Bath Spa University

Not to be confused with the University of Bath.
Bath Spa University
Established 2005 - Bath Spa University. (Gained University Status )
1997 - Bath Spa University College
1975 - Bath College of Higher Education
1852 - Bath School of Art
Type Public
Endowment £155,000[1]
Vice-Chancellor Prof.Christina Slade
Students 8,550[2]
Undergraduates 5,715[2]
Postgraduates 2,835[2]
Location Bath, Somerset, England
51°22′32″N 2°26′18″W / 51.37556°N 2.43833°WCoordinates: 51°22′32″N 2°26′18″W / 51.37556°N 2.43833°W
Campus Rural
Affiliations Universities UK
Association of Commonwealth Universities
Website www.bathspa.ac.uk
www.bathspasu.co.uk

Bath Spa University is a university based in, and around, Bath, England. The institution was previously known as Bath College of Higher Education, and later Bath Spa University College. It gained full university status in August 2005. It is the UK's sixth biggest provider of Teacher Education.[3] In 2006 it was voted the 5th best modern university in the UK by The Sunday Times University Guide.[4] The university has been consistently ranked as one of the best creative universities in the UK by Which? every year since 2012.[5]

History

The institution can trace its roots back to the foundation of the Bath School of Art in 1852, following the impact of The Great Exhibition of 1851. In 1946 Bath Teacher Training College was opened on the Newton Park campus, as part of the post-war initiatives to fill wartime teaching shortages by a one-year course for ex-service people. The present institution was formed in 1975 as Bath College of Higher Education by the merger of Bath Teacher Training College and Bath College of Domestic Science. In 1983 Bath Academy of Art also merged into the college. In 1992, the college was granted degree-awarding powers and in 1997 adopted the name Bath Spa University College.[6][7] In March 2005 the institution was granted university status, becoming Bath Spa University in August 2005.[8]

Organisation and Academic Profile

Rankings
Complete[9]
(2016, national)		 70
The Guardian[10]
(2015, national)		 69
Times/Sunday Times[11]
(2015, national)		 70

In 2005 and 2006 the university was named in the top 10 modern British universities by The Sunday Times, at positions no.8 and no.5 respectively.[12] It also made the top 10 again in 2008.

Bath Spa University is designated as a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL).

The university holds the QAA quality mark from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

It was named among the ten best creative universities in the UK by Which? in 2012, 2013 and 2014, amongst leaderboard topping universities such as The University of Oxford and The University of Cambridge.[13]

The university has held the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for 2 years running, and is one of 49 universities in the UK to do so. The Award is managed by Vitae, a group that supports researchers in their careers and helps them increase the standard of their research for the benefit of the students and the impact it may have on the wider world.

One example of the calibre of the research, in this case into current academic practices within music schools, allowed Bath Spa University to successfully pioneer a professional graduate degree in songwriting - the first in the world of its kind.[14]

Some courses at Bath Spa rank well amongst university subject league tables:

Schools of study

The University has six schools of study.

Based at the Newton Park campus, the Bath Spa Institute for Education allows Bath Spa teachers, classroom teachers, education practitioners, academics, and anyone interested in education come together in a community of research and practice.[19] Plans originally called for a new campus to be constructed in Wiltshire but these have since been abandoned.

Partnership and collaboration

The University has formed partnerships with a number of regional Further Education Colleges and institutions. Under the Partnership, students take the first year of their Higher Education course in their local college and, if successful, the rest of their course at Bath Spa University. The British and Irish Modern Music Institute campus in Bristol has all of its courses verified by Bath Spa University.[22]

The partners are:

