love it here

The campus is absolutely gorgeous! A wonderful mix of old and new, castles and modern buildings. Reserving rooms encourages students to get out of their rooms and study anywhere on campus, from the top of the castle tower, to the communal "pods" at Commons. The Student Union building has a bar and a small shop, and activities going on almost every day. Karaoke every other Saturday is one of my favourites. Close enough to the city of Bath for easy access, while still having the feeling of a university town. Lots of student discounts and student bars/clubs in town, as the University of Bath is also nearby. Interesting classes, lovely lecturers and guest lecturers, and proper assessments. Few, if not none, tests, allowing for those who do not thrive with simple memorization to show off how they learn. The diversity of students encourages the broadening of your own world view. A wide range of courses, allowing for study into incredibly specific topics. The main issue with the university is the wait time for wellbeing appointments, as it can take up to four months to even get a foot in the door. This means that if you do need help, it is very difficult to achieve. Also, while it isn't the university's fault, it is important to know that the First Bus system is not very reliable, so if you have a job in town, it is quite nerve-wracking.

This year, as we are slowly coming out of Covid, the classes are mixed: half online and half in-person. Each week, we have one lecture which is hosted online, either live or pre-recorded, and one seminar, where lecturers review what was taught during the lecture and we have the chance for peer review of our work. As a Creative Writing student, I throughly enjoy the lessons and topics we cover, from making up magical worlds to properly representing history. The tutors are usually reachable, but only through email. The students are divided into groups of four to six, and given a personal tutor who can help with a variety of things, from proofreading to general questions about the university. I have not used this yet, but I know those who have and have found this helpful.

I talked a bit about the city in my overall review of the university, but Bath is genuinely a wonderful town. Historic and gorgeous, with plenty of food and grocery options. Lots of fun things to do, from dozens of lovely cafes to multiple escape rooms. Bars, clubs, and pubs are dotted throughout. Lots of job opportunities but also lots of people looking for jobs. It took me a few months to find the job I currently have. The First Bus system is not great, but the drivers are usually friendly and accommodating. A little expensive, but affordable enough for university students. Most of the city is very safe, with a few subsections that are somewhat sketchy.

I live in the newer accommodations built on campus, where each room has an ensuite, which I adore. It is a tad pricey but worth it. The university campus is divided in two, Lakeside and Gardens, where I am. While Gardens has the Student Union and the postoffice, Lakeside is far closer to the main teaching building and the beginning of campus. From my experience, it has been very safe, and I feel comfortable walking around campus at night. The internet and wifi is spotty, but when it works, is quick. I share a kitchen with nine other students, which is professionally cleaned fortnightly. When our stove broke earlier this year, it took less than a day for a replacement to arrive.