WELCOME TO BSU
Welcome to Bath Spa University!
We’re so excited to have you here. This is your opportunity to get a taste of what life is like as a Bath Spa University (BSU) student, explore our facilities, and learn more about your course.
Take your time exploring our award-winning Locksbrook campus and find out more about the excellent support available to you at BSU.
We are committed to enriching your time at BSU and ensuring it’s both enjoyable and memorable.
- Liz Eyles, Director of Campus Life
Why choose Bath Spa?
With award-winning teaching, facilities, research, and the space for you to discover your best self, BSU is more than a university- we’re a unique and friendly community.
LIVING IN STYLE
Your new home is ready and waiting for you. We offer a range of selfcatered accommodation options to suit any of your wants and needs, so you can arrive at university knowing you’ll be living in comfort. En-suite bathroom? City location? Easy walk to campus? We’ve got you covered.
A CITY TO EXPLORE
Bath is a world-famous city, and for good reason! Home to independent restaurants, bars and cafes, masses of museums and galleries, and a tempting array of nightclubs, it’s an easy city to fall in love with. It’s also one of the safest student cities in the country, so you can settle in with confidence.
OUTSTANDING SPACES AND FACILITIES
From specialist workshops equipped with stateof-the-art technology, to fleets of industrygrade sewing machines, to our very own screen printing workshop, you’ll have access to the best tools available at BSU.
DISCOVER A
NEW COMMUNITY
University is a great place to meet new friends and find new interests. With over 70 different clubs and societies, there’s something for everyone at the Bath Spa Students’ Union. Try your hand at cosplay, join a competitive sports team, or even try out for a band; the possibilities are endless.
SUPPORTING YOU
Our community is at the heart of our work, and we are always striving to make sure that you’re supported whilst you study with us. Our Student Wellbeing and Careers Teams are available around the clock to help you in any way they can. We’re here to help you make the most of your time at BSU.
Locksbrook
Designed as an open-plan building that emphasises collaboration, Locksbrook is full of studio spaces and technical workshops. From laser cutters to 3D printers to dark rooms to a 200-year-old printing press, and much more, we’ve got all the means to bring your creative dreams to life.
Metalwork and woodworking
We have a wide selection of steel and wood stock in our specialized workshops, all available for you to experiment with. You’ll also find numerous power tools, welding equipment, and lathes, as well as traditional hand tools.
Photography
Our photography studios and dark room will allow you to explore the artform through a different lens. You’ll have access to industry-standard equipment, with high quality cameras and lighting rigs, as well as digital suites equipped with advanced technology for image finishing, scanning, and large format printing. You’ll also work closely with the Digital Print workshop.
Ceramics studio
Clay preparation, throwing, plaster mould-making and slip casting –Locksbrook has everything a ceramicist could need. You’ll be able to fire your creations using our range of electric and gas-fired kilns.
Fashion design facilities
Locksbrook has specific textiles and fashion facilities designed to work both as workshops and individual studio spaces. They are fully equipped with a range of sewing machines, overlockers, buttonholers, cutting tables and mannequins.
Painting
BSU is one of the few universities in the country to have a dedicated painting workshop, as well as a specific paint technician. You can learn how to make your own paint out of pigments and materials, as well as experiment with our vast array of materials in our painting methods room.
Making Space
Our specialised Making Space is the perfect area to try out your new ideas through prototyping and model-making. Here, with a range of materials, processes and technologies, and excellent technical support, you can realise your concepts through 3D scale models, just as you would in the industry.
The Digital Print workshop
We have a range of industry-standard software and equipment at our campus, including large format printers, vinyl scanners, and 3D printing facilities. Our top-of-the-range 3D digital processes workshop has 3D printing technology that can be used remotely as well as in person.
YOUR STUDENT JOURNEY YOUR STUDENT JOURNEY
CLEARING
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
ACCOMMODATION
We can guarantee you an offer of accommodation if you’re joining BSU as a full-time, home undergraduate student and put us as your firm choice. You can arrive at university knowing that your new home is waiting for you!
Whether you want to live in the bustling city centre or out in the rolling countryside, we offer a wide range of accommodation options to suit your needs.
