Bath Spa University

Why Choose Bath Spa University?

Bath Spa University is the university of choice for creativity, culture and enterprise. It is a university where teaching students is given the highest priority and where students are treated as individuals. Importantly, it is a university where the vast majority of students enjoy their experience and successfully complete their course. It is a forward-looking and progressive institution which aims to offer students an experience that is distinctive, challenging and fulfilling and that allows them to embark on their future careers with confidence and success.

 

Teaching Quality

Bath Spa is one of the first major 'teaching-led' universities. It places the highest possible emphasis on teaching quality for both postgraduate and undergraduate students, and puts the student at the very centre of its activities.

• Staff at Bath Spa University are passionate about their subjects and aim to deliver excellent teaching to enthusiastic students who are committed to achieving their academic potential.
• As a ‘teaching-led’ university, a lot of effort goes into helping students get the most from their studies. At Bath Spa, expect first rate lecturers, modern, well equipped libraries and IT suites in addition to innovative teaching methods.
• Bath Spa University has received a resounding endorsement for its Teacher Education Programmes from the quality regulator ‘Ofsted’.  Following an inspection by 17 Ofsted inspectors, the University has been graded as ”outstanding” in all three of its programmes leading to qualified teacher status in primary, secondary and further education.
• Bath Spa was jointly ranked as the 7th university in the country for the quality of its teaching and learning in the league table published by The Times Higher in January 2010.
• Bath Spa has been designated as a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in the creative industries, having won a bid in a major UK government competitive programme of funding in 2005. This has enabled significant investment in resources and facilities for students across the School of Music and Performing Arts, School of Humanities and Cultural Industries and Bath School of Art and Design.
• The University has a successful record of student recruitment. It has strong student applications to places available ratio (6:1 for Bath Spa in 2010/11, against an average of 4.5:1 for modern universities in the UK).

 

Research Quality

Bath Spa University is committed to maintaining an active research portfolio. This commitment extends to concentrating on areas of strength while also fostering new research areas.

• The University has research activity across all of its academic schools with particular strengths as measured in the independent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE, 2008).  The most prominent subjects being Art and Design, English and Creative Writing, History, Music, and Psychology.
• All ten subject areas entered in RAE, 2008. Biological Sciences, Geography, Psychology, Education, English and Creative Writing, Study of Religions, History, Art and Design, and Communication, Cultural and Media Studies were judged to be contributing internationally recognised research. The research in Music, Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Art and Design, History and English was awarded a world-leading rating.
• A new centre for postgraduate and doctoral level study in educational development has been established at Corsham Court (formally the home of the Bath Academy of Art) – a significant addition to the University's research infrastructure.   At the centre there are a number of academic staff and doctoral researchers working together around common themes approved by the University’s Research Centres and Research Groups. The University particularly welcomes PhD enquiries from potential applicants whose research may complement that of the centres and groups.
• Research Centres: Bath School of Art and Design: Research Centre in Fashion & Textiles / Research Centre in Ceramics / Research Centre in Contemporary Art. School of Education: Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology (CEIT) / Centre for Research in Early Scientific Learning (CRESL) / Centre for Research in Arts Education (CRAE) / Children and the Environment Research Centre (CERC) / Centre for Research into Inclusion and Vulnerable Learners (CRIVL) / Centre for Education Policy in Practice (CEPIP). School of Humanities and Cultural Industries: Contemporary Writing / Writing and the Environment / Book, Text and Place (1500-1750) / History and Culture / Media Futures Research Centre.  School of Science, Society and Management: Quaternary Research Centre / Communities and Social Identities Group /Health and Social Care Centre / School of Music and Performing Arts: Centre for Musical Research.
• Research Groups: School of Humanities and Cultural Industries: Writing for Young People. School of Science, Society and Management: Cell and Microbiology Research Group / Changing Landscapes Research Group / Ecology Research Group / Psychological Research Group.

 

International

Leaving one’s own country to study in the UK is a big step, but be assured of a friendly welcome and plenty of support at Bath Spa University. An undergraduate degree from Bath Spa University will give each student a quality qualification and will be recognised as world class.