Campuses

Newton Park

The 18th century Georgian manor house at Newton Park

The Newton Park campus, located to the west of Bath near the village of Newton St Loe, is the largest of the university's three main campuses. It is here that courses from all schools are taught, with the exception of Art and Design and most post-graduate courses. The campus is based in Newton Park in grounds designed by English landscape architect Lancelot "Capability" Brown and leased from the Duchy of Cornwall. The campus features buildings from a mixture of ages including many listed buildings, all still used as teaching or administration spaces, such as the Grade I Listed Main House building built between 1762 and 1765 by Stiff Leadbetter for Joseph Langton,[23] the remnants of the 14th century Newton St Loe Castle, a scheduled monument holding a Grade 1 listed building status[24] and several other grade 2 and 2* listed stable buildings, gardens and walled gardens. It is the only campus to house student accommodation on its premises. The campus is home to the Students Union, which operates out of the union building at the top of the campus. The site has a lake, nature reserve, woodlands and arable farmlands. The campus is currently undergoing an enormous development program (see Plans) that will transform the campus in phases over the coming years.[25]

"Commons" Academic Building

In the summer of 2012 work began on the development of a new academic building, now called "Commons", roughly in the centre of the Newton Park campus. This 8000 square metre building provides, according to the university, the best resources for teaching digital media-related courses in the south-west, equal to anything found at cutting-edge commercial organisations and broadcast companies. Situated next to the academic building is an outside amphitheatre primarily for use by the School of Music and Performing arts. The building was handed over to the university at the end of January 2014, and was officially opened on 5 June, 2014, by Academy Award-winning film producer Lord Puttnam CBE.[26]

Michael Tippett Centre

Located at Newton Park is the Michael Tippett Centre, which is the only purpose built concert hall in Bath.[27] The building features a large number of teaching rooms and spaces, and the hall itself is used for lectures mainly by the School of Music and Performing Arts. The hall is routinely used for exhibitions, musical performances and plays from student performers as well professional acts from around the country.

University Theatre

The University Theatre is also situated on the Newton Park campus and was part of a £5.7m scheme designed by Fielden Clegg Bradley Architects LLP and was completed in 2006. It comprises a 186-seat auditorium with full backstage and technical facilities, including three large teaching studios. The venue is used by the School of Music and Performing Arts for teaching, student actors, directors, production managers, choreographers and dancers.

The Bath School of Art and Design

Bath School of Art and Design, Sion Hill, Bath

The Sion Hill campus is in the north of Bath, in the Lansdown district. This campus houses the Bath School of Art and Design and the majority of Art and Design courses are taught here. Its history extends to the original Bath School of Art which was founded in 1852. One of the earliest Masters of the school Anthony Carey Stannus, an Irish painter noted for marine scenes and who later helped establish a society which evolved into the Royal Ulster Academy.[28] Until 2009, the University also owned the nearby Somerset Place. The sale of this listed Georgian crescent was intended to finance a new campus in the city centre. This development, alongside the Dyson School of Design Innovation, did not proceed due to planning issues relating to the chosen riverside site.

Corsham Court, Corsham

Corsham Court

The University has a specialist centre for postgraduate research and teaching in Corsham Court, Corsham, Wiltshire. The university developed this centre in 2008 after an absence of more than 20 years from the site.[29] Corsham Court became the home of the Bath Academy of Art (now Bath School of Art and Design and part of the University) when its premises were destroyed during the Second World War. Walter Sickert, who taught in that School was also a mentor to Lord Methuen RA, owner of the Court. The centre handles the majority of postgraduate courses, and includes development support for research projects, postgraduate workshops, studios and seminar rooms providing facilities for the academic Schools, specialist facilities for music, photography, film and textiles, a library and dedicated librarian, shared quiet study and social learning spaces for Masters and PhD research students, a common room space, a university research office which works with schools on the development of funding bids to external agencies, and a gallery space - managed by the Bath School of Art & Design in support of undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum activities.[30]

Rush Hill, Bath

This campus is located in the Southdown area of Bath. It is situated next to Bath Community Academy (formerly Culverhay School) and was formerly the school's Humanities block. The campus is the home to most of the University's Postgraduate Certificate in Education Secondary and Middle Years Education courses, including History, Music, English, Geography, Mathematics and Religious Education. Facilities at the campus are not as extensive as those found in Newton Park but there are IT facilities and a common room.

