University of Bath
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| University of Bath | |
|---|---|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Motto: | Generatim discite cultus "Learn each field of study according to its kind". |
| Established: | 1966 |
| Type: | Public |
| Chancellor: | Lord Tugendhat |
| Vice-Chancellor: | Professor Glynis Breakwell |
| Students: | 14,255[1] |
| Undergraduates: | 9,030[1] |
| Postgraduates: | 5,225[1] |
| Location: | Bath, Somerset, England, UK |
| Campus: | Rural/Suburban |
| Affiliations: | 1994 Group |
| Website: | http://www.bath.ac.uk/ |
 |
|
The University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, England. It received its Royal Charter in 1966, making it one of the newest "traditional" universities in the United Kingdom. Bath is ranked the UK's best university overall in the Guardian university league table, published in May 2007,[2] 11th in the Times Good University Guide, published in August 2007,[3] and 9th in The Sunday Times University Guide, published in September 2007.[4]
Contents |
[edit] History
Despite being granted university status only forty years ago, the University of Bath can trace its roots to a technical school established in Bristol 100 years earlier, the Bristol Trade School of 1856. In 1885, the school became part of the Society of Merchant Venturers and was renamed the Merchant Venturers' Technical College. Meanwhile, in the neighbouring city of Bath, a pharmaceutical school, the Bath School of Pharmacy, was founded in 1907. This became part of the Technical College in 1929.
In 1949, the college came under the control of the Bristol Education Authority and was renamed the Bristol College of Technology, which was subsequently changed again, in 1960, to the Bristol College of Science and Technology when it became one of ten technical colleges under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education. The college was mainly housed in the former Muller's Orphanage at Ashley Down, Bristol, which now houses part of the City of Bristol College.
In 1963, the government completed an inquiry into the state of higher education in the United Kingdom. This was known as the Robbins Committee report. It was this report that paved the way for the college (along with a number of other institutions) to assume university status.
Although the grounds of Kingsweston House were briefly considered, the City of Bristol was unable to offer the growing college a suitable site. Following discussions between the College Principal and the Director of Education in Bath, an agreement was reached to provide the college with a new home in Claverton Down, Bath, on a greenfield site overlooking the city of Bath.
Construction of a purpose-built campus in Bath began in 1964, with the first building, now known as 1 South, completed in 1965, and the Royal Charter was granted in 1966. Over the subsequent decade, new buildings were added as the campus took shape. A campus in Oakfield, Swindon, was opened in 2000.
In November 1966, the first degree ceremony was held at the Assembly Rooms in Bath.
Recent discoveries from city records reveal that there were plans in the 19th Century to build a college of the University of Oxford on the very same site, which would have resulted in a university of a very different character. Such plans, however, did not come to fruition.
[edit] Campus and facilities
The university's main campus is located on Claverton Down, two kilometres from Bath. The campus is compact; it is possible to walk from one end to the other in fifteen minutes.
Architectural plans of the university show that the design involved the separation of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, with road traffic on the ground floors and pedestrians on a raised central thoroughfare, known as the Parade. Buildings would line the parade and student residences built on tower blocks rise from the central thoroughfare.
Such plans were mostly adhered to. At the centre of the campus is the Library and Learning Centre, a 24/7 facility offering computing services, information and research assistance as well as books and journals. A number of outlets, including restaurants, bars and fast-food outlets, plus two banks, a union shop, a book shop, hairdresser, insurance company, a small supermarket and an oriental supermarket, as well as academic blocks, are housed around the parade. Buildings are named based on their location relative to the library - 1 East, 2 East and so forth based on their distance from the library with the same applying to the south and west. Odd-numbered buildings are on the same side of the parade as the library, and even-numbered buildings are on the the opposite side.
Buildings along the east-west axis are mostly directly accessible from the parade, which is generally considered to be "level two", but later additions, such as 7 West, 9 West, 3 West North and 8 East, follow this rule less strictly. 7 West is generally only accessible via 5 West or 9 West, and 3 West North, 9 West and 8 East have entrances at ground level at varying distances from the main parade. Buildings on the south of the campus, 1 South to 4 South, are accessible via roads and pedestrian walkways by the university lake and gardens.
