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The School of Law at Aberystwyth was founded in 1901, making it the oldest law school in Wales. Due to this, what is now the Department of Law and Criminology continues to have a good reputation in Wales and beyond. In the 2008 Times University Guide the department was ranked 39th, below Cardiff (38) and above Swansea(42), also ex-University of Wales institutions.

The Department also encompasses the Centre for Legal Practice which delivers the Legal Practice Course (LPC) program. On some modules, teaching is also available in welsh.

The Department is housed in the Hugh Owen building on the main Penglais campus, adjacent to the main library that also houses the law library. Most lectures take place in either A12 or the main Physics lecture theatre, the largest lecture theatres on the main campus. These are both comfortable and wheelchair-accessible, albeit, in the case of A12, rather cold.

Seminars are held in a variety of rooms across the main campus. The law library is well stocked and the librarians approachable and helpful. There is a computer room very close to the library with photocopying and printing facilities available. In addition, there is a wireless connection available throughout the main campus.

The LL.M Programmes that run at Abrystwyth include, an LL.M in Environmental Law and Management, an LL.M in International Business Law and an LL.M in Information Technology.

LLM's in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law are currently under development. The Law Department comprises of 25 lecturers as well as post-graduate tutors and other support staff. Staff are generally approachable with a mixture of published office hours and ‘open-door’ policies.

Like most universities, students are expected to put in a high number of self-study hours. Contact time (lectures and seminars) is usually about 16 hours a week.

Aberystwyth is a quiet seaside town that is almost universally loved by its student population. Crime is very low and the town centre extensively covered by cctv, with visible police patrols during the night.

In addition to the University Arts centre which offers a mixture of theatre, film and music the town has one cinema – the Commodore. This is a very reasonably priced single screen cinema which has the advantage of its own bar (drinks can be taken in to watch the film). Since the cinema only shows one film at a time expect most films to arrive in Aberystwyth about two weeks after their general release.

In terms of shopping opportunities, Aberystwyth has a large number of lovely small boutique shops. It does not however have any large supermarkets, which can be a bit strange at first, but all necessities are easily available.

For all EU and UK residents it will cost £3,390 for the full-time course and £1,695 for the part-time.

As an overseas student these fees change to £8,695 for full-time and £4,350 for part-time.

The Union offers a variety of events including free film showings, comedy and poker nights. In addition, the town has two ‘nightclubs’ – The Bay and Pier Pressure and a huge number of pubs. Most student socialising takes place in the town rather than in the Students’ Union. Most drinks in most bars are under £2. There are a number of sports clubs and societies on campus with most tastes are catered for.

The student law society has been through difficult times, though has regrouped somewhat over the last year and looks to become more active in coming years. The department has a very active Mooting society which in addition to participation in internal and external competition organises mock trials, visiting speakers and film nights. Starting in 2008 the Department will also have an Innocence Project.

Careers advice is primarily given by the Centre for Legal Practice. Each year there are a series of workshops run on topics such as finding a training contract, writing a CV, and finding work experience. A CV advice service is also available on a drop-in basis in the main careers advice centre on campus.