British Education Award Shortlist for Mark

Mark Barrow at his graduation earlier this summer.Mark Barrow, who graduated from Bangor University earlier this year, has been nominated for a British Education Award (BEA). These Awards promote excellence in British education and celebrate individuals who have excelled within the UK education system.

Mark Barrow from Saddleworth, Oldham, graduated with a First Class Honours degree in History with Journalism, attaining a mark of 84%.

Mark, a former student of Oldham Sixth Form College, came top of his year, and won the Dr John Robert Jones Prize, awarded annually to the best students across all disciplines a the University.

He has now been nominated for the UK Award and will attend the Ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester on 31 January 2019. Mark is in good company as Bangor graduate Maisie Prior won last year’s Higher Education category.

Dr Nikolaos Papadogiannis, a lecturer in Modern and Contemporary History at Bangor University, nominated Mark and said:

“Mark was an exceptional student and his performance in all the modules he has attended was outstanding. 

He won three academic awards at his graduation. In addition to the overall Prize, he won awards for the highest Dissertation score within the School and the highest overall score. Moreover, Mark was outstanding in terms of his collaboration with his fellow students: he was among the students who treated the viewpoints of others with respect, even when he disagreed. He actually encouraged other students to participate.” 

Twenty-two year old Mark is currently the University’s Students’ Union Vice-President for Education. He said of his time as a student:

“The School where I studied was excellent. Pastoral support was better than you’d expect, with academics always being on hand to help, support and provide guidance to students

“I really enjoyed my course here. There has been a diverse range of modules and assessments, and that is so vital in terms of gaining experience of transferable skills.”

Mark chose to study at Bangor University as it was one of only a few institutions to offer the course he wanted.  He added:

“Students get to know their lecturers on first name terms, due to the ‘community feel’ of Bangor, and because we are a medium sized University.”

“Being an outdoors person, there was only one destination for me. North Wales is an amazing area to be a student, and I wouldn’t change the experience I’ve had here.

Mark is enjoying his current challenges as Vice President for Education at the University’s Students Union where he represents students’ academic views and interests and works with the University to make positive change for students.

Publication date: 7 December 2018