Buildings, like many so-called plate glass universities, were constructed in a functional, modernistic style using concrete, although such designs were later derided for lacking the charm of the Victorian red-brick universities or the ancient and medieval ones. In Bath, there is a particular contrast between the concrete campus and the Georgian style architecture of the World Heritage City of Bath.
The eastern part of the campus is dominated by the Sports Training Village, built in 1992 and enhanced in 2003 with a significant new extension.
The northern perimeter of the university is bounded by student residences including Westwood, Eastwood and Solsbury and Marlborough courts. The original plan for students to be housed in tower blocks above the parade continues with Norwood House. However, the second tower block, Wessex House, now hosts a number of offices rather than residences.
The university also owns buildings in the City of Bath, mostly student residences dotted around town, although Carpenter House is also home to a life-long learning centre and a business facility (the Innovation Centre).
Today, major campus works continues, notably the completion of the new building 3 West North in 2005, the reconstruction of a major building on campus, 4 West, and the construction of new student residences at the north-eastern perimeter.
[edit] Oakfield campus
The university's Oakfield campus, based in Swindon, offers full-time, part-time and community courses. A conference centre and small business and innovation centres were opened in 2005.[5]
[edit] Academics and courses
The university's major academic strengths have been the physical sciences, mathematics, engineering and technology. Today, the university is strong in management, humanities and the social sciences. Courses place a strong emphasis on vocational education; with many industry links, the university recommends students to take a one-year industry placement in the penultimate year of the course, although it has recently removed formal recognition of these placements from students final degree certificates.
According to the latest government assessments, Bath has 15 subjects rated "excellent" (the highest on the scale). These are: Business & Management (AMBA accredited); Architecture & Civil Engineering; Economics; Computer Science; Electronic & Electrical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering (IMechE accredited); Mathematics, Statistics and Operational research; Education; Molecular Biosciences; Biosciences; Physics and Astronomy; Politics; Hospitality, Leisure, Recreation, Sport and Tourism; Social Policy and Administration.[6]
[edit] Admissions and students
Admissions generally require top grades at A-Level with seven applications for each place,[7] the number of applications rising by 16 per cent in 2007.[8]
The university has grown rapidly, particularly in the last few years. As of December 2006, 11,965 students were studying at the university; of whom 8,985 (75%) were undergraduates (full-time and part-time) and 2,980 (25%) were postgraduates.
Over 25% of students are international students (those with non-British domicile), reflecting the university's strong international reputation, with the largest number coming from China (including Hong Kong), Germany and Greece.[9]
[edit] Housing and transport
[edit] Housing
Most students in the first year live in one of the 3,000 self-catered single study bedrooms located on and off campus. In subsequent years, students generally live in town in privately owned shared student houses, although a number may be offered excess rooms off-campus. Postgraduate students have the opportunity to choose between postgraduate campus residences and off-campus residences. There are 4 Senior Resident Tutors and 33 resident tutors spread amongst the campus and off-campus residences. Resident Tutors are usually PhD students who live with student to ensure the provision and maintenance of a varied standard of welfare, health and safety, social activities and good order for students living in University residential accommodation.
