Exploring History Programs and Courses at Bangor University

Wales offers a diverse range of university locations and learning experiences, making it an ideal destination for students seeking to change their lives through education. Among the institutions that stand out is Bangor University, a public research university in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales. This article delves into the history of Bangor University, its historical programs, courses, and the unique opportunities it offers to students, including international students looking to study abroad in Wales.

A Historical Overview of Bangor University

Bangor University was established in 1884 as the University College of North Wales (UCNW). In 1893, it became one of the founding institutions of the federal University of Wales. In 1996, after structural changes to the University of Wales, it became known as the University of Wales, Bangor (UWB). Bangor University was founded in 1884 as a direct result of a public campaign against Wales’ lack of higher education institutions. It was largely funded by the local community who voluntary contributed their wages to its development.

Early Years and Development

The arrangements for the college's future were secured and settled by the General Purposes Committee and the Draft and Charter Committee in the first half of 1884. In May, a report was published which stated that the Penrhyn Arms Hotel, Bangor, had been leased from Lord Penrhyn for twenty years, at a rent of £200 a year, with the option to terminate the lease after seven or fourteen years. Work to adapt the hotel for use by the new college began in June. A College Council was established, chaired by Colonel the Hon. William E. Sackville-West, meeting initially at a hotel in Chester. Henry Reichel, a 27-year-old Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, was appointed as the college's first Principal, and applications were invited for teaching positions. It was announced that the college would open in the third week in October, and the Earl of Derby was invited to give an inaugural address. Sackville-West petitioned Queen Victoria for a Royal charter of incorporation for the college at Bangor, and it was hoped that this would be considered at a Privy Council meeting on 21 October.

The first Duke of Westminster, Lord Penrhyn, and others, gave scholarships, and in the second week of September examinations for these took place in several towns. The names of the scholars were announced on 20 September. When the college opened in October 1884 it had just 58 students, who were to receive their degrees from the University of London. At the outset, it had academic staff teaching Greek, philosophy, mathematics, history, English, physics, and chemistry. The relationship with the University of London continued until 1893, when the college became a founding constituent institution of the federal University of Wales.

20th and 21st Century Developments

In 1903, the city of Bangor donated a 10-acre site at Penrallt for a new college building, and funds for it were raised by local people. During the Second World War, paintings from national art galleries were stored in the Prichard-Jones Hall at UCNW, to protect them from enemy bombing.

Student protests at UCNW in the 1970s focused mainly on calls to expand the role of the Welsh language. In the early 1980s, the Thatcher government even considered closing down the institution. Around this time consideration began of mergers with two colleges of education in Bangor: St Mary's College, a college for women studying to become schoolteachers, and the larger and older Normal College. Alongside the eventual merger of Normal College, the North Wales College of Nursing and Midwifery merged with the university in 1992, forming a new Faculty of Health Studies.

In 2014, the university secured a £45M loan from the European Investment Bank to assist the university in developing its estates strategy. In September 2020, the university announced a new round of cuts to fill a £13M gap in the budget, saying 200 more jobs (including 80 academic posts) were at risk. Another reorganisation of the university's structure of Colleges and Schools was announced as well. In 2025, the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation donated £10.5 million to the university, for the redevelopment of Bangor Business School.

Campus and Facilities

The university occupies substantial buildings in and around Bangor. The university was originally based in an old coaching inn, the Penrhyn Arms Hotel, which housed its 58 students and its 12 teaching staff. In 1911 it moved to a much larger new building, which is now the old part of the Main Arts. This building, designed by Henry Hare, had its foundation stone laid by King Edward VII on 9 July 1907 and was formally opened by King George V in 1911. The iconic building, which occupies a highly visible position overlooking Bangor, gave the college its Welsh nickname Y Coleg ar y Bryn ("The College on the Hill"). It included the large Prichard-Jones Hall, named after Sir John Prichard-Jones who was a substantial benefactor of the building. It became grade I-listed building in 1949. A modern extension, completing a quadrangle on the College Road side of the building, was completed in 1969, known as New Arts. In 1991, the Brigantia building was also built next to it in a similar, though contemporary, style.

