Founded in 1884, Bangor University today is a thriving, forward-looking institution offering excellent opportunities. Around 10,000 students currently study with us and our teaching and research is grouped into nine academic Schools. Known as the University College of North Wales, the institution, which was based in an old coaching inn, had 58 students and had ten members of staff. Students were initially conferred degrees by the University of London, until 1893 when Bangor became one of the three original constituent colleges of the University of Wales. The university was founded as the University College of North Wales (UCNW) on 18 October 1884, with an inaugural address by the Earl of Powis, the college's first President, in Penrhyn Hall. There was then a procession to the college including 3,000 quarrymen (quarrymen from Penrhyn Quarry and other quarries had subscribed more than 1,200 pounds to the university). The foundation was the result of a campaign for better provision of higher education in Wales that had involved some rivalry among towns in North Wales over which was to be the location of the new college. The college was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1885. Its students received degrees from the University of London until 1893, when UCNW became a founding constituent institution of the federal University of Wales. During the Second World War paintings from national art galleries were stored in the Prichard-Jones Hall at UCNW to protect them from enemy bombing. They were later moved to slate mines at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Students from University College, London, were evacuated to continue their studies in a safer environment at Bangor.Undeb Bangor is Bangor University's Students' Union and was relocated to the brand new Arts and Innovation centre, Pontio, in 2016. Pontio includes a theatre, a cinema, a studio theatre and social facilities including the Undeb on the 4th floor. The former Students' Union building was situated on Deiniol Road at one end of College Park below the Main Arts building. The Refectory and Curved Lounge were built in 1963 and the main administrative building was added in 1969. The building was known as Steve Biko House from the 1970s to the early 1990s, after Steve Biko. The buildings were renovated in 1997 to create an 1,100-capacity nightclub, Amser/Time, where the previous refectory space was. Demolition of the Union buildings and Theatr Gwynedd began in July 2010. When the original Students' Union building was demolished, the Students' Union was relocated to Oswalds on Victoria Drive, before moving back to its original location on Deiniol Road in 2016.Our Mission A strong, confident institution recognized regionally, nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence for its varied portfolio of teaching and research, and for the unique, multicultural, inclusive experience it provides for its staff and students.Bangor University has a long tradition of academic excellence and a strong focus on the student experience. Around 10,000 students currently study at the University, with teaching staff based within fourteen Academic Schools. Bangor University is ranked in the top 40 in the UK for research , according to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014. The REF recognised that more than three-quarters of Bangor’s research is either world-leading or internationally excellent, ahead of the average for UK universities.The Quality Assurance Agency’s (QAA) Institutional Review has commended the way the university manages academic quality. We received a number of commendations which highlighted particular areas of strength, including the way in which we use a data-driven approach to inform and enhance the student experience. Other areas which received commendations were the University’s partnership with students, and the fact that bilingualism is embedded within all aspects of the student experience. The University has responded to the QAA report with its action plan.The University is made up of three Colleges housing nine academic Schools, as well as over fifty specialist research centres, enabling the provision of courses spanning the Arts, Humanities and Sciences. Student life at Bangor University is vibrant and diverse. We have more than 200 Students’ Union Clubs and Societies, covering a range of interests, activities and sports, which means there’s something for everyone. Student membership is free, so all our students can take advantage of the extra-curricular opportunities offered. Our Clubs and Societies were named best in the UK at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2019.Students are given help and support from the moment they arrive. Our Student Services Centre provides advice and guidance on matters from money and housing to disability support, counselling, dyslexia, study skills and local faith provision. Every year hundreds of second and third year students are trained as Peer Guides to welcome new students to Bangor and provide practical advice to help them settle-in.
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Watch the videos to learn about the student life-cycle and the teaching environment at the University.
A generous donation has been made by a North Wales lawyer to Bangor University in memory of his brother.
Read more →The Drapers’ Company, a charitable institution established as one of London’s livery companies, have supported Bangor University throughout its history. They currently award two medals each academic year to outstanding research students from the University.
Read more →Bangor University to Sponsor the Wales Book of the Year Award 2022 Welsh Fiction and English Poetry Categories.
Read more →Bangor University has been shortlisted in seven categories in this year’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCA) based solely on student choice.
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