Bangor University has around 12,000 students from all over the world, offering the opportunity to become part of a vibrant student community; it has a long tradition of excellence and exceeds expectations both for academic standards and student experience.  Bangor University is thriving at a time when the environment for Higher Education in Wales and the UK is challenging.  We are committed to building on recent successes, working with diverse and distinctive communities to deliver “the best we can be” in terms of teaching, scholarship and research, retaining our strong emphasis on a distinctive and valued student contribution and remaining true to our unique bilingual and cultural context.

Recent significant increases in student satisfaction and teaching standards have resulted in the securing of a top ten position in the 2014 National Student Survey, confirming our position as top in Wales. We have introduced initiatives to recognise students as partners in the University, and the success of our approach is reflected in these results.

We have recently launched a new research strategy to deliver an environment where the research community can thrive, supporting the existing areas of research strength, nurturing new research areas across all disciplines, and underpinning the research-informed teaching that forms the foundation of our distinctive, high quality teaching and student experience. We will work with businesses, governments and alumni to ensure that Bangor University maintains relevance to their needs and the needs of emerging markets, ensuring that we maximise our positive net contribution to the local and regional economy.

More than 260 students have recently celebrated the opening of the strategically important Bangor College China, a joint venture between Bangor University and The Central South University of Forestry and Technology, in Changsha, China.

Bangor University is also embarking on an exciting and ambitious strategy for our estate which is already underway with funding from the European Investment Bank. Bangor is investing in a number of new developments including the new £48m Pontio centre which will have lecture rooms, social learning spaces, a theatre, cinema, innovation space and a new home for the Students Union, and the new Marine Centre Wales in Menai Bridge. In addition, new student accommodation is being developed, valued at £30m, sports facilities are being redeveloped including a major upgrade to existing provision at Canolfan Brailsford, and renovating the historic main University building. Upgrading teaching, research and accommodation facilities will ensure that future generations of students benefit from excellent academic facilities and a world class student experience.

The University remains committed to the formation of beneficial strategic relationships in the region. Our commitment to the Strategic Alliance with Aberystwyth University will continue to be a key strategic theme for the University wherever mutual benefit can be identified and delivered. The University also sees significant advantage in further strengthening the relationship with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board as a platform for building further collaborative strength in health and medical related research and education. Building on its tradition and reputation for excellence, the University focuses on four key areas:

Excellent education and student experience: Bangor University is committed to working with communities in the region who do not traditionally engage with education at further and/or higher education levels, and continues to deliver an environment where aspirations in education can thrive.

Enhancing research success: Bangor University has a strong emphasis on research which has commercial and applied potential in support of regional economic and policy priorities, seeking to deliver innovation and expertise into the regional economy and beyond, whilst ensuring a direct research impact on the learning and teaching experiences of our students.

An international University for the region: Bangor University continues to develop its international reputation, offering high quality international education, integration of international and domestic students, and a relevant modern curriculum that is locally situated but globally applicable. 

Welsh language, culture and civic engagement: The University contributes more widely to the cultural wealth of the region, through significant investment in facilities and people to create an artistic programme of the highest quality which is innovative, ambitious and one which resonates with and is relevant to its communities and audiences.