10 reasons why you should study at Bangor

An image of a group of students on graduation day

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1. Academic Excellence
2. Student Support
3. Learning Resources
4. Excellent Location
5. Social Life
6. Careers and Opportunities
7. Accommodation
8. Low Living costs
9. A student orientated city
10. A sporty Location

Academic Excellence

Did you know?An assessment by the UK Publishing Group ResearchResearch named Bangor as one of a handful of UK universities whose research progress was outstanding, while the latest RAE confirmed that world leading research is being carried out across Bangor University.

Bangor University was established in 1884 and has a long tradition of academic excellence that continues to this day. We have exceptionally high standards across a wide range of subjects, reflecting the University’s huge commitment to research and postgraduate expansion. A multi-million pound investment in new academic posts and facilities is further strengthening teaching and research at Bangor.

We have unique clusters of research excellence where we draw on local resources. Located on the banks of the Menai Straits, we are one of the top UK venues for Ocean Sciences enjoying the use of a state-of-the-art, purpose built research vessel: Prince Madog, a rare and outstanding facility which provides students with practical experience at sea. Our ESRC funded centre for the study of bilingualism is the first research centre in the UK to focus specifically on bilingualism, while our School of Psychology recently took possession of a new generation MRI (high field Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanner, which is the first of its kind to be delivered and installed in the UK, and which will have a significant impact on cognitive neuroscience in Bangor and across Wales. At Bangor, our staff conduct joint research projects with academic colleagues world-wide and our centres of expertise attract academics, researchers and students from all over the world.

At Bangor you can study a wide range of subjects from within the following colleges:

Bangor’s RAE 2008 Results

Student Support

Did you know?Bangor University has been rated the top university in the UK for the help and support provided for students by the Times Higher Education Supplement

Bangor has one of the largest Peer Guiding schemes of any UK university. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be given as much help and support as possible with health and welfare matters as well as your academic work. The Student Services Centre provides a wide range of support services for students, from Counselling services to money advice to advice on housing. It’s a one stop shop for all of the information you need.

To help you settle in to the University in your first few weeks, we have one of the largest Peer Guiding schemes, so there is always another student you can turn to for some help or advice.

Student Support Services are based on the First Floor of Neuadd Rathbone. more

Learning Resources

Did you know? We have over 1000 computers for students' use, of these 200 are available 24hrs a day!

The University has an impressive range of learning resources. We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available on line in full-text format. In addition to the Main Library for humanities and social sciences, is the Science Library in Adeilad Deiniol. A Study Support Room is housed in each of these libraries, with assistive technology such as CCTVs, scanners and braille embossers. From our state-of-the-art public catalogue (UNicat) you see what we have in stock and actually access some of the material via the Web. Each site has an Issue Desk with friendly staff who make sure that material is issued, returned or reserved efficiently.

There are a number of open-access computer rooms strategically located across the campus. All Halls of Residence offer network access from individual study-bedrooms.

We have a range of other learning resources which support specific subject areas inlcuding, a Multi-media Language Centre, a Centre for Hill and Upland Management, a brand-new £3.5M ocean-going Research Ship, a Natural History Museum and the Treborth Botanic Gardens that is a home to a large underground root research laboratory.

Excellent Location

Did you know? Bangor's been voted one of the best places to be a Student.

A survey by the Accommodation for Students website of the best student rated university towns and cities in the UK according to the facilities and location has Bangor as one of the best places in the country.

Bangor is situated between Snowdonia and the sea, and it is one of the most attractive study locations in the UK. The size and nature of Bangor means that it is easy to get to know people and our students settle in immediately.

Located close to mountains, lakes and forests of the Snowdonia National Park, and miles of dramatic coastline, Bangor is also a convenient base for all kinds of outdoor sports and activities.

Bangor is the region's main cultural and shopping centre. The City centre has two modern shopping centres, and a good mix of national chain stores and smaller shops.

Where classical music is concerned, Bangor offers one of the most varied concert programmes of any British university. more

Social Life

Did you know? Bangor was the chosen location for BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2010. Members of the University Choir got the chance to sing on stage with Florence and the Machine.

