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International Students
The University of Bath is home to 2500 international students from over 100 countries, making up almost a quarter of the student population. This mix ensures an interesting and dynamic campus community and an exciting place to live and learn. In addition, the historic city of Bath provides a culturally rich setting and is a safe and friendly place to be.
The International Office
The staff of the International Office are responsible for all matters relating to the recruitment and support of international students, and are able to provide advice and assistance, from the enquiry stage through to graduation.
We have an International Recruitment Team who attend education exhibitions and who frequently visit British Council Offices, schools, colleges and universities worldwide. Find out here if we are visiting your country soon.
We also have an International Student Support Team who provide a comprehensive and confidential information and advisory service to international students on both practical and emotional issues.
Pre-arrival information
Before you travel to the UK, we will send you our International Student Handbook, which contains important information you need to prepare for living and studying in the UK. In addition to this, we will contact you over the summer via email with useful information and reminders of what you need to prepare for your move to Bath. We also conduct pre-departure briefings between June and September in a number of countries.
Arriving in the UK
We understand the challenges associated with arriving in a new country to live and study. Our aim is to make your arrival here as comfortable as possible. International students arriving for the start of Semester 1 (during the arrivals weekend) will be met at Heathrow Airport and can book a space on our FREE bus service which will bring you to the University.
Once you arrive in Bath, orientation events are organised during the first week of Semester 1 as part of Freshers’ Week. These include comprehensive information sessions, a chance to meet other new students and current students to ask them questions about student life (including our student mentoring scheme, Amity), an introduction to academic and support staff, social events and guided tours of the Campus and the City of Bath. We would encourage you to attend as many of these events as possible: they are designed to help you settle into your new life and to build a network of friends and colleagues.
For students arriving at other times of the year, we suggest you come and see us in the International Office on arrival so that we can give you all the necessary information.
Ongoing support
We aim to enable you to make the most of your time here in the UK. We are here to answer any questions you have and to help you with any difficulties that may arise during your stay. Our International Student Advisers run daily 'drop-in' advice sessions, covering such issues as:
- Cultural adaptation
- Immigration/visa renewals
- Healthcare entitlements
- Employment in the UK
- Education of children
- Support for the partners of international students
Meeting other students
In conjunction with the Students’ Union, the International Office runs a social programme, which provides a great opportunity for you to meet other international students and to visit different places in the UK. Events include parties and regular trips to places of interest such as London, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Brighton and Stonehenge.
In addition to these activities, there are over 100 societies run by students. These include national societies representing different groups of students, e.g. the Chinese, Malaysian and Singaporean, Afro-Caribbean, Asian, and Hellenic societies. There are also arts and sports based societies which offer great opportunities to socialise with UK students.
Amity, our international student mentor programme, will help you adapt quickly to life at the University and give you another opportunity to meet UK students, find out about the University, the way of studying here and British culture in general. Further information
You may also wish to participate in the “Host” programme, which gives international students the opportunity of spending the weekend with friendly British families throughout the UK. For more information visit the Host website.
Another good opportunity to meet local people and improve your CV is to become a volunteer with the Students’ Union. More information
Accommodation
Unaccompanied students classified as ‘Overseas’ for fees purposes and who are new to Bath will be offered accommodation in University-owned property on campus or in the City of Bath for one academic year if they apply at the appropriate time.
Tuition fees
Students can be classified as ‘Overseas’ or ‘Home’ for fees purposes. The fees charged annually for each programme are given throughout the Prospectus. The complete list of fees is available via the Graduate Office website.
If you have any questions about the level of tuition fee that you will pay, please contact the Graduate Office.
Living expenses
As a rough guide, we suggest that you allow around £10600 to cover individual living expenses for a 52-week session, although it is important to remember that living expenses vary according to your lifestyle and the type of accommodation you have.
If you have any questions about financing your studies at the University, please contact the Student Money Service or the International Office.
Bringing your family
It is expensive to support a family in the UK. If you wish to bring your spouse and/or children to live with you in Bath, you will need to have sufficient money to accommodate and maintain them without recourse to public funds.
In addition to your own expenses we recommend that you budget at least £6300 per year for each adult member of your family, and £4200 per year for each child who accompanies you to the UK.
Unless you are receiving sufficient money to support a family in the UK, you should not bring your family with you.
We offer a free support group for the the partners of international students, helping them to improve their English and learn about British culture. These take place weekly during school term times. A free childcare facility is run in conjunction with these classes.
If you plan to bring your children with you to the UK, please contact the International Office for information about local schools and nurseries.
Employment
There are many part-time jobs available in Bath and also at the University. We offer a range of services to help students find work during and after their studies, including Joblink, a student employment service run by the Students’ Union, and the Careers Advisory Service. We also have a Careers Advisor who specialises in support and advice for international students.
Currently all international students graduating with a Bachelors degree, a Masters degree (as well as postgraduate diploma and certificate) or a PhD are able to apply for the 'International Graduate Scheme' which allows you to stay and work in the UK for one year. From Summer 2008 you will be entitled to apply for leave to remain under the new 'Post Study Work Scheme'. This will allow you to stay and work for up to two years. Please visit our website for further details.
International qualifications
We are happy to consider a wide range of qualifications for entry. If you are not sure whether your particular qualifications are suitable, we will be pleased to advise you. Further information on entrance requirements is available here.
English language
Students must be able to speak, write and understand English to a standard that allows them to gain maximum benefit from their courses, and we need to see evidence of this. The minimum standards required for postgraduate study are as follows:
Most Taught Masters and Research Programmes:
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| TOEFL | 580 (paper test) 237 (computer test) 92 (internet test) |
Linguistically demanding Masters and Research Programmes:
These include the MBA, MSc programmes in the School of Management, except for Accounting and Finance, plus the Departments of Economics and International Development, Psychology, Social and Policy Sciences and Architecture & Civil Engineering:
| IELTS | 7.0 |
| TOEFL | 600 (paper test) 250 (computer test) 100 (internet test) |
The English Language Centre offers a range of courses, both pre-sessional (before you start your degree course) and in-sessional (once you are registered on a degree course).
Further information for international students
You can find more information and advice for international students, including current international students’ impressions of life at the University of Bath, on the International Office website, or you can contact the International Office on:
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 386832
Fax: +44 (0) 1225 386366
Enquiries | Web
Please note that if you are intending to obtain entry clearance as a student to come to the UK and study, immigration rules state that you are required to follow a FULL-TIME degree course. If you are considering part-time study, please contact the International Office for further advice.
On 1 November 2007 the UK government introduced the Academic Technology Scheme (ATAS). Having an ATAS clearance certificate will be a mandatory requirement for some postgraduate students who need student Entry Clearance or a Visa to study in the UK. This will apply to you if you plan to undertake postgraduate research in science, engineering or technology disciplines, or if you are applying for a taught Masters offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Further details can be found on the Graduate Office website.