Bangor University: What it's really like

If you want to study at a small university in a scenic location, Bangor University could be the one!

Bangor at a glance:

Llinos, who works in Bangor’s Student Recruitment department, explains what student life at the university looks like.

What is Bangor University?

Founded in 1884, Bangor University is based in North West Wales. Initially funded by quarrymen and farmers wanting to improve access to higher education in the area, it is steeped in history. But Bangor is also a forward-looking institution: one of our missions is to become the most sustainable university in the UK.

We’re a medium-sized university. Around 10,000 students from around 70 different countries currently study with us on over 200 different courses. 

You can choose to study from courses across the sciences, arts, business, law, and humanities, and almost all our undergraduate degrees include the option to complete a work placement. There are only two exceptions currently: our Professional Policing degree, which is licensed by the College of Policing so blends in that practical learning element; and our two-year Law programme, which is designed for those who already have a law qualification or work experience.

Why apply to Bangor?

Bangor is a lively, student-orientated city. Many students choose Bangor because of the small and friendly nature of the city and university. It’s the kind of place where you bump into people you know all the time and you’re never far from where you need to be.

That said, student life at Bangor is vibrant and diverse! We have more than 150 Students’ Union clubs, societies, and volunteering projects, from snow sports and trampolining, to the Gaming League and debating societies. Student membership is free so you can sign up to as many as you like!

If you’re an international student, you might like to know that Bangor is one of the cheapest places to study. Totally Money ranked Bangor the most affordable place for students in the UK in 2019. So your living costs will likely be lower than in other parts of the country.

Who isn’t the right fit for Bangor?

If you’re after a large university in a big city location or somewhere with more of a nightclub culture, Bangor might not be the place for you. A reason students tend to choose us is because of the more close-knit, community feel here.

Any application tips? 

One of the main things we look for in applications is a personal reason for wanting to study the subject. For example, you might be applying for creative writing because you’re inspired by a particular author, or for Zoology after watching an impactful documentary.

We want to see students who are widely read around their chosen subject too, so talk about things you have learnt outside of your syllabus when doing your own research into the subject area.

Finally, get your application in sooner rather than later, as you’re likely to hear back from us quicker and get invited earlier to our Offer Holder Days. These give you a chance to visit the campus and get your questions answered.

What’s the location like?

I think Bangor is one of the most attractive study locations in the UK. We are situated on the North Wales coast, between the mountains of Eryri or Snowdonia, and the Menai Strait in a stunning setting. Whilst I can’t promise beautiful weather every day, on a nice day, you can’t beat it.

Many of our students visit the nearby beaches, walk up Yr Wyddfa (also known as Snowdon, but other mountains are available), and enjoy activities like climbing, kayaking, and mountain biking at Eryri National Park.

The university makes up a large part of the city of Bangor, so you’ll be less than 10 minutes’ walk away from anything you need in the city centre.

What facilities does Bangor have to offer?

As a university which provides strong support for research activities, Bangor has a number of subject related specialist resources. We have our own Botanic Gardens with Europe’s largest underground root laboratory; a Natural History Museum with preserved materials, including a two-headed lamb; and the Prince Madog, a research vessel for our School of Ocean Sciences students.

We also have our arts and innovation centre, Pontio, which includes a theatre, cinema, social learning spaces, and the chance to see live performances all year round.

What is the accommodation like?

We recommend living in one of our two halls of residence villages to make the most of your experience at Bangor. We pride ourselves on having some of the best student accommodation in the UK - in fact, we won 3rd place for accommodation in the What Uni Student Choice Awards 2023.

Both our residence villages are within walking distance of the main university buildings and the city centre. All accommodation is self-catered, and most rooms have private bathrooms with shared kitchen facilities. 

Your accommodation fees include your gym membership and Campus Life activities, from film nights to cooking lessons, open mic nights to outdoor activities, and even free Sunday roasts!

Other facilities you'll find on the villages include food and drink outlets, student lounges to meet your friends, computer rooms open 24 hours a day, launderettes, and a shop.

How does Bangor meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?

Our Student Services Centre provides a wide range of support from before you arrive to the end of your degree. They offer services like money advice, health and welfare support, advice on private housing, dyslexia support, and counselling.

There is also a dedicated Disability team who can offer virtual and in-person appointments. Their services include support workers, interpreters, library provision, and personal and academic advice.

Every student is assigned a Personal Tutor, who is a member of staff in your academic school who you can turn to, as well as a Peer Guide. Peer Guides are second and third year students who are trained to help new students settle into university life.

Bangor also is keen to offer extra financial help to students in financial need. Our Bangor Bursary is a package to support students from low income households. You don’t need to apply, but check our website to find out if you’re eligible.

Want to explore more UK universities? Remember, Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.