Getting yourself ready to start
Discover the services and resources you need to make the most of your time at Bath Spa – from the moment you arrive. Here you'll find everything from information on fees and finance to IT support.
Student Information Team
Need to get in touch? The Student Information Team is often your first point of contact for advice and support. The team can put you in direct contact with the person or team who can best assist with your question. Contact the team, or visit them in the Student Hub at Newton Park:
- Log a call on MyServices
- Call on +44 (0)1225 876115
We're here to support you
An important part of beginning your university studies is ensuring you have the support in place that you need to succeed. When you're planning your arrival at Bath Spa, it's useful to take a look at the support we can offer you, from information and guidance to advice and practical support.
Our Disability Service
Our Disability Service provides information, advice and guidance for applicants and students who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, have a mental health or medical condition, or a specific learning difference such as dyslexia. As part of your learning journey, you may be eligible for extra support.
If you haven't already done so please complete an Academic Access Questionnaire to help us understand any requirements you may have so we can give you the support you need to thrive at Bath Spa.
What support is available?
You can book an appointment with our Disability Advisors who can help coordinate additional support and give advice and guidance on screening and assessments, producing an Academic Access Plan, signposting to useful resources and information on how to access DSA (Disabled Students' Allowance) and other support.
Top tip: while you're organising your accommodation, student finance and packing lists, take some time to think about the support you may have had before university, and make a note of what will be helpful for you at Bath Spa. Use our online checklist to remind you!
Student Finance
Your fees and finance are an important part of your university experience. Making sure you're in control of your finances while you're a student will make a big difference. You'll find more information below on what our teams can assist you with. Please get in touch by email or contact the Student Information Team if you're not sure who you need.
A number of scholarships and bursaries are available to current students to help you make the most of your time here.
The Student Fees team offers advice and guidance on:
- Tuition fees
- Tuition fee loans
- Sponsorship
- Accommodation payment queries
The Student Fees team can also give advice on when and how to apply for Student Finance and liaise with the relevant funding body on your behalf.
Email: fees@bathspa.ac.uk
The Student Funding team offers advice and guidance on:
- Student funding
- Bursaries
- Scholarships
- Studentships
- International funding
Email: studentawards@bathspa.ac.uk
The Student Payments team offers advice and guidance on:
- Student payments
- How to pay fees
- Instalment dates
- How to update card details
- Payment options
Email: income@bathsp.ac.uk
For your specific tuition fee, please check your course webpage. Tuition fees are charged at the beginning of each academic period. They're subject to annual review and may be liable to rise each academic year. Your tuition fee will be displayed when completing online registration and if you're liable to pay any fee, you'll have the option to select instalments.
Bath Spa University accommodation fees are charged for the full licence period at the beginning of the academic year. You'll have the option to pay your accommodation fees by instalment when completing online registration. If you're in receipt of Student Finance maintenance loans, we recommend you select the three instalment option as these dates correlate with receipt of your maintenance loans.
Bath Spa University Laptop Fund
If you don't have access to a PC, laptop, Mac or a suitable device, and you can't afford to buy one, then there may be funding available to help you.
You can apply for up to £500 through the Bath Spa University Laptop Fund. Bath-based students may also be able to borrow a laptop from IT Services.
Please check out our Student IT Guide for help with any IT queries.
Your Bath Spa account
Your Bath Spa University account is used across all our internal systems, such as Microsoft, WiFi, Adobe, Ultra, MyServices and more.
You’ll either be asked to log in with your username and password, or your Bath Spa email and password. Your username is your six digit student number, and you’ll create your password during registration. You’ll need to verify your identity with an authenticator.
You’ll need to set up your accounts:
- Register with the self-service password reset tool. More info.
- Go to Microsoft Office and log in with your Bath Spa email and follow the setup steps. More info.
.png)
Help and Support
For help and support with IT services, your studies, finance and more, please visit MyServices and search for the topic you need help with using the search bar or the topic tiles.
If you can't access MyServices or need urgent IT help, please call the IT Service Desk on +44 (0)1225 876500.
Wi-Fi
Connecting to University Wi-Fi is simple using the Eduroam Configuration Assistant Tool. You can get this set up before you arrive, so you'll be ready to go as soon as you get to campus. See links below for information on how to connect your device:
Microsoft 365
All your files, all your emails, all your productivity apps, all in one place. Bath Spa uses Microsoft 365, accessed by going to Microsoft Office and signing in with your Bath Spa email.
