In a new table released by the Times Higher Education Magazine, Bangor University was placed 90th in the world for most international university, coming 1st in Wales in the categories for internationality and research. This is a large improvement for the university, which failed to place in last year’s table.
This success follows another, after the University’s research activity in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework results designated three-quarters of Bangor’s research to be either world-leading or internationally excellent, the top two categories.
Bangor University is also a UK leader in student satisfaction, with the 2014 National Student Survey placing Bangor University in the top ten non-specialist universities in the UK, and first in Wales, for student satisfaction.
One of the reasons Bangor has received this new ranking in student satisfaction are the efforts of the International Student Ambassadors Program. This program was set up in 2008 in order to help international students adjust to a new culture, surroundings and in many cases to a new language. To this end Bangor has over 20 Student Ambassadors to support international students.
International Student Ambassador for the USA, Kayla Jones, said that: “The program is probably one of the best in the university, we organise trips around Wales to places like Cardiff and Chester. We pick them up from the airport and generally help them feel more at ease within the new country.”
When asked why he chose to study at Bangor University, International student Mansour Bagheri answered: “Bangor is one of the best universities, not only in UK but also in the world, to study Psychology. So, how could I not choose Bangor?”
Bangor has attracted many keen researchers from other nations, one such person being Hans-Peter Kubis, a renowned and successful researcher who currently holds a senior lecturer position within Sports Science department of Bangor University. Hans-Peter is just one of many successful researchers drawn to Bangor by its reputation for excellence in research and education.
In response to the new international ranking, Professor John G. Hughes, Bangor University’s Vice Chancellor, said:
“Bangor University is really making its presence felt nationally and internationally, as an attractive destination for undergraduate and postgraduate students and as a workplace for some of the world’s best researchers and lecturers. Attracting the best to Bangor provides education and research of high quality and makes a valuable contribution both regionally and on the wider stage.”