Opposite Main Arts is Hen Goleg (English: Old College), historically home to the Normal College. It now houses the law department and, until development of a new premises in 2027, the business school. Along Deiniol Road, which runs through the centre of Bangor, are a variety of science laboratory buildings. Formerly, the students' union and Theatre Gwynedd also had buildings on Deiniol Road; these were demolished and replaced with Pontio, a new arts and innovation centre, in 2016. The current Dean Street campus was constructed in 1965 for the engineering and computing departments. Normal Site, on the Bangor side of the Menai Strait, was originally part of the Normal College. Ocean and marine sciences are based across the strait in nearby Menai Bridge.

Governance and Academic Excellence

Governance of Bangor University is set out by its charter. It is ultimately governed by a council, which oversees the university's strategic direction, financial health, and policy compliance. Its senate manages all academic matters, such as teaching and research standards. The current vice-chancellor is Edmund Burke. Various committees support these bodies in specialized areas, and students are actively involved in governance through representation on key committees.

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The 2014 Research Excellence Framework recognised that more than three-quarters of Bangor's research is either world-leading or internationally excellent. In recent years, Bangor has been rated highly by its students in two independent surveys of student opinion. For the second year in a row, Bangor was awarded Best University in the UK for Clubs and Societies at the 2018 WhatUni Student Choice Awards. It also regained the award for best Student Accommodation which it originally won in 2016. The university was also placed second overall for 'Courses and Lecturers' and retained third place in the category 'University of the Year'. WhatUni award nominations are based on the reviews and opinions of the university's students.

History Programs and Courses

Bangor University offers a range of history programs designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the past. These programs cover various aspects of history, from the Neolithic period to the more recent past, and encompass the history of Wales, Britain, Europe, and the wider world.

Overview of History Programs

The History programs at Bangor University aim to develop students' knowledge and understanding of a wide range of human history. These programs encourage students to take an analytical approach to the past, enabling them to understand and contribute to historical controversies and to understand how the past is constructed in the present.

The courses are designed to train students intellectually, helping them explain the relevance of the past in the present, understand the problems of interpreting written and other evidence, and gain skills in research, analysis, problem-solving, construction of argument, and communication.

History is one of the most inspiring, dynamic, and relevant subjects that can be studied at degree level. It has an established range of concerns but is always expanding and changing as it responds to new themes or ideas raised by other disciplines. It is also a very practical subject, and during your degree, you will develop various transferable skills that employers value highly. Surveys consistently indicate that History graduates obtain employment more rapidly than graduates in many apparently more 'vocational' subjects.

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Specific Courses and Modules

The breadth of topics offered in the History degree spans the Neolithic period right up to the more recent past. Covering aspects of the history of Wales, Britain, Europe, and the wider world, you will build knowledge in political, social, and cultural themes.

The modules available in History will enable you to focus on a wide variety of time periods, geographical areas, and themes. There are also extra-curricular activities that will both boost your subject knowledge and allow you to get to know your fellow students. These include cultural and social events organised by student-run societies in the academic departments.

Modern Languages and History

Bangor University also offers a combined program where students can study History alongside a language (Chinese, French, German, or Spanish, from beginners or advanced level). This program allows students to develop written and oral skills and learn about cultural aspects, including national histories. All language modules include written skills. Optional modules in Modern Languages allow you to gain insight into the cinema, literature, history, and culture of the country whose language you are studying.

Foundation Year Programs

For students who don’t have the required qualifications for a degree-level course or are looking to re-enter education after time away from study, Bangor University offers Foundation Year Programs. These programs provide a pathway to degree-level study and are available for both Modern Languages and History.