Other Teaching Sites

The University maintains some smaller satellite teaching spaces around Bath for use by students on certain courses, often those that require large amounts of space that are simply not available at the other campuses.

Student life

Student accommodation

The University currently offers accommodation to 1518 students in several locations around the Bath area, as well as on its main Newton Park campus. Homestay and independent housing options are also available for students through local letting agents and families, and are managed and routinely inspected by the university.[31][32]

Newton Park Campus

The Newton Park Campus currently houses 868 students in single, shared and en-suite study bedrooms. The accommodation forms two groups of buildings at either end of the campus, known as Commons and Gardens. Bus stops by the library and Commons accommodation service the numbers 15 and 15a buses. Both groups of accommodation have access to laundrette facilities. Because of the limited availability of parking, students living on campus are not permitted to bring a car, however bicycle racks and some motorcycle parking spaces are available.[33]

In June 2013 work began on the development of a new "student village" in the main Newton Park campus, known as Gardens, which houses 561 first year students in separate "houses" of up to 10 students.[34] Building work was completed during the summer of 2014 in time for the start of the academic year in October. Work on the surrounding landscaping and car parks was completed during early 2015 with works ongoing to demolish parts of the old temporary car park.

City Accommodation

Students' Union

The Student Union's logo as of 2013

The main Students' Union facilities are at the Newton Park campus, although the Union maintains a presence in all campuses. The Main union building runs a bar, café, gym and shop, and hosts regular events throughout the academic year. There are 20 sports societies, 40 interest societies and 10 sports clubs run by the union, many of which compete in the BUCS.[38] The sports facilities include rugby and football pitches at the top of the campus, as well as a netball court and changing facilities inside the walled garden adjacent to the union building. The walled garden itself is also a social space, featuring BBQs, games tables, seating and tables, a small pond, greenhouses and small allotment style areas. The Union is in charge of organising the Freshers events, as well as the Winter and Summer balls. It also has facilities to run health campaigns and give academic advice to students, volunteering and skill development opportunities, travel opportunities, and it liaises directly with the University and organisations nationally and in the local area to campaign about and discuss issues that affect students.[39]

The Union also has its own student card called Student Zest, founded by students in 2012 which offers discounts on goods and services offered in over 100 local businesses. There is a dedicated website that deals with matters concerning this card.[40]

In 2013, the Union created a dedicated Facebook page, and re-launched its website which features all information and news concerning the Union, its members, an online shop for everything available from the Union.[41]

The Students Union building at Newton Park campus was refurbished during the summer of 2014, doubling the size of shop, reconfiguring the bar/cafe area, improving the gym, and updating the toilet facilities. There is also a new walk way around the front entrance of the building improving access. The Students' Union is also working with the University, the student body, and architects, to produce a long term plan to completely rebuild the Union.[42]

Alumni Association

Bath Spa University’s growing Alumni Association is a network of over 40,000 former students and staff. The association publishes a magazine, SPARTAN, which is published twice a year and features all alumni related news. It promotes raising philanthropic income for a wide range of important projects for the university, particularly the Bath Spa Students Fund and bursaries. The president of the Alumni Association is Mary Berry, who is a former student of the Bath College of Domestic Science and is the recipient of an honorary doctorate from the university.

Oak Tree Day Nursery

Oak Tree Day Nursery was established in 1995 and operates from two adjoining houses in the parkland grounds of the university's Newton Park campus. It is a full day-care nursery offering both full and part-time places for the children of university staff and students as well as the local community.[43] It has won numerous awards, including The Baby Quality Award in 2011, the Children's and Young People's Rights Gold Award in 2012, and the Director of Public Health Award in 2013.[44]

Transport

Bath Spa railway station is on the Great Western and Wessex Main Lines, with train services to various stations in the south of England, including London Paddington, Reading, Bristol Temple Meads, Cardiff Central, Southampton Central and Portsmouth Harbour. The lesser Heart of Wessex Line also serves Bath Spa and in addition Oldfield Park railway station, close to the main off-site Halls of Residence. Most services at both stations are operated by First Great Western.

