Studying Natural Sciences at University of Bath

I'm in my last year of college, I have applied to bath for mechanical engineering but not sure whether to put it as my one of my final choices. the main things holding me back are the fact that you obviously only live on campus for your first year, and from what I can gather it's quite an expensive place to live. also how long is your commute to campus each day?
secondly since bath is quite small what's the night life like?
last of all I'd really like to start up some sport again(I used to be into football and may go back to that or try something new) but I know bath is very sporty, is there much to do if you're not county ranked or even good at the sport?
any guidance would be great
thanks x

how many hours do you spend sleeping , studying

Hi,

I am a current second year student at the University of Bath studying Natural Sciences. My major is biology and my minor is pharmacology & physiology, but I also do my optional module in organic chemistry.

If anyone has any questions about the course, life in Bath or university in general, feel free to ask! I will also be posting some more detailed things in this thread about my application process, why I chose Bath, what I think of the course etc., so make sure to follow this thread!

Eryn, a second year Natural Sciences student

Hi Eryn,
I am a Year 12 Student considering Natural Sciences at Bath for my university studies.
May I ask what grades you got at GCSE and A- Level (and in which subjects)? Trying to work out if I am the calibre to study this course.
Thank you!

How much work do you tend to do on the weekends?

Hi, I've got an offer for natsci and currently thinking bath will be my top. Wondering if the lectures are recorded, if you have tutorials (or smaller teaching classes) and what accommodation you lived in first year? Thanks!

Hi,

I am a current second year student at the University of Bath studying Natural Sciences. My major is biology and my minor is pharmacology & physiology, but I also do my optional module in organic chemistry.

If anyone has any questions about the course, life in Bath or university in general, feel free to ask! I will also be posting some more detailed things in this thread about my application process, why I chose Bath, what I think of the course etc., so make sure to follow this thread!

Jessica, a second year Natural Sciences student

Hi everyone,

I am now finishing my placement and going into my final year of Natural Sciences at Bath, so please ask me any questions you may have! It can be about the course, accommodation, part-time work, student life and so on!

Jessica, a final year Natural Sciences student

hi, i'm in year 12 considering applying to bath for natsci and i do biology, chemistry and psychology. we haven't got our predicted grades yet, but should i still apply if my predicteds are AAA? i know the requirements say A*AA but there is a lowered offer for AS maths/EPQ, both of which I'm doing.

also, does doing a placement make it more likely you'll get a job at that organisation after graduating? and can i switch onto/off the placement course option? thank you!

Hi

I'm currently thinking of doing Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacology at Bath. I know you've already answered this, but would you be able to give an updated breakdown of how much contact time/small group teaching you hand in first and second year, did you have any tutorials for Biology. I also saw on the module list that some of the modules say 'for natural sciences', does this mean you are taught separately to single sciences?

Having never studied it before, how does the pharmacology content compare to biology because, for example i know both streams cover neuroscience, how different is the teaching, ie how focused is the pharma on drugs as opposed to learning about the brain.

Thanks in advance

Hi there,

That's great that you're considering applying to Bath for NatSci! With biology and chemistry, you can study any of the Bath NatSci streams, except for physics, so it's a really good A-Level combination to have.

I would say that you should still apply if your predicted grades are AAA - predicted grades aren't always accurate, and universities know that, so it won't be the only factor they take into account. If you believe your grades could be higher, then I believe you can contest your predicted grades in some cases. If you're doing AS maths and an EPQ, then even more reason for you to still apply if your predicted grades are A*AA! Overall, I'd say to definitely apply as th university will look at the full package, not just your predicted grades

In terms of placements, it depends really! Employers often offer placements as a way to secure graduates when they graduate, as then they get fresh new employees. So, many employers may offer you a graduate job, but this isn't a guarantee obviously. Having links and experience with an employer will obviously increase your chances of getting hired by them, but again it doesn't guarantee it. All in all, doing a placement will increase your chances of securing a graduate job, be that with your placement employer or someone else. Most students won't have industry experience when they graduate, so doing a placement sets you above the rest.

And finally, you can (within reason) switch from placement to non-placement and vice-versa. It is generally advised that you apply and start with a placement, as that way you have access to all the training sessions they give in first year. Throughout first year the placements teams do sessions on how placements work, writing a CV, job interview and skills assessment practices and so on. If you started without a placement, you would miss all these sessions. In the summer between first and second year, the placements team helps you write a CV, and at the start of 2nd year you begin applying for placements. Essentially, it's better to start with a placement so you get all this help, and then drop out of the placement, as opposed to starting without and deciding last minute that you do want a placement.

I hope this has helped,
Jessica, a final year NatSci student

Hi there,

That's great that you're considering applying to Bath for NatSci! With biology and chemistry, you can study any of the Bath NatSci streams, except for physics, so it's a really good A-Level combination to have.

I would say that you should still apply if your predicted grades are AAA - predicted grades aren't always accurate, and universities know that, so it won't be the only factor they take into account. If you believe your grades could be higher, then I believe you can contest your predicted grades in some cases. If you're doing AS maths and an EPQ, then even more reason for you to still apply if your predicted grades are A*AA! Overall, I'd say to definitely apply as th university will look at the full package, not just your predicted grades

In terms of placements, it depends really! Employers often offer placements as a way to secure graduates when they graduate, as then they get fresh new employees. So, many employers may offer you a graduate job, but this isn't a guarantee obviously. Having links and experience with an employer will obviously increase your chances of getting hired by them, but again it doesn't guarantee it. All in all, doing a placement will increase your chances of securing a graduate job, be that with your placement employer or someone else. Most students won't have industry experience when they graduate, so doing a placement sets you above the rest.

And finally, you can (within reason) switch from placement to non-placement and vice-versa. It is generally advised that you apply and start with a placement, as that way you have access to all the training sessions they give in first year. Throughout first year the placements teams do sessions on how placements work, writing a CV, job interview and skills assessment practices and so on. If you started without a placement, you would miss all these sessions. In the summer between first and second year, the placements team helps you write a CV, and at the start of 2nd year you begin applying for placements. Essentially, it's better to start with a placement so you get all this help, and then drop out of the placement, as opposed to starting without and deciding last minute that you do want a placement.

I hope this has helped,
Jessica, a final year NatSci student

thank you so much, this has really helped