Founded by Royal Charter in 1893, the University of Wales is the degree-awarding body for the vast majority of higher education students in Wales, as well as for many at other higher education institutions in the United Kingdom and overseas.

It currently accredits nine university institutions in Wales to award its degrees; these are:
Aberystwyth University
Bangor University
Swansea University
University of Wales, Lampeter
University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
University of Wales, Newport
North East Wales Institute of Higher Education
Swansea Institute of Higher Education
Trinity College, Carmarthen

The University is the degree-awarding authority not only for these Accredited and Affiliated Institutions, but also for over 100 other higher education institutions both within the United Kingdom and overseas, with which it also enjoys close links. Annually, it awards around 15,000 initial degrees and more than 4,000 higher degrees, making it the second largest degree-awarding body in the United Kingdom. The number of students, from all over the world, pursuing University of Wales degrees is more than 80,000, and their studies cover almost the full range of subjects.

In addition, the University provides services to the higher education sector in Wales, such as the Gregynog study and conference centre and the University of Wales Press, and runs a highly-respected research centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies.

The University is a major national institution in Wales. While it is, of course, committed to helping to fulfil the educational and economic needs of Wales and to supporting its linguistic, cultural, and national heritage, the University is also committed to its international role and to enhancing its standing across the UK and overseas.

More information are available at the University of Wales website