Newton Park is served by bus service 15 (operated by First and formerly known as the SPA1, and before that 418), which runs between the campus and the city centre every 15 minutes during term-time, and 15A, which services the Lower Oldfield Park area of Bath, a popular location for student rented properties. The number 15 service runs until 3am during term-time for the benefit of students travelling to and from the city's nightclubs. Services 338, 339 and X39 offer an alternative to those who are able to walk the University's driveway.

Sion Hill is served by the infrequent service 700, operated by local independent CT Coaches. Other services, including service 1 and Park & Ride service 31, operate on the nearby Lansdown Road.

In March 2015 the university began running free shuttle services between Combe Down and Newton Park, as well as a free inter-site shuttle link between Newton Park and the Sion Hill campus.

Plans

Since 2012 massive development has been undertaken at the Newton Park campus and plans exist for further development in the future subject to being granted planning permission. However, development of other sites is also happening, most notably the building of new accommodation at Green Park House in Bath city centre. The existing buildings in the main Newton Park campus will be refurbished and modified to deal with the influx of students expected in the next few years.[45] The Duchy of Cornwall, the university's landlord, raised some objections to these plans.[46]

Student Accommodation

In January 2015 the University exchanged contracts to buy Green Park House, the high-profile regeneration project in Bath city centre, for student accommodation. The re-development of the derelict former Green Park residential care home opposite Green Park station will create accommodation for 460 students along with a café and management suite. Construction work is already underway by Berkeley Homes, part of the Berkeley Group, which acquired the gateway site for development at the end of 2013. The accommodation is planned to be completed by summer 2016 in time for the 2016/2017 academic year.[47]

