51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

The 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Wales (or Prifysgol Cymru in Welsh) was established in Cardiff, Wales by Royal Charter in 1893, making it the first and oldest university of Wales and the second largest university in the UK.

At that point, it had three constituent colleges which were 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ College Wales, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ College North Wales and 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ College South Wales and Monmouthshire - which are now the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Aberystwyth, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Bangor and 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Cardiff. Several more colleges were incorporated over the years, including Swansea (now Swansea 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ) and St. David¡¯s College (now part of the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Wales: Trinity Saint David).

It remained the only university in Wales until the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Glamorgan was set up in 1992. As a federal university, its makeup is now similar to that of the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of London, with a series of member organisations. Its motto is "the best inspiration is truth".

In 2007, the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Wales changed from a federal structure to a confederal one and many of the constituent colleges became independent universities. And since 2017, the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Wales has been functionally integrated with the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Wales Trinity Saint David.

The 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Wales¡¯ administrative office is located in Cardiff's Civic Centre. Through the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ¡¯s support for the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies (CAWCS), Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru (The Welsh Dictionary), Gregynog Hall (bequeathed to the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ in the 1960¡¯s) and the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Wales Press, it helped to promote and celebrate the language, heritage and culture of Wales.

Founded in 1922, The 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Wales Press publishes around 70 books a year in both English and Welsh. The university also has a study and conference centre at Gregynog, near Newtown.