Types of courses

We offer a wide range of honours degree courses for prospective undergraduate students.

Many students join us straight out of college or sixth form, others join us after spending time traveling, or having spent time in the workplace.

Depending on your experience, you may be able to apply without A-levels or equivalent.

Length

You’ll complete the course in three years of full-time study, or five to six years of part-time study.

Types of undergraduate courses

Degree courses can be in a single subject (known as Single or Specialised Awards) or in two subjects, which would be a Combined Award.

Qualification

You’ll graduate with a BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) qualification, depending on whether you study an arts or science-based course.

Many of our undergraduate programmes can be combined, so you don’t have to limit yourself to one subject if you're interested in two.

If you choose to study a Combined Award then in Year One you’ll start by studying both subjects in equal depth. From Year Two you can choose whether to continue with equal numbers of modules from each subject, or whether you want to select additional modules in one or the other. Upon successful completion of the programme you will graduate with a joint degree.

Our prospectus lists which courses can be combined with each other. You can also filter our course listing to find subjects that can be combined.

These undergraduate courses offer you the chance to identify, apply for, and secure professional work experience, to be taken between your second and final years (a 'sandwich' year). 

Length

Lasting four years in total, Professional Placement Year (PPY) programmes are your opportunity to gain an undergraduate honours degree and workplace experience over an extended period (usually one to three placements over a minimum of nine months).

Qualification

By completing the programme, you'll be entitled to add “with Professional Placement Year” to your BA (Hons) degree title.

Looking for your next challenge? Our postgraduate awards are normally studied after completion of an undergraduate course. They provide opportunities for advanced study that are both academically challenging and vocationally relevant.

Undertaking a postgraduate course is a great launch-pad for PhD level study, if you’re interested in becoming a research student undertaking doctorate level work.

Length

Our taught postgraduate degrees normally last one year, if studied full-time. You’ll find that many of our courses can also be studied part-time.

Qualification

Taught programmes lead to the award of Master's degrees (MSc, MA, MTeach or MRes) or Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDip).

If you’re looking to study at undergraduate level, but like the idea of finishing with a Master's qualification rather than an undergraduate honours degree, we have some Integrated Master's Programmes.

They’re an attractive option because they're designed to help you graduate with improved job prospects and career opportunities, and you’ll benefit from more in-depth academic study and research.

Length

These are four-year courses incorporating an undergraduate degree leading directly to a Master's qualification.

Qualification

On completion of the four-year programme, you’ll graduate with a Master's degree.

If you change your mind at the end of the three year degree and don’t want to continue onto the fourth year, you’d simply stop after the three years with an undergraduate qualification.

Want to become a teacher? You’ll be able to apply for one of our PGCE courses after you’ve completed an undergraduate degree.

Bath Spa University has a long tradition of teacher training, and courses are planned and taught in close collaboration with teachers in schools.

Length

Our PGCE programmes typically last one year. A high proportion of time is spent on school placements, working with pupils, teachers and University tutors in the classroom.

Qualification

If you successfully complete one of our PGCE programmes you’ll gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

We offer opportunities for supervised, original research leading to the degrees of PhD and MPhil. Successful completion of a research degree represents the fulfilment of your intellectual potential and a major life achievement.

Length

Qualification

Research programmes lead to the award of MPhil or PhD.

If you don’t have the grades or qualifications to enrol onto one of our undergraduate courses, you can consider a foundation course. Our foundation courses are often taught by partner colleges, and provide a combination of academic training and work-related skills.

Length

You’ll study for two years full-time; although for some foundation courses this involves just one day of formal academic tuition per week, with the rest of the time spent studying vocationally in your workplace.

Qualification

On completion of the course you’ll have a foundation degree. You may be able to apply to progress to a compatible honours degree and complete a top-up year to get an honours degree.

You may also progress to a work-based learning honours programme when you successfully complete your foundation course.

Undergraduate degrees at the Bath School of Art, Film and Media and Bath School of Design are available with an Integrated Foundation Year.

Our intensive and experimental foundation course is designed to help you reach your full potential. You'll develop your ideas, skills and confidence in readiness for progressing to year one of your undergraduate degree programme.

Length

The Integrated Foundation (Year 0) element of the course lasts one year. This, combined with your chosen undergraduate programme means that you'll study a four-year course. 

Qualification

On successful completion of the Bath Spa University Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, you'll progress to your chosen undergraduate degree.

We offer a range of short courses, both self funded and free courses which are funded by the government. Whether you're looking to reskill into a new career, enhance your knowledge or explore an interest, we have courses to suit everyone.

Do you want to take your learning to the next level from the comfort of your own home? At Bath Spa University we offer a number of distance learning courses that are taught and assessed entirely online, giving you the opportunity to study anywhere in the world.

We offer a range of Continuing Professional Development programmes. These provide structured training and development for teachers, lecturers in post-compulsory education, and other professionals.

Length

Maximum flexibility is built into the delivery of these programmes, so that you can fit them around your current commitments.

Qualification

The qualification you’ll get when you successfully complete your course varies depending on the course.