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Bath Spa has much to offer, from beautiful architecture and quirky shops to a buzzing social scene and top-notch support, says student Daniel Polak

Being a student in Bath

Bath is a small and compact city, complete with great Georgian architecture, a multitude of shops, two universities and more restaurants than any student budget would allow a singular visit to across the entire course of a degree. The characteristic Bath stone dominates the eye-line and houses all sorts of boutiques from all the high-street brands to the much more eccentric retailers. For the more quirky haunts, a trip down the numerous back streets and alleyways leads to places such as The Faerie shop, an ode to all things magical, and 25th of December, which manages to stay open all year round. The centre of Bath is often crammed with tourists, matched only in numbers by street performers. Far from being claustrophobic, this menagerie of performers and audience gives Bath a magnificent atmosphere, especially in summer.

With former residents such as Jane Austen, Neville Chamberlin and Lord Nelson, Bath is hardly short of history. For culture vultures, or those that wish to be seen doing something more worthy than drinking, there are museums, independent cinemas and of course, all sorts of architecture. For sports, the rugby club has a huge following and the city is steeped in the tradition of the sport. Match day in Bath makes the bikini-clad blokes on tall unicycles in the square look pretty dull by comparison.

The cost of living in Bath provides valid argument for loans outside of London alone to take into account local living prices. It is high, but it really depends where you would choose to go. Rent costs vary as any city, but eating and drinking out can be pricey with a minority of bars charging as much as £5 for a beer. Transport can be expensive so bus passes are well worth buying. Bus routes are regular so you’re never more than ten minutes away from yet another surly driver who is likely to tell you about his deep vehemence for all things student-related.

Bath Spa University is split into several campuses - Newton Park, Sion Hill, and Culverhay. Although Sion Hill and Culverhay occupy positions within the city, the biggest campus, Netwon Park, is three miles outside. Set in the old grounds of a manor house owned by Prince Charles, it’s one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, as is surely evident in this virtual tour.

Study time

Study time varies greatly course to course. Some of the more sneered at courses such as Performing Arts actually command the hardest hours, with a 9-5 timetable six days a week not uncommon. Even if some courses appear not to have much contact time, don’t assume you’re in for an easy ride, as most will require and expect you to spent several hours studying outside of classes.

Study facilities are constantly monitored, with the library being a great and plentiful resource which is expanding all the time. And it is common for Bath Spa students wandering through campus to stumble across yet another computer room. Printing work is good value and the university gives each new student about fifty free prints.

Play time

The students’ union is constantly active and runs designated party nights at least three times a week with the more off-beat film and comedy nights a rare additional treat. The union body is good humoured and agrees to back, with funds, any plans to create a society as long as ten people agree it’s worth having. Freshers’ fair is always a big event and a great opportunity to find out exactly what’s on, as well as being an excellent source of free sweets.

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