Bath Spa University

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Which Course is Right For Me?

It's important that you're happy with the course you plan to study, because you're much more likely to succeed with your studies if you have a real interest in the subject and want to explore it in depth. You will see from this prospectus that there are lots of courses to choose from, and each course will have an element of flexibility within it, so that you can focus on those aspects of the subject that interest you most.

You can select to study at different levels, depending on your educational qualifications, the length of time you want to study, where you want to study, and how much work-based learning you want.

Undergraduate

Foundation Degree Courses (FD)

• A relatively new vocational qualification, and an area of particular growth for Bath Spa University;
• Provides a combination of academic training and work-related skills;
• Two years full-time study, although for some FDs this involves just one day of formal academic tuition per week, with the rest of the time spent studying vocationally in your workplace;
• Most FDs are taught in our partner colleges;
• Entry requirements vary: most only require an academic qualification at Level 3 (A-Level or NVQ Level 3, for example), of around 160 to 200 UCAS Tariff points (eg A-level grades BC; or A-level grades CD + AS level grade C), but some also place considerable emphasis on relevant work experience (and as such, may not suitable for school leavers);
• There is potential to progress to a compatible honours degree at the end of the two years (88 % of our Foundation Degree students enrolled onto Year 3 of an honours course last year after successfully completing the FD);
• On some courses you may also progress to a work-based learning honours programme when you successfully complete your FD. These programmes enable you to study your chosen subject at honours level but develop research and project management skills by undertaking a work-  based project, and acquire management skills necessary for career progression in the workplace. The work-based learning honours programmes are currently based at Weston College.

Honours Degree Courses (Hons)

• The majority of our students (about 82%) are following honours degree courses;
• These involve three years of full-time study, or five to six years part-time study;
• Most of our degree courses are based at our main Newton Park or Sion Hill campuses for all three years.
• Entry requirements are in the region of 240-300 UCAS tariff points, or equivalent;
• Degree courses can be in a single subject (Single or Specialised Awards) or in two subjects (Combined Awards or Creative Arts);
• Your qualification when you graduate would be either BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons), depending on whether your course was arts-based or science-based.

Postgraduate

Taught Postgraduate Degrees

• 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.
• 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.
• Taught Programmes lead to the award of Master's degrees (MSc, MA, MTeach or MRes) or Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDip).

Research Degrees

• The University operates within a vigorous research culture in which students undertaking MPhiI and PhD degrees excel, undertaking work at the cutting edge of their fields of study.
• Research Programmes lead to the award of MPhil or PhD.

Post Graduate Certificates in Education (PGCE)

• Bath Spa University has a long tradition of teacher training, and courses are planned and taught in close collaboration with teachers in schools.
• A high proportion of time is spent on serial and block school placements, working with pupils, teachers and university tutors in the classroom.
• All PGCE trainees are given the necessary teaching and support to meet the government's requirements for ICT standards for new teachers.
• We offer the following PGCE courses: Primary (3-11 Age Group), Middle Years (8-14 Age Group), and Secondary (11-18 Age Group).

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

• Continuing Professional Development Programmes provide a structured programme of training and development for teachers, lecturers in post-compulsory education, and other professions.
• Maximum flexibility is built into the delivery of these programmes.