Wrexham University

History, Affiliations and Rankings

Established in 1887 as the Wrexham School of Science and Art, Wrexham Glyndwr University (WGU) achieved University status in 2008. It was in this year that the University got its present name, after Owain Glyndwr, the fierce Welsh leader who fought relentlessly against the English rule in Wales in the Middle Ages. Throughout the 20th century, the University underwent a series of mergers and campus expansions to meet the rising demand for courses. Today, Wrexham Glyndwr is a vibrant, inclusive and ambitious community of learners in North Wales known for its research orientation, teaching quality and graduate outcomes. One of the youngest universities in the UK, Wrexham Glyndwr is a supporter of the Concordat for the Career Development of Researchers, which aims to increase sustainability of research careers and quality and integrity of research in the UK. Wrexham Glyndwr is a “high-riser,” meaning that it showed an incredible climb of 41 places in the Guardian Best UK Universities League Table in 2022, rising from #107 in 2021 to #66 in 2022. 

Infrastructure, Campuses and Courses

Wrexham Glyndwr University is spread across three campuses - the largest and the oldest Wrexham campus, the rural Northop campus for Animal Sciences education, and the cutting-edge St. Asaph campus for Science and Technology. Each campus, distinct in its identity, offers world-class, modern and agile facilities, some of which have been renovated recently as part of a massive campus upgrade project. Also, WGU’s location makes it within easy reach of the major metropolises of Chester, Manchester and Liverpool. The University’s academic divisions consist of two Faculties, namely, the Faculties of Arts, Science and Technology and Social and Life Science. Across these Faculties, WGU offers Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses, along with part-time study options, short courses and online programs. There are 15+ subject areas to choose from, including programs in Art and Design, Built Environment, Business, Criminology and Policing, Engineering, Humanities, Nursing and Allied Health, Media, Psychology and Counseling, Social and Community Work and more. International students can also opt for a foundation year, which is a pathway program for developing academic knowledge and English language skills to prepare for University-level study. They can also enroll in the Computing or Engineering Summer School, or in one of the various Language courses at WGU for short-term study. MPhil and PhD degrees are also offered, under the name of the University of Chester. 

Accomplishments and Alumni

Wrexham Glyndwr University is one of the Youngest Universities in the UK that ranks #2 nationally for Students Satisfied with Teaching in the Guardian UK Universities Guide 2022. The same publication also recognizes Glyndwr as a “High-Riser,” because of its incredible climb of 41 places in UK Universities rankings to #66 in 2022. For 4 consecutive years, the University is ranked #1 in England and Wales and joint first in the UK for Social Inclusion by the Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 in recognition of its widening access to education regardless of socio-economic barriers. Further, recently two students from Glyndwr University won gold and medals for Forensic Science and Cyber Security respectively, at the prestigious WorldSkills UK National finals. Also, Dylana Rhys Jones, the criminal lawyer who represented Wales’ most notorious serial killer, recently joined Wrexham Glynwr as a Senior Lecturer in Law. Some of the notable alumni of the University are - Andrew Gywnne (Shadow Minister for Public Health of United Kingdom), Max Sarin (Penciller and Cartoonist), Vitaliy Baranov (Ice Dancer), and Edna Astbury-Ward (Reproductive Health and Human Sexuality Researcher). 

Student Diversity and Visiting Companies

Wrexham Glyndwr University has a student population of 6,000+ students with 1,740 students enrolled in full-time study on the campus. Out of the overall student population, 480+ enrollments come from outside the UK constituting the international students on campus. Further, more than half of the student body constitutes women students, who number nearly 3,700. On the campus, students can access several social learning spaces that are contemporary, modern areas such as the Study and the Gallery, where students can socialize and collaborate on creative projects. Student life at this university is as vibrant inside as much as it is outside the campus. Wrexham, being a city steeped in heritage and scenic beauty, offers dynamic entertainment opportunities, thriving culture and plenty of adventures and recreational activities. This not only enables students to immerse with the locals, but also build deep connections with peers. Wrexham Glyndwr University provides dedicated student support services to all the students, including everything from career planning and gaining work experience to health and wellbeing services. Students at Glyndwr can participate in the GO Wales Achieve Through Work Experience Project to build their employability skills and confidence along with networking with contacts in their industry. Airbus, Coleg Cambria, NHS, Tesco, Kellogg Company, Moneypenny and other corporations recruit graduates from Wrexham Glyndwr University.