Notable people

Academic staff

Alumni

References

  1. ↑ http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/services/finance/financial-statements/bsufs09.pdf
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://www.hesa.ac.uk/content/view/1897/239/
  3. ↑ http://www.nowbath.co.uk/news/teaching-courses-open-applicants-bath-spa-uni-53562/
  4. ↑ https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/Media/Marketing/Magazine/bsu-online-2006-10.pdf
  5. ↑ http://university.which.co.uk/advice/top-creative-universities-as-voted-by-students
  6. ↑ "History of Education at Newton Park uncovered". Bath Spa University. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  7. ↑ "Bath Spa University". The Independent. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  8. ↑ "Inauguration of Bath Spa University". Bath Spa University. 3 January 2006. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  9. ↑ "University League Table 2016". The Complete University Guide. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  10. ↑ "University league table 2015 - the complete list". The Guardian. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "The Times and Sunday Times University League Tables 2015". Times Newspapers. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  12. ↑ http://whichuniversitybest.blogspot.co.uk/2008/07/uk-top-10-modern-universities-2005-2006.html
  13. ↑ http://university.which.co.uk/advice/top-creative-universities-as-voted-by-students?utm_source=www.which.co.uk&utm_medium=groupreferral&utm_campaign=groupreferral&utm_content=www.which.co.uk/news/2013/09/which-university-reveals-top-student-rated-universities-333360/
  14. ↑ http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/schools/music-and-performing-arts/courses/postgraduate/songwriting
  15. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/education/series/university-guide-2014-subject-tables
  16. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/education/table/2013/jun/04/university-guide-business-management-studies
  17. ↑ http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/about-us/partnership-and-collaboration/partnerships-with-schools
  18. ↑ http://www.bathmercury.com/teacher-education-courses-now-open-applications-new-bath-spa-institute-education/
  19. ↑ "Bath Spa Institute for Education". Bath Spa university. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  20. ↑ https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/schools/music-and-performing-arts/our-facilities
  21. ↑ http://www.nawe.co.uk/DB/writing-courses/university-writing-courses/creative-writing-at-bath-spa-university-3.html
  22. ↑ http://www.bimm.co.uk/bristol/about-bimm#partners
  23. ↑ http://www.minervaconservation.com/projects/bathspa.html
  24. ↑ http://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/English%20sites/14.html
  25. ↑ http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/development
  26. ↑ "Distinguished Academy Award-winning film producer Lord Puttnam opens Bath Spa University’s new academic building". Bath Spa University. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  27. ↑ "Newton Park". Bath Spa University website. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
  28. ↑ http://www.newulsterbiography.co.uk/index.php/home/viewPerson/1561
  29. ↑ "A New University Centre... And A Homecoming To Corsham Court". Bath Spa University. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  30. ↑ http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/university-life/campus-life/our-campuses
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 https://thehub.bathspa.ac.uk/services/housing/accommodation/home-stay
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 https://thehub.bathspa.ac.uk/services/housing/accommodation/independenthousing
  33. ↑ https://thehub.bathspa.ac.uk/services/housing/accommodation/newton-park-campus
  34. ↑ http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/development/residential-buildings
  35. ↑ https://thehub.bathspa.ac.uk/services/housing/accommodation/waterside-court
  36. ↑ https://thehub.bathspa.ac.uk/services/housing/accommodation/charlton-court
  37. ↑ https://thehub.bathspa.ac.uk/services/housing/accommodation/banksidehouse
  38. ↑ http://www.bathspasu.co.uk/opps/clubsandsocs/clubs/
  39. ↑ https://www.bathspasu.co.uk/about/
  40. ↑ http://studentzest.co.uk/
  41. ↑ http://www.bathspasu.co.uk
  42. ↑ http://www.bathspasu.co.uk/sudevelopment
  43. ↑ http://www.findmyschool.co.uk/schooldetails.aspx?id=75313
  44. ↑ http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/university-life/childcare
  45. ↑ "Strategic Plan 2006/07 to 2008/09" (PDF). Bath Spa University. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  46. ↑ "Delay in Duchy response against uni expansion plan". Bath Chronicle. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
  47. ↑ http://www.bath-business.net/landmark-green-park-site-sold-to-bath-spa-university-for-student-accommodation/
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 48.2 48.3 48.4 48.5 48.6 48.7 48.8 48.9 48.10 "Highly acclaimed artists, prize-winning novelists, leading poets and innovative composers join Bath Spa University". Bath Spa University website. Bath Spa University. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  49. ↑ "Nathan Filer wins Costa Book of the Year with debut novel". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  50. ↑ https://applications.bathspa.ac.uk/staff-profiles/profile.asp?user=academic%5Cparr6
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 51.3 "Bath Spa University announces honorary degrees for 2012". Bath Spa University website. Bath Spa University. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 "Leading figures from UK arts and education awarded honorary degrees by Bath Spa University". Bath Spa University. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 53.2 53.3 "Bath Spa University Graduation Ceremonies". Bath Spa University website. Bath Spa University. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 54.3 Bath Spa University — Independent Online A-Z of Unis and Colleges (retrieved 03 Jan 2006)
  55. ↑ "Appointments". Time Higher Education. TSL Education Ltd. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  56. ↑ ArtNet Retrieved 2010-11-18
  57. ↑ Victoria Art Gallery. Retrieved 2010-11-18
  58. ↑ "Howard Hodgkin awarded an honorary doctorate by Bath Spa University". Bath Spa University website. Bath Spa University. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  59. ↑ "Bath Spa University Graduation Ceremonies". Bath Spa University website. Bath Spa University. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  60. ↑ "Bath Spa University College Graduation Day". Bath Spa University website. Bath Spa University. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  61. ↑ Tate Gallery. Retrieved 2010-11-18
  62. ↑ Tate Collection. Retrieved 2010-11-18
  63. ↑ The Observer Retrieved 2010-11-18
  64. ↑ Cooper, Emmanuel (25 January 2001). "Judy Trim". The Independent. Archived from the original on 3 October 2010. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
  65. ↑ Williams, Jules (2011). The Weigh Forward. Quartet Books. ISBN 0-7043-7214-2.
  66. ↑ 1
  67. ↑ 2

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