Bath Spa University

Bath Spa University is a public university whose roots lie in the Bath School of Art, founded in 1852. After operating as Bath College of Higher Education and later as Bath Spa University College, it was granted full university status in 2005. Its principal campus is Newton Park, a rural estate west of Bath with Grade I listed buildings. Art and design teaching is based at Locksbrook Campus, a converted industrial building in the city, while Sion Hill hosts education courses. The university has also taught degree programmes in London since 2024, with centres in Canary Wharf and Hackney.

Bath Spa has a distinctive focus on creativity, culture and enterprise. Teaching is organised across six schools: Bath Business School, the Bath School of Music and Performing Arts, the School of Creative and Cultural Arts, the School of Design, the School of Education and Humanities, and the School of Sciences. Including students taught through partner colleges, total enrolment is close to 30,000. The university holds a Silver rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework and was named University of the Year for Social Inclusion in The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

Information for International Students

Bath Spa University provides a dedicated international team that supports applicants from enquiry through to graduation, working alongside country representatives and regional recruitment offices. An Immigration Advice Service gives guidance on Student visa applications, the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) process and the Graduate Route. Students on a Student visa complete in-person enrolment during Welcome Weekend.

For most undergraduate courses the typical English language requirement is IELTS Academic 6.0 overall, with at least 5.5 in each component. Postgraduate courses typically require IELTS 6.5 or 7.0, with no component below 6.0. Applicants who do not yet meet the requirement can take a pre-sessional English programme, offered in several lengths of up to sixteen weeks depending on their starting level, and the English Language Unit continues to provide support during degree study. A number of undergraduate degrees are available with an integrated foundation year, including business programmes taught in London.

Full-time first-year undergraduate and foundation students who make Bath Spa their firm choice and apply by the published deadline are guaranteed an offer of university accommodation at the Bath campuses. Scholarships and bursaries for international students are also available.