Study Abroad Opportunities in Wales

Wales offers a range of study abroad opportunities for international students. With eight universities and 13 campuses spanning the length of the country, students can choose from dynamic cities like Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, and Wrexham, as well as college towns like Bangor and Aberystwyth with their seaside locations. A range of options are open to you including summer schools, a semester on exchange or study abroad, a year abroad, or even full-time degree programs.

Why Study in Wales?

Studying in Wales provides a unique and enriching experience. Here are some reasons why students should consider Wales for their study abroad:

Bilingual Environment: Students can enjoy life in a bilingual country with two official languages-Welsh and English. All the universities, governmental organizations, and even shops in Wales have bilingual policies, so all signage and many communications will be bilingual.
Rich Culture and Heritage: With over 600 castles and six UNESCO world heritage sites, Wales offers a rich cultural and industrial heritage. The earliest evidence of human beings in Wales dates back to about 225,000 B.C., and prehistoric monuments are still accessible to tourists across Wales.
Stunning Natural Beauty: With sea surrounding the country on three sides, Wales is the only country in the world to have a complete coastal path that stretches for 870 miles. The three Welsh National Parks-Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast, and Brecon Beacons-protect an impressive 20% of Wales, including precious landscapes, habitats, villages, and heritage sites.
Adventure Tourism: North Wales is fast becoming the U.K. centre for adventure tourism and is perfect for all sorts of activities, from walking and climbing, surfing, kayaking, and kite-surfing to paddle boarding, sailing, coasteering, and cycling.
Moderate Climate: Wales has a moderate climate. The weather tends to be variable, and you may experience all four seasons in one day! Whilst there is high rainfall at some times of the year, Wales enjoys long summer days, perfect for enjoying life on the award-winning beaches!

Bangor University as a Study Abroad Destination

Bangor University, with its rich history and academic excellence, is an ideal choice for students looking to study abroad in Wales. The university offers a welcoming environment for international students, with accommodation guaranteed for all first-year undergraduate students. There are around 3,000 rooms available in halls of residence, all within under 20 minutes walking distance of the university.

The university also provides various services and support for students through Undeb Bangor (Bangor Union), the students' union, which offers around 100 student societies. SVB (Student Volunteering Bangor) is the volunteering branch of the students' union, which has supported community projects in and around the Bangor area since 1952.

Student Life at Bangor University

Bangor University offers a vibrant and supportive environment for its students. With around 12,000 students and 650 teaching staff, Bangor offers more than 300 undergraduate and 100 postgraduate programmes across five colleges. Although courses are predominantly taught in English, many undergraduate courses are also taught in Welsh.

Accommodation

Accommodation is guaranteed for all first-year undergraduate students. There are around 3,000 rooms available in halls of residence, all within under 20 minutes walking distance of the university. Three residential sites are currently in use: Ffriddoedd Village, St Mary's Village and Neuadd Garth. The largest accommodation site is the Ffriddoedd Village in Upper Bangor, about ten minutes' walk from Top College, the Science Site and the city centre.

Student Union and Societies

Undeb Bangor (English: Bangor Union) is Bangor University's students' union, providing services, support, and activities for students. All students automatically become members unless they opt-out. There are around 100 student societies in the union. SVB (Student Volunteering Bangor) is the volunteering branch of the students' union, which has supported community projects in and around the Bangor area since 1952. SVB volunteers provide a total of around 600 hours of work per week on 58 community-based projects, including projects on mental health, children, the environment, the elderly and community & sports projects.

Sports and Recreation

Sports at Bangor University are managed by the Athletics Union, a part of Undeb Bangor. Notable sports clubs include Bangor University F.C. The university's location between the mountains and the sea makes it a fantastic place for anyone interested in outdoor activities.

Notable Alumni

Bangor University has produced many notable alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields. One such alumnus is Hamza Yassin, a TV presenter and wildlife cameraman.

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