• Bath Spa welcomes students from across the globe. Each year, the University welcomes students from around 40 different countries.
• The University has links with many universities abroad.  Currently the University has partnerships with institutions in Australia, Malaysia, Korea, China, the USA, India and Japan and throughout Europe.
• The University has membership of many important international education organisations including the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the European Association for International Education and the NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
• Bath Spa can trace its history back over 160 years, to the original Bath School of Art. Therefore, while the University is modern and progressive, it builds on a long history of tradition and success in higher education.
• Bath Spa University was one of the first universities to be awarded the Eco-Campus Platinum Award in recognition of progress in reducing its environmental impact and its commitment to continuous improvement. It was placed 7th out of 142 in the recent People and Planet Green League.
• The University will offer help and advice to all international students applying to Bath Spa and will take great care to make sure students have all the information and support that is needed to confidently start their studies. This includes advice on immigration procedures, travel, accommodation or any other information.
• For Language requirements, if English is not the first language then a student will need an IELTS of 6.0, TOEFL PBT 540, CBT 207, iBT 76 or Trinity College London’s ISE at Level II.

 

Student Satisfaction

Bath Spa University is a popular and highly rated university, with applications per place among the highest of the 65 modern universities. National indicators confirm success in high levels of student satisfaction, employment skills and high completion rates.

• Figures released in 2011 confirm that Bath Spa University students are overwhelmingly satisfied with their University experience.
• 83% of Bath Spa students who responded to the annual National Student Survey (NSS) confirmed that they were overall satisfied with their course, with 87% expressing satisfaction with the quality of teaching on their course.
• Satisfaction scores for individual subjects placed the University's Business Studies course in top position, with an impressive 95% of students saying they were satisfied with the course – which was amongst the five highest scores in the country.
• Bath Spa University has become an increasingly popular choice for students in recent years and this year experienced a 14% increase in applications to its undergraduate courses (compared to 4% nationally).

 

Employable Graduates

Industry-informed degree programmes coupled with a range of personal and professional development opportunities enrich the university experience and help improve a student’s career prospects.

• In 2010, 91% of Bath Spa graduates were in employment or further study six months after graduation. The number of Bath Spa graduates known to be in work was the highest recorded for the University, as was the number working in graduate-level jobs. Even in the midst of an economic downturn, graduates successfully entered a diverse range of careers from public sector management roles and graduate schemes to starting their own businesses (particularly in the creative industries) and teaching.
• Bath Spa wants to make sure that its students are well prepared for the jobs market when they graduate and does so by making sure that they have all the transferable skills they need, along with practical experience in relevant employment fields.  
• The University also develops links with local employers in many different ways so that Bath Spa University is well known and well respected.
• All Bath Spa Students follow a course that emphasises transferable skills and employability. The entire modular scheme was revised in 2009 to increase the employability of students. All graduates now benefit from a degree programme that provides a wide student experience, with clear improvements to their future employment prospects.
• Bath Spa's lecturing staff of over 450 includes over 200 practitioners with recent and current industry experience, helping to ensure that students graduate with industry-ready experience. Bath Spa has unique, outstanding quality courses in a number of areas, including an MA in Creative Writing about which one publisher is quoted as saying. "The course is renowned for producing [graduates] who go on to have brilliant writing careers." Another says that "it produces writing that we, as an agency, can do business with - from remarkable literary debuts to distinguished commercial fiction, and all points in-between.” In that regard, this course has no equal.
• Students will be introduced to graduate recruiters, local, regional and national employers and business experts through a range of industry events on campus. From careers events and industry mentors to employer presentations and networking evenings, students will  have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the likes of the BBC, NHS, Future Publishing, Ordnance Survey, Hilton Hotels and many more, enabling them to find out about the many options open to them upon graduation.
• Many subjects have placements or industry projects as part of their degree programmes,which can help develop a range of skills and experiences to support a student’s career development. Placements and internships are also available on an extra-curricular basis, both during term-time and vacation periods.
• Bath Spa is proud that it is developing graduate entrepreneurs and providing them with a host of possibilities within their degree to develop creative, innovative and enterprising ideas.  Many opportunities exist at Bath Spa to unleash ones entrepreneurial spirit. The University’s Business Plan competition inspires and rewards excellent new concepts and business start-up proposals from students. “InSparation” is a network offering support, advice and developmental opportunities for enterprising Bath Spa students.

