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University of Glasgow or Bath

For glasgow i am applying for biochemistry and for bath i am applying for biomedical sciences…which one is the better option?

Reply 1

mesub

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by zarrinsoffiya

For glasgow i am applying for biochemistry and for bath i am applying for biomedical sciences…which one is the better option?

Visit both and make your judgement.

Reply 2

zarrinsoffiya

Original post by mesub

Visit both and make your judgement.

i cant visit both as im an international student and i was just trying to survey the publics opinion on it

Reply 3

McGinger

As above - the cities are very different in size and flavour.
In terms of the Unis themselves they are also very different.

Bath is a modern campus Uni, and relatively small. Its built around a small lake, and on the top of a hill surrounded by English countryside. The Uni specialises in science/technology and business subjects, so you would find lots of other science-heads at Bath. It is one of the training bases for the GB Olympic Team, and therefore has some of the best Uni sports facilities possible - and even if you are not especially 'into sport', there is still a whopping great swimming pool for a lazy Sunday afternoon swim. Library is open 24/7. It has about 14,000 undergraduate students.

Glasgow is a much older University - most of its buildings were built in the 18th/19th century. Its spread out across the centre of Glasgow, which is a large built-up city. This means much more traveling between buildings and facilities than at Bath. It teaches all subjects, and has a Medical School etc. It has about 24,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of them are from that part of Scotland.

Reply 4

Picnicl

According to www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk, research quality at Bath for Biomedical Sciences is 39th of UK universities, on 80%. That's on the low side for a top university, given that all the 'excellent/very good' UK universities for a subject are generally in a top 40 (King's College London was 40th though). However it's only 3% less than the highest outside of the top 20. Student satisfaction for that subject is 11th, on 80%. Overall as a university, student satisfaction is 79% at Bath, 76% at Glasgow. However, student satisfaction can be a bit nebulous to an extent as it's based on subjective feelings, where a student on a difficult course compared to their ability might be less satisfied, regardless of teaching quality.
QS Rankings 2024 doesn't state that subject but Bath is 301-350 in the world for Biological Sciences. Entry grades at A-Level AAB-A*AB according to Bath's website.

Research quality at Glasgow for Biological Scences (the heading on there that covers Biochemistry) is 19th on 85%. Student satisfaction for that subject is joint 11th, on 80% (which happens to be exactly the same as Bath is for its subject). As for QS Rankings 2024, Glasgow is 56th in the world for Biological Sciences. Entry grades at A-Level BBB-AAB according to Glasgow's website.

There's also environment. Do you love the ancient city of Bath and its 1960s campus more than the very old city of Glasgow and its old 1400s university, or vice versa. At Glasgow, you may have slightly better researchers on average. At Bath, you may have slightly better students on average. But I have little doubt that some students will be better at Glasgow than Bath, not least because Glasgow University has a lot of history, has some picturesque buildings, it's Scotland's largest city, it has more Scottish students who experience a broader type of education at college and university, taking in many subjects, and they may be aware of the research rating for this subject.

Overall, as universities, Bath is more research-heavy for all subjects on average, with 73% of staff there conducting high quality research, compared to 57% at Glasgow.

However, Bath has fewer undergraduate students (13000) and 1570 academic staff, whereas Glasgow has over 21000 undergraduate students and 5555 academic staff, and the overall quality of research for all subjects on average at Glasgow is higher (86%) compared to 83% at Bath.

As universities overall, QS Rankings 2025 rates Glasgow 78th, Bath 150th.

Lastly, employability. 85% of Bath graduates in Biomedical Sciences are currently doing something related to what they wanted to do. 82% of Glasgow graduates in Biological Sciences are (but that doesn't narrow it down to Biochemistry). For all subjects overall, it's 82% at Bath, 76.9% at Glasgow.

It is not surprising that Bath ranks better for employability as 28% there went to private school (about 16% at Glasgow) so already have some social and other skillsets as a result of that- plus Bath students have higher entry grades- for these subjects at least. 32% of Bath students are international. 29% of Glasgow students are international. (40% of Glasgow students are Scottish).

As someone who did arts subjects, Bath doesn't seem particularly great for those (and Bath doesn't teach some, such as Philosophy or Classics). Glasgow is more of an all round great university. But you may hear more people on here praise Bath because more people live in the south of England and it became popular with private schools (perhaps because of the sporting facilities and the city itself?)

(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 5

University of Bath

Official Rep

Original post by zarrinsoffiya

For glasgow i am applying for biochemistry and for bath i am applying for biomedical sciences…which one is the better option?

Hi there,

I study Biomedical sciences at Bath so hope I can help here. Deciding between universities is tough as there are so many factors to consider. Firstly, I recommend looking at the course structure to see if there are modules that interest you as this will vary across the universities. Also, it’s important to consider entry requirements and choosing your firm and insurance choice wisely. I really liked how much freedom I have in the course to tailor it to topics I enjoy. For example I have chosen neuroscience modules. We also have access to some modules in other courses such as pharmacology, business and management etc.

One factor that made me choose Bath was its placement scheme and graduate roles. Bath has strong graduate prospects! We have connections to many companies and organisations which opens so many opportunities for placement, study abroad and graduate jobs. Around 70% of all Bath students will go on placement year and the placements team at Bath offer a great amount of support in terms of finding, applying, and securing your placement. This in turn will boost your employability which is what you want from your university!

Another important factor to consider is the city itself. While I am unfamiliar on what Glasgow is like, Bath is not only a beautiful place to live but it’s also a great size! Its big enough that theres lots to explore but small enough that you can get to know it well. It’s also one of the safest student cities in the UK which made myself and my parents feel more comfortable with living here. There is also another university here so it’s a very student friendly city with lots of deals and offers.

One big difference is that Bath is a “campus” university which means that all our departments and facilities are in one location, One campus. Most of our accommodation is also located on campus (so everything is within walking distance) but there are also options to live in the city centre with regular buses up to campus if this were something you would prefer. A “city” university means that their facilities and accommodation are integrated into the city or campuses are in several locations.

In the summer, there Is such a community feel amongst the students. We often have lunch by the lake on campus and theres always picnics at the royal crescent on a hot summer evening or a good game of beach volleyball on campus!

There’s also lots to get involved with in terms of creative hobbies and sports. The sports village facilities are free for students to book (apart from the gym unless you have a membership) and The Edge has lots of music events and allows room booking and equipment if that’s something you’re interested in.

In terms of academic, every student is assigned a personal tutor ( a member of staff within your department who you will meet with regularly throughout the year) and a peer mentor (a student who is on the same course as you in a higher year who you can contact for revision help, advice on how to learn at university and anything else you want!). I found these points of contact particularly useful when settling into a new learning environment and everyone was very supportive.

Hope this helps and please let me know if you have any other questions. You can find lots of information on our website and the student union page too!

Sharon (3^rd year student)