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Freshers Week, University of Bath
University of Bath
Bath

Ask a Final Year Physics Student at Bath!

Hi everyone!

My name's Lydia and I'm in my final year now studying Physics at the University of Bath. Having lived and studied here for three years now I feel I know the university and city really well and would be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have. :smile:

I lived on campus in my first year in the Eastwood accommodation (the self-catered three-floor houses), and then have lived in the main city in years 2 and 3.

I actually applied as a Natural Science student initially but switched course within the first week of arriving. I also have 2 part-time jobs with the university, being a tour guide and my job on TSR.

Last year I did a study year abroad in France as part of my program and also went through the jobs placements application procedure.

Please feel free to ask me any questions you have or just say hello :smile:
Original post by University of Bath
Hi everyone!

My name's Lydia and I'm in my final year now studying Physics at the University of Bath. Having lived and studied here for three years now I feel I know the university and city really well and would be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have. :smile:

I lived on campus in my first year in the Eastwood accommodation (the self-catered three-floor houses), and then have lived in the main city in years 2 and 3.

I actually applied as a Natural Science student initially but switched course within the first week of arriving. I also have 2 part-time jobs with the university, being a tour guide and my job on TSR.

Last year I did a study year abroad in France as part of my program and also went through the jobs placements application procedure.

Please feel free to ask me any questions you have or just say hello :smile:


Hey!! Sorry if I have too many questions lmao

Bath is one of my choices, along with Manchester Lancaster Bristol and Southampton. What would you say puts Bath above those?

How do you find the city itself? Lots to do? How easy/difficult is it to get part time jobs? What's the nightlife like?

In terms of Physics especially, how many contact hours do/did you have? What are the lecturers like? Are you allowed to specialise early or not until the latter years? What are the research opportunities like?

What is the SU like? is there societies for say, Pool/Snooker, Physics? Any other cool ones?
Freshers Week, University of Bath
University of Bath
Bath
Original post by ScienceGeek1878
Hey!! Sorry if I have too many questions lmao

Bath is one of my choices, along with Manchester Lancaster Bristol and Southampton. What would you say puts Bath above those?

How do you find the city itself? Lots to do? How easy/difficult is it to get part time jobs? What's the nightlife like?

In terms of Physics especially, how many contact hours do/did you have? What are the lecturers like? Are you allowed to specialise early or not until the latter years? What are the research opportunities like?

What is the SU like? is there societies for say, Pool/Snooker, Physics? Any other cool ones?


Hello!! That is no problem at all I am happy to help. :smile:

So.. down to your questions:

I am not sure what the other universities have to offer however I can tell you what I felt most stood out about Bath back when I was in your position and choosing universities. I remember one of the main reasons I picked Bath was because of its Foreign Languages Center. This resource allows you to enrol on a free language course each semester, which in some circumstances can count towards your degree. There are a number of languages available, from Japanese through to French and at a variety of different levels. If you are interested in what exactly is on offer then head to the website: http://www.bath.ac.uk/flc/ These free language courses were something I could only find in a handful on universities, and the fact that degree courses are 3-5 years long then that’s a lot of time to develop in a language.

The city itself was also another top reason I picked Bath. The city is a national heritage site and if you’ve ever been to visit you will realise why! Most buildings have gorgeous architecture made from beautiful cream brick, and having your friends and family to stay is always easy to host because it is a touristy place. I would definitely put Bath up there with Cambridge and Oxford in terms of prettiness, if not higher.


What I have learned in my three years living here is that the city of Bath seems deceptively quiet and inactive on the surface if you come for a short visit, but actually once you’re living here you realise there’s so much to get involved with. Depending on what you’re after. In terms of night life there are over half-a-dozen clubs in the centre with nights on every day of the week and loads of really homely pubs and interesting bars. Also Bristol is only a ten minute train ride away, with two large clubs a five minute walk from Bristol Temple Meads station and return night buses running until morning. As for what’s on in the day there are loads of lovely walking trails along the Bath canals and across surrounding fields, a bowling alley has just opened in the centre and loads of gorgeous cafes and beautiful parks.


I’d say it is easy to get part time jobs here, especially at the university. There is a dedicated webpage where places or people in Bath advertise jobs to students, as well as the university advertising internal jobs: https://www.thesubath.com/jobs/browse/ Having a look through the opportunities on here might give you a better idea of what’s on offer. I personally have had two jobs through the university, one as a tour guide and the other working on the student room. However there are many other opportunities, for example: working as a student blogger, work in the campus eateries and bars, and administration work.