All of our accommodation comes with free Wi-Fi and fully fitted kitchens. You’ll find everything you need to make living away from home convenient, comfortable and fun. Applications open in February, and you must apply by no later than 30 June. Room prices start from £81 per week.
FINANCE
WHAT DO YOU PAY FOR?
Starting a degree may be a big investment, but the rewards last a lifetime. When it comes to funding your studies, BSU has plenty of support in place to make sure you feel secure with your finances.
TUITION FEES LIVING COSTS COURSE COSTS
These include paying for accommodation, groceries, going out and so on. You can apply for a maintenance loan from SFE to help with these costs.
Generally £9535 a year. This can be loaned from Student Finance England (SFE). Please note, fees may be subject to change, and we encourage you to check the gov.uk website regularly for updates.
FUNDING AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT
BSU offers a range of scholarships, bursaries and other opportunities to help you fund your studies. For example:
• The Undergraduate Scholarship, that rewards any students who achieved above their predicted grades with £500 to use as they wish;
• The Bath Spa Laptop Fund, to help students afford the technology needed for university study;
Your course may incur additional fees in the form of art materials, field trips and specialist equipment. For more details on this, please check your course page on our website.
STUDENT FINANCE
• The Accommodation Bursary, a oneoff bursary of £500, awarded to eligible students to help them with their accommodation and housing-related expenses.
BSU also offers bursaries to eligible undergraduate students. This award does not need to be paid back.
For further information on the awards available to students, please check our website.
STUDENT FINANCE
You can apply for both your tuition and maintenance loans via the Student Finance England (SFE) website, at gov.uk/student-finance. To qualify for student finance for the 2025/2026 academic year, we strongly recommend that students apply no later than May 2025.
Please note that international students should apply to their respective governmental funding bodies for student finance. We encourage all students to research student finance thoroughly, and to check online for any updates regarding fees.
HOW TO SAVE MONEY AT UNIVERSITY
CONSIDER A PART-TIME JOB
You can chat to our Careers Team about finding work on and off campus.
DON’T FORGET TO BUDGET
Our Student Wellbeing Team can offer good advice on how to budget and save as a student.
SHOP SMART
Be sure to sign up to a TOTUM card to save on shopping both online and on the high street.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS
It’s a good idea to double check if you qualify for any grants, scholarships or awards, even beyond BSU. You’d be surprised at what you might find! Go to www.bathspa.ac.uk/scholarships to find out more.
SAVING ON TRANSPORT
Our campuses are on bus and cycle routes to and from the city, so there’s no need to bring your car to University with you, saving you money in the long run.
SUPPORTING
YOU
Student Wellbeing Services are here for you. You can access professional advice, guidance and resources 24/7 at BSU to help with any concerns that you may have.
ACCESSIBILITY AND DISABILITY
We have tailored support for any student, should they need it, who identifies as disabled or neurodiverse. Our Disability Advisors can provide advice, guidance and coordinate support tailored to your needs.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Our Wellbeing Advisors offer non-clinical advice and practical guidance to coordinate the right support to suit your needs. Our professional practitioners can also provide a range of interventions to enable the mental health of Bath Spa students. They can speak to applicants, their families and supporters about preparing for university life.
CARE DOGS
Our registered BSU care dogs are always around for drop-in sessions, wellbeing walks, or just a good cuddle. You can find out more on how to hang out with BSU’s furry friends on the Care Dogs webpage.
TRANS AND NON-BINARY SUPPORT
Student Wellbeing Services provide a range of support for trans and non-binary students, or any students who may be questioning their gender identity. We’ll help you settle into your new environment by providing support, care and guidance.
LEARNING SUPPORT
Based in Commons, the Academic Skills team (ASk) can help you with any academic queries, like referencing, writing essays, understanding your assignment feedback, and much more. Each student is also assigned an academic advisor upon their enrolment at BSU to support your development at university.
STUDENT
Your Students’ Union
Your Students’ Union (SU) is here to represent you and your views, and to ensure that you have a positive and valuable experience at university. The SU is independent from the university and is run as a registered charity by leaders elected by the student body. It can help you with your studies, meet new friends, prepare you for the world of work and make your voice heard.
