Postgraduate study at Bangor University

Bangor University

By Mehedi Hasan

Choosing the right university for postgraduate studies is an important decision that requires careful consideration of many factors. Such as the quality of the academics, how expensive the tuition fees are, the availability of budget-friendly living costs, career opportunities, and the scope of getting good scholarships.

Bangor University offers the perfect mix of academic life and nature. Its stunning surroundings are the first thing that will catch a student's attention.

The campus is situated right between the Snowdonia National Park and the Menai Strait. Bangor is a dream come true for many candidates who thrive in nature’s close proximity. Not many universities in the UK can offer having both mountains and the sea just minutes away.

This century-old academic institution can be the perfect choice for postgraduate studies, offering a strong global academic reputation, research-led teaching, and an effective student support service. At Bangor, students are given the perfect study environment with a proper balance between study life and social life.

Students who are considering applying for a placement at Bangor University should know the characteristics and specialities of the institution. This includes the university’s acceptance rate, subject availability, which courses they are well reputed for, and all the scholarships and discounts that can be availed by students.

The acceptance rate for international students applying to postgraduate programs at Bangor University is approximately 60-70%.

This rate can change based on the specific program and the applicant's qualifications. It is crucial to understand that postgraduate acceptance is highly dependent on the individual program. Each subject has a different acceptance rate.

At present, the university is offering 40+ postgraduate taught programmes and over 35 postgraduate research subjects on their 160-acre campus in Bangor, North Wales.

Business, engineering, computer science, environmental science, & health sciences are the most popular courses offered by Bangor University, according to various student reports. The demand for placement in these subjects is always high among international students.


Postgraduate Taught Programmes


Here is a short overview of the current postgraduate taught programmes that students can choose to study at Bangor.

Programme Name Tuition Fees (yearly)
Arts, Humanities, Law & Business £19,000
Education Studies (12 months) £19,000
PGCE** £19,000
Healthcare Sciences £19,000
Sports, Health & Exercise Science £19,000
Accounting, Banking & Finance, incl. Business Data Analytics £20,500
Management & Marketing incl.
Consumer and Digital Marketing Analytics & Business and Marketing
£19,500 - £20,500
Computer Science £18,000 - £20,500
Design £20,500
MBA £19,500 - £20,500
Medical Sciences £20,500
Natural Sciences £20,500
Linguistics £22,500
Chartered Banker MSc/MA Banking & Finance £22,500
Electronic Engineering £22,500
Nanotechnology £22,500
Music £26,000
Genomics & Precision Medicine £26,000
Medical Molecular Biology with Genetics £26,000
Education Studies (15 months) £21,111
Counselling Year 1 (120 credits) £13,500
Counselling Year 2 (100 credits) £11,250


Entry Requirements


To be eligible for a postgraduate taught programme at Bangor, applicants typically need to satisfy or fulfil specific requirements provided by the university. The entry requirements are as follows:

  • An undergraduate degree, preferably from a relevant study field (usually a 2:2 or above, depending on the programme).

  • Proof of English language proficiency (such as IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent) if English is not the applicant’s first language.

  • Most postgraduate courses require a minimum IELTS band of 6.0 (min 5.5) or 6.5 (min 6.0 in one of the parts).

  • Check out the Bangor official website LINK to find the latest IELTS requirements..

  • Some courses may have additional subject-specific requirements.


Postgraduate Research Programme


PhD, MPhil, and Master by Research courses are offered on campus, with the option to do full-time or part-time. Here is a short overview of the postgraduate research programmes for the current year at Bangor University.

Postgraduate Research Programme Total Tuition Fees
Arts & Humanities £18,500
Education £18,500
Law £18,500
Creative Writing £18,500
Business Studies £19,500
Linguistics £19,500
Music £19,500
Translation Studies £19,500
Computer Sciences £21,000
Electronic Engineering £21,000
Environmental Science, Forestry & Conservation £21,000
Geography £21,000
Sport, Health & Exercise Science £21,000
Zoology £21,000
Healthcare Sciences £21,000
Psychology £21,000
Biological Sciences £24,500
Ocean Sciences £24,500
Medical Sciences £24,500
Cancer Institute Programmes £24,500
PhD by Published Works £2,300


Part-time postgraduate research tuition fee is 50% of the full-time postgraduate research tuition fee per annum.


Entry Requirements


For those looking to pursue a research degree, such as an MPhil or PhD, the entry requirements generally include:

A Supportive Student Community: The university offers fantastic student support services, ensuring that international students settle in well. Ranking 8th position in the UK among all the universities for student satisfaction by Complete University Guide 2024.