On campus residences[10]
| Name of the residence | No. of Rooms | Build for | Room-type | Kitchen | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodland Court[11] | 325+[11] | Undergraduate and Postgraduate students[11] | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | Located near Eastwood and Solsbury Court. Scheduled to complete by August 2008[11] |
| Marlbrough Court | 163 | First year undergraduates | Single enhanced study bedroom with washbasin, shower and wc | 4-7 sharing one kitchen | With lift. Non-smoking complex |
| Solsbury Court | 300 | First year undergraduates | Single enhanced study bedroom with washbasin, shower and wc | 4-7 sharing one kitchen | With lift. Non-smoking complex |
| Westwood – Quantock, Conygre, Wolfson Terraces | 277 | First year undergraduates | Single bedroom with washbasin only | Shared (16-22 sharing 2-3 kitchens) | Non-smoking complexes |
| Westwood complex - Quarry, Mendip, Cotswold and Derhill | 420 | First year undergraduates | Single study bedrooms with ensuite “pod” (shower, washbasin and wc) and a number of studios |
19-25 sharing 3 kitchens | Non-smoking communal areas |
| Brendon Court | 107 | First year undergraduates | Single bedroom with washbasin only | 11-14 sharing kitchen/bathrooms | Non-smoking complex |
| Norwood House | 110 | First year undergraduates | Single bedroom with washbasin only | 5-12 sharing kitchen/bathrooms | Non-smoking communal areas |
| Eastwood Complex (non-refurbished bedrooms) | 254 | First year undergraduates | Single study bedrooms with or without washbasin (see Notes) | 4-13 sharing one kitchen/1-2 bathrooms | Houses 22-23 Comprising flats for four students with communal facilities. Houses 24-41 Offering study bedrooms with washbasins. All other facilities are communal, with refurbished kitchens. Non-smoking communal areas |
| Eastwood Complex (refurbished bedrooms and kitchens) | 333 | First year undergraduates | Single study bedrooms with or without washbasin (see Notes) | 11-13 sharing one kitchen/communal showers/WCs | Houses 1-19 Offering study bedrooms without washbasins and share communal facilities. Houses 42-51 Offering study bedrooms with washbasins. All other facilities are communal. Non-smoking complexes |
| Polden Court | 56 | First year and returning undergraduates | Single enhanced study bedrooms with ensuite bath, shower, wc and washbasin | 8 sharing one kitchen | Need to be vacated for Easter vacation. Television in bedroom. Non-smoking complex |
| Osborne House | 34 | Postgraduates | Single study bedrooms with a range of facilities (washbasin, ensuite, or studio) | 3-6 sharing kitchen/bathroom | Non-smoking complex |
Off campus residences[10]
| Name of the residence | No. of Rooms | Build for | Room-type | Kitchen | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter House | 133 | Postgraduates; Euromasters; Exchange; English Language students | Single enhanced study bedrooms with washbasin | 7-10 sharing one kitchen/bathrooms, | Located near bus/train station. Non-smoking communal areas |
| John Wood Main Building | 78 | First year undergraduates; Foundation Year | Single study bedrooms with ensuite wc, washbasin and shower facilities | 7-10 sharing one kitchen | Located near bus/train station. With lift. Non-smoking complex |
| John Wood Court | 194 | First year undergraduates; Foundation Year | Single study bedrooms with communal facilities | 4-6 sharing one kitchen/bathrooms | Self-contained accommodation suitable for couples is also available. Non-smoking complex |
| Clevelands Buildings | 154 | Postgraduates | Single study bedrooms with a range of facilities (without washbasin, ensuite and/or studio) | 3-5 sharing one kitchen/bathrooms | Non-smoking communal areas |
| Canal Wharf | 21 | Postgraduates | Varies, with single rooms with studio facilities, a standard flat for six, or family accommodation (without children) | 19-25 sharing 3 kitchens | Non-smoking communal areas |
| Pulteney Court | 133 | Postgraduates; Euromasters; Exchange; English Language students | Single study bedrooms with or without washbasin, and a number of studios | 3-5 sharing one kitchen/bathroom | Non-smoking complex |
| Thornbank Gardens | 217 | Postgraduates; Undergraduates; Exchange; English Language students; Euromasters | Single enhanced study bedrooms with a range of facilities (ensuite and/or studio) | 8-10 sharing one kitchen | Non-smoking complex |
[edit] Transport
"Bright Orange" buses operated by First Somerset & Avon run between Bath and the campus, running at a 20 minute interval during off-peak hours and every 6 minutes during peak times. There is also an hourly circular service to the suburbs of Bath. Articulated (bendy) Wright Eclipse Fusion buses are used, for their maximum standing capacity.
