university of Bath Spa, details of Bath Spa university

Bath Spa 

University ranking

• 2010  =82
• 2009  76
• 2008  70

History

• One of the UK’s new ‘teaching-led’ universities, gaining university title in 2005. Formerly Bath Spa University College.
• The university traces its history back over 150 years to the original Bath School of Art and Design.
• The first trainee teachers trained here over 50 years ago.

Location and Transport 

• Two main campuses, Newton Park (all subjects except art and design) and Sion Hill (Bath School of Art and Design), located just outside the city of Bath, with good bus links to the city.
• Bath is just 9 miles from Bristol, 90 minutes from London. 

• Around 85% of first years get into halls (all of a good standard).
• The remainder go into private rented housing specifically reserved for students (all accredited).
• Most halls are on campus, some are off-site nearer the city centre.
• More information about accommodation at Bath Spa University is available here.

Entry standards

League Table

• In the range 220–280 UCAS points.
• Alternative qualifications welcome. Bath Spa has around 35% mature students.
• More details on entry standards at Bath Spa University are available here.

Bursaries and Scholarships

In receipt of full Maintenance Grant  £1,200–£350

In receipt of partial Maintenance Grant  £200–£100

• Tuition fees (2009): £3,225
• Fees for placement year expected to be £1,610. Fees for full year abroad: no fee. Fees for part year abroad: £3,225
• Scholarships worth £1,000 in named single honours science-based subjects will not be means-tested.
• 30% of the additional fee income will be used to assist students from low-income families.
• Eligibility for bursaries to be assessed using UUK/SLC model bursary scheme (HEBSS).
• For more information on bursaries and scholarships at Bath Spa University, click here.

Student mix

• 70% female, 30% male.
• 7% overseas students.
• 35% over 25; 94% of young full-time entrants from state schools or colleges.
• Applications to places ratio approximately 7:1.

Course flexibility

• Most courses are part of a flexible modular scheme, allowing students a good deal of choice.
• Joint degrees are a popular choice – a lot of subjects can be studied as part of a Combined Award.
• An active partnership exists with local FE colleges, enabling some students to study locally.

League Table

• 
  22/24 is the average score for teaching excellence under the QAA scheme.
• Bath Spa is a National Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in the Creative Arts.
• Five members of staff are National Teaching Fellows (an exceptional record for a university this size).

Research standards

League Table 

• Bath Spa staff are actively engaged in research and scholarship that directly informs their teaching.
• As a teaching-led university, all research activity is of direct benefit to students and is applied to what and how they’re taught.

Academic strengths

• High standards of teaching quality (see QAA and Student Satisfaction reports).
• Schools of study: Art & Design, Education, Social Sciences, Music & Performing Arts, English & Creative Studies, Historical & Cultural Studies, Science & the Environment.

Student facilities, including Library and Computing

League Table

• Newly refurbished and extended library.
• Over 700 open access computer workstations.
• Professionally qualified librarians with subject specialisms.

Disability Services

• For information about disability services at Bath Spa University, contact the Disability Officer Hannah Bagnell: telephone 01225 875541, email or visit the website.

Students’ Union

• An active union with lots of events, clubs and societies.
• Newly refurbished union facilities.
• More information about the students' union at Bath Spa University is available here.  

Sport

• Sporting societies operate an open door policy so that all abilities are welcome.
• Several of the teams take part in BUSA competitions.
• For more details on sport at Bath Spa University, visit the website.  

Recent/prospective new builds

• A £5.7-million award-winning university theatre has recently been built.
• Specialist facilities have been provided on both campuses as part of Artswork, the University’s Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Availability of part-time work

• The university’s JobShop is active and successful in providing part-time work opportunities.

For further information

• www.bathspa.ac.uk
• enquiries@bathspa.ac.uk
• Bath Spa University, Newton Park, Newton St Loe, Bath, BA2 9BN
• +44 (0)1225 875875
• Travel and maps