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Join The Student Room TodayBe part of the UK's largest and fastest growing student community. It's free to join and a lot of fun - Get inspired, express your ideas, interact and share University of BathFrom The Student RoomTSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > University of Bath
Established in 1966, Bath University is, when compared to the likes of Oxford and Cambridge, a very new university. However, unlike many other modern universities it has built up a reputation for excellence and become one of the top universities in the country. This year Bath was rated in the top ten by both the Sunday Times and the Guardian. Bath also ranked fifth in a survey of headmasters taken by The Times.[citation needed] Located about 200m above a world heritage city, the university campus is relatively compact, but it has been very well landscaped, providing a pleasant, green environment to live and work in. The university is bordered by a golf course and woodland and across the road is a large area of “access land” called Claverton Down. FacilitiesThe heart of the university is the 1960s “Parade”. Most of the main facilities (departments, union, shops, etc) are located around the Parade, which means easy access to everything. Somewhat further out, around the edges of campus, are the accommodation halls and a few departments. In general the facilities such as shops and bars are very good. Being campus facilities they are a little more expensive than other shops, and Fresh often runs out of popular items. The Sunday Carvery in the Parade Bar is good value. LibrariesThe university library is open 24 hours a day during term time (apart from Saturday nights after midnight) and is located on the parade. During holidays it is open daily but not 24 hours. The library has a number of computer areas (which quickly get busy during peak times) divided across all 5 levels and is divided by subject across 5 floors:
IT and ComputingBath University network is run by BUCS (Bath University Computing Services). They provide email and face-to-face support with all computer issues. A help desk in the library allows students to gain assistance with hardware and software issues - even with their individual PCs. Every hall of residence has a wired internet connection called ResNet. The speed for each individual is capped at 8 Megs and has a set of terms and conditions. If breached, you will either be suspended from all ResNet Services (no internet in rooms, can't use public internet on campus) or completely banned depending on the severity of the breach. There are various wifi hotspots around campus, notably by the lake and in most lecture theatres. SportsBath University hosts some of the best sports facilities in the Country. The Team Bath Training Village contains indoor tennis courts, badminton courts (and netball courts used as the home ground for the National Team), indoor running track, an Olympic size swimming pool (albeit 2mm too short for world records), a dojo and a gym (used by the England Rugby Team before the 6 Nations). There is also the Students Union Sports Centre which contains a sports hall, a smaller swimming pool and squash courts. All the Sports Village facilities can be used free of charge by students unless they've been prebooked by a sports club, but can only be booked on the day whilst the SU facilities can be booked for free up to a week in advance. There are also many open spaces, and more than ten football pitches. WelfareHealthcareThe university has a health centre on site, with GP surgery and dentist. This is located on North Road, just east of the Quarry Road entrance. There are no pharmacy shops on or near the campus, the closest being in Bathwick, Combe Down (Lloyds), or in the city centre. Shops
RestaurantsThere are a number of eating places on site:
BanksThere are three banks on campus (NatWest,Abbey and Barclays), although these have limited opening times. All three of these banks have one cash machine each. There is also a cash machine (Alliance and Leicester) within the students union building. The Fresh shop offers cashback. The city of Bath has most major banks, and there is also a Barclays bank in nearby Combe Down. TransportTraffic in Bath is always very congested and driving is best avoided if possible. Few students own cars; most are not even eligible for a parking permit. The Bright Orange Bus (Service 18/418/410), operated by First, runs from the city centre to both universities. At peak hours in term time, buses arrive every six minutes. The last bus in each direction leaves town at 2:30AM. Tickets cost £1.10 a single or £1.75 a return. You can also buy a 10-journey pass which gets you 10 single trips, for £8.50. The Blue Bus (UniConnect service U18) is a new service operated by Wessex Connect, which runs between Bath Uni and Oldfield Park, via the town centre. Buses arrive every ten minutes at peak times, and run until around 10:30 on weekdays. Tickets between town and campus cost £1.00 for a single or £1.40 for a return. Ten-journey passes are normally £7.50, but are currently on special offer at £5.00 until the end of May. The competition between the two bus services should help to improve the quality of local transport, which had been a common complaint among students in recent years. Taxis from the town centre to the university cost up to about £7.00, so are best shared with your friends! Trains to Bristol are very cheap (under £5 a return with a railcard), however the trains don't run late at night so are unsuitable for nights out. A taxi back will cost around £35. Alternatively, Bath SU runs a coach service called the Better Bus to Bristol, which runs every Thursday night, and the £8 return ticket price includes various bonuses such as club entry. Careers serviceCareers service is available next to the Security Office and in front of Fresh. They provide help to find students either a part-time or a summer job. They also help building up CVs and covering letters as well as training students with new skills with the support of the Students Union. Part-time jobsPart-time jobs are available both on campus and down town. If you want a job on campus then you just need to wait and keep a close eye on all the bars and shops - the pay is around £5.60 and is available throghout the year. Jobs down town may be harder to get, however at times there may be more offer than on campus, specially during holidays. Religious facilitiesThe (ecumenical) chaplaincy is located in the centre of campus to the right of the library as you face it, just in front of the 3 East building. It is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week during term time and from 9am to 6pm during university hoidays. There is usually a chaplain available on weekdays between 10am and 4pm and often until 6 or 7pm on Tuesdays. Bath Discussions
SocialBars, Pubs and clubsStudents' UnionThe small students' union has two main bar facilities:
Happy hour (called "4Play") is every Friday from 3pm until 7pm. Lager and cider cost £1.20 and soft drinks are 50p. Parade BarA popular alternative to the Students' Union. Similar prices (typically 10p more per drink), with comfy chairs, and a terrace overlooking the lake. Also good for getting drinks on a summer day and sitting on the grass by the lake. Different meal deals every day of the week (14" Pizza for £5.00 is a must on a Sunday) and also breakfast/lunch deals. Happy hour on Fridays from 7pm onwards with lager/cider costing £1.75 and soft drinks £1.00. Double Vodka-Redbull for £2.50 and 2-4-1 cocktails also something to look for. Blues BarSports Training Village bar. EventsFresher's WeekThe Student Union organises a huge list of events during Fresher's Week. Examples include:
The Fresher's Week '08 website has full details. Clubs and societiesThere are a wide range of clubs and societies, ranging from the active (such as sports, scouting, DofE, etc.) to the rather less active (debating, rock society, beer appreciation, etc) The Student Union maintains a full list of the recognised societies. AccommodationMain article: University of Bath Accommodation The accommodation varies greatly, from the shared bathrooms and aging buildings of Eastwood, through the old en-suite accommodation at Westwood (recently refurbished), to the brand new Solsbury and Marlborough Courts. All accommodation is self catering, and full kitchen facilities are provided. Student unionThe website of the Bath SU can be found here PricesEnvironmentArchitectureThe concrete buildings aren't the prettiest you'll ever see but in well set out and well maintained grounds the Bath Campus isn't ugly either. Local areaWithin Bath there are most of the usual "big name" shops - and any that cannot be found in Bath are just up the road at Bristol. The nightlife in Bath is limited to a few clubs, and lots of pubs (some of which are very good) - but again, Bristol is just up the road. Teaching qualitySo - in brief. If you are looking for a green (but quite compact) campus, and a small (8,000 students), friendly university with a good reputation, good facilities and reasonable accommodation - Bath is for you. If you are looking for a university in the heart of a bustling city with great nightlife - try somewhere else! Applying to BathThinking of applying to Bath? Why not read some Personal Statements which were used for applying here? Links |
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