Bath Spa University

About Bath Spa University

Bath Spa University is a public university based in the World-Heritage city of Bath, England, that grew from the Bath School of Art (founded in 1852) and now teaches across arts, sciences, education, social science and business. The university positions itself around creativity, culture and enterprise with a long heritage in art and design.

Why choose Bath Spa? (student-friendly reasons)

• Creative & specialist strengths — especially strong in art, film, music, design, creative writing and related subjects; if you want studio time, industry projects and creative community, BSU is tailored for that.

• Historic, compact campus in Bath — you get a campus experience in an attractive, small city that’s well connected to London but generally cheaper and calmer than big urban centres.

• Blended learning & student support — modules combine in-person teaching with online resources, and the university emphasises student wellbeing and academic support.

Rankings & key stats (quick snapshot)

• Guardian League Table 2026: Bath Spa was the highest-rising university in the Guardian 2026 table, rising 47 places to 61st, a sign of recent improvements in teaching and student outcomes

• Regional / subject rankings: Bath Spa appears in international and regional ranking lists (e.g. listed in QS/TopUniversities regional rankings) — check subject-level listings for more meaningful comparisons in creative and arts subjects.

Campus locations & student life

Bath Spa’s main campuses are all in or very near Bath:

• Newton Park (the principal campus set in parkland with listed buildings and modern facilities).

• Locksbrook (creative and digital media facilities).

• Sion Hill (closer to the city centre and home to some arts, humanities and education activity).

Types of courses & study levels

BSU offers the full range of higher-education awards:

• Undergraduate degrees (BA, BSc honours) across arts, media, business, education and sciences.

• Postgraduate taught degrees (MA/MSc/MBA and specialist masters, e.g., MA Design, MA Film & Media) and research degrees (PhD/MPhil).

• Foundation courses, short CPD courses and teacher-training (PGCE and other professional pathways).

Modes of learning (onsite / e-learning / blended)

• On-campus teaching is the default for most programmes (studio teaching, labs and seminars).

• Blended approach: modules typically combine in-person sessions with online lectures and digital learning tools — this is explicit in BSU’s learning guidance.

• Distance / fully online: Bath Spa also offers a selection of fully online/distance courses (ideal if you cannot relocate). See the Distance Learning pages for the current online masters and flexible options.

Number of programmes offered

BSU runs a broad portfolio. Public course finders list hundreds of course options (e.g., the Complete University Guide shows around 225 undergraduate courses listed), so you’ll find many specialisms — particularly in creative subjects. Use the university’s Course Index/A–Z to explore exact programmes.

Highlights & student experience

• Creative community & industry links — strong connections to creative industries (film, music, illustration, design), with studio spaces and project work.

• Heritage + modern facilities — studying in a World Heritage city with purpose-built studio and media facilities.

• Flexible study options — on-campus, blended and a growing range of distance-learning programmes for international students who need flexibility.

Practical checklist for international applicants

1. Pick programmes: use Bath Spa’s Course Finder / A–Z to shortlist degrees in your subject.

2. Check entry & English requirements: BSU’s international pages list country-specific qualifications and English tests. Apply early if you need a pre-sessional course.

3. Look up fees & scholarships: review the International Recruitment Office Scholarship and other departmental awards; apply for scholarships after you accept your offer.

4. Decide mode: if you can’t relocate, search BSU’s Distance Learning offerings for fully online masters or part-time options.

5. Visa & arrival: follow BSU’s international student guidance for visa, accommodation and arrival planning.

Scholarship

• International Recruitment Office Scholarship (2026/27)

  • What: Tuition fee reductions for high-achieving international applicants: two awards of £5,000 off first-year tuition and twenty awards of £1,000 off first-year tuition (as published).

  • Who it’s for: High-achieving students from outside the UK entering undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

  • Important: These awards apply to the first year’s tuition (check whether they are one-off or renewable in the T&Cs). You must apply/accept and follow the application process described on the Bath Spa scholarship page.

• Undergraduate Scholarship (A-level / equivalent academic boost)

  • What: A £500 one-off payment for students starting in a specified intake (e.g., Sept 2024/2025) who achieve better than predicted grades or hit AAB at A-level (or equivalent).

  • Who it’s for: Applicants meeting the academic criteria (no separate application needed — automatic if you meet the conditions).

• Global Horizons Award (placements / international project funding)

  • What: Grants up to £3,500 to support international placements, study trips, research projects or other activities that enhance degree-related employability.

  • Who it’s for: Bath Spa undergraduate students (and some postgraduate opportunities) applying for course-related international placements in 2025/26.

• International Travel Fund / Turing Scheme Global Placement

  • What: Smaller travel grants (e.g., up to £650) to help fund study/placement travel related to your degree; the Turing Scheme placement applications are also supported through Bath Spa. Deadlines and application windows vary; applications for travel funding for 2025/26 are open with monthly assessment windows.

• Other bursaries, awards & student opportunity funds

  • Bath Spa runs a Student Opportunities Fund (small grants to support projects), widening-participation bursaries and a Sanctuary Scholarship for refugees/asylum seekers — these are listed on the main scholarships pages and vary in eligibility and value.

Typical eligibility rules (the essentials)

• Fee status: International scholarships target students assessed as overseas/international by the university (check your fee status).

• Offer accepted: Most Bath Spa international scholarships require that you have already accepted your offer to study before you can apply (or be considered). See the “how to apply” guidance.

• Deposit / payment requirements: Bath Spa’s international fee rules require first-year international students to pay 100% of tuition on or before arrival (or by a stated deadline) — check how the scholarship appears on your invoice before you pay.

• One-off vs renewable: Several awards (e.g., the Recruitment Office Scholarship) are published as first-year tuition reductions (confirm in the T&Cs whether they renew). Some travel/placement awards pay single grants for the project.

• Course exclusions: Specific scholarships or funds may exclude certain course types or partner-delivered programmes — always verify your programme is eligible in the scholarship T&Cs (the University provides terms & conditions documents).

Deadlines & timing to watch

• Scholarship availability and deadlines change by intake (e.g., the International Recruitment Office Scholarship is listed for 2026/27 in Bath Spa’s pages). Always check the scholarship page for the intake you are applying to.

• For travel funding (International Travel Fund and Turing placements) the application windows can be monthly or have a final closing date (e.g., international travel funding applications for 2025/26 close on 1 July 2026).

• Payment timing: Bath Spa requires first-year international tuition payment to be received prior to registration or by a specific date — find this under their International Fees page and confirm whether scholarship reductions are already applied to that invoice.

Practical tips (to increase your chances)

• Accept your offer early — many awards require an accepted offer before application/consideration.

• Get the scholarship in writing on your offer letter / fee invoice before you transfer large sums. If it’s not shown, contact Student Finance immediately.

• Prepare a short project plan if you hope to get Global Horizons or travel funding — clear learning outcomes and employability benefits strengthen applications.

• Keep evidence of high achievement (transcripts, references) for merit awards. Some awards are automatic (no form) but others require evidence or an application.

• Budget for living costs & visa — scholarships usually reduce tuition only, not living costs or visa fees.