Wales is one of the 4 countries of the United Kingdom, with a devolved government and it's own parliament, the Senedd. In it’s Science strategy the Welsh Government is committed to building a strong and dynamic science base that supports the economic and national development of Wales.
Excellence in higher education and fundamental research are key elements in the Welsh science strategy, as well as supporting innovation through partnerships between academia and business. You can read more about the Science strategy for Wales here: https://www.gov.wales/science
Medr, the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research, is responsible for regulating the tertiary education and research sector in Wales. As well as providing funding for higher education teaching, research and innovation, and supporting Welsh Government priorities for higher education. Find out more here: https://www.medr.cymru/en/
News from Wales
Through its universities and academia-industry collaborations, Wales is actively promoting education and research and development:
Charter to develop healthcare innovation in Wales
Key players in the industry have signed up to a collaborative approach to healthcare innovation that will integrate policy aims across health and the economy in Wales. This strategy will prioritise innovation in healthcare medicines and technologies in Wales, with a focus on value created for people and communities. Find out more on Life Sciences Hub Wales site here.
Ser Cymru (Stars Wales)
Sêr Cymru IV, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething announced a new funding round worth £10 million over two years (2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025) for the internationally recognised Sêr Cymru programme to help build a “strong and dynamic” scientific research base in Wales.
SCoRE Cymru - Supporting Collaborative Research and innovation in Europe
This government grant supports excellence in collaborative research and innovation in Europe. Find out more about the grant scheme here.
Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC)
The University of South Wales has a strong focus on sustainable environment research. The SERC has a multi-disciplinary team investigating low carbon energy solutions including renewable hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cells. Find out more.
Wales Innovation Network
The Wales Innovation Network was established in response to 2020 report, ‘Strength in Diversity’, which recommended the creation of a network to tap into the diversity of Wales’ research and innovation capacity through collaboration. The network has strengthened alliances across universities in Wales, Network also supports collaboration with a wide range of private, public and third sector bodies, strengthening knowledge exchange throughout Wales.
World’s largest optical telescope
Wrexham University (formerly Glyndŵr University) in north-east Wales established a niche in high-precision optics and opto-electronic technologies; the university developed prototype mirror segments for the world’s largest optical telescope, the Extremely Large Telescope, which will be sited in Chile
Universities
Wales has 8 higher education (HE) institutions. Or 9 when including The Open University in Wales (the Open University is also UK-wide).
Every year, Welsh universities welcome 22,000 international students from over 135 countries to learn and grow with them. 20% of Cardiff’s population are students, making the city feel safe, friendly and international.
In the latest UK-wide assessment of the quality of research (REF 2021), published last summer, 89% of Welsh university research was rated as "internationally excellent" or "world-leading" for impact. A selection of REF impact case studies can be found here.
Useful Links
Welsh Assembly Government
Universities in Wales | Study in Wales
Aberystwyth University
Bangor University
Cardiff University
Cardiff Metropolitan University
The Open University in Wales
Swansea University
University of South Wales
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Wrexham University
