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Bath Spa University

Bath, United Kingdom • Founded 1975

Updated Sep 2026 · Source: bathspa.ac.uk

Overview

English Name: Bath Spa University
Founded: 1975
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
SCImago 2026 #3441
Bath Spa University institutional facilities
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Bath Spa University, based in Bath in south-west England, traces its history to 1852 when the Bath School of Art was founded after the Great Exhibition.

The modern institution emerged from a 1975 merger of the Bath Academy of Art with teacher training colleges located at Newton Park and Sion Hill. Today the university operates five main physical locations: Newton Park, Sion Hill, and Locksbrook in Bath (the latter opened in 2019 in a renovated building), plus two London centres at Canary Wharf and Hackney.

Academic offerings span six schools covering business, music and performing arts, creative and cultural arts, design, education and humanities, and sciences. The university holds approved provider status with the Office for Students and maintains Quality Assurance Agency accreditation.

Location & Contact

Bath Spa University's campus location, postal address, and admissions contact channels are below.

Address: Newton Park Newton St Loe
Postal Code: BA2 9BN
Phone: +44 (1225) 875 875
Fax: +44 (1225) 875 444
Social Media:

Academic Details

The figures below cover Bath Spa University's scale, staffing levels, and academic standing.

Academic Year: 2024/25
Recognition: Privy Council
Total Students: 28,970
Female Students: 12,745
Academic Staff Range: 300-399
Full-Time Academic Staff: 231
Academic Staff with Doctorate: 151
Campus Setting: Rural
Memberships & Networks
Universities UK MillionPlus

Academic Structures

Bath Spa University's academic units are listed below, by type.

Unit 6 items
  • Graduate School
  • School of Art and Design
  • School of Education
  • School of Humanities and Cultural Industries
  • School of Music and the Performing Arts
  • School of Science, Society and Management

Degrees

A MA is provided in partnership with the Academy of Circus Arts and Physical Theatre (Circomedia)

Doctoral 3 programs
  • Business Administration
  • Education
  • Writing

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Privy Council.

Education (Institute) 11 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Design
  • Education
  • English
  • Geography
  • History
  • Information Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Modern Languages
  • Music
  • Natural Sciences
  • Technology
Art and Design (School) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Ceramic Art
  • Fine Arts
  • Graphic Design
  • Multimedia
  • Painting and Drawing
  • Textile Design
Humanities and Cultural Industries (School) 9 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Ethics
  • Film
  • History
  • Literature
  • Media Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Publishing and Book Trade
  • Religion
  • Writing
Music and Performing Arts (School) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Dance
  • Music
  • Performing Arts
  • Textile Design
  • Theatre
Society, Enterprise and Management (School) 10 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biology
  • Business Education
  • Dietetics
  • Environmental Studies
  • Food Science
  • Geography
  • Health Education
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Tourism

Programs Offered

Every programme Bath Spa University currently runs, grouped by degree level and searchable.

314 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom

Honours Degree 256 programmes

Showing 10 of 256.

Master of Business Administration 1 programme

Master's Degree 47 programmes

Accounting and Finance
Finance, Banking & Insurance

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Architecture
Architecture
Start: September 2027

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 47.

Doctorate 3 programmes

Foundation 4 programmes

Scholarships in United Kingdom

Funding options available to students studying in the United Kingdom, alongside Bath Spa University's costs.

