Overseas university spotlight: University of Bath (UK)
In fewer than 60 years, the University of Bath has risen to become one of the leading universities in the UK and worldwide.
With a strong reputation particularly in STEM subjects, business, sport and psychology, Bath also ensures students are highly employable through its placements scheme.
The three faculties and the School of Management all have their own dedicated placements team that helps students find opportunities, prepare their resumes, prep for interviews, make the most of the experience and then apply what they learned when they return to their studies.
On top of this, Bath students are able to use the Career Services department for life.
So not only do students receive a rigorous study experience that is right up there with the best of the Russell Group institutions, but they also benefit from paid work experiences that may ultimately lead to full-time employment.
And they get all of this whilst also getting to call the beautiful and historic city of Bath their home.
Here are some of the highlights from my week-long visit!
City of Bath
A destination that's on almost every American's travel itinerary, Bath has been welcoming visitors to its natural hot springs for nearly 2,000 years.
In fact, Bath is the only city in the UK to be recognized as a UNESCO world heritage city in its own right.
Just 90 minutes by train from London, Bath is a compact city made up of nearly 100,000 residents and two universities.
It's easy to get around on foot, which is the best way to take in the city's beautiful Georgian architecture, too.
It's also the second safest city in the UK, and it's well located just 15 minutes by train from the vibrant city of Bristol or a short drive to the peaceful and scenic villages of the Cotswolds.
Academics
In the latest QS Rankings (2025), Bath placed 150th in the world, which is similar to UC Davis, University of North Carolina and Rice University in the U.S.
Overall, there are about 20,000 students at Bath, 30 percent of whom are international.
The Faculty of Science is Bath's largest faculty and is very proud of the fact that all of its courses are ranked in the top 10 in the UK (Complete University Guide, 2025).
Biomedical Sciences ranks 2nd in the UK, Physics and Astronomy ranks 7th and Computer Science ranks 8th (right up there with Oxbridge and Imperial!).
However, for a broader science degree, students should check out the BSc in Natural Sciences.
Best of all, work placements are available for all science courses, and 99.5 percent of participating students felt they had a valuable experience.
The Life Science department in particular even has work placement opportunities in the U.S. with Harvard and the University of Arizona.
The Milner Centre for Evolution was also a highlight, where world-leading research in fundamental evolution is conducted.
In the Faculty of Engineering & Design, there are fantastic facilities, including an impressive suite for automotive engineering and formula student labs -- as well as all the 3D printers you could need.
The Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences is home to Bath's top programs in sport (ranked 2nd in the UK; Complete University Guide 2025) as well as its top 100 in the world programs in development, social policy and psychology.
Finally, the School of Management boasts a business program that is top five in the UK across all rankings (Guardian, Times and Sunday Times and Complete Uni Guide).
All undergraduate students in the school have the option of "corporate engagement," and 98 percent of students undertake placements.
Its marketing course has also been the top marketing program in the UK since 2017.
Accredited by both EQUIS and AMBA, the school recently opened its brand new building, which has tons of natural light and amazing views.
International Summer School
Another amazing opportunity at Bath is the online International Summer School in the fields of business, management, biosciences, sport and health science or robotics engineering.
Students who pass one of the above courses are guaranteed a conditional offer in a relevant bachelor's degree!
Campus
The University of Bath's campus is an easy, 15-minute bus ride from the city centre.
There is a really great tool online that gives a comprehensive virtual tour of these spaces, but see below for my own personal experience!
It's an "American-style" campus, with lots of green space and a lake as well.
From on-campus housing to sports facilities to places to grab a bite, the campus has everything you need in one place.
Sports are a big deal at the University of Bath, so much so that ‘Sport’ has its own heading on the university’s homepage.
This is also evident by the £35 million Sports Training Village, which is the centre of sports on campus and is used by both students and the community.
All Bath students get a free sports pass, which is unusual for UK universities.
There are also five national squads here that can access specialist equipment when rehabbing.
If you want to go for a swim, you'll be pleased to hear that the 50-meter pool is an Olympic legacy pool from 2012!
Bath also has a partnership with British rowing as well as the only wheelchair fencing national center in the UK.
Most recently last November, Bath also achieved status as a UK Sport-accredited Elite Training Centre for helping Olympic and Paralympic athletes achieve their potential –- one of eight UK universities to do so.
Another benefit of studying at Bath is the on-campus housing, with rooms ranging in size and amenities based on budget.
Marlborough Court and the Quads are some of the newer facilities and are right next to the main bus station on campus.
With modern amenities and a convenient location, the rooms in the Quads tend to be the most popular.
Bath's library is also open 24/7, as is its counseling service.
Summary: University of Bath
As you can see, students at Bath are fortunate to be able to study in a world-famous city, steeped in history and charm.
It's perfect for someone looking to study at a university with a distinct campus feel that's not too big and not too small.
Student life is also vibrant and forms a rich experience alongside the university's highly regarded academic programs.
Placements form an integral part of the degrees, allowing students to boost their resumes and gain key industry contacts early on.
The university's motto is "Belong at Bath," which means it truly strives to set up a community where everyone is welcome.
And the fact that students have access to Career Services for life means the doors are always open for them to come back.
