Bangor University

HISTORY

Wrexham Glyndŵr University (Welsh: Prifysgol Glyndŵr, Welsh pronunciation: [priːvˈəsɡɔl ɡlɨnˈduːr]) is a British university with campuses at Wrexham, Northop and St Asaph in north-east Wales, and at Kingston upon Thames, London. It offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as professional courses. GU had 6,660 students in 2015/16.

Formerly known as the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education (NEWI), it was granted full university status in 2008 after being a member of the University of Wales since 2003. The university is named after the medieval Welsh prince Owain Glyndŵr, who first suggested the establishment of universities throughout Wales in the early 15th century.

The university’s origins date back to the opening of Wrexham School of Science and Art (WSSA) in 1887. The WSSA began offering University of London validated degrees in science in 1924. The original name of Wrexham School of Science and Art was changed several times. In 1927, it became Denbighshire Technical Institute, becoming Denbighshire Technical College in 1939 and North East Wales Institute of Higher Education in 1975 by the merger of Denbighshire Technical College, Cartrefle Teacher Training College and Kelsterton College of Connah’s Quay, Deeside. Initially, its degrees were validated by the University of Salford.

In 1993, NEWI became an associate member of the University of Wales and all further education courses in Wrexham were moved to Yale College, Wrexham. In 2004, NEWI became a full member of the University of Wales and in 2006 became accredited by the University of Wales and exercised devolved powers to validate and deliver its own degrees. The university was officially renamed “Glyndŵr University” in July 2008 after being granted degree awarding powers.

In 2016, the University underwent a minor name change and is now called “Wrexham Glyndŵr University”.

COURSES

The university runs 150 programmes, offering foundation, HND/Cs, honours and master’s degrees and doctorates over a broad variety of qualifications. In addition to professional courses such as nursing and social work, the university offers a range of postgraduate and undergraduate qualifications in Art & Design, Engineering, Science, Humanities, Health and Social Care, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Sports Sciences, Computing and Communication Technology, Music technology and Business. Although all courses are offered in English there are options to study or to be assessed in Welsh. A foundation degree in professional Welsh is also available.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

They consider each application on the merit assessing the potential to succeed on and benefit from the course.

For 2017 entry, the new UCAS tariff will be used in addition to the usual programme specific requirements.

Typical points range 104-144 (UCAS Tariff for 2017 entry).

For a degree course, the points total should include at least two GCE A level or equivalent Level 3 qualifications (e.g. BTEC, Access, Irish Highers, International Baccalaureate, Welsh Baccalaureate, Scottish Advanced Highers and others).

They also welcome applications from mature applicants, individuals with European qualifications and international applicants (subject to minimum English language requirements).

More specific entry requirements are given on individual course descriptions on their website, together with the admission policy and the university’s statement on UK qualification reform.

ACADEMIC STRENGTHS

A broad range of subjects including Science, Humanities, Education and Health.

Particular subject strengths include Psychology, Accounting and Finance, Sport Science and Ocean Sciences and Electronic Engineering.

TEACHING STANDARDS

In the 2016 National Student Survey (NSS), Bangor University was rated top in Wales and 4th in the UK for academic support.

The NSS results placed Bangor University 1st in the UK in 7 subject areas, with a further 7 subject areas being top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction.

CAREERS GUIDANCE

The Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help students achieve their graduate ambitions.

The Service provides a year-round programme of individual guidance, workshops and employer talks and also offer additional services that provide part-time employment, voluntary experience, summer work and project-based placements.

Several academic Schools also have their own events in place to support student employability. The Law School, for example, runs an annual Law Fair to showcase the diverse job opportunities available to law graduates; and the School of Psychology hosts an employability day, demonstrating how the transferable skills gained during the course can be applied to a wide range of careers.

Additionally, the B-Enterprising Programme provides budding entrepreneurs with business training and support, students can become Peer Guides and gain skills valued by employers. The University’s Internship Scheme offers students the opportunity to gain paid, graduate level work experience in the university’s academic Schools and service departments. Students can participate in the Bangor Employability Award and free evening language classes are available to all students.