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Based in North Wales, Bangor is one of the smallest cities in the UK. It’s perfect for students who are looking for a friendly and intimate university experience, beautiful scenery and places to explore. Read on for our guide to being a student in Bangor. You’ll find out about accommodation options, how to get around, what the nightlife is like and what else there is to do here.
CONTENTS
- Student activities in Bangor
- Nightlife in Bangor
- Student accommodation in Bangor
- Transport in Bangor
- Student costs in Bangor
- Universities in Bangor
Student activities in Bangor
Bangor is a small city but there’s still plenty to keep you entertained, both within the city and the surrounding areas. Bangor is home to some delicious eateries, including Kyffin, a vegetarian deli with a proud Welsh heritage, and Blue Sky Cafe, which offers locally-sourced food and excellent coffee.
Pontio is the city’s cultural hub and part of Bangor University. There’s a huge variety of entertainment and arts on the programme, including independent films, live music, drama, cabaret, circus and comedy.
Outside the city, Beaumaris Pier is a popular day out, with stunning coastal views, refreshing sea air, wildlife spotting and pleasure boat trips. Zip World is another day trip, particularly if you love a good rush of adrenaline. This outdoor adventure centre is based in the nearby Penrhyn Quarry, where you can have a go on the world’s fastest zip-line or try go-karting in the quarry.
Read our guide to the top ten things to do in Bangor
Nightlife in Bangor
As a small city, Bangor is mostly known for its pubs and restaurants. Patrick’s Bar is an Irish pub beloved by students. As well as cheap drinks and a friendly atmosphere, the pub streams all the big sporting games and even has its own karaoke setup.
Bar Uno is located on the university campus. With pool tables and screens showing sports events, it’s the ideal hangout spot after lectures.
If you’re looking for somewhere to party until the early hours there are a small number of clubs that stay open until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. Cube is a popular spot, with four different rooms and affordable entry. There’s a Bavarian themed bar, graffiti inspired decor and a room dedicated to cheesy pop.
Student accommodation in Bangor
There are only 17,000 people in Bangor, 10,000 of which are students, all needing accommodation during their studies. Bangor University has two student housing villages, St Mary’s and Ffriddoedd. The cost of accommodation will depend on the type of room you choose. For example, St Mary’s Village offers a range of budget rooms, ensuite bedrooms, studio apartments and houses, ranging from £140 to £200 per week. Ffriddoedd Village is mostly made up of ensuite rooms that cost between £117 and £148 per week, with the largest rooms being the most expensive.
You can also rent privately in Bangor, and the high number of students in the city means there’s plenty of options. It’s also very affordable. On average, rental costs are 30% lower than in Swansea, and over 40% cheaper than Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Expect to pay between £450 and £490 per month for a studio apartment, or from £350 to £500 per month for a room in a shared house. Unlike in halls, you’ll have to cover your WiFi and utility bills if you rent privately, but this is still cheap compared to other UK cities. We’d recommend budgeting about £45 a month for this on top of rent.
Transport in Bangor
Most students choose to get around Bangor by foot. It’s a compact city and most of the uni buildings and Student’s Union are within walking distance of the centre. If you want to get the bus, there are local routes with student fare options, as well as services to destinations a little further out like Porthmadog and Caernarfon.
There’s also a train station in Bangor. The rail network connects to nearby towns like Llandudno and Holyhead as well as further afield. You can get to Liverpool in about 90 minutes by train, Manchester in two hours, London in three hours and Cardiff in four. If you’re going to be using the train, make sure to purchase a 16-25 Railcard. This will get you a third off train fares for one year for a one-off cost of £30.
Student costs in Bangor
Bangor is small, so you don’t have all the options for shopping and entertainment as you would in a bigger city such as Swansea or Cardiff. However, as much of the city is dedicated to student living, you’ll find plenty of ways to live within your student budget. Bangor University has downloadable budgeting templates on its website which are worth taking a look at to help you plan your spending.
The uni suggests budgeting around £27 a week for your food shop. Most well-known supermarkets can be found in the city, including low-cost options like Lidl and Aldi. You can expect to pay 63p for a loaf of bread, £1.12 for a kilogram of rice, £2.05 for a dozen eggs and £1.02 for a kilogram of potatoes. If you want to treat yourself to a meal out once in a while, this won’t break the bank. You’ll find restaurants offering meals for around £13 as well as cheaper cafes and takeaways.
Socialising and entertainment can also be done at a low cost if you look out for student deals and discounts. Many clubs and pubs cater well for students and offer two for one drinks or free entry, and you’ll find plenty of places that give discounts with a valid student ID. The university is well known for a variety of student clubs and societies and has over 150 to pick from. These are all free to join, although you might want to keep some money aside for equipment or socials.
We would generally recommend a budget of £700 a month on top of your fees as a student in Bangor. This will include standard living costs like laundry and toiletries. Your spending might be lower or higher depending on your own personal lifestyle and type of accommodation.
Read more about the cost of living as a student in Bangor
Universities in Bangor
Bangor University is the only uni in the city. It’s known for its stunning location, leading research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainability. Many degrees offer a placement year or international experience in order for students to gain employability skills and boost their CV.
If you’re interested in studying in Bangor, take a look at all the courses on offer. It’s also a good idea to book onto an open day, so you can see what it’s all about.
