University of Bath is a high-profile public research university in Bath, England. It is a mid-sized university with around 19,000 students, with a prominent international student population. Admissions are competitive with an acceptance rate of 20%. Some of the most popular fields of study at the university include Engineering, Architecture, Computer Science, Business, Social Sciences, and Sports Science. The university is very well placed in national league tables (top 10–15 in the UK) and is internationally known for its research quality. The graduate employment rate is high, with students entering good salaried professional careers.
Bath Spa University, situated also in Bath, England, is a small public university with around 7,500 students. It has a more liberal admissions policy, with acceptance rate 12%. Bath Spa is most famous for courses in the Creative Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences. Less prominently ranked in global league tables, it offers a community-based learning experience with an emphasis on creativity and teaching excellence. Graduate employability is more variable, generally varying by subject area, but it is popular for students seeking arts and education occupations.
| University of Bath | Bath Spa University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.1 Out of 10 | - |
| ranking (overall) | # 8 The Guardian 2026 # 132 QS World University 2026 # 251 Times Higher Education 2026 | # 61 The Guardian 2026 # 109 The Guardian 2021 |
| Subject Strength | # 201 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 301 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 151 for Law by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021 | # 29 for Law by The Guardian 2026 |
| Programs | UG Programs -78 PG Programs -88 Doctorate Programs -6 | UG Programs -6 PG Programs -7 |
| Acceptance Rate | 20.0 % | 0.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-600 IELTS-6.5 PTE-62 SAT-1220 TOEFL-90 | Duolingo-120 IELTS-6.5 PTE-59 TOEFL-75 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 20781 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 25878 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 31059 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 25308 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 26333 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 8848 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Ranked 4th in graduate employment (The Guardian University Guide 2020); Average annual salary: 45,100 USD; Top recruiters: WS Atkins Consultants Limited, Renishaw Plc, BAE Systems Inc., Civica UK Ltd, Ernst & Young; Highest paying degrees: Executive Masters (140,000 USD), BBA (108,000 USD), PhD (107,000 USD), Doctorate (99,000 USD), Masters in Finance (91,000 USD), MBA (90,000 USD), Other degrees (48,000 USD). | Some programs and their average salary are as follows: Bachelor of science: $59,000 Bachelor of arts: $33,000 Master of Arts: $51,000 |
| application requirements | 60% in bachelors for MBA; Letter of Recommendation; CV | Applicants must have a minimum average of 65% Submit English language proficiency test scores Check program specific requirements |
| Campuses and B-Schools | School of Management, University of Bath | NA |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.8/10 Read 17 reviews | - |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 151 for Mathematics by QS World University 2025 # 251 for Mathematics by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 26 for Computer Science by The Guardian 2026 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 130/160IELTS - 7/9PTE - 62/90TOEFL - 100/120 | Duolingo - 110/160IELTS - 6.0/9PTE - 62/90TOEFL - 72/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -25878 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -26518 |
| application dates | Jan 29, 2025 (Ucas 2025 Intake Applicaton Deadline) | - |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Bath | Bath Spa University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1856 | 2005 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | :1 |
| Male:Female | 54% Male, 46% Female | 0% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | Main campus located in Claverton Down, east side of Bath; 1 hour 25 minutes away from London by train; | Bath Spa University is situated in the beautiful World Heritage City of Bath. The University’s main campuses in Bath, Newton Park, Sion Hill, and Locksbrook are easy to reach by public transport or road. University also has a campus located in the pretty market town of Corsham, three miles west of Chippenham in Wiltshire. |
| Library | 24/7 access all through the year; 334,000 print books; 500,000 e-books; 26,000 e-journals; 246 print journal titles; over 1km of unique & distinctive materials in Archives & Research Collection. | There are three libraries present across the different campuses of the university. Library provides access to various resources like e-books, journals, publication etc. |
| Campus Life | Over 100 societies and clubs on further mentioned themes: arts, departmental, ethical & political, faith & cultural and recreational; All international students automatically part of International Students’ Association (ISA); Postgraduate students are members of Postgraduate Association; Universities also have 48 sports clubs | Be it eat, drink, perform, talk, learn, or play, our campus has a range of outstanding multipurpose facilities to cover any need or occasion. Commons is the heart of the Newton Park campus. Alive with students and staff, it boasts immersive views of Newton Park's beautiful countryside. When you explore Commons you’ll find lecture halls, seminar rooms, study spaces, a cafe, TV studios, and computer rooms and staff offices. Based on Newton Park campus, the Students’ Union facilities include The SU bar and kitchen, gym and shop. The bar area provides great, wallet-friendly food in the day (look out for their Sunday roasts!) and awesome events at night. The space is a great spot to socialise or work, benefiting from pool tables, a relaxed atmosphere, and frequent events. These include live music, stand up comedy, and pub quizzes. The gym is exclusively for Bath Spa University students and staff, as well as Students’ Union associate members. It's air-conditioned and fully equipped with over 40 stations. |
