Funded by quarrymen and farmers who wanted to give the local people of North Wales the chance to access higher education, Bangor University first opened its doors on 18 October 1884. 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 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 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. In 1926 they moved to new purpose-built accommodation which had been constructed with the assistance of funds raised by the North Wales Heroes Memorial. Today, we have over 10,000 students and around 2,000 members of staff. Bangor University is committed to providing teaching of the highest standard, conducting research of the highest quality, taking good care of its students and playing a full role in the wider community of Wales. You can read more about the history of the University in a book written by former Registrar, Dr David Roberts. Bangor University, 1884 – 2009 is available to buy online and in bookshops. A strong, confident institution recognised 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.Bangor University is committed to sustainable development and global citizenship. We aim to promote sustainability in research, business and enterprise activities. Much of what we do is based on our desire to bring sustainability to life, whether through our teaching, research or public engagement. We have the ISO14001:2015 accreditation for environmental management, and a range of sustainability measures in place, including high rankings in world Sustainability League tables. For more information on the wider sustainability agenda at Bangor University, visit our Sustainability webpages.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.Campus Services brings together a wide range of staff, student, and public facing functions, with a common goal of continual improvement in everything we do. We provide a very broad range of services responsible for ensuring that staff and students enjoy their time at the University. From the moment they get here to the day they leave; we impact nearly every aspect of that experience. Our staff work together to provide a high quality, welcoming, efficient, positive service and working environment, to enable us to excel and better support the University’s excellent teaching and research activity. Our combined commitment to a positive future allows us all to embody a service which the University and its surrounding communities can be proud of. A welcoming and efficient campus that is underpinned by exceptional customer service.Our Accommodation conforms to the The Universities UK Code of Practice for University Managed Student Accommodation. The University subscribes to the Universities UK Student Accommodation Code which has been designed to protect your rights to safe, good quality accommodation, wherever you are studying and to make sure you get the best out of your time living in University or college residences. All our campus residences are within walking distance of the main University buildings, shops, cafés, bars, fitness centres, launderettes and common rooms, so you’ll never have to go far to find exactly what you need. All our accommodation is self-catered, and most rooms have private bathrooms, with shared kitchen facilities. We pride ourselves on having some of the best student accommodation in the UK – in fact, we won 3rd place for accommodation from the What Uni Student Choice Awards 2019.
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Watch the videos to learn about the student life-cycle and the teaching environment at the University.
