Bath Spa University
Bath Spa University (BSU) was founded in 1852, after the Great Exhibition. It is one of the leading art schools in England. Some of the artists to have studied and taught at the university include Walter Sickert and Howard Hodgkin. Bath Spa University strives to provide students with an understanding of local, regional, and global networks and provide them with all three. The university stresses the importance of understanding the world in which the students will be working. BSU is a smaller university that offers individualized attention to students. While it started as an art school and remains prestigious in these majors, its offers have been expanded considerably to include a wide range of program offerings. It is particularly strong in biology and has accomplished education and early childhood education programs.
The university is located about a 15 minute bus ride outside of the city of Bath. Buses are generally frequent and allow students easy access to the various areas of the city. The campus itself is owned by the British royal family and harbors a small castle tower where some lucky students can actually attend classes. A small village is a short 10-minute walk from the campus through a tranquil sheep pasture.
Bath Spa University
Academic Year
- Fall Semester: Late September to late January (exchange students can arrange their exams before the winter break)
- Spring Semester: Mid-February to mid-June
Course Offerings
Bath Spa offers many different courses covering a wide variety of topics. The university has a School of Business, Art and Design, Liberal Arts, and Education. Exchange students are allowed to take classes from different courses, although some classes might have restrictions (portfolio, audition...) and this is something that each academic would approve on individual basis. Bath Spa tends to be particularly popular for students studying toward art and music degrees.
Learn about their general course offerings.
Accommodations
Bath Spa University offers a range of self-catered accommodation options to suit your needs. All exchange students are guaranteed a room in the Gardens Accommodations, located at Bath Spa's beautiful Newton Park campus. In terms of the contract length, it is for the whole semester, without the ability to leave the contract early. A standard room with ensuite at Gardens costs £166.00 (roughly $230) per week.
360 degree view of a standard room with ensuite
More information about accommodation
Costs
MSUB students studying abroad at Bath Spa pay MSUB tuition. Students pay room and board to Bath Spa directly upon arrival. On-campus accommodation prices range from £130 (≅$165) to £250 (≅$320) per week. This amounts to an a typical semester cost being around $3,000. A standard room with ensuite at Gardens costs £166.00 (roughly $230) per week; this is the accommodation that is guaranteed for exchange students. Cost of meals is not included in the accommodation prices. The estimated cost of living in Bath for one semester ranges from $4,500 to $6,000, depending on style of living. This cost range includes accommodation; however, it only accounts for cooking in the student residence. If you plan to eat out regularly, you should budget appropriately.
Visa
American students who study in the United Kingdom for one semester do not need a full student visa. However, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). The cost for the ETA is £10 ($13). Students who plan to study abroad for a full year, must apply for a Tier 4 Student Visa prior to leaving for the the U.K. This visa costs £490 ($625), plus an additional cost of about £776/year ($990) for a UK Health Surcharge Fee. Students must also get biometrics (fingerprints) done for the visa. The full application can be done online. Students should allow at least six weeks prior to departure to complete the visa process.
Health Insurance
To ensure comprehensive and quality coverage, all study abroad students are required to enroll in insurance that is provided through the designated Montana University System insurance provider. Please consult with the Study Abroad Coordinator for further information. This insurance is affordable with a typical semester averaging about $250.