[edit] Sports and recreation
[edit] Sports and TeamBath
The University sports operation is branded TeamBath. The University is host to Team Bath F.C. as well as some of the UK's top Olympic athletes. It has one of the best sports facilities in a United Kingdom University [1], spread over three main sites: two on the Claverton Down campus, known as the Founder's Hall and Sports Training Village (which also hosts the English Institute of Sport for South West England); and also at the Sulis Club, a short distance away.
Facilities at the university include a fitness suite, four squash courts, 25- and 50-metre indoor swimming pools, indoor (110m) and outdoor (400m) athletics tracks, multi-purpose sport halls (including basketball, netball and badminton courts), an eight-court indoor tennis hall, a judo/karate/jitsu dojo and centres for sports science and sports medicine.http://www.teambath.com/about.cfm]. Outdoor synthetic and natural pitches and grounds cater for football, rugby union, field hockey and lacrosse, while the Sulis Club hosts the university's American football team, the Bath Killer Bees.
There are also semi-competitive, recreational sporting events. The largest of these is the Interdepartmental Football Cup (IDFC).
[edit] Societies
The university has a Students' Union with over 100 clubs and societies including sports clubs, cultural, arts, interest and faith societies:
- Bath Rag collects money for local and national charities by running events to bring the town and student communities closer.
- The Arts Union performs plays and other shows to audiences both on campus and in the town, with support provided by Backstage technical Services.
- The Students' Union faith groups include Buddhist, Christian, Islamic and Jewish, etc.
- Bath University Guides and Scouts (BUGS) is the university's SSAGO unit. It provides outdoor activities for students and also helps with Scouting and Guiding in the community.
[edit] Student media
The university is home to three student media outlets: a bi-weekly student newspaper, Student Impact; a radio station, 1449AM URB; and a television station, Campus TV.
Bath Impact newspaper features news, sport, entertainment, comment and features relevant to Bath Students and all contributions are written and edited by students of the university.
1449AM URB has been in operation since 1973 serving students at the university with music, news & campus information. It broadcasts 24 hours a day on campus on 1449AM and online at URB Online
Campus Television provides information and entertainment.
Alongside broadcast output, CTV also supply services to students themselves. Amongst other things, CTV can provide filming of plays, musicals, concerts and other events, as well as video conversion facilities and a video to still service.
[edit] Expansion
- Claverton Down
- The university continually upgrades its Claverton Down campus with major new teaching blocks. A proposal to move the boundary of the greenbelt from where it crosses the campus to its edge, to facilitate further development, was agreed in October 2007 by the local council following a public inquiry.
- In July 2005, building 3 West North (officially opened on 27 October) was completed.
- The deconstruction of the asbestos-contaminated 4 West was completed in mid-2005 and the new 4 West building is being constructed.
- The ICIA Arts Complex is planning to expand by adding a new building adjacent to the theatre. It is hoped to start work in 2008.
