University of Bath

All you want to know about University of Bath

University of Bath
Motto: Generatim discite cultus (Latin)
Motto in English: "Learn each field of study according to its kind"
Established: 1966
Type: Public
Chancellor: Lord Tugendhat
Vice-Chancellor: Professor Glynis Breakwell
Students: 14,255[1]
Undergraduates: 9,030[1]
Postgraduates: 5,225[1]
Location: Flag of England Bath, UK
Campus: Rural/Suburban
Affiliations: 1994 Group
Website: http://www.bath.ac.uk/
Coat of Arms

The University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, England. It received its Royal Charter in 1966, making it one of the newest "traditional" universities in the United Kingdom. The University has established a strong reputation in teaching and research, being consistently placed as one of the top elite universities in national university league tables. With 23 out of its 26 subjects being ranked within top 10 in the UK, Bath is placed the 6th in the table of 'Who's in Top Ten of Their Subjects' from the Complete University Guide published by the Independent in April 2008.[2]

Contents

History

Despite being granted university status only forty years ago, the University of Bath can trace its roots to a technical school established in Bristol 100 years earlier, the Bristol Trade School of 1856. In 1885 the school became part of the Society of Merchant Venturers and was renamed the Merchant Venturers' Technical College, an institution founded as a school in 1595. Meanwhile, in the neighbouring city of Bath, a pharmaceutical school, the Bath School of Pharmacy, was founded in 1907. This became part of the Technical College in 1929.

In 1949, the college came under the control of the Bristol Education Authority and was renamed the Bristol College of Technology, which was subsequently changed again, in 1960, to the Bristol College of Science and Technology when it became one of ten technical colleges under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education. The college was mainly housed in the former Muller's Orphanage at Ashley Down, Bristol, which now houses part of the City of Bristol College.

University of Bath (Claverton Down Campus).
University of Bath (Claverton Down Campus).

In 1963, the government completed an inquiry into the state of higher education in the United Kingdom. This was known as the Robbins Committee report. It was this report that paved the way for the college (along with a number of other institutions) to assume university status.

Although the grounds of Kingsweston House were briefly considered, the City of Bristol was unable to offer the growing college a suitable site. Following discussions between the College Principal and the Director of Education in Bath, an agreement was reached to provide the college with a new home in Claverton Down, Bath, on a greenfield site overlooking the city of Bath.

Construction of a purpose-built campus in Bath began in 1964, with the first building, now known as 1 South, completed in 1965, and the Royal Charter was granted in 1966. Over the subsequent decade, new buildings were added as the campus took shape. A campus in Oakfield, Swindon, was opened in 2000.

In November 1966, the first degree ceremony was held at the Assembly Rooms in Bath.

Discoveries from city records reveal that there were plans in the 19th Century to build a college of the University of Oxford on the very same site, which would have resulted in a university of a very different character. Such plans, however, did not come to fruition.

Campus and facilities

The Parade, a central pedestrian thoroughfare connecting most academic blocks.
The Parade, a central pedestrian thoroughfare connecting most academic blocks.

The university's main campus is located on Claverton Down, two kilometres from Bath. The campus is compact; it is possible to walk from one end to the other in fifteen minutes.

Architectural plans of the university show that the design involved the separation of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, with road traffic on the ground floors and pedestrians on a raised central thoroughfare, known as the Parade. Buildings would line the parade and student residences built on tower blocks rise from the central thoroughfare.

Such plans were mostly adhered to. At the centre of the campus is the Library and Learning Centre, a 24/7 facility offering computing services, information and research assistance as well as books and journals. A number of outlets, including restaurants, bars and fast-food outlets, plus two banks, a union shop, a small supermarket and an oriental supermarket, as well as academic blocks, are housed around the parade. Buildings are named based on their location relative to the library - 1 East, 2 East and so forth based on their distance from the library with the same applying to the south and west. Odd-numbered buildings are on the same side of the parade as the library, and even-numbered buildings are on the opposite side.

Buildings along the east-west axis are mostly directly accessible from the parade, which is generally considered to be "level two", but later additions, such as 7 West, 9 West, 3 West North and 8 East, follow this rule less strictly. 7 West is generally only accessible via 5 West or 9 West, and 3 West North, 9 West and 8 East have entrances at ground level at varying distances from the main parade. Buildings on the south of the campus, 1 South to 4 South, are accessible via roads and pedestrian walkways by the university lake and gardens.

