About Postgraduate Study

Postgraduate study at Bath Spa has a number of attractive features. Our postgraduate awards have developed over the years - often with invaluable input from experts within associated industries - to provide opportunities for advanced study that are both academically challenging and vocationally relevant. The University operates within a vigorous research culture in which students undertaking MPhil and PhD degrees excel, working at the cutting edge of their fields of study.

Why Undertake Postgraduate Study?

In recent years participation in higher education has increased substantially and more and more students have the opportunity of undertaking a first degree. In this context a postgraduate qualification is becoming increasingly attractive to many students. For some career paths further study is a requirement. For others a postgraduate qualification gives an 'edge' in a highly competitive jobs market, and several of our taught Master's courses have a highly vocational focus.

Other students find the main motivation for postgraduate study in a deep-rooted interest in their subject.

As a postgraduate student you will derive considerable personal satisfaction from pursuing your studies to postgraduate level, and you may decide to extend your research further still and join our growing body of research students undertaking doctorate level work.

Options for Postgraduate Study

There is a variety of options for postgraduate study at Bath Spa. Taught programmes can lead to the awards of:

Please see course profiles for the levels of qualification available within each subject area.

Research Programmes

Our staff expertise is such that research of a high standard is supervised in each School, and we have built an excellent reputation for research.

Staff Who Care

Our staff care about their students - they want them to fulfil their potential and succeed in their studies. They are accessible, supportive and passionate about their subjects, and develop dynamic approaches to teaching and assessment.

Importantly, they're also very good at teaching. No fewer than five lecturers at Bath Spa University have received National Teaching Fellowships (thought of as the Oscars of university teaching!) since the scheme was launched in 2000 - and since only 50 Fellowships are awarded nationally each year that's an excellent record for any university, much less one the size of Bath Spa.

At Bath Spa our staff undertake what we call 'teaching-led research'. That means they're actively engaged in research and scholarship so that their professional and academic expertise is current, and often cutting edge. The research is relevant and directly applied to what, and how, you are taught.

Accessible and Supportive

We have built our success on accessibility and equality of opportunity. The unique study and social environment we offer is a key factor in our distinctiveness - and in our popularity. Our students come from a range of backgrounds and cultures, from all parts of this country and from overseas, and with a variety of academic credentials. We are committed to meeting the academic hopes and expectations of each student, and we ensure that students are given the individual attention they deserve.

The Bath Spa Community

When students are asked what they like about Bath Spa University they often say that it is "small and friendly" and that they appreciate the community feel. With around 5,500 students it's small enough for students to feel that they won't get lost in the crowd - but large enough to provide good facilities and social activities. There is an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance among students and staff, firmly embedded in a policy of equality and diversity.

Superb Campuses

When students come and visit us at Open Days they're often bowled over by our campuses. How many universities boast medieval buildings and their own parkland estate? There's a unique mix of the old and the new, with state-of-the-art modern facilities alongside historic buildings - a superb study environment.

Strong on Environmental Issues

Staff and students at Bath Spa share a strong environmental ethos - partly in response to our exceptionally beautiful campuses that we're looking after for future generations, but also to make sure that we minimise our impact on the environment.

We are committed to protecting the environment and achieving sustainability, and we are taking part in a national 'EcoCampus' pilot scheme. There is no animal experimentation at the University.

A National Centre for Excellence

Bath Spa University has been designated a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). The Artswork project has invested significantly in specialist resources for students following courses leading to careers in the creative industries. Thanks to strengthened links with key employers and industry partners, and new models of education that will enhance employability, Artswork is benefiting all students at the University.

Investing in the Future

Bath Spa University's success is underpinned by sound financial management that allows significant investment in the estates infrastructure and in resources and facilities for students.

... And We've Been Around a Long Time!

Some of the buildings at the Newton Park campus are medieval, but we don't claim to have been around quite as long as that! We can trace our history back over 150 years, however, to the original Bath School of Art, and our first trainee teachers trained here over 50 years ago. So while the University is modern and progressive, it builds on a long history of tradition and success in higher education