In terms of physics: we take 5 modules a semester (there are 2 semesters a year), and we have about 3 hours of lectures per module every week. Every week, or every other week there will be a ‘problems class’ to replace the lecture similar to marking homework in class like in high school, but with chance of asking questions and being walked through the problems. Alongside this we have a 1 hour tutorial each week in groups of 3-5 students and ask our assigned physics lecturer any questions we may have. To look in more detail on the course structure I would recommend you check out the program unit catalogue: http://www.bath.ac.uk/catalogues/2016-2017/ph/ph-proglist-ug.html#B These pages will show you the modules available each academic year with a description of each, and at what point you can start to specialise and pick your own modules. In my experience everybody had a fixed course structure until Year 3, where after you can choose.



The Students Union is fantastic at Bath and yes there are indeed many societies on offer. To look at a list of them all head over to: https://www.thesubath.com/socs/ On that list my favourites would have to be Meditation Soc, Surf Soc, Skater Soc and of course Physics Soc! I would recommend taking some time on the other parts of that website, especially in the ‘Groups’ section as it will give you a real flavour for what our Student Union offers.


Some other things you might want to consider when applying for universities is to see what form of assessment they take. For example, when I applied to Lancaster 4 years ago the method of assessment was 50:50 coursework and exams. Whereas Bath is usually ~90% exams in physics. So it is worth asking yourself what method of assessment you are best at and enjoy most. Another element I used in my decision making was whether the university was a campus one or city one. Bath is a campus university, however after year 1 you move into the city to find your accommodation. Again, just ask yourself which might suit you best.

And a final thing I wanted to point out is scholarships. One thing that put me off applying to Bath was the lack of apparent scholarships, where other universities were offering a grand if I put them as my first choice. The thing about Bath scholarships is that they are not as readily advertised as other universities but they are still there! After 1 week into my course I got an email asking if I wanted to apply to a Female in Physics Scholarship and after a short application and wait I got it. Not saying you will be guaranteed a scholarship at Bath, but just so you are aware.
Anyway I hope I have answered all your questions and if you have any further things to ask based on what I’ve said here please don’t hesitate in getting back to me. Good luck!
Original post by University of Bath
Hi everyone!

My name's Lydia and I'm in my final year now studying Physics at the University of Bath. Having lived and studied here for three years now I feel I know the university and city really well and would be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have. :smile:

I lived on campus in my first year in the Eastwood accommodation (the self-catered three-floor houses), and then have lived in the main city in years 2 and 3.

I actually applied as a Natural Science student initially but switched course within the first week of arriving. I also have 2 part-time jobs with the university, being a tour guide and my job on TSR.

Last year I did a study year abroad in France as part of my program and also went through the jobs placements application procedure.

Please feel free to ask me any questions you have or just say hello :smile:


Original post by University of Bath
Hi everyone!

My name's Lydia and I'm in my final year now studying Physics at the University of Bath. Having lived and studied here for three years now I feel I know the university and city really well and would be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have. :smile:

I lived on campus in my first year in the Eastwood accommodation (the self-catered three-floor houses), and then have lived in the main city in years 2 and 3.

I actually applied as a Natural Science student initially but switched course within the first week of arriving. I also have 2 part-time jobs with the university, being a tour guide and my job on TSR.

Last year I did a study year abroad in France as part of my program and also went through the jobs placements application procedure.

Please feel free to ask me any questions you have or just say hello :smile:


Original post by University of Bath
Hi everyone!

My name's Lydia and I'm in my final year now studying Physics at the University of Bath. Having lived and studied here for three years now I feel I know the university and city really well and would be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have. :smile:

I lived on campus in my first year in the Eastwood accommodation (the self-catered three-floor houses), and then have lived in the main city in years 2 and 3.

I actually applied as a Natural Science student initially but switched course within the first week of arriving. I also have 2 part-time jobs with the university, being a tour guide and my job on TSR.

Last year I did a study year abroad in France as part of my program and also went through the jobs placements application procedure.

Please feel free to ask me any questions you have or just say hello :smile:


Hi! I know this is a couple of months down the line however I have a question!
What was it like switching courses at Bath? I am going in to do Pharmacology however I am considering changing to phys or NatSci when I'm in.
I have EPQ Phys chem maths a levels (A*A*BB). Where there many places available/ how picky are they on grades once you're in?
Thanks! Alec.
Original post by amileman1
Hi! I know this is a couple of months down the line however I have a question!
What was it like switching courses at Bath? I am going in to do Pharmacology however I am considering changing to phys or NatSci when I'm in.
I have EPQ Phys chem maths a levels (A*A*BB). Where there many places available/ how picky are they on grades once you're in?
Thanks! Alec.


Dear Alec,

Switching to another course will be possible if there are places available to do so. You're already accepted so what you should do now is to email the admissions team regarding your situation. I think it would be faster to call them and tell them about your desire to study Physics or NatSci. They are the only ones who can give you more details, make the switch possible and surely come up with a beneficial solution for both parts.

