ABERYSTWYTH University has been ranked as the third best higher education institution in Wales in the influential Complete University Guide.

The university – ranked 53^rd overall in the UK overall, up five places from last year – finished behind Cardiff University and Swansea University – which were ranked 26^th and 42^nd in the UK respectively - in the Wales rankings.

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David, which has a campus in Lampeter, was ranked 103^rd in the UK – a fall of 12 places from last year – and 7^th overall in Wales with an overall score of 476 out of 1,000.

The scores for the Complete University Guide are based on criteria including Entry Standards, Student Satisfaction, Research Quality, and Graduate Prospects.

Aberystwyth University’s overall score of 605.

At subject level, both Aberystwyth University’s Agriculture & Forestry and Celtic Studies departments ranked fourth throughout the UK.

Every year the Complete University Guide releases UK university and subject league tables to support prospective students in making informed decisions about their future.

The regional league tables help people find the right university for them in their area and are also informative for local employers to know what skills people are coming to the area to develop.

Professor Amanda Chetwynd, Chair of the Complete University Guide Advisory Board, said: “Many prospective students in Wales are keen to find the best university in the local area. Complete University Guide’s regional league tables are a valuable source of information to give local prospective students a greater understanding of what higher education options there are in Wales.”