  • A relevant master's degree or, in some cases, a strong undergraduate degree (2:1 or above).
  • A well-defined research proposal that aligns with the university’s research expertise.
  • Proof of English language proficiency for international applicants. (such as IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
  • Most postgraduate courses require a minimum IELTS band of 6.5 (min 6.0) or 7.0 (min 6.5 in one of the parts).
  • TOEFL score of overall 80 or more.
  • Check out the Bangor official website LINK to find the latest IELTS requirements.
  • Some departments may require prior research experience or additional qualifications.


Scholarship options

For the current yearly intakes, Bangor University is offering multiple scholarship and funding programs to support students from all backgrounds. Students are not required to come from a high-standard background or from a genius-minded family to study here. Bangor University has opened it’s doors to anyone who has a keen interest in pursuing a master's or a specialised research degree.

The availability of scholarships makes Bangor University a desirable institution for international students.

Bangor’s scholarship program includes:

  • Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: This is a merit-based scholarship that offers up to £10,000 for high-achieving international students.

  • International Merit Scholarship: Awarded based on academic performance, covering up to £3,000 in tuition fees.

  • Commonwealth Scholarships: This scholarship covers a full tuition fee waiver (including a monthly stipend, return airfare, thesis grant, study travel grant, and warm clothing allowance where applicable) is available for students from eligible Commonwealth countries pursuing postgraduate study.

  • Bangor University Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship: A scholarship for students from selected countries, providing a full tuition fee waiver and a living stipend of £13,450 per study term.

  • Country-Specific Scholarships: Additional funding opportunities for students from specific regions, including South Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

  • Deans Scholarship: Up to £5,000 for students from any country excluding the United Kingdom.

  • Chevening Partnership Scholarship: Full fee waiver upon meeting eligibility. For all countries, except the USA, the UK, and EU countries.

* It is recommended to check out the latest scholarship offerings and deadline for the current year from the official Bangor University website.


Lifestyle at Bangor

There are many reasons to consider doing a postgraduate at Bangor. It is a place where the living standard is affordable and the quality of life is superb. In general, postgraduate study tuition fees are expensive, and if the campus is in a big city, then the living cost can be a lot. This could be a financial burden both for international students and their parents.

At the Bangor campus, the student community is buzzing with activities, societies, and events

Bangor offers something different every year. It has one of the most affordable student lifestyles in the UK without compromising on quality. The cost of living is reasonably priced and somewhat cheaper, with tons of student accommodation to choose from. Even the transport cost is cheaper than travelling within cities, such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, or Edinburgh.

Whether a student is into extreme sports, music gigs, or cosy poetry readings, there’s something for everyone. And with a Students' Union that genuinely listens to its students, they are never short of ways to get involved and make lifelong friends.

At Bangor, the students are able to experience Fresher Week, live music events, comedy nights, and themed parties inside the campus area with their very own student nightclubs. There are also film screenings and cultural events at the Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre.

There are over 150 student societies covering academic interests, hobbies, culture, sport, music, drama and faith that students can join and develop their personal growth to enhance their student life experience while studying postgraduate at Bangor University.

In short, Bangor University is offering an exceptional postgraduate study platform with its top-tier research & teaching options, budget-friendly living costs, and an active student community.

The university has established itself well above its weight in academic rankings, and with the inclusion of a scenic campus location, Bangor University easily becomes an ideal choice for international students.


FAQ

Q. What are the rankings of Bangor University?

Ans: Bangor University's strong performance in various areas, including teaching quality, research impact, and sustainability, has placed it 64th in the UK by Times University Guide 2025. It ranks among the top 401-500 globally according to the reports of Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 and 73rd in the UK by Guardian University Guide 2025.

Q. What are the intake timings for postgraduate courses at Bangor University?

Ans: Bangor University offers two main intakes for postgraduate courses. They are September and January. The January intake courses have the same content and academic quality as the September intake courses.

Q. What kind of postgraduate courses are available at Bangor University?

Ans: Bangor University offers a wide range of postgraduate courses, including MSc, MA, MBA, MMus, LLM, PGCE, and various research degrees. At present, the university is offering 40+ postgraduate taught progreammes and 35+ postgraduate research/PhD programmes. Some popular subject areas include business, law, computer science, environmental science, and health sciences.

Q. Where is Bangor University located?

Ans: Bangor University is located in Bangor, Gwynedd, on the North Wales coast, a few miles from Snowdonia National Park. The university is well-connected by road and rail, with direct trains from London, Manchester, Crewe, and Cardiff.

Q. What is the employability rate of Bangor University graduates?

Ans: The employability rate of Bangor University graduates is around 88%, with graduates typically finding work or further study within six months of graduation.

Q. What accommodation options are available for postgraduate students at Bangor University?

Ans: Bangor University provides dedicated accommodation for postgraduate students in award-winning student residences. Options include university-owned halls of residence and private housing.

Q. How many years is a Post-Graduate degree?

Ans: Full-time courses are normally one year, and part-time courses usually last two years.