| Hostel | #Rooms En -suite Room(Green Park house) - $10761 #Studio - $11781 #Standard - $8517 | #Standard Room - $8848 |
| Famous Alumni | TS Krishnamurthy (former Chief Election Commissioner of India); Neil Fox (radio DJ and TV presenter); Peter Butcher (British diplomat and Ambassador to Turkmenistan); Falah Mustafa Bakir (Foreign Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan); Sir Julian Horn-Smith (former COO of Vodafone); Nigel Healey (Vice Chancellor at Fiji National University); Steve Borthwick (former Bath and England rugby union player); Kieran O’Neill (entrepreneur) | Mary Berry, food writer |
| City Life | Bath is considered to the one of the strongest economy in Europe; Its unemployment rate for July 2020 was 9.2%; Some of the popular industries in the city are aerospace & advanced engineering, creative & digital sector; energy sector (low carbon energy generation and supply), and business & professional services. Famous tourist sectors are Roman Baths, Royal Crescent, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, and Thermae Bath Spa. | Bath blends ancient history and contemporary cool in beautifully built Palladian architecture. Bath is a vibrant place famous for its Roman Baths and Georgian architecture. A UNESCO World Heritage city, Bath is situated in the beautiful countryside of the South West. By train it's only 15 minutes from Bristol and 90 minutes to London. If you're looking for lots to do, you'll find whatever you're into in Bath or nearby Bristol. In Bath you'll find a buzzing cultural hub, with award-winning restaurants, boutique and high-street stores, theatres, museums, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, plus a huge array of live music and comedy venues. In Bristol you'll find more live music venues and a wonderful eclectic mix of bars and restaurants.The beautiful city of Bath is steeped in arts and culture, with plenty of festivals celebrating comedy, music, literature, art, food, films and digital. There's even a Jane Austen festival! |
| Weather |
University of Bath vs Bath Spa University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of Bath is internationally recognized as one of the UK’s top research-intensive universities. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Bath typically ranks within the 132th range globally, with outstanding programs in engineering, architecture, business, mathematics, and social sciences. Bath Spa University, in contrast, is more teaching- and creativity-focused, usually appearing in the top 1000+ global range. It is particularly strong in the creative arts, humanities, education, and social sciences. Bath dominates in global rankings and research prestige, while Bath Spa specializes in artistic and applied fields.
General Information
The University of Bath, founded in 1966, has about 19,000 students, with a strong emphasis on STEM, management, and research-based learning. Bath Spa University, with about 8,000 students, is known for its liberal arts and creative disciplines, and offers a smaller, more intimate campus community. Both are located in the historic city of Bath, though Bath is more research-intensive and internationally oriented, while Bath Spa focuses on personalized teaching and creativity.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
The University of Bath is relatively selective, with an acceptance rate around 20%, especially competitive for programs in engineering, architecture, and business. Bath Spa University is more accessible, with an acceptance rate around 12%, appealing to students with interests in arts, design, and education.
Research Impact & Facilities
The University of Bath is highly research-active, classified among the UK’s top research institutions, with major contributions in engineering, policy, materials science, and management. Bath Spa is not research-intensive, but it is recognized for high-quality teaching in arts, creative writing, and education, with strong links to the creative industries. Bath has global-level labs and research facilities, while Bath Spa provides state-of-the-art studios and performance spaces.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both are UK public universities with standard international tuition fees. At the University of Bath, international tuition is around £20,000–25,000 per year depending on the subject. At Bath Spa, tuition is lower, averaging £13,000–16,000 per year, making it more affordable for arts and humanities students. Both offer scholarships, but Bath’s tend to be more competitive and merit-based.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
University of Bath graduates are highly employable, with strong outcomes in engineering, business, science, and research careers, and Bath consistently ranks among the UK’s top universities for graduate employment. Bath Spa graduates are well represented in the creative industries, teaching, media, and design, with alumni networks particularly strong in the arts. Bath has greater international reach and prestige, while Bath Spa is valued for creative career pathways and teaching quality.
