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TSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > Bath Spa University

Bath Spa is small and new university in the city of Bath in the South West of England. It has three main campuses - the largest is Newton Park which is just outside the city. You also have Sion Hill Campus in north Bath and the small Culverhay Campus which is mainly used by PGCE students.

Facilities

Libraries

There are two main libraries at Bath Spa University - one at Newton Park Campus and one at Sion Hill Campus. At any one time you can have up to 15 books on loan (though some students and staff members can have more). The fines for late returns are also very reasonable starting at 10p a day and capped at £3.50 per item for standard items - much less than at some universities.

The libraries also offer photocopying services. For this you need a card which you top up with credits. Only black and white is available at Newton Park, but colour copying is also available at Sion Hill.

The libraries also provide computer access - Newton Park has computer rooms up on the first floor - though be careful s these are sometimes booked for teaching meaning you can't get in. Sion Hill has networked computers across the library. Access to a printer is also available in the library in Newton Park - though they charge you for this - expensive if you choose to print in colour.

IT and Computing

In addition to the computers in the library a number of computer rooms can be found around Newton Hill campus in these buildings:

• Corston
• Compton
• Stanton

They are useful during the week, but they are closed all weekend and can often also be booked up during the week for teaching.

ArtsWork

With the ArtsWork the University is extending with innovative approach to arts learning and teaching. It defines new models of arts education, enhancing the employability and self-employability of creative industries graduates. Six high-specification, subject-focused learning labs each provide the optimal environments in which to explore new ways of learning and teaching, enabling students to enter their chosen profession with a portfolio of skills and completed projects that have been shaped, developed and assessed in the context of the marketplace.

The labs:

• Broadcast Lab
• Design Lab
• Fashion Lab
• Music Lab
• Performance Lab
• Publishing Lab

Sports

The uni has a number of sports clubs, including hockey, football, rugby, equestrian, board sports, netball, kick boxing and salsa. No matter what ability you are, you can take part in these sports clubs, but also most have teams in the BUSA leagues. If you aren't good enough for the uni team there are competitions within the university which create a great rivalry at the uni!

The University has just opened a brand new gym, situated upstairs in the Student Union building at Newton Park Campus. It will also run fitness classes throughout the academic year.

Welfare

The uni offers advice to students on a range of issues - both in person and on an extensive website. You can make appointments to see advisers on financial and well-being issues. There is also an Emergency Loan of up to £250 available, if you really need it, which one can apply for. You can go and see one of the universities counsellors for a series of regular sessions to help you through your any problems that are bothering you. The disability services offer drop-in sessions and one-to-ones as well. They also have a free dyslexia screening service and will try to make your uni life as enjoyable as possible. The volunteer service will help any students interested to get more on to their CVs and/or are generally interested in volunteering. All the above mentioned services are located on Newton Park Campus in Doynton.

Healthcare

The university has a medical service and you must register with it to use the services. The service makes use of local doctors and hold surgeries at the different campuses:

• Newton Park - Wednesday mornings and Friday mornings
• Sion Hill - Monday afternoons only
• Fairfield Park - Monday through Saturday.

(N.B. The times will change next year.)

The coverage is good at Fairfields, but at the other locations it is limited. In addition to seeing doctors, you can also make appointments to see nurses and get information on medical issues from contraception to meningitis.

Shops

There is a shop at the Student Union at Newton Park which is open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday only. It sells magazines and papers, food, fresh sandwiches, toiletries, stationery, tobacco, alcohol etc.

Restaurants

There is only one restaurant as such at Newton Park Campus, although the Student's Union bar offers hot food on weekdays.

• Refectory

Opens at 11am and closes at 2.30pm. It serves hot food and snacks.

• Moreton

Is the cafe at Newton Park Campus and is open 8.30am until 2.30pm. It offers hot take away food as well as sandwiches, coffee, tea, etc.

Banks

No actual branch is located at Newton Park Campus, however there is a NatWest cashpoint.

Transport

Students can get into town using the SPA1 bus service from Newton Park. These run every 20 minutes until 7pm, after which they run every hour until around 2.30am. A student day pass costs £3 (which is cheaper than a return) or bus passes are available from the Student Union. Students in halls of residence in Newton Park are not allowed to keep cars on campus.

Careers service

The careers service will give tips and advice for finding the right job. You can make use of the service even after you graduate for up to three years too! There is a careers service at Newton Park and Sion Hill Campuses.

Part-time jobs

The Job Shop can help you find part-time employment. If you think you might want to work you should register with the service as soon as possible and get looking at the jobs they have on offer. You can do this by the emails they send out to you or by looking on their website at current vacancies (you need to be logged in to view the vacancies).

Religious facilities

There are visits to Newton Campus by Chaplains each week. Chaplains cover the following religions: Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and Orthodox Christianity. There is also a Islamic society.

