Aston university

University of Great Britain
ASTON UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established research-led University known for its world-class teaching quality and strong links to industry, government and commerce. Professor Dame Julia King became Vice-Chancellor of the University in 2006.
Aston has been a leading university for graduate employment success for over 25 years. The University is currently ranked 8th overall for graduate employment putting even the likes of Oxford in the shade (2013 Sunday Times University Guide). The University is consistently ranked in the UK’s top 40 universities confirming our place amongst the elite.
Aston’s four Schools of Study offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, and also work with the public and private sectors to develop tailored Foundation Degree programmes.
Aston University is based in the centre of Birmingham, home to over 65,000 students and one of Europe’s liveliest and most welcoming cities.
Our friendly and safe 40 acre campus houses all the University’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our 9,500 students.
BANGOR UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1884, Bangor University has a long tradition of excellence and exceeds expectations, both for academic standards and student experience.
We have over 11,000 students and over 650 teaching staff based in 23 Academic Schools grouped into five Colleges
Bangor University is in the top 40 in the UK for research (excluding specialist institutions and single-submission universities). Our research has a major impact around the world according to the latest assessment of research quality, the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014. The REF recognised that more than three-quarters of Bangor’s research is either world-leading or internationally excellent, ahead of the average for UK universities. Over half of Bangor’s academic Schools have been ranked in the UK top 20 for quality of research.
The latest National Student Survey (NSS) results reflects the University’s focus on overall student experience. The results – released August 2014 – place Bangor amongst the UK’s top 10 universities for student satisfaction (7th in the UK when excluding specialist institutions). The University is also top in Wales for overall student satisfaction as well as quality of teaching.
A recent review by the UK Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) resulted in the highest possible endorsement of the University’s academic standards. The ‘confidence’ judgement by the QAA confirms the University’s academic standing and profile.
The Study Skills Centre provides help with the transition to university and on-going support with academic progression. The support provided by the Centre includes help with academic writing, reading and exam skills, mathematics and statistics, team-work, presentation skills, and project-planning.
Other learning resources include a £1.5M MRI scanner, a multi-media language centre, a natural history museum and a £3.5-m research vessel, The Prince Madog.
The construction of the Pontio Arts & Innovation Centre is currently underway, which is set to become a new social hub for students as well as an internationally significant centre for learning, innovation and the performing arts. The building will be a world-class centre for innovation in science, technology and the creative arts. In addition to being a new home for our Students’ Union, it will include a theatre, studio theatre, cinema, lecture theatres, exhibition spaces, bar and café.
A £20m redevelopment of the campus resulted in the establishment of the Environment Centre Walesand the Bangor Business School’s Management Centre.
We have excellent sports and recreation facilities, made even better by a recent multi-million pound investment programme. The Canolfan Brailsford Sports Centre is also home to the Dome – an indoor tennis and netball centre opened in 2013.
At Bangor there are around 150 Students’ Union Clubs and Societies, covering a range of interests, activities and sports. Student membership is free – which means all students can take advantage of the extra-curricular opportunities offered.
We have close links with the NHS in Wales through the Besti Cadwaladr University Health Board. The University is a major provider of training and education for the NHS and is also one of the main partners in the North Wales Clinical School.
The University in recent years has opened new halls of residence as part of a £35m upgrade. A new development of 600 rooms will open on the St Mary’s Site in 2015, with the range of accommodation including studio apartments and townhouses. There will also be a café bar, shop, laundrette, common rooms and sports and fitness facilities on site.
The University is amongst the UK’s top 50 Universities, according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2015.
The What Uni Student Choice Awards placed Bangor University within the top 10 in the UK in the following categories: Accommodation; Clubs and Societies; Courses and Lecturers.
Bangor has been described as “one of the cheapest places in Britain” to be a student (The A-Z of Universities and Higher Education Colleges) and is consistently ranked as one of the most economical places to study in the UK in various cost-of-living surveys.
As a major provider of teacher training in Wales, we have close links with schools, local education authorities and the teaching profession.
We have one of the largest widening access programmes in the country called the Talent Opportunities Programme involving over 1500 pupils in schools across North Wales.
We are involved in the Reaching Higher, Reaching Wider programme operating in the region.
Bangor University has been ranked in the Top 10 in the UK for support and welfare (Times Higher EducationStudent Experience Survey).
We have one of the largest Peer Guiding schemes in the country, which supports new students and ensures an easy transition to University life. The scheme has been shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Awards in the Outstanding Student Support Category.
Undergraduate students can benefit from a new study abroad option to give students the international experience many employers are now looking for. The International Experience Programme gives the option of studying overseas for one extra year in a wide variety of destinations and will have ‘with international experience’ added to their degree title.
Our Careers and Employability Service is recognised nationally as being one of the most active careers services in the UK. The Bangor Employability Award offers free opportunities to gain the skills and experiences employers want and need based on up-to-date research.