�鶹AV

"I left with a 2:2 and no clear plan, but the skills I didn't realise I was building turned out to be everything."

The breadth of soft-skills Harrison Davis gained alongside his degree led him to roles at Samsung, Google and now TikTok.

"I immediately settled into enjoying lectures in the gorgeous Main Arts building"

Unsure of her career ambitions, choosing to study a subject she enjoyed led Elspeth Ward (Psychology with Clinical and Health Psychology, 2007) into numerous interesting positions and is now Supervision Lead in NHS Mersey Care Talk Therapy.

"With enough passion, perseverance, and belief in the wild beauty of life, you can be anything"

Ryan Eddowes (Zoology with Herpetology, 2015) is celebrating a decade of defying the odds after being told by medical experts that his dream of working with animals would never be possible. 

"Undertaking a PhD has profoundly shaped both my personal and professional development."

Years after her undergraduate degree, Nadia Portelli found the motivation to revisit her ambition to pursue a PhD in sports sciences.

"My experience at �鶹AV empowered me and significantly enriched my personal growth"

Juliet Mondol's MSc in Applied Behavioural Analysis (2018) helped build on her foundation in the field of mental health so she can better support her own students at the Indian Institute of Technology.

"Bangor taught me that life can’t be all work—there also has to be time for joy."

Caroline graduated from �鶹AV with qualified teacher status and the skills to contribute to her community.

"I was a shy 18 year old but Bangor transformed me"

Alun Hughes took a double path after graduation, enjoying a teaching career whilst also working on his passion for music in the retail industry.

"Bangor gave me the confidence to bring change to dementia care in Malaysia"

Originally from Malaysia, Chia Yi Tay (MSc Dementia Studies, 2022) embraced Welsh culture during her studies in Bangor.

"I don't regret my decision to go to Bangor one bit, it was definitely the right decision for me"

Lewis Thompson's degree in Sport, Health and Exercise Science (2022) highlighted the many avenues he could take after graduation.

"Looking back, choosing �鶹AV was one of the best decisions I’ve made"

Volunteering experience as a student led Cían Sherwin (Zoology with Herpetology, 2017) on a mission to restore and preserve Arctic sea ice.

"I was able to have some amazing experiences as a result of my time at Bangor, both from things that I expected and pursued and from opportunities that I would never have predicted before starting at Bangor."

A joint honours degree in Sports Science and French has led Glenn Swain (2022) to his role of Lead Academy Coach within the Futsal department of the Bloomsbury Football Foundation.

"�鶹AV is a fantastic place to undertake your degree (or three, in my case!)"

Libby Steele (Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2022) explains how her undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD studies at Bangor prepared her for her current role at Disability Sport Wales.

"This MA gave me everything I wanted and everything I didn't know I craved"

Following her experience as an Erasmus exchange student, Emilie returned to Bangor for her MA degree.

"It’s the small lessons learned through observation and conversation that leave the deepest impact"

A passion for talent development has taken Jessica Hughes (Sport- Health & Physical Education, 2019) from rugby to Zipworld.

"As a disabled person from a council estate, despite growing up in a university city, I didn't even think I would get into university"

Although she never thought she’d get into University, Erin Pritchard (Geography, 2008) has gone on to gain a PhD and is now a lecturer in Disability Studies and is a consultant for Walt Disney studios.

"My degree played a huge role in shaping my career, not just in terms of academic knowledge but also through the practical experiences and networking opportunities it provided."

A lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at �鶹AV and a post-doctoral researcher for World Rugby, Seren also works as a Physiotherapist and is the lead medic for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru Women’s and Girls and Welsh Rugby Union Under 18s teams.

"I had just turned thirty when a nagging doubt started to surface about the path I was following. Something had to change."

A distance learning course from Bangor helped Joe Gray (Forestry, 2016) move into the environmental sector.

"We both keep UCNW and our stay in Bangor very high in our life memories as they were key for our careers, professional development, and undoubtedly also for our personal and family lives."