Buildings, like many so-called plate glass universities, were constructed in a functional, modernistic style using concrete, although such designs were later derided for lacking the charm of the Victorian red-brick universities or the ancient and medieval ones. In Bath, there is a particular contrast between the concrete campus and the Georgian style architecture of the World Heritage City of Bath.

The eastern part of the campus is dominated by the Sports Training Village, built in 1992 and enhanced in 2003 with an extension.

The northern perimeter of the university is bounded by student residences including Westwood, Eastwood and Solsbury and Marlborough courts. The original plan for students to be housed in tower blocks above the parade continues with Norwood House. However, the second tower block, Wessex House, now hosts a number of offices rather than residences.

The university also owns buildings in the City of Bath, mostly student residences dotted around town, although Carpenter House is also home to a life-long learning centre and a business facility (the Innovation Centre).

Today, major campus works continues, notably the completion of 3 West North in 2005, the reconstruction of 4 West, and the construction of student residences at the north-eastern perimeter.

Oakfield campus

The university's Oakfield campus, based in Swindon, offers full-time, part-time and community courses. A conference centre and small business and innovation centres were opened in 2005.[3]

Academics and courses

The university's major academic strengths have been the physical sciences, mathematics, engineering and technology. Today, the university is also strong in management, humanities and the social sciences. Courses place a strong emphasis on vocational education; the university recommends students to take a one-year industry placement in the penultimate year of the course, although it there is no formal recognition of these placements on students' final degree certificates. Tuition fees are charged during these periods at half rate.

According to the latest government assessments, Bath has 15 subjects rated "excellent" (the highest on the scale). These are: Pharmacy & Pharmacology; Business & Management (AMBA accredited); Architecture & Civil Engineering; Economics; Computer Science; Electronic & Electrical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering (IMechE accredited); Mathematics, Statistics and Operational research; Education; Molecular Biosciences; Biosciences; Physics and Astronomy; Politics; Hospitality, Leisure, Recreation, Sport and Tourism; Social Policy and Administration.[4]

University of Bath Parade at Night (Claverton Down Campus).
University of Bath Parade at Night (Claverton Down Campus).

Admissions and students

Admissions generally require top grades at A-Level with seven applications for each place,[5] the number of applications rising by 16 per cent in 2007.[6]

The university has grown rapidly, particularly in the last few years. As of December 2006, 11,965 students were studying at the university; of whom 8,985 (75%) were undergraduates (full-time and part-time) and 2,980 (25%) were postgraduates.

Over 25% of students are international students (those with non-British domicile), reflecting the university's strong international reputation, with the largest number coming from China (including Hong Kong), Germany and Greece.[7]

Housing and transport

Housing

Most students in the first year live in one of the 3,000 self-catered single study bedrooms located on and off campus. In subsequent years, students generally live in town in privately owned shared student houses, although a number may be offered excess rooms off-campus. Postgraduate students have the opportunity to choose between postgraduate campus residences and off-campus residences.

There are 4 senior resident tutors and 33 resident tutors spread amongst the campus and off-campus residences. Resident tutors are usually PhD students who live with students to ensure the provision and maintenance of welfare, health and safety, social activities and good order for students living in University residential accommodation. In addition Carpenter House and Thornbank Gardens are the most popular off-campus residences to live in for exchange students that come to Bath University.

On campus residences[8]

Name of the residence No. of Rooms Build for Room-type Kitchen Notes
Woodland Court[9] 325+[9] Undergraduate and Postgraduate students[9] To be confirmed To be confirmed Located near Eastwood and Solsbury Court.
Scheduled to complete by August 2008[9]
Marlborough Court 163 First year undergraduates Single enhanced study bedroom with washbasin, shower and wc 4-7 sharing one kitchen With lift. Non-smoking complex
Solsbury Court 300 First year undergraduates Single enhanced study bedroom with washbasin, shower and wc 4-7 sharing one kitchen With lift. Non-smoking communal areas
Westwood – Quantock, Conygre, Wolfson, Cotswold and Derhill Terraces 277 First year undergraduates Single bedroom with washbasin only Shared (16-22 sharing 2-3 kitchens) Non-smoking complexes
Westwood complex - Quarry and Mendip Terraces 420 First year undergraduates Single study bedrooms with ensuite “pod”
(shower, washbasin and wc) and a number of studios		 19-25 sharing 3 kitchens Non-smoking communal areas
Brendon Court 107 First year undergraduates Single bedroom with washbasin only 11-14 sharing kitchen/bathrooms Non-smoking complex
Norwood House 110 First year undergraduates Single bedroom with washbasin only 5-12 sharing kitchen/bathrooms Non-smoking communal areas
Eastwood Complex (non-refurbished bedrooms) 254 First year undergraduates Single study bedrooms with or without washbasin (see Notes) 4-13 sharing one kitchen/1-2 bathrooms Houses 22-23
Comprising flats for four students with communal facilities.

