Bangor University
Prifysgol Bangor
A bilingual Welsh university between Snowdonia and the Menai Strait, with its own ocean research ship.
- Students
- 9,035
- International
- 31%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 15.7:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £18,000
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1884
About Bangor
Bangor University was founded in 1884 as the University College of North Wales, and today around 10,000 students study there. It sits in a small city on the North Wales coast, between the mountains of Snowdonia and the Menai Strait, and it teaches in both English and Welsh, with a dedicated School of Welsh and Welsh-medium scholarships and halls.
Teaching and research are grouped into three colleges (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Science and Engineering; Medicine and Health) and ten academic schools, including the Albert Gubay Business School, the North Wales School of Law, the School of Ocean Sciences and the North Wales Medical School, which now runs its own Medicine degree. Psychology has been taught at Bangor since 1963, and ocean and environmental sciences use the coast as a laboratory, including the university's own research vessel, the Prince Madog.
Bangor was named Welsh University of the Year and University of the Year for Sustainability in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027. Typical offers of 112-136 UCAS points make it accessible, and it suits students who love the outdoors, want marine, environmental or psychological science, or want to study in a bilingual community.
Gorau dawn deall
“The best gift is knowledge” — university motto
Why students choose Bangor
Welsh University of the Year and University of the Year for Sustainability (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027).
Ocean Sciences students train on the Prince Madog, the School's own purpose-built research vessel, and use the Menai Strait and Anglesey shores for fieldwork.
All new full-time undergraduates are guaranteed a room in university halls, which include free gym membership.
International students can receive scholarships of at least £4,000 a year, with larger Dean's (£6,000 a year) and Vice-Chancellor's (£10,000) awards.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Bangor does not publish an overall offer rate. Offers are tariff-based, typically 112-136 UCAS points for courses such as Psychology and Law (120-144 for Marine Biology in 2026/27); Medicine is far more selective, with the UCAT and Multiple Mini Interviews.
Typical entry requirements
| UCAS tariff (A-levels and equivalents) | 2027 entry: 112-136 points for Psychology and Law, e.g. from A-levels, BTEC National Extended Diploma DMM-DDD or Access to HE; Psychology prefers at least one science and may make a lower offer to applicants with one; Marine Biology asked 120-144 points including two sciences for 2026 entry |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Accepted, converted to UCAS tariff points |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | Accepted alongside other Level 3 qualifications |
| English language | IELTS 6 IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5) for most schools, including Psychology, Computer Science, Business, Ocean Sciences and Medical Sciences; 6.5 (6.0) for Law and Philosophy; 7.0 (7.0) for Nursing and Midwifery. TOEFL iBT (test centre) accepted on the new scale: 4.0 (3.5) for IELTS 6.0 courses. |
Deadlines
- UCAS (Medicine) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
Medicine and graduate-entry Medicine; UCAT required.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
All other courses; Bangor welcomes later applications.
- UCAS last date before Clearing Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time
Applications received between 25 February and 30 June are considered where places remain.
Dates as stated on Bangor's how-to-apply page for 2027 entry.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS (institution code B06) with a personal statement. Medicine applicants must take the UCAT and, if shortlisted, attend in-person Multiple Mini Interviews at Bangor (7-11 December 2026). International students can also start some courses in January.
What admissions looks for
- UCAS tariff points within the course range (typically 112-136) from A-levels, BTECs, Access to HE or other Level 3 qualifications; General Studies is not normally accepted.
- For science-based courses, relevant subjects: Psychology prefers at least one science, and Marine Biology asks for two sciences.
- For Medicine, a UCAT score and strong performance at Multiple Mini Interviews exploring the personal qualities important for doctors.
- A personal statement showing why you want to study the subject.
Tips for applying to Bangor
- 1 If you are applying for Medicine, book the UCAT before 16 September 2026 and check your junk mail for the interview invitation, which asks you to choose your own slot.
- 2 Apply for halls by 31 July to keep the accommodation guarantee and choose your preferred room.
- 3 Look at the Bangor Entrance Scholarships exam, and at Welsh-medium scholarships if you can study in Welsh.
- 4 International applicants are automatically considered for scholarships of at least £4,000 a year, so check the tuition band for your subject.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
International students can receive the International Scholarship (at least £4,000 a year), the Dean's Scholarship (£6,000 a year) or the Vice-Chancellor Scholarship (£10,000), plus a £1,000-a-year alumni and family discount. UK undergraduates can apply for Bangor Entrance Scholarships, sports scholarships, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and Welsh-medium awards, and bursaries including a carers bursary.