Adobe Creative Campus
Bath Spa has partnered with Adobe to become one of three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, The partnership brings with it access to the entire Adobe Creative Cloud for all Bath Spa students as soon as you have completed enrolment and have your @bathspa.ac.uk email address.
Recommended specifications for laptops
We've identified a minimum laptop specification that will give you the basic functionality to complete your studies. Some courses may require a higher specification. If this is the case your course or subject leader will be able to advise you on the most suitable laptop for your course.
- i5 10th gen or newer (AMD Ryzen 5 3500U or higher)
- Windows 10 / Windows 11 (64 bit)
- 8 GB of RAM
- 250 GB SSD (or larger if required, HDD not recommended)
(Additional storage may be required for large files.)
- M1 Macbook Air or newer
- 8 GB of RAM
- 250 GB SSD (or larger if required)
- macOS Monterey
(Additional storage may be required for large files.)
While Chromebooks can be fine for basic tasks such as browsing the internet and checking email, Chromebooks typically can't use software such as the Microsoft 365 desktop applications that you can access for free, or Adobe Creative Cloud, as they require Windows or macOS computers to install.
It is strongly recommended that you check your course requirements thoroughly before purchasing a Chromebook to use for your studies, as it may not be suitable for all courses. Chromebooks may be able to be used, but we do not recommend them.
The above recommendations for Windows and Apple devices will be sufficient to run many of the Adobe applications that you have access to as a student at Bath Spa, however some applications (such as Premiere Pro) may be more demanding. We recommend checking Adobe’s system requirements for the application you plan to use before purchasing a laptop.
Bath is the perfect student city – not too big, and not too small - so it's easy to get around.
If you're travelling between the city centre and Locksbrook or Newton Park Campus, the U5 bus route is very handy and runs every 10 minutes during the week. Check out the route and the latest timetable.
Find out more about how to get around the city on our dedicated page, including information on parking.
International arrivals
We know that coming to the UK to study is a big step, especially if this is your first time away from home. We want to make sure that you have access to all the information and support that you need to help you prepare for student life in the UK.
Visit our International Arrivals page where you'll find further information regarding key dates, activities and a summary of information to prepare you for your arrival.
Provides professional advice and support about visas, immigration and study in the UK.
Contact Student Services Advisors for general non-immigration study-related information or advice.
- Log a call on My Services
If you have any other questions about life at Bath Spa as an international student, or you’re not sure who to contact, please get in touch:
- Email: international@bathspa.ac.uk
- Phone: +44 (0)1225 875875
Provides professional advice and guidance relating to mental health, money and wellbeing.
You can ask questions and book appointments via MyWellbeing.
- Email: accommodation@bathspa.ac.uk
- Facebook: @BathSpaAccom
For urgent contacts while in accommodation, call the relevant number below:
- General: +44 (0)1225 875875
- Newton Park Security: +44 (0)1225 875555
- Unite (Waterside/Charlton Court accommodation): +44 (0)300 303 8642
International tip: We recommend that our international students sign up for the monthly UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) student newsletter.
You can also download the British Council 'Staying safe in the UK' booklet and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
When you first arrive in the UK you shouldn't bring large sums of cash with you or keep large sums of money in your accommodation. Bring enough cash to cover your living costs for the first few weeks, until you've opened your UK bank account, and have been issued with a debit card to make withdrawals from your account. You could also consider using a pre-paid travel card, which allows you to load the card up with money before you leave.
If you need to make an international bank transfer, Bath Spa University has partnered with Flywire to provide an easy and secure method of sending international fee payments. The balance of tuition fees must be paid in full by Saturday 18 September. We recommend payments are made before leaving your home country as your bank may need to verify your password or send you a confirmation code by text, and this won't be received if you're in the UK and have changed your mobile SIM to a UK network.
English Language Unit
We're here to support all international students whose first language isn't English. We focus on developing your English and academic language skills through tailored support and individual in-depth 50 minute tutorials to help with your assignments. All ELU services are completely free to Bath Spa students. Get in touch: elu@bathspa.ac.uk.
International tip: Insure your valuable items and register them at Immobilise.