Aberystwyth University - Merit Award

Aberystwyth University Merit Award

In your first year at Aberystwyth University in Wales, you will receive a one-off 1,150 EUR (£1,000), which is paid in two equal instalments in December and March. You will also receive an unconditional UCAS offer, meaning your place on the course is guaranteed regardless of your final exam results. Each year, the university awards up to 100 ‘Merit Awards’, which are awarded solely on the basis of your marks in two written entrance examinations. The winners are those applicants whose marks are just below those of the university’s scholarship recipients.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are applying for a Bachelor’s degree programme at Aberystwyth University.
• Application in place: You have applied to Aberystwyth University via UCAS within the deadline. Your application may not yet have been fully processed.
• Field of study: Almost all subjects are eligible. You cannot take part if you are applying to study veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing or nursing.
• Where you sit the exams: The examinations take place at your own school or university, so this offer is primarily aimed at students residing in the United Kingdom. Applicants from some other countries may also be able to take part.
• Exam subjects: You choose two subjects that are relevant to your chosen degree programme, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, economics, business administration or fine art (portfolio). The award of your degree depends solely on these results.

How to apply

First, ask the examination officer at your school or university to approve the arrangements. Then submit your online registration by 27 January 2026, 9:00 (to take part in 2026). On the same day, 3 February 2026, you will sit two 90-minute exams at your own school or university. The results will be available approximately four to six weeks later. If you do not pass, your original offer of admission will remain valid.

How realistic are your chances?

With up to 100 awards per year, in addition to the 50 university scholarships, this is more of a wide-ranging programme than a single, high-profile prize, so the chances of success are better than with one-off national awards. Success depends entirely on your two examination papers, so students who prepare well in the subjects in which they are already strong will be rewarded. As there are no downsides to not winning the prize, it is worth sitting the exams as soon as you have applied to Aberystwyth.