The University of Bath is a public research university located in the city of Bath, located in the South West of England. Ranked at number eight out of 130 UK universities by the Complete University Guide 2023, the University of Bath is one of the country’s leading universities. 

Whether you’re a student at the University of Bath already, or you’re considering applying to study there, this guide will give you an overview of all you need to know about this higher education institution!

The University of Bath’s history

The university was officially established in 1966 as the Bath University of Technology, with a strong focus on the sciences and technical fields. Eventually, in 1971, this became the University of Bath. Since then, the university has been internationally recognised for its high quality teaching and research.

Which programmes does the University of Bath offer?

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in a variety of fields. It is particularly well-known for its engineering, sciences and management courses, but also offers programmes in:

• Computer Science
• Politics, International Studies and Languages
• Architecture
• Economics and Finance
• Sports Science and Management
• Education
• Mathematical Sciences

… and many more! However, as the University of Bath is mainly science-oriented, it does not offer many Bachelor of Arts programmes (courses such as English, History and Art are not taught at the university).

The university offers more specialised Master’s and PhD programmes too. Have a look at the university’s Programme Catalogue to see what options there are for you.

How does the University of Bath rank?

The University of Bath is ranked highly and has a good reputation in terms of awards and accolades. In 2023, it was named the university of the year by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide! It was also given a spot in the top 100 of the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022.

Student satisfaction was scored at 86% in 2022, meaning that the majority of students are happy with the institution.

What accommodation does the University of Bath offer?

The University of Bath offers a wide range of accommodation options for both undergraduates and postgraduates. For those who prefer to live in university-owned halls, there are options differing in price, location and amenities. 

You can choose to live on the University’s Claverton Down campus, which is the better option if you want to be in close proximity to your classes and University facilities. You can also live in the University of Bath’s halls in the city centre, which will suit you if you don’t mind taking a short commute up to campus by bus.

The University of Bath offers self-catered halls, where a full kitchen is provided and students prepare food for themselves. If this isn’t what you’re looking for, you can also stay in halls that come with food and drinks credits which can be spent in restaurants and cafes on campus.

In terms of dorm type, there are shared dorms if you don’t mind having a roommate to cut costs, dorms with shared facilities including a bathroom and kitchen, en-suite dorms, and even studio flats. 

The University of Bath has accommodation options for every type of person! There are disability-friendly, alcohol-free, single-sex, quiet and mature student-only dorms.

Have a look at the University of Bath’s accommodation website here.

If you’re looking for non-university accommodation, pre-sign up with Roome today. We’re expanding to Bath very soon, and will have a whole range of properties for you to check out!

What is campus life like?

The University of Bath’s Claverton Down campus is situated within lush fields and countryside, but is only a short bus ride from the lively city centre. This gives you the best of both worlds- fresh air and walks in nature, or shops, restaurants, bars and clubs!

Campus is served by several bus routes, with buses coming regularly throughout the day. There is a 24 hour bus service from the city centre to campus.

There are several on-campus supermarkets where students can buy their groceries, as well as a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes available to eat, drink and hang out with friends.

The Student Union at the University of Bath is very active, often hosting events such as quizzes, movie screenings and games nights. It also doubles as an on-campus bar and club where students can gather to socialise and party several times a week.

For studying, your options are unlimited. There are private rooms if you prefer to work on your own, a library with computers, as well as co-working spaces for group discussions.

Due to the number of students living on-campus, it is nearly always busy and there is always something to do!

Which extracurricular activities are available at the University of Bath?

The University of Bath is one of the country’s leading sports universities, with a huge number of top-of-the-range sporting facilities. The on-campus Sports Training Village boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a kitted-out gym, an athletic track, tennis courts, a dojo, and so much more. If you’re interested in pursuing sports at university, this will definitely be a great place for you.

If sports aren’t really your thing, that’s no problem. The University of Bath also has a centre for the arts: The Edge. Here you’ll find art classes, music rooms and drama studios where you can get your creative juices flowing. 

The Student Union has dozens of societies and groups for students to join. They cover all areas of interest: cultural societies, political groups, and sports clubs, to societies as niche as curry or anime society! Find a full list here.

What is the city of Bath like?

Bath is a Roman city: a perfect blend of history and modernity. Known for being extremely walkable, you can get across the city entirely on foot.

There are a number of landmarks to visit, such as the Roman Baths, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent. There are also lots of beautiful parks and green spaces, perfect for walks and picnics.

For a taste of culture, Bath has museums and art galleries (many of which offer great student discounts!). Check out the Holburne Museum or the Jane Austen Centre. 

Bath is chockablock with restaurants and cafes- you can find pretty much any cuisine in the city. There’s also a wide range of shops, from high street classics to independent local businesses. 

If you’re looking for nightlife, Bath has a thriving bar and pub scene, as well as several clubs with events on every night of the week. 

We hope this guide answered all of your burning questions about the University of Bath! If you want to visit it, here are the dates for upcoming open days.

Be sure to check out the Roome website, where we post loads of tips and tricks for university students every single week. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook to learn more about how we’re revolutionising the student housing market!