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What makes the University special

Get to know the campus, where it is, and what makes Bath a great place to live and study.

Where Bath is located

Where to find the University and how to get there.


Students walk along a meadow with the city of Bath stretched out before them.

The city of Bath is located in the South West of England, around 115 miles (185km) west of London, 110 miles (177km) south of the UK’s second biggest city, Birmingham, and 12 miles (19km) east of Bristol. It’s very easy to travel between Bath and London by train, with the journey taking around 80 minutes.

If you’re arriving in the UK by plane, London’s Heathrow Airport is just under a two-hour drive away. Our nearest airport is Bristol International Airport.

There is also a bus service between the city and our campus, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The journey takes around 20 minutes during term time. You can also choose to cycle or walk.

The city of Bath

A beautiful and historical setting for study in the UK.


A view of Pulteney Bridge and the weir, in Bath.

Famous for its Hot Springs and Georgian architecture, Bath is a beautiful and safe city to explore.

The city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and, in 2021, it was awarded a rare second inscription as part of the Great Spa Towns of Europe.

Many popular films and television shows are filmed in the city, including ‘Wonka’, ‘Les Misérables', 'Persuasion’ and the Netflix blockbuster ‘Bridgerton’.

Some of Bath’s most iconic attractions and sights include:

Get to know the University

Our history, our campus and the principles that guide us.


An aerial view of the University campus looking towards the Parade from the far side of the lake.

Built as a self-contained community-focused campus on a hill above the west of the city, and granted its Royal Charter in 1966, the University of Bath was established to:

‘advance learning and knowledge by teaching and research, particularly in science and technology, and in close association with industry and commerce.'

This focus on degrees with industry relevance is why, from the beginning we offered courses with professional placements, enhancing academic excellence with real-world experience. You can find out more about our history.

The University today

Over half a century later, our commitment to offering high-quality degrees, taught by experts in their subject areas with connections to industry and research, is as strong today as it’s ever been. The majority of our undergraduate courses offer the option to take a placement, while some of our postgraduate courses offer a placement too.

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), 92% of our research was defined as world-leading or internationally excellent. You can read about how our research is changing the world for the better.

Clustered around its central parade, our campus has grown over the last 50 years, including the School of Management building that opened in 2022. However, the campus’s supportive community character remains central to who we are as a University.

A safe and welcoming community

On campus and around the city at all University sites, our security team works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring that students are safe both day and night. You’ll often see the team checking in at student accommodations and offering support to students.

Rankings, achievements and interesting facts

Learn about our awards, facilities and Chancellor.


His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, KG, GCVO, Chancellor of the University of Bath.

University rankings

We are proud of our achievements and are consistently highly ranked in national University league tables. We're ranked:

Key facts about the University

The University has over 20,000 students enrolled. About a third of these come from outside the UK, representing over 150 nationalities. Read more facts and figures about the University.

Our Chancellor is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh who has been in place since August 2013. He is an important ambassador of the University and presents degrees to students at graduation ceremonies.

In the last decade, we have invested over £450 million in our campus - this includes new accommodation, academic buildings, and sports facilities such as the Olympic Legacy swimming pool.

Around 250 international-level athletes and more than 20 regional or national sport squads base themselves at our £35 million Sports Training Village or have their national governing body (NGB) based there.

More about the University of Bath

View more information for international agents