Bath Spa University Bursary
University funded · Renewable · 1,050 GBP per year · Living Stipend · Covers Living
An income-assessed cash bursary of up to £1,050 a year for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years, for eligible first-time undergraduates from lower-income households.
Cambridge Trust International Scholarship
Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined · Covers Living
Covers tuition fees at the international rate, an annual maintenance stipend, and support towards the student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge, for postgraduate (and some undergraduate) study at Cambridge; there is no separate application form.
Foundation Progression Scholarship
University funded · International students · Renewable · 3,250 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
An automatic fee waiver for students who complete the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design and progress onto an undergraduate degree: £1,250 in year one, then £1,000 in each of years two and three.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined
Funds full-time or part-time PhD study, the one-year MLitt, or (with some exceptions) other one-year postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge; fee and stipend amounts are set through the University's own student-funding process rather than published on the eligibility page.
International Recruitment Office Scholarship
University funded · International students · 2,000 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
An automatic tuition discount for international students who accept an offer at Bath Spa University: £2,000 off for undergraduate or postgraduate courses at the Bath campuses, or £4,000 off for the MBA at the London campus.
Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship
University funded · International students · 2,000 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
A £2,000 fee waiver, applied automatically, for Bath Spa graduates progressing straight into a taught Master's (MA, MSc or MRes).
Professional Placement Year Bursary
University funded · 1,500 GBP per total · Living Stipend · Covers Living
A tiered bursary for students on a professional placement year, paying £1,500, £1,000 or £500 depending on socio-economic background, in two instalments.
Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 20,400 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living, Travel
Covers University of Oxford course and college fees, an annual stipend of £20,400 (£1,700 a month, 2025-26 rate), the Oxford application fee, student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs, two economy flights to and from the UK, and a settling-in allowance.
Royal Commonwealth Society Bath and District Scholarship
University funded · International students · 500 GBP per total · Covers Living
Up to three £500 awards a year for Commonwealth students, funded by the Royal Commonwealth Society's Bath and District branch.
Taunton Maids Bursary
University funded · 1,500 GBP per year · Living Stipend · Covers Living
An income-tiered bursary for first-year music students who lived in Somerset, North Somerset or Bath and North East Somerset before starting university: undergraduates receive £1,500, £1,000 or £500 a year (highest to lowest income band); full-time postgraduates receive £300 a year and part-time postgraduates £150 a year.
The Gunn Chit Ean Scholarship
University funded · 1,500 GBP per total
A £1,500 award, established by the children of alumna Gunn Chit Ean, for a graduating final-year Education student who commits to at least two years working in education after graduation.
The Hall Commonwealth Scholarship
University funded · International students · Renewable · 9,500 GBP per total · Partial Tuition · Covers Living
Support for one undergraduate and one postgraduate student from a Commonwealth country each year: £9,500 for the undergraduate award and £3,000 for the postgraduate award, both paid out over the course of the degree.
The Undergraduate Scholarship
University funded · International students · 500 GBP per total
A one-off £500 payment for new undergraduates who either beat their predicted grades or achieve at least AAB at A-level (or equivalent).
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 18,622 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living
Covers 100% of course fees and a living-cost grant (at least £18,622 a year through the St Antony's College partnership) for the full period of fee liability, plus participation in a tailored leadership programme.

How to apply to Bath Spa University

How to apply to Bath Spa University — a five-step structure.

  1. 1
    Identify the right programme

    Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Bath Spa University runs 314 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.

  2. 2
    Check entry requirements

    Before applying to Bath Spa University, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for United Kingdom.

  3. 3
    Prepare your application documents

    Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Bath Spa University's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.

  4. 4
    Submit via UCAS or the institution

    Route your application through UCAS (ucas.com) for undergraduate entry to Bath Spa University. For postgraduate entry, apply directly through Bath Spa University's own admissions portal at www.bathspa.ac.uk.

  5. 5
    Get in touch with admissions

    Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (1225) 875 875. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bath Spa University

Concise answers to common questions about Bath Spa University.

In what year was Bath Spa University established?

Bath Spa University was founded in 1975 (approximately 51 years ago).

What city is Bath Spa University in?

Bath Spa University operates from Bath, United Kingdom.

What is Bath Spa University's control type?

Bath Spa University is a public institution.

How big is Bath Spa University's student body?

Bath Spa University serves approximately 28,970 students.

What programmes are available at Bath Spa University?

Programmes at Bath Spa University cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

What is Bath Spa University's academic structure?

Bath Spa University is organised into 6 academic units across its disciplines.

Is Bath Spa University accredited?

The institution holds recognition from Privy Council.

How do I find Bath Spa University online?

The institution's website is www.bathspa.ac.uk.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom

A quick benchmark: here are the top-ranked universities in the United Kingdom. Useful for understanding how Bath Spa University compares against the national reference points in higher education, and what alternatives exist if reach institutions are part of your strategy.

Members of Universities UK

Bath Spa University and the universities below are both members of Universities UK.

Faculties at nearby universities

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Where Else to Study Arts, Design & Architecture

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