Bangor University

One of the best UK universities for student satisfaction

For the third year in a row, Bangor University has made it into the top ten for student satisfaction in the most recent National Student Survey (NSS 2019). The survey covers the UK’s non-specialist institutions.

The survey, which runs every year, sees more than 330,000 students who are graduating from a UK university give feedback on their student experience.

Bangor has ranked 9th out of all the UK’s non-specialist universities, with an overall rating of 88 per cent for student satisfaction. The UK average is 84 per cent, and the Welsh average is 85 per cent.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Oliver Turnbull, commented, “Bangor University has been providing excellent teaching and strong support for students for more than 130 years, and I’m delighted to see that the results of the survey yet again reflect this. The fact that we have been ranked in the top ten of UK Universities for three years in succession proves that students at Bangor are delighted with their choice of university.”

The university provides various support services to its students on a range of matters, from managing finances to finding a graduate job. Services include:

International Student Ambassadors

There are a large number of International Student Ambassadors who support international students from the application process right up to graduation.

Peer guides

Peer guides help new students settle into university life and assists them with anything they require regarding university facilities.

Student counselling

The counselling service provides a wide range of resources to help students with any academic or non-academic issues. Workshops run throughout the year, and students can have confidential appointments with a professional counsellor.

Disability support

Students with any physical or sensory impairment, including specific learning difficulties, enduring health conditions and mental health difficulties, can seek advice from the dedicated support staff. The team works hard to ensure that all students are included within both the academic and social communities.

Study Skills Centre

The university’s Study Skills Centre provides one-to-one appointments, workshops, facilitated writing spaces, and learning resources to help students develop academically.

Bangor has one of the lowest student crime rates in Wales, making it a safe study environment. All of the university’s accommodation is staffed by hall wardens and a well-trained team of individuals who are entrusted with the security of students, as well as 24-hour assistance.

The Security Team operates across a wide geographical area, ensuring the security of the university’s buildings, estate and occupants. The Security Team is also responsible for patrolling university car parks and ensuring that emergency exits and accesses are kept clear at all times.

General Security Assistance

The security staff offer advice and support on general issues. If students have any enquiries or need non-emergency assistance, at any time, they can either call one of the security lodges or contact the Security Control Centre. The Security Control Centre will then either give advice or arrange for help.

Emergency Assistance

The Security Team provides an around the clock service, 365 days a year. All security staff at the university are qualified to give First Aid in an emergency situation.

To study at Bangor University, prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students need to meet the course-specific academic requirements.

International students will also need to meet the English Language requirements. The level of English required depends on the student’s chosen course and country of origin.

Pre-sessional English courses

Those who cannot meet the English language requirements can pursue a pre-sessional English course at Bangor before beginning their academic programme.

Taught by the English Language Centre for Overseas Students (ELCOS), pre-sessional courses are intensive language programmes that are suitable for a range of levels. Courses help international students to improve their English skills and reach an IELTS score of 6.0, or equivalent.

To be eligible for a pre-sessional English course, students have a small number of requirements to meet, including an offer to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level at Bangor.

Bangor University has a wide variety of modern facilities, including:

Arts and Innovation Centre

The new Arts and Innovation Centre, Pontio, houses the Students’ Union as well as a cinema, theatre, lounges, cafes and food outlets. It also has great facilities for outdoor and indoor sports, including:

• Badminton
• Volleyball
• Archery
• Fitness classes
• Athletics
• Track
• Martial arts

Library and Archives Service

Bangor has an extensive collection of books and journals available on- and off-line. It also has databases, DVDs and CDs, microform material, a manuscript collection, archives, and special collections.

The university’s four libraries – the Main Arts Library, Adeilad Deiniol Library, Normal Site Library and Health Studies Library in Wrexham – provide attractive study environments with flexible spaces to suit all learning and research needs. This includes collaborative work areas, social learning spaces, postgraduate study areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.

Accommodation

Bangor ranked 3^rd in the UK for student accommodation by Whatuni in 2019. The university’s accommodation provides students the opportunity to live in halls, meet new people, make new friends and enjoy a sense of community. It offers 2,800 rooms for international students to choose from.

Other options include standard halls with shared bathrooms, en-suite rooms, studios and townhouses, where all are self-catered. There is security on-site 24/7, and support staff which includes a large team of senior wardens and student wardens.

Accommodation prices include free internet access, gym membership, heating, lighting, hot water, electricity, security, furniture, and Campus Life activities

Gym

Students living in the university’s halls of residence receive free gym membership. All students can use the facilities at Canolfan Brailsford, the university’s sports centre, and those living in St Mary's Village have access to the on-site fitness room.

Bangor University has a number of bursaries and scholarships worth over GBP 1 million available, with several dedicated to international students.

Bangor International Scholarships

• All self-funding international applicants receive a scholarship of GBP 2,000 for each year of study
• All outstanding international applicants are automatically considered for a scholarship of GBP 4,000 for each year of study.

Bangor Country Scholarships

These scholarships are only available for applicants from the following countries: Bangladesh, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey and Vietnam.

• All self-funding international applicants receive a scholarship of GBP 3,000 for each year of study
• All outstanding international applicants are automatically considered for a scholarship of GBP 4,000–5,000 for each year of study, depending on whether they are undergraduate or postgraduate taught students.