The Students' Union offers a wide range of student-run clubs and societies from international and religious societies including the Christian Union, Islamic Society and Japanese Society to incredibly varied clubs like Beer and Ale society, Drama society and DJ Society. Whatever you’re interested in there’s bound to be a club here for you here at Bangor and if there isn’t, you can always set one up!

Your time as a student is the ideal opportunity to try out something new or get together with people who share the same interests and hobbies as you.

Recent gigs at Bangor have included performers such as Athlete, The Ordinary Boys, The Pigeon Detectives, We are Scientists, Supergrass, Tim Westwood and Trevor Nelson.

The city centre has all the facilities students would expect from a University city, nightlife, great shopping experience including high street branded stores, shops selling food from all over the world, a wide range of restaurants and eating places offering cuisine from eg India, China and Italy. All of these, as well as popular student pubs and take-ways in the busy Upper Bangor.

The city has rail connections with the rest of the UK and a bus station for long distance and local travel. more

Careers and opportunities

Did you know? Our Careers and Employability Services is recognised nationally as being one of the most active careers services in the UK

Our Careers and Employability Services provides a range of resources, practical advice and support to help students decide what they want to do when they graduate. Whether you are a first year student, or are half-way through your degree or a finalist or postgraduate, it is likely that the Careers Centre will be able to help you in some way and will continue to do so for three years after graduation.

The centre will help students find part time, temporary or vacation work, or help you look for work experience or voluntary work. The Centre is also committed to helping students and graduates to be more enterprising whether they want to be self-employed, freelance consultants or in regular employment. More

Accommodation

Did you know? The University recently opened brand new halls of residence providing new en-suite rooms for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

At Bangor, we guarantee accommodation for all first year students. We have over 2,300 rooms available within easy walking distance of the University, that includes some 1450 en-suite study rooms.

Bangor has a lower cost of living than many parts of the UK and Hall fees reflect this - they also include all bills for heating, electricity and hot water!

Low living costs

Did you know? The cost of living in Bangor is much lower than in other parts of the UK

Market research shows that the cost of living in Bangor is much lower than in other parts of the UK. According to The Independent’s A-Z of Universities and Higher Education Colleges, Bangor is “one of the cheapest places in Britain” to be a student. The Independent also placed Bangor 4th most cost effective location for students in their Student Living Index Guide for 2008

We can help you to find part-time work while you’re here (through the Centre for Careers and Opportunities) and there is financial support available. Visit the Undergraduate Finance pages for more information.

Student orientated city

Did you know? All our Halls of Residence are within easy walking disatnace from the city centre.

The size and friendly nature of Bangor means it is easy to get to know people and our students settle in immediately; students make up a large percentage of the city's population and much of the entertainment and nightlife is geared towards students. Student surveys show that a high proportion of students choose Bangor because of the small and friendly nature of the University and the town.

Most of our buildings and student residences are a short walk from the city centre where you’ll find the longest High Street in Wales, two modern shopping centres and a good mix of national chain stores and smaller local businesses. Compared to many other university cities the crime rate for North Wales is one of the lowest in the UK.

A sporty location

Did you know? Whether you want to enjoy a relaxing walk along the Menai straits or enjoy a little fell-walking or mountaineering, you’ll find a high concentration of opportunities in Bangor.

Bangor is exceptionally well-situated and well-equipped for students interested in sport – especially those involving the great outdoors and team sports such as rugby, hockey and football. If you are already interested in outdoor pursuits you will be spoilt for choice by the full range of opportunities available on the univeristy’s doorstep. Maesglas, our main sports and recreation centre has recently been extended and upgraded with a National Lottery grant and has two main sports halls, three well-equipped rooms for cardiovascular exercise and weights training, a gymnasium, a climbing wall with two ascents of different difficulties and a bouldering wall, plus four squash courts. We have grass pitches for soccer and rugby, a new synthetic grass pitch for hockey and training, and a modern athletics track and field sports facility shared with Gwynedd Council. more