Having received awards from the British Council, Salvador Sánchez-Colón and his wife María Elena were able to come from Mexico to study their MSc in Ecology at Bangor in the mid-1980s. Here Salvador tells us about their time in Bangor and a career including work at Mexico’s Ministry of the Environment and a number of UN agencies.

“I started in Bangor in 1960 at the School of Engineering Science, led by Prof. Gavin, that at the time was one of a select few such departments in UK"

Dr Stan Jones OBE’s PhD in Electronic Engineering at Bangor led the way to a long and successful career in the industry.

“I am extremely proud to say that my first ever showreels and pilot were recorded at Menai Bridge”

Wildlife presenter, scuba diver and shark expert Tom “The Blowfish” Hird is the world’s only heavy metal marine biologist!

"Growing up in an urban Northern town, seeing the mountains, lakes and forests of north Wales was enough to know I’d found where I wanted to spend the next three years"

Although studying a degree in Mathematics, Iqbal Hussain's time working on the student newspaper led him to follow his passion for words not numbers. 

"Entrepreneurs can be graduates too"

Toby Dixon, a self-made multi-millionaire and now private equity fund founder, came to �鶹AV to study Business Studies and Marketing

"I loved the course, especially enjoying the evolutionary psychology module, and the amazing people I met"

Ashleigh Smith made the most of her time as a student and now works in her dream area.

"I look back at it with only fondness, remembering who I was before and who I am today."

Sif Brookes (Psychology, 2014) shares why their years at Bangor were transformative.

"I was so lucky and blessed to be part of a vibrant academic community"

Maria-Sosanna Vasileiou (Applied Linguistics for TEFL MA, 2021) is enjoying her dream job teaching English to young children in Greece.

“My time at �鶹AV gave me such enormous confidence, independence and a belief in my abilities” 

A degree in History with Journalism (2006) at Bangor led Jamie Smith to fulfil his lifelong dream of writing and publishing a novel.

Alumnus Dr Alan Crofts, a Biochemistry undergraduate at Bangor, went onto seek adventure after leaving the University in 1990.

"�鶹AV opened a world of opportunities for me"

Ellinor Shore (Biomedical Science, 2020) pursued her science career after gaining her BSc in Bangor.

"I am grateful for the experiences and life-long friends I gained while at �鶹AV"

Lauren Evans (Philosophy and Religion, 2017) immersed herself in student life at Bangor.

"The Bangor PhD gowns are also much nicer than my York ones!"

After graduating from Bangor, Richard Williams found his niche through studying at various institutions.

"Probably few alumni can claim still to be working on their PhD research topic 50 years after gaining the degree"

From Bangor to Swaziland, Prof. Julian Evans (Forestry, 1968, Forestry PhD, 1972 and Forestry DSc, 1988) tells us about his 50 years’ research in Forestry.

 "I wanted to give myself the best possible shot at becoming a writer, and Bangor seemed like a good place to start."

Zoe's decision to stay in Bangor to study her MA at the University set her on the path to becoming a published author.

"If any mature students are considering returning to university then �鶹AV is the place to be, as they say it’s never too late to learn"

Despite being in his 60s, Adrian came to Bangor to study his MA and fully immersed himself in student life.

"Bangor changed my life and put it onto a path that meant I was paid for working on my hobby."

Alumnus and �鶹AV Honorary Fellow, Prof. Dr John Porter (Agricultural Botany 1976 and Plant Biology PhD 1981) has had a successful career in crop ecology and physiology, biological modelling and agricultural ecology.

"I wanted to be a better therapist is all; but I think the Masters helped shape a broader person and, for that, I will be eternally grateful."

Following his MSc in Counselling at �鶹AV, James Donaldson took part in the BBC's 'Reunion Hotel'. 