The Chaplaincy means you can 'drop in' and see them for advice, guidance or just a simple chat. You can also go to one of the events they organise through the year to meet people with similar beliefs. Don't worry if you follow a different religion, the Chaplaincy can give you information on local groups for most major religions including Baha'i Faith, Buddhism, Hinduism, Iskon, Judaism, Paganism and Sikhism.

Bath Spa Discussions

Latest relevant discussions	Last post/replies
Bath Spa University Applicants 2013 Art & Design Sion Hill by DustyLees	alisonclaire 11 Hours Ago Replies: 8
Bath : Contemporary Arts Practice by Purple3	cakelinhoole 14 Hours Ago Replies: 4
Bath Spa Primary PGCE 2013-2014! by Becky-P	hansam38 1 Day Ago Replies: 89
Bath Spa Applicants 2013 by Charlotte.e.r	Yo-yo Ma 1 Day Ago Replies: 288
September 2013 by sammmy	alexc1994 1 Day Ago Replies: 1
Looking for people for student house. by Smellslikepie	Alun-R 3 Days Ago Replies: 1
Go to Bath Spa University forum Post new thread

Social

Bars, Pubs and clubs

SU Bar - Monday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday 9am-11.30pm Tuesday 9am-2am Weekends - open for events

The nightlife in Bath is quite good and it's best to look out for student nights. Most the clubs are underground as the buildings in Bath are listed.If you want a big clubbing night, it's better to go to Bristol for a night.

Club XL - A good laugh, plays the latest tunes. Don't wear your best shoes, sticky floors. Super cheap.

Vodka Revs - Bit expensive but alright if you have a Revs card.

PoNaNa - Good club nights, cheese, indie. On Wednesday they host Discord, a metal and rock night which has cheap drinks and good company.

Moles - Great venue for gigs and lots of famous people have played there. The Cheese night on a Tuesday is very popular.

Pulp - Great Cocktails and have a happy hour for cheap drinks.

Second bridge - Pricey, but a good laugh. Look out for offers.

Events

There are various events throughout the year. From fashion shows, poetry slams, to plays on words at the end of the year and lots of different performances in the Michael Tipett Centre as well.

Clubs and societies

There are loads of societies at the uni, including:

• Ambidextrous
• Athletic Union
• Board Sports
• CathSoc
• Cheerleading
• Christian Union
• Equestrian Society
• LGBT Society
• St John Ambulance LINKS
• RAG
• Sion Hill Golf
• SSAGO
• Surf

If you want a different society, all you need is ten members to get you started!

Accommodation

Accommodation policy

The university can provide halls of residence to 75% of its first year applicants. If you are one of the quarter that isn't offered a room in halls, the uni will try help you find somewhere by organising a 'scheme house' with other students who they were unable to accommodate. They hope to guarantee a place in either of the above way for all students who put Bath Spa as their first choice, although there are a handful of students who can't be found scheme houses, either.

Sadly, no accommodation can be made available to postgrad students.'

Residences

Newton Park Halls

The following accommodation is for students based at Newton Park Campus:

Harington, Hiscocks and Pope

• self-catering
• wireless internet
• Harington - 56 rooms, Hiscocks - 79 rooms and Pope - 33 rooms
• three storey 'houses' of 8 or 9 students
• wash basins in room
• shared kitchen and bathroom facilities

Langton

• self-catering
• wireless internet
• 8 students in each 'house'
• wash basins in room
• shared kitchen and bathroom facilities
• 8 rooms for disabled students

Temple

• self-catering
• wireless internet
• 20 rooms
• three storey 'houses' of 4 or 8 students
• wash basins in room
• shared kitchen and bathroom facilities

Sydney

• self-catering
• wireless internet
• 54 rooms, Hiscocks - 79 rooms and Pope - 33 rooms
• corridor layout
• en-suite
• shared kitchens and dinning areas (for 8 to 12 students)

Waterside Court Halls

• Not on campus
• 316 rooms
• en-suite
• kitchens and lounge areas shared by 5-7 flats
• laundry
• bike storage
• internet access available

Bankside

• 40 rooms
• en-suite
• kitchen and lounge shared by 4 flats
• internet available

Private sector

The university creates a list of local landlords with houses or rooms to let. You can also add spare rooms in your student house to the list. If you cannot find anything on that list there are some letting agents in Bath who can help you - though be careful as they could charge you fees for finding you a place.

Student union

The SU has activities at both Newton Park and Sion Hill Campuses with a bar on each campus. The bars are both popular and are used for loads of different entertainments in the evenings. SUBS on Newton Park can open late and has two big evenings on Wednesdays and Fridays. There is also something happening most nights of the week.

Prices

Environment

Architecture

Local area

Teaching quality

• 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).

Applying to Bath Spa

Thinking of applying to Bath Spa? Why not read some Personal Statements which were used for applying here?

Other Bath Spa Articles

Why not read these other Bath Spa Articles?

Links

• Our Bath Spa Discussion Forum
• Bath Spa University Homepage
• A-Z of Universities