- Due to be completed by summer 2008 is the new R5 building, to be known as Woodland Court. This student accommodation is expected to house 355 students [2]. The design has been awarded an excellent rating for environmental performance by BREEAM, although the building work severely disrupts students living nearby, especially during exam periods.[12]
- Swindon
- Under the Gateway Project, the university had planned to build a major new campus next to the Great Western Hospital and the Coate Water nature reserve. The project had met opposition from environmentalists and locals[13] but had met with Government approval.[14] The University withdrew from the project in March 2007 citing "prevailing planning and funding conditions".[15]
[edit] Notable alumni
Notable past students include:
Arts and media
- Russell Senior: Formerly of the band Pulp
- Neil Fox: radio DJ and TV presenter known as "Dr Fox"
- Nigel Dick: Pop music video producer
- Katherine Roberts: Author
- Athena Andreadis: Greek pop singer
- Chuck Pfarrer: American Screenwriter, Novelist, Former US Navy SEAL
- Alex James: Member of band Blur
- Sue Ryan: Former Managing Editor of The Telegraph and The Evening Standard, now with The National
Government, law and public policy
- Edward Lowassa: Former Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania
- Yang Jiechi: Chinese Foreign Minister
- Don Foster: Member of Parliament (MP) of Bath for the Liberal Democrats
- Sandra Gidley: Member of Parliament (MP) of Romsey for the Liberal Democrats
- Mansoor Hekmat: Iranian Communist Leader
- Eric Joyce: Labour MP for Falkirk
- T S Krishnamurthy: Former Chief Election Commissioner of India
- Charles Lewington OBE: Press Secretary to Prime Minister John Major
- Peter Butcher: British diplomat and Ambassador to Turkmenistan
- Mohammad Tufik Rahim: Former Iraqi Minister of Industry and Mines
- Charles Lewington: Former director of communications for the Conservative Party
Business
- Justin King: CEO of Sainsbury's
- Neil Holloway: President of Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa
- Tony Illsley: Former President of Walker Snack Foods and former CEO of Telewest
- Stewart Till: Chairman of United International Pictures and Millwall FC
- Bob Wigley: Chairman Merrill Lynch, Europe, Middle East and Africa
- Sir Julian Horn-Smith: Former CEO of Vodafone
Academia
- Sheila Forbes: Principal St Hilda's, Oxford and Deputy Chair, British Library
- Vedat Tavsanoglu: Electronic engineer
- Martin E Brown:Biochemist
- Peter Thoday: Founding Horticulturalist at the Eden Project
- Tony Kendle: Director of the Eden Project
- Sean Sweeney: Director of the Global Labor Institute at Cornell University
- Salleh Mohammad Yasin: Director of International Institute for Global Health at the United Nations University and Former Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Malaysia
- Professor Raymond Schinazi: Discovered Emtricitabine and Professor of Pediatrics & Chemistry, Emory University
- Doug Altman: Founder and Director of Centre for Statistics in Medicine and Cancer Research UK Medical Statistics Group.
- Florence Wambugu: Prominent African Plant Pathologist
- David Skrbina: Pioneer of Ecophilosophy
Social reform
- Sir Roger Singleton CBE: Former Chief Executive of Barnardo’s and Chair of the Independent Safeguarding Authority
Sports
- Andy Brown: Former Chief Engineer of Formula One team Brabham and current Chief Engineer at Chip Ganassi Racing
- David Trick: Former Bath Rugby and England rugby union player
- Matt Stevens: Bath and England rugby union player
- Steve Borthwick: Bath and England rugby union player
- Craig Pickering: Sprinter
- Mark Hardinges: Cricketer
- James Hudson: London Irish and England Saxons
- Rob Higgit: Bristol Rugby
- Gareth Rees: Glamorgan CCC cricketer
- Rachel Dunn: International English Netball player
- Darren Mew: Two-Time Summer Olympic Medalist
- Jon Sleightholme: Former English Rugby Player
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2006/07 (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet). Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
- ^ James Meikle and Donald MacLeod, Oxford tops Guardian university league tables, The Guardian, 1 May 2007, accessed 25 August 2007
- ^ The University of Bath, The Times, 15 August 2007, accessed 25 August 2007
- ^ "The Sunday Times" Accessed 30th September 2007
- ^ About the University and the Oakfield Campus. University of Bath. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
- ^ The Times
- ^ University of Bath, Push, accessed 25 August 2007
- ^ Profile: University of Bath, The Times, 15 August 2007, accessed 25 August 2007
- ^ Facts and figures, University of Bath, accessed 25 August 2007
- ^ a b Student Accommodation Brochure 2007-08. University of Bath. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ a b c d Woodland Court Accommodation. University of Bath. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ Planners approve University of Bath's sustainable student residences.
- ^ Hayward, Alan. Swindon Civic Trust Town Centre University Proposal. Swindon Civic Trust. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
- ^ Osborne, Anthony. "Coate gets the vote", Swindon Advertiser, 2004-10-20. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
- ^ University of Bath (2007-03-01). "University of Bath withdraws from Gateway project". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
[edit] External links
|
|||||
