University of Bath

HISTORY

The University of Bath is a public university located in Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom. It received its Royal Charter in 1966 and can trace its roots to a technical school established in Bristol in 1856.

In 1885 the school became part of the Society of Merchant Venturers and was renamed the Merchant Venturers’ Technical College an institution founded as a school in 1595. Meanwhile, in the neighbouring city of Bath, a pharmaceutical school, the Bath School of Pharmacy, was founded in 1907. This became part of the Technical College in 1929.

The college came under the control of the Bristol Education Authority in 1949; it was renamed then the Bristol College of Technology, and in 1960 the Bristol College of Science and Technology, when it became one of ten technical colleges under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education. The college was mainly housed in the former Muller’s Orphanage at Ashley Down in Bristol, which still houses part of the City of Bristol College whilst the remainder has been converted into residential housing.

In 1963, the Robbins Committee report paved the way for the college (along with a number of other institutions) to assume university status as Bath University of Technology.

Following discussions between the College Principal and the Director of Education in Bath, an agreement was reached to provide the college with a new home in Claverton Down, Bath, on a greenfield site overlooking the city.

According to The Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2015 the University of Bath is the best university in the UK for student experience. In The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2014 the university was awarded the title of “Best Campus University in Britain”. Bath was awarded the title of ‘University of the Year 2011/12’. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, 32% of Bath’s submitted research activity achieved the highest possible classification of 4*, defined as world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour. 87% was graded 4*/3*, defined as world-leading/internationally excellent.

The university is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Association of MBAs, the European Quality Improvement System, the European University Association, Universities UK and GW4, a grouping which brings together the South West and Wales’ four leading, research-intensive universities (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter). Until 30 October 2012, it was also a member of the 1994 Group.

COURSES

The university is divided into four faculties and each faculty into various departments.

Faculty of Engineering & Design

• Architecture and Civil Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Electronic & Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences

• Economics
• Education
• Health
• Politics, Languages & International Studies
• Psychology
• Social & Policy Sciences

Faculty of Management

• School of Management

Faculty of Science

• Biology & Biochemistry
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Mathematical Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Pharmacy & Pharmacology
• Physics

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

They are committed to attracting the best and brightest students from the UK and overseas.

The average number of UCAS points on entry for 2015–16 was 475.

Entry standards for individual courses are available in the prospectus and on the University of Bath website.

ACADEMIC STRENGTHS

Their areas of study cover Engineering and Design, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Management.

Bath has an excellent record of supporting students with 93% completing their degree.

They run one of the largest and most established placement schemes in the UK higher education sector, with close links to business, the professions and the voluntary sector both in the UK and overseas.

Their Careers Service has links with over 8,000 employers, including world-leading organisations like Airbus, the World Bank, Nike and Microsoft.

Students looking for careers advice can connect directly with alumni who have relevant experience to receive one-to-one support in planning their future.

TEACHING STANDARDS

Their students voted them first for student satisfaction two years in a row in the National Student Survey (2013 and 2014).

Their highly employable graduates enjoy a starting salary £4,500 higher than the national average for first degree graduates in full-time UK employment (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, 2012–13).

They have a great student rep system in place at the University so student feedback is taken directly to staff and acted upon.

CAREERS GUIDANCE

They will help develop the students` skills and the tools they need to succeed in their future career.

They provide help with career planning and job search skills such as interviews, applications, writing the students` CV and aptitude testing.

The Careers Service also arranges up to 400 employer recruitment visits to the university each year, including career fairs in the autumn and summer so there are plenty of opportunities for the students to network.