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Applying to study at Bath as an exchange student

Studying abroad can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Explore the University to find out what we offer and what it is like to live in a World Heritage city.

Exchange students

You can apply to study at the University of Bath for one semester or a full academic year if:

  • you are studying at a university outside the UK
  • your home institution has an exchange agreement with us in the appropriate subject area

Application deadlines

  • Semester 1 and full academic year: 1 April
  • Semester 2: 15 October

How to apply

  1. Check with your university if they have a valid exchange agreement with the University of Bath.

  2. Your university needs to nominate you via our online nomination platform.

  3. We will invite you to complete the application form after we receive your nomination.

  4. The academic department will assess your application. We will email you within eight weeks of the application deadline to tell you if your application has been successful or not.

  5. Your offer letter will tell you if you have been allocated a place in our University accommodation and, if so, how to apply for it. Remember that university accommodation is limited. You may be required to find private sector accommodation.

  6. We will send you information about how to apply for a study visa to the UK after you have accepted your offer of admission.

Required documents

You will need to have the following documents, in electronic format, ready to send together with your application form:

  • Official academic transcript from your Home University
  • Valid passport (the expiry date must be at least 6 months after the end of your exchange)
  • Proof of English
  • Completed Class/Unit Selection Form with classes you wish to study at Bath

Please note that if documents are not issued in English, we require both the original and an official English translation.

Your study programme

Bath uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). You must take between 24-30 ECTS credits each semester.

At least 12 credits per semester must be from your host department. You must include your unit choices in your application in order of preference. The new module lists for 2024/25 will be available in the Programme & Unit Catalogues.

You can then choose a maximum of 12 credits from outside your host department.

Exclusive courses

As well as English language units for native and non-native speakers, our popular British Studies courses are offered exclusively to Erasmus+, exchange and visiting students.

You can improve your English language skills and learn about British history, society, film and literature in the home of Jane Austen.

English language requirements

All of our programmes are taught in English. You will need to show that you have a satisfactory level of spoken and written English before you come here.

The minimum entry requirement as an Exchange or Visiting student at undergraduate level is B2 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in the four components – reading, writing, speaking and listening.

All non-native speakers are required to demonstrate that they have achieved this level.

If you require a Student Visa: your English qualification must be from the UK Visas and Immigration list of approved English language tests or the University of Bath list of approved English language tests and has to be taken within two years of the start date of your studies here at Bath.

If you do not require a Student Visa: you can either submit an English qualification from the list of approved English language tests or a formal letter from your home university attesting to your English language level. This letter must state the following information:

  • Your overall CEFR level
  • Your CEFR level in each of the four components – reading, writing, speaking and listening
  • The method of assessment/test taken to confirm your CEFR level
  • The date when you took the assessment/test (this must be within the last 12 months from the date of your application)

You will then also need to send a sample of your academic written work and take part in a language interview with a member of staff from the University of Bath. These will be required once your application has been reviewed, please do not submit your academic written work with your application.

We offer both pre-sessional and in-sessional courses for improving English language skills.

Tuition fees

You continue to pay tuition fees to your home institution (if applicable) but do not pay tuition fees at the University of Bath.

Living costs

Accommodation fees

For full details of the accommodation options and their fees, please visit the Pulteney Court and Thornbank Gardens webpages.

Visa requirements

All prospective international students coming to study in the UK for a course lasting more than 6 months, including those from the EU, EEA (except Ireland) and Switzerland who have not secured other immigration status on or after 1 January 2021, will need to apply for a Student Visa and receive a decision, before they arrive. Students who are intending to enrol on a Pharmacy programme of any length that includes rotations must also apply for this visa.

Students intending to come to the UK to study a course lasting less than 6 months may be eligible for a Standard Visitor visa.

More information can be found on our Student Visa Page.

Starting from 2024/25, we have implemented a new online application process. Once you have been nominated by your home institution, an automated email will be sent to you with Application Guidance as well as link to our online application form. Please follow the instructions to submit your application along with all supporting documents and contact inbound-exchanges@bath.ac.uk if you have any inquiries.

Enquiries

If you have any questions, please contact us.


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