities graduates excel, and what global employers desire for their businesses.

Arts and humanities graduates are also skilled communicators, both orally and in writing, and this comes in especially handy during those tough boardroom presentations, exhaustive brainstorm sessions with fellow colleagues, or when dealing with clients. As Bloomberg reports, communication skills are among the three most sought after skills that employers look for in a prospective hire, along with creative problem-solving and strategic thinking.

So, if you’re thinking of majoring in the arts and humanities, we’ve found a university that produces graduates with a well-balanced skill set, ensuring they have a great head start over their peers in an increasingly competitive market.

Why study at Aberystwyth University?

At Aberystwyth University, students are offered a stimulating learning environment and exceptional experience. With a long, rich history of teaching the arts, it’s one of the few British universities to have emerged from the Art and Crafts movement, incorporating the Fine Arts and Art History education to cater to a brand-new group of students.

“Our exceptional teaching staff strive to engage and enthuse by teaching content that’s relevant to the modern world. This helps us produce employable graduates who are passionate about their subjects and who may go on to make a difference in the world,” says Professor John Grattan, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University.

It’s no wonder the university has been ranked the best in Wales for student experience, and 4^th overall in the UK. Here’s a little taste of what the arts and humanities at Aberystwyth University can offer:-

School of Art

The school offers five undergraduate degrees, which are BA Single Honours Fine Art – which gained a 100 percent student satisfaction in the NSS 2016 and ranks as the best student experience in the UK – Art History, Joint Honours Fine Art and Art History and Creative Arts. One of the many things School of Art students benefit from is first-rate employment prospects, with 100 percent of last year’s cohort finding meaningful work or further study within six months of graduation. But the real-world work experience starts long before leaving Aberystwyth School of Art, since its Gallery and Museum – an accredited treasury with internationally-recognised collections – is actually one of the few in the UK where students can gain a respected and relevant placement alongside their degree.

Additionally, the school, which also encompasses a distinctive research team, has made spectacular impact in the research world, with 100 percent of the School’s research deemed ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’. For those hoping to further their studies after a degree can choose from the six full-time and part-time postgraduate degrees offered at the School of Art.

Department of English and Creative Writing

Prospective students looking to sharpen their writing skills couldn’t find a better place, since the English and Creative Writing programmes at Aberystwyth have received a 96 percent rate for student satisfaction. The Department hosts world-class teaching staff who are internationally recognised scholars and authors, gracing students with a wealth of valuable industry experience. Students can choose from the following undergraduate degrees: English Literature, English & Creative Writing, Creative Writing, Joint Honours Programmes and postgraduate degrees – Literary Studies, Literary Studies and Creative Writing, and Creative Writing. On top of being third in the UK for high quality feedback, the Department was also ranks top in the UK for learning resources, and 92 percent of students are in work or further study six months after graduation.

Department of Modern Languages

If you’ve always wanted to learn a new language, now you can at Aberystwyth, where Modern Languages rank as a top 10 department for student satisfaction. Its programmes are among the nation’s best, scoring a 98 per cent for overall teaching quality across all languages offered at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. Students will be placed in beginner’s or advanced level where they will study linguistics, modern literature, culture, and history in one of the four languages: French – ranked first in the UK for student satisfaction – German – also coming in as one of the nation’s top 10 courses – Italian or Spanish.

Each course also offers a ‘Year Abroad’ programme in a particular country, depending on the language you’re learning.

School of Education

Aberystwyth was the first to offer an undergraduate degree in Education, and has developed into a prestigious centre for education studies, with specialisms in Childhood Studies and Education and International Development. For students who strive for teaching excellence, this is an excellent course, as you will be introduced to a range of academic disciplines, and are given the chance to draw on your personal experiences of learning. The department provides all students with fantastic learning opportunities in a supportive environment, in the UK’s top 20 institution for student satisfaction.

International English Centre

Accredited by the British Council, the centre offers several English courses for international students. You can choose between General English courses, Degree Preparation courses, or Summer courses. If you’re not sure which to join, you can speak to a language consultant for free. Each consultant provided by the university also offers support and guidance, like advising on written assignments and oral presentations.

Department of Theatre, Film & Television

If you’re always been a fan of the performing arts, here’s your chance to turn your passion into a career. With accessible placement opportunities with industry giants like the BBC, and the most cutting edge equipment, you can rest assured that an Aberystwyth education in Theatre, Film and Television is a sound investment. The department offers a variety of subject-specific talks, workshops, seminars and lectures based on research-led teaching and creative practice. With such a unique way of storytelling and learning, it’s no wonder graduates of the department have given it a 91 percent satisfaction rate this year. Click on the links to find out more about the specific undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered.

Department of Welsh & Celtic Studies

Top in the UK (NSS 2016), and with a graduate employment record of a 100 percent, students who are interested in learning more about Welsh and Celtic studies should definitely apply. Graduates of this major have been known to have careers in academia, teaching, administration, heritage industry, the media and public sector, locally and internationally. Students can choose to do either an undergraduate or postgraduate programme, taught by world-leading experts and with access to the finest collections of Welsh literary heritage at the neighbouring National Library of Wales.

Without a doubt, Aberystwyth University is the complete package. With world-leading research centres, an overall student satisfaction rating which ranks it as the 4^th best university in the UK, and one of the highest graduate employment rates, it’s not difficult to see why students are flocking to this outstanding institution.

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