The SU runs a year-round programme of events and activities for everyone to get involved with, so there’s always something fun to do!
FACILITIES
The SU building at Newton Park is home to the Bar, which serves hot, cold and alcoholic drinks. It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon studying with your course-mates or unwind in the evening with friends. Upstairs, you’ll find the SU gym, which offers over 40 stations with free weights, cardio machines and training zones, and has affordable memberships available.
STUDENTS’ UNION ADVICE CENTRE
The SU Advice Centre can help you with a variety of issues you may be facing during your time at university. They provide free, non-judgemental and confidential advice to all BSU students, and are readily available to support you with anything that you may need.
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
There are endless opportunities to have fun and meet new people at BSU. The SU boasts over 70 clubs and societies to its name, and they’re all free to join for first year students. If you can’t find one you want to join, you can always start your own! You can check out the full list of societies and clubs on the SU website.
You can read more about the SU on their website www.bathspasu.co.uk, and make sure to give them a follow @bathspasu on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok!
Go Global
Our Go Global Team provides opportunities to study, work and undertake research across the world throughout your time at university. We have over 50 partner universities worldwide who are more than welcoming to any students wishing to spend a semester studying with them.
OUR CAREERS TEAM
Check out the Go Global pages on the BSU webpage for more information.
At BSU, your degree is more than a qualification- it's the key to the kind of future you want. Whatever stage you’re at in your career journey, we’re here to help you get a head start.
Our Careers Team are here to help you prepare for your future in a field that both interests and inspires you. From internships to placement years to full-time positions, there are plenty of opportunities ripe for the taking, and if you’re unsure of what your future holds, we can help with that too.
The support we offer doesn’t end at your graduation either. Our dedicated Grad Support Unit is here after you finish your degree to help you with anything you need.
EVERYTHING ELSE...
SUSTAINABILITY
We take our responsibility to protect and care for our people and places seriously, and are committed to making the world a better place, one student at a time.
Over the last 10 years, we’ve reduced our carbon emissions by over 60% per m2, and increased recycling to 80% of all waste. In 2022, we were awarded a Gold Accreditation as a Hedgehog Friendly Campus, and received a 1st Class Award from the People and Planet University League Table for our environmental efforts.
SOCIAL INCLUSION AND ENTERPRISE
BSU was named the Sunday Times University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2024, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to empowering students from all backgrounds to thrive in higher education. We believe that university should be a place where anyone can succeed, and place supporting our local community and environment at the heart of our work.
ADOBE CREATIVE CAMPUS
BSU is an Adobe Creative Campus, which means that you get full access to the whole suite of Adobe programmes, including Photoshop, InDesign, Premier Pro, and much more! You can learn key creative skills and prepare yourself for the world of work, equipped with all the knowledge Adobe has to offer.
STUDENT SUCCESS
STORIES
Milly was shortlisted out of thousands of entries for the 2023 Arts Thread Global Design Graduate Show, in collaboration with Gucci, with a piece first shown at BSU’s very own Undergraduate Degree Show. Milly now works as a full-time artist, and is a resident at the 44AD Artspace in Bath’s city centre. Having been born with cerebral palsy, she has commended BSU for supporting her as a disabled artist, commenting that ‘’Saying no is never an answer at Bath Spa... we always find a way’’.
Milly Aburrow | BA (Hons) Fine Art
Heath discovered his passion for problem solving whilst studying at BSU, leading him into pursuing new ideas in 3D printing. He went on to win the Make it Real 3D Printing Challenge for his innovative new design for a motorbike bracket, beating thousands of other applicants. Alongside his cash prize of $25,000, Heath has gone on to work with NASA engineers on further 3D printing projects, and has praised BSU for its encouragement of experimentation and organic design.
Heath Townsend | BA (Hons) Product Design
BSU alumna Llara Plaza Garcia found career success after graduating by securing a job as a Unit Photographer on BBC’s The Traitors. She was also shortlisted for the South West Collective Award in 2020, after being helped with the submission by one of her own lecturers, James Arthur Allen, right here at BSU. Llara states that studying at BSU was crucial to developing her own style of photography, and that the courses’ emphasis on experimentation was key to building her confidence as a creative.
