Bangor University Review: A Comprehensive Guide
Bangor University is a public university in North Wales with a reputation for strong student support and high satisfaction rates. It’s smaller than many UK institutions, which makes for a quieter, more close-knit campus environment. Located between the mountains of Snowdonia and the Menai Strait, it offers a distinctive setting that appeals to students who prefer nature and a slower pace of life. While not as well-known internationally, Bangor continues to attract students interested in focused academic support and affordable living.
Bangor University Summary
- City: Bangor
-
Graduate Employment Rate：
95% within 15 months of graduation.
Table of Contents
Overview of Bangor University
Bangor University has around 10,000 students and offers a broad mix of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. It is organised into three colleges: Arts, Humanities and Business; Environmental Sciences and Engineering; and Human Sciences.
Courses in psychology, ocean sciences, healthcare, and linguistics are particularly well-regarded. Furthermore, the university is research-active in several niche areas and has links to local industries and government bodies.
Tuition fees are in line with most UK universities, but living costs in Bangor tend to be much lower than in bigger cities. Accommodation is available both on and off campus, with university-managed housing generally rated as good value. The university’s size means you won’t get the same level of nightlife or society options as in major cities, but many students find the trade-off worth it for the personal attention and peaceful environment.
Bangor University Rankings 2026
UK Ranking (Complete University Guide 2026): 55th
World Ranking (QS World University Ranking 2026): 566th
Bangor University Courses and Programmes
Bangor’s Adult Nursing degree is a three-year, full-time programme that includes academic study and hands-on clinical training. It prepares students to become qualified nurses through a strong foundation in evidence-based practice, compassionate care, and effective communication.
- Start dates: September 2025 or March 2026
- Location: Bangor campus
- Accredited by: Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Students gain experience across a wide range of care settings, from hospitals to community health, and develop skills to support individuals at every stage of life.
This course focuses on holistic care, looking beyond symptoms to understand and support the person as a whole. It also covers health promotion, disease prevention, and the care of those with illness, disabilities, or end-of-life needs.
#1 in the UK for Career Prospects in Mental Health Nursing
(Guardian Good University Guide 2025)Top 10 in the UK for Career Prospects in Adult Nursing
(Guardian Good University Guide 2025)Top 20 for Teaching Quality and ranked #44 overall in the UK
(The Times & Sunday Times 2024)Named Welsh University of the Year
(Daily Mail University Guide 2024)
The BMBS Medicine programme is a five-year, full-time degree offered by the newly established North Wales Medical School, based in Wrexham and Bangor. It focuses on community-based medicine, clinical placements, and early patient contact, preparing students to practise in both rural and urban healthcare settings.
Key Details
- Start date: September 2025
- Duration: 5 years
- UCAS code: A100
- Location: Wrexham and Bangor
- Qualification: BMBS
- Accreditation: In progress with GMC
- Contingency partner: Cardiff University School of Medicine
Course Highlights
- Early clinical exposure from Year 1
- Primary care focus, with a full year embedded in a GP surgery (Year 3)
- Placements in diverse settings including hospitals, rural communities, and mountain rescue
- Training in Life Support and patient safety before clinical placements
- Advanced facilities: simulation labs and Virtual Reality-based scenario training
- Welsh-medium learning support for students who wish to study partly in Welsh
- Student Selected Components (SSCs) allow personalisation of your learning, including an 8-week elective anywhere in the world
This three-year, full-time degree (with options for part-time, international experience, or placement year) offers students direct access to one of the UK’s best environments for studying marine life. Taught by experts in the School of Ocean Sciences, it combines academic depth with unmatched hands-on fieldwork opportunities.
