Bath university experiences

[BlueskyBluesea]

Good morning all,

My DC is going to firm Bath university 🎉☺️I'm just wondering if any parents would share their child's experience and offer any tips on accomodation choices. Thinking ahead....advice with off campus 2nd year accomodation would be great too. Thanks for any help

My daughter is at Bath. There are quite a few of us on here.
No regrets whatsoever, loves it. Everything is very organised and there are lots of support systems in place.
During the spring next year, your child will receive notice to make her first year accommodation choices. They can make (iirc) up to 7 choices from the list. Nothing is guaranteed and though they try to give everyone one of their top choices it's not a given. The allocation is randomised and released in dribs and drabs around the beginning of September, though some international students DD was already in touch with heard earlier, due to receiving their results earlier. DD got her 3rd choice. It's absolutely fine.
You'll probably go to an offer holders day in the spring, where you'll see some accommodation. We saw Polden Court.
There is loads of info on the uni website about each one, and the student room website is also useful. There are good and bad things about all the accommodations, my DD wasn't happy with her allocation initially as it's not en-suite and tbh, I'd have gone for the obligatory food credit extras if given the choice because this time 4 months ago, she couldn't even cook toast!
The communal showers etc are fine- she's says her floor is particularly clean (her and 3 boys) and she's learned how to cook.

She's just signed a contract for the second year with some of the girls she lives with now. In town. It's a pita that they have to do it so early as (imo) they haven't yet formed the solid friendship groups that they will have formed by the end of the first year - but, it is what it is. And at least it's not one of the many university towns with so little accommodation that the kids are queuing all night to get into the agent's offices!

If you want any other info, shout out I'd be happy to put your child in touch with mine for any further info you need. What was good for lots of us last year, kids and parents alike, was creating a little network before they went. My daughter knew all her course and housemates before they moved in which was great.

DS is also at Bath University. I echo everything that @Geamhradh has said.

DS got his first choice accommodation even though it was one of the later allocations. He wasn't bothered about ensuite though. Any problems with the accommodation have been sorted out within hours so all is good.

His flatmates are nice, gets on with them all and is currently looking for a second year house for next year with some of them. He is enjoying his course although finding it challenging at times.

The uni is great, the city is lovely, I am also biased as I also went to Bath Uni and have great memories, but a long time ago!

Bear in mind that Bath, and second year accommodation in particular, is expensive and even the full loan won't cover that and living expenses. DS gets minimum loan and we top up to the full loan and because he has cheaper accommodation this year, the remainder after paying rent is plenty to live on. Houses seem to range from £125-160 per week plus bills next year so for a 50 week contract at £140+£25 bills, that's £8,250. We expect to have to give DS an extra few thousand after topping up to full loan next year. You will need to be able to consider how you or they fund that extra.

Thank you so much @Geamhradh and @279Nouveauxnoms for your replies that's such useful information. Bath had a great feel about it and speaking to people in industry/working in recruitment is really well respected. DC has a day at the uni booked for Feb half term which will be exciting. Thanks again for the info ☺️

My DS is currently deciding his insurance choice and cannot decide between Bath and Exeter. His concern about Bath is that without any humanity subjects or English at UG level whether this narrows his friendship options. He is very social and his current friends are a real mix of English, History, Geography plus arts students, and he doesn't want to be surrounded by a cohort of all Sciencey people! We know of someone who had been to Bath and for whom this had been an issue... Just wondered if anyone had anything to say on this matter? TIA

My granddaughter was at Bath studying French and Spanish a couple of years ago. She didn’t like the fact that there were so few humanities students and she was unhappy with the course too. She transferred to Lancaster and flourished there. But she is still in touch with a couple of people from Bath and they did enjoy their time there.

Hi all, my DD was offered a place at the University of Bath via clearing - she achieved 2 A* and 2As. She was offered a shared accommodation which she immediately accepted. With just 2 weeks to go the university emailed her today to say that the demand for accommodation has exceeded supply and so she must either find private accommodation or defer for 1 year. We cannot believe it! Does anyone have any suggestions?