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Pathway to Bath Programme

Pathway to Bath is an award-winning, free curriculum enhancement programme for students to develop skills for university.

Applications for 2025 will open in October

What is Pathway to Bath?

Watch this video to find out more about Pathway to Bath

What is Pathway to Bath?

Pathway to Bath is a free blended learning programme that gives students the chance to work online alongside experienced staff and current students, to develop key skills for university study and beyond. You will also be given the opportunity to apply for a place on a free 3-day residential visit to campus in the summer, to experience life as a student at Bath.

The programme is designed to fit around your busy A level (or equivalent) schedule - you can work through the sessions wherever and whenever suits you. Live sessions will take place on Wednesday late afternoons but will be recorded to watch back if you can't make it. Successful completion of the programme makes you eligible for a conditional guaranteed offer.

Watch this presentation to find out more
2 students working at a laptop with female ambassador in the background

What subjects are available?

There are lots of subjects to choose from

Science

  • Biosciences
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Maths
  • Pharmacy
  • Physics

Engineering

  • Civil Engineering and Architecture
  • Mechanical Engineering

Social Sciences

  • Criminology
  • Health and Exercise Science
  • Languages (French and Spanish)
  • Politics
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Business

  • Business
  • Economics

What will you do?

Study an online course, have the chance to join us for a residential campus visit, and complete a project supported by our academics.

January - May 2025

Study an online course delivered by our academic staff which will support you to complete an independent project and develop key academic skills.

Online sessions will be released regularly and will include some live sessions. You will be supported every step of the way by your tutor, University of Bath students and your fellow Pathway students, who you will get to know in your live sessions. You will hand in small assignments that form part of your project regularly and receive vital feedback from your e-mentor.

June - July 2025

Hand in your final assignment and receive valuable Uni life information from our undergraduate e-mentors about student finance, accommodation, courses available and support for students.

21-23 July 2025

Take part in an action packed residential during the summer holiday.

You will be able to apply for a stay in university halls, attend lectures and workshops, explore our award-winning facilities and world heritage city, and get involved in social activities to really experience life on campus.

September – December 2025

Receive support to make a competitive application to study at Bath and a successful transition to university, including exclusive sessions with Admissions Tutors, 1:1 personal statement support, and much more.

What will you get out of it?

Students who complete the programme will benefit from:

  • the opportunity to receive a guaranteed conditional offer on successful completion
  • developing key skills and knowledge for university and beyond
  • valuable experiences to include in a UCAS application
  • access personalised support to apply to university
  • meeting other like-minded students with similar study interests and future plans

Here's what some of this year's Pathway students said about the programme:

'The whole experience has been much better than I expected. I have learned so much about such a broad field and have really enjoyed the programme and would highly recommend people to apply.'

'Thank you so much. I really had a wonderful experience and the project was extremely fun and interesting and the skills I learnt were very important.'

Contextual offer

You will be considered for contextual admissions if you meet our Widening Participation Criteria. Contextual offers are available if you are studying A levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma. A contextual offer includes a reduction of one grade below our typical entry requirements. Contextual offers help to promote fairness and are available to those who meet our widening access criteria across our undergraduate courses.

In addition, having completed the Pathway to Bath online learning programme successfully, you may be eligible to receive a guaranteed conditional offer.

View of the lake on campus with buildings in the background

Who can apply

Pathway to Bath is aimed at academically able Year 12 home students who are considering applying to study at Bath. You will need to check that you are on track to meet our typical offer for one of the courses in your chosen course area (take a look at our course pages for details of our typical offers) and you will also need to meet one or more of our Widening Participation criteria

How to apply

When applying you will need to:

  • provide details of your current qualifications (e.g. A-Levels or BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma) and previous qualifications (e.g. GCSEs)
  • provide contact details for a parent/carer
  • provide contact details of a teacher who can provide a reference

Application deadline 31 December 2024

Applications for 2025 will open in October!
Female student working on her laptop

Parents/carers and teachers

We keep in touch with parents/carers and teachers throughout the Pathway programme and provide the information they need.

We feel it’s important to work closely with schools and parents to make sure the students feel supported and parents/carers have the know-how they need to help young people prepare and apply for university.

If you are a teacher and would like to promote this amazing opportunity within your school or college please book a meeting for a virtual presentation for your students or a chat with us. You can also use our promotional video if you like.

This programme isn't right for me, is there anything else?

Yes, we have other programmes for year 12 students. You can fill in our form which will then send you a personalised list of activities, events and resources that might be helpful for you.

Or you might like to have a look at our Discover Bath Summer School, or our Ask Bath e-mentoring programme. If you don’t meet our Widening Participation Criteria, you may like to look at the Step Into Bath programme. Please be advised that you can only take part in Pathway to Bath OR Discover Bath, not both.

Access to online learning

We can support you to access technology if needed.

The University of Bath is leading the Digital Divide project, addressing the challenge of not only providing content that gives young people the best chance of success, but also ensuring they have the means to access it. Please contact us if you anticipate any challenges applying for or completing the programme online and we will do our best to support you.

Applications for 2025 will open in October

Check the website in the autumn for 2025.

Enquiries

If you have any questions, please contact us.