Bath Spa University

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What's the social life like?

Small and friendly” is how Bath Spa is often described. The Students’ Union helps make sure the social scene is lively.

Students’ Union

The Students' Union is run by the students, for the students – you automatically become a member for free.

Should you wish not to be a member, you can opt-out as part of the annual registration process and you can still use all the facilities, services and activities including joining clubs and societies, but you will not be able to take part in the democratic processes of the Union.

What Does the Union Do?

Most people view the Students' Union as a big nightclub, but we are much more than that! We are a representative organisation which ensures that the student voice is listened to and acted upon. We support, develop and entertain the students outside their studies.

The day-to-day running of the Union is overseen by three sabbatical officers (the Union President, Vice President Communications and Campaigns, and Vice President Activities and Participation) and four part-time student officers. The Union employs full-time staff who help run the facilities and services provided by the Union , and who are always on hand to help you out.

Facilities

Newton Park holds all of the major event nights; with a capacity of 700, it is one of the largest venues in Bath itself. The main highlights are on Wednesday and Friday nights when we host our popular Lash! and alternative events. For the larger Union events, such as the annual Summer Ball, a large marquee is used.

We have a new and fully staffed fitness suite built on campus with top of the range equipment and a programme of exercise classes. There’s also a Union shop and bar at the Newton Park campus.

Activities

The Students’ Union manages all of the clubs and societies with the University. News and information about these can be found on the SU website. Cheerleading, hip-hop dance, yoga, board sports, RAG… If none of the societies on offer sound like your cup of tea, you can always start up you own society – just find ten like-minded people to join you.

Each year we put on trips to European cities – this year we’re going to Paris and Amsterdam. It’s a cost-effective way to experience a bit of European culture in the company of loads of other Bath Spa students.

Talent-Spotting?

Encouraging student talent is something Bath Spa prides itself on, and this is why University-based bands are always present at band nights and other live music nights at the Union. Bath Spa’s Got Talent is a particular successful event. In addition to our own talent, we’ve hosted some big names in the past including Jools Holland, Matt Horne, The Zutons and Feeder.

Volunteering

We also host Just V – the University’s volunteering centre. If you’re looking for a constructive way to spend your spare time whilst gaining some valuable skills, volunteering could be for you. You’ll make a valuable contribution to the local community and meet new people and have a great time in the process. We have links with over 80 local organisations, so you’re bound to find something to suit your availability and interests.

Sports

We also have 20 active sports teams of which 12 compete in BUCS –British University and College Sport at various levels and in different leagues. These teams include football, rugby, hockey, badminton, netball and American football. The teams play either mixed or as individual sexes, but no matter what your standard, you will always be able to join in with the team in some way.

Media

We have a brand new student media hub: SpaLife, which covers TV, podcast radio and a termly magazine. SpaLife covers a mix of news, features, reviews, and home-grown talent, so is always totally relevant to student life at Bath Spa. Whilst the Students’ Union provides training and support, every element of SpaLife is led by the students including editing, production, presenting and producing the content.

How Can the Union Help You?

Just because you're students, it doesn't mean you don't need to be represented – and that's what we do. We make sure that our members are getting a fair deal, whether from the University, you employer or even from your landlord. Our welfare and advice services can help with a whole range of student-related matters from academic appeals to personal issues. We are here as your first port of call with any problems you might have – and we have the first-hand experience to be able to help.

The Union also manages the network of StARs, Student Academic Reps, who take issues from fellow students in their classes to relay to the tutors and the University. This network is a good way of getting involved, but also alerts us to any problems currently being faced by the student body.

The Union runs campaigns during the year to help students take a more proactive approach to their behaviour and safety – for example on issues such as drink and drug awareness, safe sex, personal safety and environmental awareness.

And don't forget that the NUS extra card is your passport to discounts from a whole host of shops and services, local and national.

Student Profile

Bath Spa University is friendly and the size of the student body means that I never feel alone because there is always someone nearby on campus that I know. When walking from the Students’ Union to the library or to the canteen it is almost a certainty that I’ll bump into a familiar face! This is something I love because it means that friendships are wide and expand beyond the people that you live with and beyond people on your course and because there aren’t too many of us, students are often connected in their friendship groups which results in a really sociable atmosphere. I even go for coffee in between lectures with my tutors!

There’s a great variety of student societies to join, a vast range of courses and people from far and wide at Bath Spa; because of this the student body buzzes. It is great to be able to spend a night in the SU dancing until the early hours but also to be able to go and enjoy the work of the Commercial Music students who host a weekly open mic night or even just go to play cards or pool. I owe a lot of my enjoyment of student life to the great company here. There is always somebody going somewhere and someone to do something with because the students here are really sociable!”