Undergraduate Admissions & Outreach:
[email protected]
01225 383019

I wish you the best of luck and I hope you will be able to get to your desired goal!
Elena
Original post by amileman1
Hi! I know this is a couple of months down the line however I have a question!
What was it like switching courses at Bath? I am going in to do Pharmacology however I am considering changing to phys or NatSci when I'm in.
I have EPQ Phys chem maths a levels (A*A*BB). Where there many places available/ how picky are they on grades once you're in?
Thanks! Alec.


Hi Alec :smile:

My colleague also sent you a reply to do with the admin side of things- but let me answer as a person who went through a switch myself (from NatSci to Physics).

But it has to be noted that I can only talk for my own experience, and this can't be used as a basis for what is likely to be allowed/ not allowed in the future though!

My case was that I was registered to study NatSci when I went to the uni. I changed in the first couple of days of freshers week, so I never actually started the other course. The process was surprisingly easy for me personally and I don't remember them asking what A level grades I got before allowing me to switch (although perhaps they had this on record anyway?)

I don't know how many places there were available on the course- all I know is I managed to switch! Sorry I can't provide more info- but its likely it will change on a yearly basis anyway.

I think as a former Natsci student, I was already 'allocated a seat' in 60% of the physics lectures offered- and it was only one or two extra classes that would require accommodating me. From my personal experience, NatSci students are well known to swap courses and for the reason explained above- is probably easier for them to do so. So from this logic, you may find swapping from Pharmacology to Natsci (where you will take pharmacology units) easier than Pharmacology to Physics. But there are loads of other factors it depends on which change year on year.

Some advice would be to have a big think over the summer and decide what you really want to do before you start at the end of September. And contact admissions before starting- which usually results in a higher chance of being able to swap.

It can also be very stressful to swap whilst at university as it might mean missing lectures/ initial friendships. Even if you are trying to swap during freshers week- its the last thing you want to be dealing with on top of settling in. So try and decide beforehand!

To help you decide, please visit the following pages that give in great detail what courses you will be studying with each degree and the syllabus of each course:

Pharmacology course catalog

Physics course catalog

NatSci course catalog (Select which major/minor streams first)

Hope this helped! If you have any more questions please ask :smile:

Lydia (Year 4 Physics student)
Hi, I have some questions about physics at Bath :smile:

- Would you say the teaching overall is inspiring i.e. good lecturers? And are there smaller group tutorials as well as problem classes?
- What was the interview like?
- Are there many girls on the course?
- Is Bath a "party" university or a mixture?
- How many contact hours do you have and how much free time?
- Is there a lot of practical work?
- What kind of maths do you learn?
- Is the course very flexible, so you can choose your modules and etc?
- What are the astrophysics modules like? (this is an area of interest of mine)

Thank you!
Just got an offer today so happy :biggrin:
Original post by frangipani19
Just got an offer today so happy :biggrin:


Congratulations! I'm replying a few days after your post so maybe the initial excitement has worn off, but still, well done for getting in :smile:

I'm not Lydia, the official rep, but I thought I would answer some of your questions. I study psychology, so I can only really answer two of your questions.

Is Bath a party uni?

- I would say the definition of party uni is unclear. If I had to name a few, I suppose I would say Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester are 'party' unis because of stories I've heard, but generally, universities are huge and there a so many people. If you want Bath to be a party uni, it can be. Meet party people, and hang out with them, and go party every day. I would say Bath's club scene is not its strong point. You can certainly have a good night out, but the clubs are generally smaller than London or Bristol. Indeed, many people opt to take a 10 minute train to Bristol to go to their clubs. I wouldn't say I'm an avid partier so Bath's clubs satisfy me, but I come from London and can say there is a difference. And if you don't want Bath to be a party uni, no problem. There's plenty of other things to do.

Are there many girls on the course?
The which? website has some good demographics that answer your question. Check this link out and this one. It says that the Physics course is predominantly male. Around three quarters of its students. The university as a whole has slightly more males than females (55%/45%) but walking around, you can't tell.
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by frangipani19
Hi, I have some questions about physics at Bath :smile:

- Would you say the teaching overall is inspiring i.e. good lecturers? And are there smaller group tutorials as well as problem classes?
- What was the interview like?
- Are there many girls on the course?
- Is Bath a "party" university or a mixture?
- How many contact hours do you have and how much free time?
- Is there a lot of practical work?
- What kind of maths do you learn?
- Is the course very flexible, so you can choose your modules and etc?
- What are the astrophysics modules like? (this is an area of interest of mine)

Thank you!


LOL i went out twice a week every single week (minus exams/study periods) so I'd say HELL YES! It all depends on your friends really, I was friends with sesh gremlins so :smile:

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