Bangor University

Bangor University - Bangor, Wales

www.bangor.ac.uk | Established: 1884 | Famous for: Psychology ・ IT ・ Business

Overview

Bangor University is a long established university (founded in 1884), that is dedicated to academic excellence. The university was founded as a direct result of a campaign in the late nineteenth century for higher education provision in Wales. Funds were raised by public subscription to establish a college of university rank in Bangor. An important feature of its foundation was the voluntary contributions made by local people, including farmers and quarrymen, from their weekly wages over a period of time.

Bangor University was founded as the University College of North Wales. It opened its doors on 18 October 1884 in an old coaching inn with 58 students and 10 members of staff. The students received degrees from the University of London until 1893 when the University of Wales, Bangor became one of the three original constituent colleges of the University of Wales.

Bangor University has over 10,000 students and 2,000 members of staff. Bangor has consistently been rated highly for Student Experience by the Times Higher Education Supplement. The campus recently underwent a £20m redevelopment, which included a £10m business and management centre, and a new building for environmental sciences. Additionally, as part of a £35m upgrade at the Ffriddoedd Site, Bangor opened more than 6 new halls of residence between September 2008 and September 2009. Bangor offers a lower cost of living than most university cities; according to The Independent's A-Z of Universities and Higher Education Colleges, Bangor is "one of the cheapest places in Britain" for students to live.

Bangor University is a major provider of training and education for the NHS, and is one of the main partners in the new North Wales Clinical School. Additionally, as a major provider of teacher training in Wales, Bangor has close links with schools, local education authorities and the teaching profession more broadly. Bangor has one of the largest widening access programmes in the UK, the "Talent Opportunities Programme" that involves over 1500 pupils in schools across North Wales, and is involved in the Reaching Higher, Reaching Wider programme in the region. Bangor boasts the largest Peer Guiding Scheme, and the Careers and Opportunities Centre is recognised nationally as being one of the most active careers services in the UK.

Location

Bangor University was originally based in an old coaching inn called the Penrhyn Arms. In 1903, the city of Bangor donated a 10-acre site overlooking the city at Penrallt for a new building, and substantial sums of money were raised by local people to help meet the cost. The foundation stone for this site was laid in 1907, and four years later in 1911 the main building was opened, together with some arts and social science buildings and part of the Library.

The Science Departments remained in the Penrhyn Arms for another fifteen years, until 1926 when they moved to new purpose-built accommodation, constructed with the assistance of funds raised by the North Wales Heroes Memorial.

Services for International Students

The International Student Welfare Office at Bangor University is available to offer support and guidance on any welfare related issues, to all international students and their families.