Llara Plaza Garcia | BA (Hons) Photography
Gigi Cooke, a recent graduate of BSU’s Product Design degree, has been shortlisted for Young Designer of the Year, and has had her work featured in Vogue and GQ. Her creation, ‘Archie’, a sustainable multi- use furniture piece, has taken the world of design by storm, receiving widespread coverage. Gigi has spoken in the press of the positive effect of her time at BSU, arguing that the ‘’university’s emphasis on personal exploration... allowed me to develop a unique perspective that [is reflected] in my creations.
Gigi Cooke | BA (Hons) Product Design
After graduating from BSU, Kamal found success with his invention, the My Salah Mat, an interactive prayer mat, designed to help people learn where to perform Salah, a daily prayer practiced by Muslims. Kamal has credited BSU with giving him the ‘‘confidence to push boundaries’’, and for giving him key skills in not only developing his design skills, but also how to market his products. KamalAli | MA Design (Textiles)
THE CITY OF BATH Fun things for students
A B C
“Bath is a very friendly and vibrant city. I'm originally from the countryside, but making the move to Bath has been easy, and I feel right at home.”
David Fallaize, Graduate
D
The Walcott Antique and Flea Market is a great spot to grab vintage clothes, vinyl and knickknacks.
Check out the Guildhall Market for great deals on books, crafts and its delicious deli counter!
Boo! Want to learn more about Bath’s spooky history? Check out one of the city’s ghost tours!
Many of Bath’s bookshops hold author events on the regular, featuring writers of fiction to non-fiction to poetry to cookbooks!
FUN FACT
Bath’s very own Little Theatre is immortalised in the final scene of Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox, with the cinema being a particular favourite of the director.
TEACHING SITES
ACCOMMODATION
SUPERMARKETS
HEALTH
PLACES OF INTEREST
TRAIN STATIONS
KEY BUS STOPS
NATIONAL CYCLE ROUTES
Bath started out as a Roman spa and temple, built atop the area’s natural hot springs; hence our university’s name! FUN FACT
FIVE THINGS TO DO IN BATH
1. Quirky shopping
Full of independents, vintage shops and high street brands, Bath is a shopper’s paradise.
2. Explore the vibrant food and drink scene
Experience afternoon tea at Sally Lunn’s, grab dinner at Yak Yeti Yak, and enjoy the city’s rich array of restaurants, cafes and bars.
3. Enjoy the outdoors
Go paddleboarding down the River Avon, take a dip at Warleigh Weir, or even go trampolining at the Bath Sports and Leisure Centre.
4. Walk through history
The entire city of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; everywhere you step, you’re following the footsteps of thousands of past Bathonians. Experience the city’s vast history through its plethora of museums, galleries and heritage sites.
5. Spot the filming location
Bath has become renowned as a soughtafter film location and hosts its own Film Festival every year. Why not go on a tour of your favourite Bridgerton spots, or see where Timothee Chalamet danced in Wonka?
Bath is famous for its association with Jane Austen, who lived here in the early 19th century.
We hope you enjoy your visit!
Still have questions?
If you have any specific questions, please get in touch with us:
Say hello!
bath.spa.university
bathspauni
bathspauniversity
bathspauniversity
General enquiries: be@bathspa.ac.uk
Admissions: admissions@bathspa.ac.uk
Accommodation: accommodation@bathspa.ac.uk
Student Wellbeing Services: studentwellbeing@bathspa.ac.uk
Student fees (Tuition fees, tuition loans, sponsorship and accommodation payment queries): fees@bathspa.ac.uk
Student funding (Funding, bursaries and scholarships, and international funding): funding@bathspa.ac.uk
Student payments (How to pay fees, instalment dates, payment options and how to update card details): income@bathspa.ac.uk
Students’ Union: bathspasu@bathspa.ac.uk
Library and Learning Services: library@bathspa.ac.uk
Check out what our current students are creating:
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bathspa.interiordesign michaelpenniegallery bsu_schoolofdesign