Bangor Business School: Where business meets international innovation

Established 135 years ago, Bangor University has a long tradition of excellence that draws students from all over the world. The 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) awarded the university with the Gold standard for consistently delivering outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students, while 77 percent of the research undertaken at Bangor was deemed to be in the top two tiers of research quality – ahead of the average for UK universities.

Situated between the mountains and the Sea in North Wales, Bangor University has been described as the best university setting in the UK. In 2016, Lonely Planet named North Wales the fourth-best region in the world to visit due to its stunning location.

The University is constantly investing to develop on its existing facilities for students; recent investment into the university has seen the development of the Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre – a multi-million pound development that includes teaching facilities, a theatre, a cinema, bars, cafes and an innovation space. There’s also more than 150 Students’ Union clubs and societies to get involved with, so there’s always something for everyone. Clubs and Societies at Bangor were named best in the UK at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2018.

Bangor Business School epitomises that excellence, particularly in the area of Banking and Financial Services, in which the university is a leading European centre. Research papers and articles produced by staff are regularly featured in leading journals, while staff-written books are published to a global audience.

Source: Bangor Business School

Recent undertakings at the school have included consultancy work and major policy studies for leading organisations such as the European Commission, the World Bank and the UK Treasury. With all of this considered, it’s no surprise that the school ranks in the top 25 in the world for Banking research, according to RePEc 2018.

Degrees offered at Bangor Business School have been specifically-designed by specialists who have vast experience in their fields. A select range of modules and programmes offered here have been accredited or recognised by international professional bodies. Graduates of such programmes may be eligible for exemptions from specific modules of certain professional accreditations, gaining credits that can be put towards certain qualifications.

Graduates of the Business, Marketing or Management Master’s programmes will gain a dual award, as well as their Master’s, they will also gain a level 7 qualification in Strategic Leadership and Management. Similarly, graduates of the MA / MSc Banking and Finance (Chartered Banker) will also graduate with a dual award; they will graduate with the relevant Master’s degree but also the Chartered Banker Diploma, which is the gold standard for professional bankers and is the highest award available in the banking world.

The school places an emphasis on real-world learning, cases studies, topical issues, field work and practical relevance, giving it a cutting-edge dimension. Upon graduation, students here are well-versed in the world of business, boasting a range of specialities that are invaluable to employers.

Bukola Adetonwa, PhD student in Management Studies, describes a supportive and diverse environment at Bangor: “The Bangor Business School is a great establishment made up of very supportive lecturers who guide students through their academic journey. The best thing about it is having the environment that supports me with my academic pursuit and I have very supportive PhD supervisors whom I see future professional partnerships with.”

The close-knit community at Bangor was a deciding factor for Bukola when deciding which university to attend. “A small student town which gives me the opportunity to engage more in my academics as well as actively socialise with my peers from every part of the world and most essentially, [it’s] a university with a close and direct student tutor connection,” she explains.

Aside from the excellent support services offered here, there’s also a variety of programmes to meet each student’s career aspirations. There is a level of flexibility to enable students to try out different modules and subject areas, helping them identify their personal strengths and ambitions.

Source: Bangor Business School

Staff here also have extensive ties with local and international industry, opening the door for students to meet and network with big players in the business world. Some 94.5 percent of undergraduates and 85.6 percent of postgraduates find themselves in employment, further study or due to start work six months after graduating – with recent graduates securing positions with employers like Ernest Young, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and HMRC.

An extensive Undergraduate Internship Scheme is also on hand to provide opportunities for undergraduate students to gain paid, graduate-level work experience in the University’s Academic Schools and Service Departments. Available roles vary from marketing, web design and student engagement projects, to research project support, field work or data management.

The Bangor Employability Award (BEA) helps students build on their transferable skills through the recognition of campus activities they include themselves in. Points can be gained through participation in extra-curricular activities such as volunteering, attending workshops or actively participating in the Students’ Union’s clubs and societies.

“If you are looking for a place that has natural beauty and good atmosphere to study, Bangor is the place for you,” says Feiyu Ma, a third year student of BSc Banking and Finance. Speaking of her course, Feiyu describes the ample opportunities to broaden your horizons with solid financial knowledge: “The academic school is helpful when you face difficulties in your work. The lecturers are really great and you can also seek help from them.”

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