Houses 24-41
Offering study bedrooms with washbasins. All other facilities are communal, with refurbished kitchens. Non-smoking communal areas
Eastwood Complex (refurbished bedrooms and kitchens) 333 First year undergraduates Single study bedrooms with or without washbasin (see Notes) 11-13 sharing one kitchen/communal showers/WCs Houses 1-19
Offering study bedrooms without washbasins and share communal facilities.

Houses 42-51
Offering study bedrooms with washbasins. All other facilities are communal. Non-smoking complexes
Polden Court 56 First year and returning undergraduates Single enhanced study bedrooms with ensuite bath, shower, wc and washbasin 8 sharing one kitchen Need to be vacated for Easter vacation. Television in bedroom. Non-smoking complex
Osborne House 34 Postgraduates Single study bedrooms with a range of facilities (washbasin, ensuite, or studio) 3-6 sharing kitchen/bathroom Non-smoking complex

Off campus residences[8]

Name of the residence No. of Rooms Build for Room-type Kitchen Notes
Carpenter House 133 Postgraduates; Euromasters; Exchange; English Language students Single enhanced study bedrooms with washbasin 7-10 sharing one kitchen/bathrooms, Located near bus/train station. Non-smoking communal areas
John Wood Main Building 78 First year undergraduates; Foundation Year Single study bedrooms with ensuite wc, washbasin and shower facilities 7-10 sharing one kitchen Located near bus/train station. With lift. Non-smoking complex
John Wood Court 194 First year undergraduates; Foundation Year Single study bedrooms with communal facilities 4-6 sharing one kitchen/bathrooms Self-contained accommodation suitable for couples is also available. Non-smoking complex
Clevelands Buildings 154 Postgraduates Single study bedrooms with a range of facilities (without washbasin, ensuite and/or studio) 3-5 sharing one kitchen/bathrooms Non-smoking communal areas
Canal Wharf 21 Postgraduates Varies, with single rooms with studio facilities, a standard flat for six, or family accommodation (without children) 19-25 sharing 3 kitchens Non-smoking communal areas
Pulteney Court 133 Postgraduates; Euromasters; Exchange; English Language students Single study bedrooms with or without washbasin, and a number of studios 3-5 sharing one kitchen/bathroom Non-smoking complex
Thornbank Gardens 217 Postgraduates; Undergraduates; Exchange; English Language students; Euromasters Single enhanced study bedrooms with a range of facilities (ensuite and/or studio) 8-10 sharing one kitchen Non-smoking complex

Transport

A "Bright Orange" bus at the University.
A "Bright Orange" bus at the University.

"Bright Orange" buses operated by First Somerset & Avon run between Bath and the campus, running at a 20 minute interval during off-peak hours and every 6 minutes during peak times. There is also an hourly circular service to the suburbs of Bath. Articulated (bendy) Wright Eclipse Fusion buses are used, for their maximum standing capacity.

Sports and recreation

Sports and TeamBath

Main article: TeamBath
TeamBath Logo.
TeamBath Logo.

The University sports operation is branded TeamBath. The University is host to Team Bath F.C. as well as some of the UK's top Olympic athletes. It has one of the best sports facilities in a United Kingdom University,[10] spread over three main sites: two on the Claverton Down campus, known as the Founder's Hall and Sports Training Village (which also hosts the English Institute of Sport for South West England); and also at the Sulis Club, a short distance away.