"The journey to study at �鶹AV was a thrilling one"

James Otai (MSc. Environmental and Business Management, 2020) chose Bangor to further his education to help him develop his social enterprise work in Uganda.

“�鶹AV helped shape my entrepreneurial spirit” 

Tasmin Lofthouse (Psychology, 2014) set up her own marketing agency after discovering her passion for Consumer Psychology at Bangor.

“Bangor provided lots of opportunities for me” 

After spotting a gap in the market for online luxury gifts, Michelle Daniel (French & Business Studies, 2009) went on to co-found of an online gifting company.

"As an undergraduate, I must confess I spent more time talking about writing than actually doing it!"

A love of creative writing and career in teaching and publishing has led to a two-book deal for Jacquie Bloese (English Literature and French, 1993). 

“I learned to dive in winter, in a home-made wetsuit..."

From Bangor to Phuket, Pete Atkinson's (Zoology with Marine Zoology, 1978) photographic career has taken him around the world.

 "I’d often tinker with the script in my room on Ffriddoedd Site"

From Main Arts to Penguin Random House: How Bangor made Tom Hindle (English, 2014) an author.

"I applied for a Commonwealth Scholarship, passed the interview and was given a scholarship to go to the UK"

Prof. Akello was given a warm welcome on his arrival at Bangor as an international student in 1974

“My nursing placement in Pokhara helped me become a better Nurse and helped prepare me for working through the COVID-19 pandemic” 

As part of her degree in Nursing, Chloe Roberts (Nursing, 2020) did an overseas placement in Pokhara, Nepal.

“My first date with my wife Chris was in the cafe at the end of Bangor Pier!” 

Studying Agricultural Botany at Bangor started David Scarisbrick's (Agricultural Botany, 1965) career in the field.

"I still look fondly at my times studying in the fens of Anglesey and the bogs of Snowdonia"

Bangor provided the perfect environment for Chris Dennis (Applied Terrestrial and Marine Ecology, 2011) to pursue his interest in nature.

“I had dreams of being the next Jacques Cousteau!” 

During one of his breaks from the Royal Navy,  Matt Ruglys (Zoology with Marine Zoology, 1978) worked as an underwater wildlife cameraman on programmes such as Blue Planet.

"Bangor helped me establish a foundation for lifelong learning and learn the need for a keen work ethic"

The University's soccer club played a big part in Ian Gray's (Economics, 1973) student experience at Bangor.

"The course made me feel younger than I was at the time, and I relished the challenge"

In his fifties, Peter Montgomery (Sociology with Social Policy, 2002) returned to education to study at �鶹AV.

"I guided the team to the wooden spoon in the UW Championship!"

Pete Curle (Chemistry, Biochemistry and Soil Science, 1968) shares his sporting memories as a student.

"Bangor opened up so many opportunities to me"

Pippa Joyner (French, 1996) has become a published author with stories inspired by her time in Bangor.

“I am ever grateful to the University and the City for my experience and the knowledge that I use to this day”

Graeme Patterson (Botany with Marine Botany, 1978) shares his memories of student life in the 1970s.

"I set up my business in my spare time whilst studying at Bangor"

Gaz Thomas (MEng Electronic Engineering, 2004) took advantage of �鶹AV's support to set up his business during his postgraduate studies.

“My 4 years at Bangor were the best 4 years of my educational life”

Sara Rawoot (Psychology with Neuropsychology, 2019) is closer to fulfilling her dreams after completing her degree at �鶹AV.

"My 3 years there were the making of me, and the experience moulded me into the person I am now"

Graham Newman (Mathematics, 1976) shares his memories of his time at University.

Bangor Alumna's Psychology Degree takes her to Facebook HQ

You’ll find Bangor graduates working at every major company across the globe. Facebook, the world’s largest social media company, is home to Susie Thompson, a 2004 Psychology graduate who has found her dream job in California.

Hasan Sater (Banking and Finance, 2012) was named the �鶹AV / BIBF Alumnus of the Year 2023