Overseas university spotlight: Bangor University (UK)
Set between the mountains of Snowdonia and the Menai Straight in the northwest of Wales, Bangor University is perfect for an outdoor enthusiast looking to study in a 'college town' environment.
From mountain-climbing to wind-surfing to scenic walks, this region has it all.
And the university itself is quite unique, dating back to 1884 (the main building is stunning!).
Here are some of the highlights from my visit to campus in April 2023!
Bangor city
Although it appears a bit remote, Bangor is only about three hours on a direct train from London -- or a 3-hour ferry across the Irish Sea from Dublin!
With a population of around 18,000, it's also actually the oldest city in Wales.
The university is right in the centre, where you can walk everywhere; it is super easy to get around.
You can even reach the water within a 10-minute walk.
And within a 20-minute drive, you can reach the island of Anglesey, Caernarfon Castle, Llyn Padarn (a lake popular for swimmers and water sports), waterfalls and more.
Bangor University
Like the city in which it's located, Bangor University is on the smaller side when it comes to number of students.
In fact, its community of about 10,000 students accounts for almost half the city's population.
Made up of three colleges and nine academic schools, Bangor is perhaps best known for its courses in ocean sciences and the environment.
Given its location and the number of conservation sites and protected areas within reach, it's no surprise!
In fact, it's one of the only universities to have a dedicated School of Ocean Sciences; most universities teach it as part of a biology or natural sciences department.
Bangor's School of Ocean Sciences, however, has a team of 30 academics who teach across a broad range of topics (physics, chemistry, maths, psychology, history, politics, business, geology) and how they relate to the ocean.
There are 25 other UK universities that teach marine science, but Bangor is also the only UK university with a full ocean vessel.
This vessel is a great experience for students and goes out for 1-2 weeks at a time.
And the students are happy; this department consistently ranks in the top 5-10 percent for student satisfaction.
This could also be due in part to the small cohorts, the peer advising system and pastoral care.
For example, they do attendance monitoring to spot students who might be struggling -- not in an accusatory way, but rather as a concern for their well-being.
This is extremely rare for universities outside the U.S., where you typically have to ask for help if needed and won't be tracked down if you're struggling.
And one of the more unique resources students have access to is the Natural History Museum, which has loads of full skeletons and specimens preserved in fluids, some of which are 2,500 years old!
On display are about 500 items of Bangor's collection of 40,000 pieces.
The museum is used primarily as a teaching resource and is not usually open to the public, which makes it all the more exciting for students.
Sir David Attenborough is an honorary graduate of Bangor and had this to say about the university:
Bangor University has a superb reputation in the study of environmental science. The world needs people skilled in the expertise needed to play a crucial part in solving the world’s problems.
Bangor also has one of the oldest sports science departments in the UK (about 45 years old), where students can study accredited sports science degrees, as well as more specialist topics like adventure sport science, extreme sport coaching, adventure tourism and outdoor therapy.
Students benefit from collaborations with Liverpool and Manchester City soccer clubs and a wide range of unique facilities.
Besides beautiful views, it even has a thermal environmental chamber and hypoxia environmental chambers to simulate hot and cold as well as altitude and oxygen levels.
The most beautiful building on campus, however, is the original one, which was completed in 1911 and formally opened by King George V.
It has magnificent archways and stunning stained glass windows.
It also houses the absolutely stunning library, a place I could definitely spend a lot of time!
Students no doubt have a lot of fond memories in this place -- and perhaps even more so because it also houses the beautiful hall in which they will later graduate.
Overall, Bangor doesn't have a 'campus feel' per se, as the buildings are dispersed within the small city, but almost everything is easily reached on foot.
In fact, student housing is also conveniently located next to the student bar (Bar Uno) and the sports centre, so students can workout prior to having a pint!
In 2015, the university opened a new centre blending arts and culture, innovation, education and community called Pontio, which means 'to bridge' in Welsh.
The idea was to bring together both the communities of students and locals to eat, drink, hang out, learn and enjoy the arts.
It's home to the Students' Union -- as well as an elevator that can get you up to the main building if you are opposed to walking up hills!
It's also right next to the beautiful North Wales' Heroes Memorial Arch, commemorating the 8,500 men from North Wales who were killed in World War I.
Summary
To me, Bangor University is a hidden gem.
As someone who studied in a 'college town' environment, I could totally see myself here.
It offers a close-knit community and an extremely affordable cost of living, right on the doorstep of so many beautiful natural environments to explore on the North Wales coast.
Bangor is perfect for the kind of student who likes to get out of the classroom and learn in its many living laboratories -- and also have the kind of individual support they provide when times get tough.