 

Variety of Courses

The courses at Bath Spa University are of proven quality, attractive to students and highly relevant for subsequent employment.

• The majority of BSU students (about 82%) are following honours degree courses; these involve three years of full-time study or five to six years part-time study.
• From Fashion Design to Human Nutrition and from Foundation degrees to Honours degrees, prospective student will find plenty of great courses to choose from.  
• There is a good level of flexibility and choice built into most of the courses, so that students can build up a programme of study to suit their particular interests and career aspirations.
• Most courses are part of a Modular Scheme, and all are modular in structure. Modules are self- standing units of study and students earn credit when they successfully complete them.  Modules are worth either 20 or 40 credits and a full-time student  will normally take a 120 credits each year while part-time will take between 40 and 80 credits each year.
• School of Art and Design:  Founded more than 150 years ago, the Bath School of Art and Design has a successful history and an international reputation for creativity and innovation. As part of the School, students will work with a wide range of internationally recognised art and design practitioners and thinkers. Dynamic teaching, excellent facilities and an atelier-style approach will give students an exciting specialist learning environment in which to achieve their potential.
• School of Education: Bath Spa University is one of the national leaders in the development of Education Studies, and the School of Education is the largest in the university with over fifty academic staff, many with national and international reputations. BSU programmes will enable students to explore the nature, aims, values and functions of education in a rapidly changing world, preparing students for careers as in a wide range of education or related settings.
• School of Humanities and Cultural Industries: The high-quality research-led teaching on all courses within the School makes Bath Spa an extremely popular choice for students. Its aim is to provide an exciting, stimulating learning environment which both supports and empowers students throughout their undergraduate experience. Bath Spa is at the forefront of new developments and students will be taught by staff at the leading edge of their disciplines.
• School of Music and Performing Arts: The School is a vibrant and creative community of students and staff with over 1000 musicians, actors, dancers, composers, choreographers, writers, producers and technicians. Performance is at the heart of the course programmes, and the Bath Spa Live programme combines visits by internationally renowned musicians, theatre and dance companies with frequent student performances both on-campus and in professional venues.
• School of Science, Society and Management: The central aim is to provide high quality academic as well as vocationally orientated programmes that will challenge and inspire, and will prepare students for a future career. All subjects have been reviewed favourably by external quality agencies, and have extensive contacts with national subject centres dedicated to developing excellence in teaching and research.

 

Location

While Bath has the unique distinction of being England's only World Heritage City, it is also an exciting and lively city with plenty to see and do on a student budget. Whether it's high culture or fun culture, Bath offers it all. Its beauty and historical significance attract visitors from all over the world. The surrounding seven hills and the towers of Bath Abbey create a stunning impression on arrival.

For students, there is an opportunity to explore beyond the major tourist attractions and discover the hidden wealth of interesting and inexpensive shops, markets, cafes and restaurants. Bath is easy to reach, whether based on the Sion Hill campus (within walking distance of the centre), or the Newton Park campus (where a bus service runs regularly from the campus into the town centre, into the early hours of the morning).

Famous for its Roman Baths, romantic riverside and elegant Georgian architecture, Bath boasts some of the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in Europe. The Royal Crescent, the Circus, the Abbey, the Pump Room and the Assembly Rooms are all essential features on any visitor's itinerary. And yet Bath is far more than a historical monument - it is bustling with life and entertainment.

Bath has plenty to offer those interested in art galleries or museums– in fact, there are no less than seventeen in the city. For classical music enthusiasts, the Bath International Music Festival brings world class music to the city for two weeks each May. The Theatre Royal is a major touring venue which regularly features famous actors and actresses. Comedians and various comedy acts are regularly showcased in Bath and some go on to nationwide stardom.  For the film buff, Bath boasts a number of cinemas, including the Little Theatre which shows art-house and cult movies. You can catch a fine selection of premieres at the annual Bath Film Festival.

Bath is in an area steeped in history and tradition. Glastonbury, with its famous Tor and Abbey, is close by – and is, of course, is also the home of the UK's biggest annual music festival. Cheddar Caves and Wookey Hole are popular tourist attractions, and the beautiful coastlines of Dorset and Devon are within easy reach for a day out.