Indoor tennis courts at the University
Indoor tennis courts at the University

Facilities at the university include a fitness suite, four squash courts, 25- and 50-metre indoor swimming pools, indoor (110m) and outdoor (400m) athletics tracks, multi-purpose sport halls (including basketball, netball and badminton courts), an eight-court indoor tennis hall, a judo/karate/jitsu dojo and centres for sports science and sports medicine.[11] Outdoor synthetic and natural pitches and grounds cater for football, rugby union, field hockey and lacrosse, while the Sulis Club hosts the university's American football team, the Bath Killer Bees.

There are also semi-competitive, recreational sporting events. The largest of these is the Interdepartmental Football Cup (IDFC).

Societies

The university has a Students' Union with over 100 clubs and societies including sports clubs, cultural, arts, interest and faith societies:

  • Bath Rag collects money for local and national charities by running events to bring the town and student communities closer.
  • The Arts Union performs plays and other shows to audiences both on campus and in the town, with support provided by Backstage Technical Services.[12]
  • The Students' Union faith groups include Buddhist, Christian, Islamic and Jewish, etc.
  • Bath University Guides and Scouts (BUGS) is the university's SSAGO unit. It provides outdoor activities for students and also helps with Scouting and Guiding in the community.

Student media

The university is home to three student media outlets: a bi-weekly student newspaper, Student Impact; a radio station, 1449AM URB; and a television station, Campus TV.

Bath Impact newspaper features news, sport, entertainment, comment and features relevant to Bath Students and all contributions are written and edited by students of the university.

1449AM URB has been in operation since 1973 serving students at the university with music, news & campus information. It broadcasts 24 hours a day on campus on 1449AM and online at URB Online.[13]

Campus Television provides information and entertainment.

Alongside broadcast output, CTV also supply services to students themselves. CTV can provide filming of plays, musicals, concerts and other events, as well as video conversion facilities and a video to still service.

Expansion

Claverton Down
  • The university continually upgrades its Claverton Down campus with new teaching blocks. A proposal to move the boundary of the greenbelt from where it crosses the campus to its edge, to facilitate further development, was agreed in October 2007 by the local council following a public inquiry.
  • In July 2005, building 3 West North (officially opened on 27 October) was completed.
  • The deconstruction of the asbestos-contaminated 4 West was completed in mid-2005 and the new 4 West building is being constructed.
  • The ICIA Arts Complex is planning to expand by adding a new building adjacent to the theatre. It is hoped to start work in 2008.
  • Due to be completed by summer 2008 is the new R5 building, to be known as Woodland Court. This student accommodation is expected to house 355 students.[14] The design has been awarded an excellent rating for environmental performance by BREEAM.[15]
Swindon
  • Under the Gateway Project, the university had planned to build a major new campus next to the Great Western Hospital and the Coate Water nature reserve. The project had met opposition from environmentalists and locals[16] but had met with Government approval.[17] The University withdrew from the project in March 2007 citing "prevailing planning and funding conditions".[18]

Notable alumni

Arts and media

Government, law and public policy

Business

Academia

Social reform

Sports

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2006/07" (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet). Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
  2. ^ The Complete University Guide[[1]]
  3. ^ "About the University and the Oakfield Campus". University of Bath. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  4. ^ The Times
  5. ^ University of Bath, Push, accessed 25 August 2007
  6. ^ Profile: University of Bath, The Times, 15 August 2007, accessed 25 August 2007
  7. ^ Facts and figures, University of Bath, accessed 25 August 2007
  8. ^ a b "Student Accommodation Brochure 2007-08". University of Bath. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
  9. ^ a b c d "Woodland Court Accommodation". University of Bath. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
  10. ^ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8404-1246309.html
  11. ^ http://www.teambath.com/about.cfm
  12. ^ http://www.bts-crew.com
  13. ^ http://www.1449urb.co.uk
  14. ^ http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/2006/12/21/r5-approval211206.html
  15. ^ "Planners approve University of Bath's sustainable student residences".
  16. ^ Hayward, Alan. "Swindon Civic Trust Town Centre University Proposal". Swindon Civic Trust. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  17. ^ Osborne, Anthony (2004-10-20). "Coate gets the vote", Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved on 2007-03-22. 
  18. ^ University of Bath (2007-03-01). "University of Bath withdraws from Gateway project". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.

External links

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Coordinates: 51°22.6′N 2°19.55′W / 51.3767, -2.32583


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