Key Details
- Start date: September 2025
- Duration: 3 years full-time (4 with placement/international year)
- Qualification: BSc (Hons)
- Location: Bangor, North Wales
World-Class Facilities
- Use of the £3.5 million Prince Madog research vessel
- Dedicated marine and freshwater aquaria, algal culture units, and specialised labs
- Base for Marine Centre Wales, supporting research into climate change, fisheries, aquaculture, offshore energy, and marine policy
Bangor University Entry Deadline
| Date | What Happens |
| 13 May 2025 | Applications open. Students can start filling in their UCAS forms. |
| 2 Sep 2025 | Students can start submitting completed applications to UCAS. |
| 15 Oct 2025 (6pm) | Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, and most medicine, dentistry, vet courses. |
| 14 Jan 2026 (6pm) | Main deadline for most undergraduate courses. |
| 26 Feb 2026 | UCAS Extra opens. Students with no offers can apply for more courses. |
| 30 Jun 2026 (6pm) | Last date to apply before Clearing. After this, applications go to Clearing. |
| 5 Jul 2026 | Clearing opens. Students can view and apply to available places. |
| 24 Sep 2026 | Final deadline to apply for 2026 entry. |
| 19 Oct 2026 | Last date to add a Clearing choice. |
Bangor University Entry Requirements
| Entry Route | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1st Year (Standard Entry) | A-levels (typically ABB-BBB) or equivalent international qualification. |
| Must match the UK school leaving standard (A-levels or IB). | |
| 2nd Year (Transfer Entry) | Possible if previous university study (UK or overseas) matches Bangor’s 1st year in level and content. |
| Must submit a certified transcript showing subjects and grades. | |
| English Language | Minimum IELTS 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each section. |
| Some courses (e.g. Nursing, Law, Education) may require IELTS 6.5–7.0. |
Bangor University Fees (2026)
| Band | Subject Areas | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| A | Arts & Humanities, Education, Law, Study Abroad | £18,000 |
| B | Business, Linguistics & Music, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Healthcare Science, Sport & Exercise Science | £19,000 |
| C | Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Forestry, Geography, Zoology | £20,000 |
| D | Design, Electronic Engineering, Medical Science, Ocean Science, Psychology, Nursing | £21,000 |
Bangor University Facilities
Bangor University offers a solid range of sports and fitness options through Canolfan Brailsford, its main sport centre. The centre is open to both students and the public, and hosts over 50 local clubs and teams, alongside 55 student-led sports clubs.
Indoor facilities include:
- Fully equipped gym and weights area
- Aerobic and fitness classes
- Indoor cricket nets
- Squash courts
- Trampolining facilities
Bangor University Notable Alumni
- Danny Boyle
Film Director
Oscar-winning director of Slumdog Millionaire, also directed Trainspotting and the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony. - Ruth Jones
Actress, Writer, Producer
Co-creator and star of the BBC series Gavin & Stacey. - Bill Fay
Musician and Songwriter
Influential British folk musician known for his cult following and critically acclaimed albums. - Timothy West
Actor
Veteran British stage and screen actor with roles in Coronation Street, EastEnders, and numerous Shakespeare productions. - John Ogwen
Actor and Writer
Prominent figure in Welsh-language drama and broadcasting. - Robert H. Edwards
Former President of Bowdoin College (USA)
Known for his leadership in US higher education. - Paul Moorcraft
War Correspondent and Author
Defence expert and frequent commentator on global conflict zones. - Elin Jones MS
Politician
Presiding Officer of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament); member of Plaid Cymru. - Siân James
Politician and Former MP
Represented Swansea East; known for her role in Pride, a film about the 1984 miners’ strike. - David Crystal
Linguist and Author
One of the UK’s most respected experts on the English language; has published extensively on linguistics and communication.
Experience the City of Bangor as a Student
Bangor is a small city in North Wales with a student population that makes up a large part of the local community. It’s quiet, safe, and easy to get around. Basically, everything is within walking distance.
Nature and Outdoors
The location is a major draw. Bangor sits between the Menai Strait and Snowdonia National Park. You can go hiking, kayaking, or just enjoy the sea views, all less than 30 minutes away.
Social Life
Nightlife is limited. There are a few pubs, bars, and student events, but not much beyond that. What it lacks in clubs, it makes up for in student societies and a strong campus community.
Travel
The train station links you to Manchester, Liverpool, and London. Buses are regular, and many students don’t feel the need for a car.
How much does it cost to live in Bangor as a Student
Accommodation
£400–£600
Food and Groceries
£150–£200
Transport
£20–£40
Other Expenses
£30–£50
Opportunities in Bangor as an International Student
1. Post-Study Work (Graduate Route)
International students can stay in the UK for up to 2 years after completing a degree to look for work. Howeverm PhD graduates can stay for up to 3 years. This applies across the UK, including Wales.
2. Part-Time Work
- You can work up to 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time during holidays.
- Jobs are available in retail, hospitality, university departments, and local tourism.
- Bangor and other Welsh towns may have fewer job options than big cities, but competition is lower too.
Bangor University Contact Information
- Official website: https://www.bangor.ac.uk/
- Address: Gwynedd LL57 2DG, United Kingdom
- General information for international students: +44 1248 351151
