Want to run your own business or work for yourself?

Many of our Bath Spa students and graduates go on to either work as a freelancer or to run their own business.

We can help support and signpost you, either by getting your idea off the ground, or, if you’ve already started, by accelerating your idea to where you want it to be.

Developing a business idea, freelancing or enterprise opportunity isn't all about the idea; it can also be a great way to develop your skills, confidence and understanding of a particular industry, as you look at the best career pathways for you.

If this interests you, please do ask a question on MyCareer to find out more. 

Get support from the Careers and Employability team

We offer one-to-one appointments to support you, whether you want to talk through your idea, get start-up information, have questions about funding, or something else. Book a Freelance / Business Enterprise / Funding appointment through MyCareer. When you book, just add some details about what you wish to discuss to help our advisors prepare in advance.

Short courses and bootcamps

We offer a range of short courses and bootcamps, both self-funded and free courses which are funded by the government. Many of these have been created specifically to support people who are self-employed and/or looking to start their own business.

Useful resources

There are lots of useful resources to help you kickstart your business or idea. Here are some great places to start:

Available funding

Our funding and support packages are open to all current students and graduates who finished their course on or after 1 February 2023. You can find out more about our various options for start-ups and freelancers via the schemes below.

How our Careers and Employment team can help you pursue your career goals

Explore It

Explore It gives you the opportunity to apply for up to £500 to support the early exploration and creation of your idea.

You could be looking to sell your work, thinking of a creative entrepreneurial project, a social enterprise, a freelance side hustle, or anything else that requires innovative thinking and a little bit of cash. Whatever your idea or its stage of development, we're here to help you Explore It.

You can start your application on MyCareer.

Launch It

Are you already working on a start-up business or enterprise?

Thanks to our partnership with Santander Universities, our Launch It enterprise support package is designed to help you get started with your business. We can give your idea the kickstart it needs through the opportunity to apply for up to £1,500 and access to a range of start-up support.

We've previously helped people to launch apps, retail platforms and prototype products, as well as assisted artists and designers in creating a strong commercial focus in their work. Now it's your turn to Launch It!

You can start your application on MyCareer.

Grow It

The Grow It funding and support package, available thanks to our partnership with Santander Universities, offers up to £3,500 to grow or scale an existing business. This is the support package for you if you have launched your business, are generating revenue, and are ready to grow or scale.

For example, you may want to grow by adding a new product line, a new service, or reaching a new market, or maybe you want to scale by automating or outsourcing the production of your products or services. The key is that you need funding in order to make your business growth possible.

You can start your application on MyCareer.

Tax and HMRC

If you're earning money from freelance or self-employment, it's important to ensure that you're paying your tax correctly and on time.

You may need to set yourself up as a sole trader or register your company with HMRC, as well as filling in an annual tax return. For more information on this, visit the HMRC website.

Accessing other professional support

Have more questions about starting your own business, or how to set up as a freelancer? There are regional organisations and groups that can help via workshops, one-to-one sessions and more. A few of these are provided below:

Bristol

If you live in Bristol, Outset provides a practical support programme.

Wiltshire

If you live in Wiltshire, you can reach out to the Swindon & Wiltshire Growth Hub for their business support and workshops and events, or download a form to apply for 12 hours of support from Cool Ventures.

Funding FAQs

Can I apply for funding for my degree show?

Unfortunately, no, our funding can't be used to fund a degree show.

Can international students apply for funding?

Please check with the University's Immigration Advice team at immigrationadvice@bathspa.ac.uk to talk about your individual circumstances before applying.

Even if you're ineligible to apply for funding, we'd still be happy to provide you advice and support at an appointment.

Are there any terms and conditions?

Yes, you will be required to confirm that you agree to our terms and conditions before receiving any funding.

I have another question!

Please do get in touch by asking a question on MyCareer and we'll be glad to help.