Bangor University awarded commendations by UK quality experts

Bangor University has created a learning experience that is effective, student-led and student-focused, says a new report from the UK's independent quality body.

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) assessed the University against European Standards and Guidelines and the Quality Assessment Framework for Wales, and judged it to meet all requirements for academic quality and standards.

QAA's team of independent reviewers awarded Bangor three commendations for the:

• extensive and culturally valued partnership with students, which permeates all facets of university life
• deeply embedded bilingualism in all aspects of university life
• systematic collection and use of student engagement and performance data to inform and enhance student support and academic progress.

'The University's approach to enhancing the student learning experience is effective, student-led and student-focused. Students are on all major committees of the University, and staff welcome and evidently value students' involvement,' says the report.

Staff and students spoke positively of their experience of studying and working in both English and Welsh. 'Its bilingualism is evidently of huge benefit to the University and has only a positive impact on the student and staff experience,' says the report.

Bangor University Vice-Chancellor Professor John G Hughes said: 'Bangor is the first university to undergo a Quality Enhancement Review, and we found it to be a very detailed and thorough review.

'The findings reflect the high academic standards that are to be found at Bangor, and we are clearly very pleased with the outcome and the report’s findings.'

Professor Hughes added: 'The report is clear evidence of the excellent way that academic quality is managed at Bangor University, and I’d like to thank all of our staff for their outstanding efforts over the years in maintaining such high standards.'

The expert team that reviewed Bangor University included Professor John Baldock (University of Kent), Claire Blanchard (higher education consultant), Professor John Feather (Loughborough University), and Rhys Jenkins, student reviewer and recent graduate of Cardiff University.