- £4,000 minimum per year of study
- International Scholarship
- £6,000 per year of study
- Dean's Scholarship (international)
- £1,958 / £1,468 (UK, provisional 2027/28)
- Placement / international experience year fee
Academics
Marine Biology (BSc)
Uses the £3.5 million RV Prince Madog research vessel, aquaria and the Menai Strait and Anglesey shores for fieldwork.
Psychology (BSc)
Taught at Bangor since 1963 and accredited by the British Psychological Society; 112-136 UCAS points.
Zoology (BSc)
The degree route of wildlife presenter Hamza Yassin (Zoology with Conservation), with variants such as Zoology with Animal Behaviour.
Medicine (BMBS)
Delivered by the North Wales Medical School, with UCAT and Multiple Mini Interviews and a 15 October deadline.
Forestry (BSc)
Part of the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, alongside related degrees such as Conservation with Forestry.
Law (LLB)
112-136 UCAS points, with variants including Law with Criminology and Law with Cymraeg (Welsh).
Research
- The School of Ocean Sciences operates the purpose-built research vessel Prince Madog.
- Bangor is ranked 12th in the world for Life on Land in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.
- Bangor runs PANDA, a Programme for Accelerating Nuclear Development and Applications.
Schools & faculties
- College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Science and Engineering
- College of Medicine and Health
- The Albert Gubay Business School
- North Wales School of Law
- School of Arts and Humanities
- The North Wales School of Education
- School of Welsh
- School of Computer Science and Engineering
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences
- School of Ocean Sciences
- School of Psychology and Sport Science
Student life
Bangor is a small, student-heavy city where most things are within walking distance. University halls, mostly single en-suite self-catered rooms, are rated among the best in the UK (12th in the UK and 1st in Wales for accommodation, University Compare 2026), and living in halls includes free membership of the Canolfan Brailsford gym and Campus Life activities. There are halls for Welsh speakers and learners, and with Snowdonia and the coast close by, the outdoors is never far away.
- Accommodation guarantee for all new full-time undergraduates, including Clearing applicants.
- Free gym membership and Campus Life membership for students in halls.
- Welsh-speaking halls and Welsh-medium study options.
- Ranked the top university in the UK in Unifresher's Alternative League Table 2025.
Housing. All new full-time undergraduates who apply for halls by 31 July are guaranteed a room, mostly single en-suite and self-catered.
Location
Bangor is a small cathedral city on the North Wales coast, between the mountains of Snowdonia and the Menai Strait, with Anglesey across the water. It is compact and affordable: Unifresher's 2027 rankings list Bangor among the five most affordable UK universities, and the train station, supermarkets and banks are within walking distance of campus.
Nearest airport: Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) or Manchester Airport (MAN)
Notable alumni
- DB Danny BoyleFilm director; studied English and drama and directed student drama productions
- SR Sir Robert G. EdwardsPioneer of IVF and 2010 Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine; biology degree
- HY Hamza YassinWildlife cameraman and TV presenter; Zoology with Conservation degree
- RW Roger WhittakerSinger-songwriter; BSc in zoology, biochemistry and marine biology
- KR Kate RobertsLeading Welsh-language author; graduated in Welsh
- TP Tom Parry JonesInventor of the first handheld electronic breathalyser; studied at Bangor before a doctorate at the University of Alberta
- MM Mmusi MaimaneSouth African politician, former leader of the Democratic Alliance; master's in theology
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for Bangor University?
Most courses make tariff-based offers of 112-136 UCAS points for 2027 entry, from A-levels, BTECs or other Level 3 qualifications. Marine Biology asked for 120-144 points including two sciences for 2026 entry.
How much are Bangor's tuition fees?
UK students paid £9,790 in 2026/27; the 2027/28 fee depends on the Welsh Government cap. International fees are £18,000 to £21,000 a year depending on subject, and 2027/28 figures are provisional.
Does Bangor guarantee accommodation?
Yes. All new full-time undergraduates are guaranteed a room in university halls if they apply by 31 July (6 September for Clearing applicants).
What is the application deadline for Bangor Medicine?
15 October 2026 through UCAS, with the UCAT booked before 16 September 2026. Shortlisted applicants attend Multiple Mini Interviews on 7-11 December 2026.
Can I study in Welsh at Bangor?
Yes. Bangor has a School of Welsh, Welsh-medium courses and scholarships, and dedicated halls for Welsh speakers and learners.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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