Spring 2014

With Very Best Wishes,

Andy, Brian, Emma, Jo, Virginia and Zoe
International Relations Team, University of Bath

New Accommodation^

We are delighted to see that the first signs of spring are appearing on campus after a very wet winter! Brighter and drier weather will certainly help to maintain the excellent progress being made on our major building projects despite the challenges posed by the wettest winter on record. 

As completion of our new student accommodation draws ever closer we are pleased to announce that both the new accommodation and refectory now have a name.

Our new accommodation will be called ‘The Quads’ with each of the five blocks of flats named after a species of tree: Acer, Bay, Chestnut, Damson and Ebony. The new refectory will be called ‘The Lime Tree’.

We are all looking forward to seeing these new buildings complete and in use for our new intake in the Autumn.

Our next newsletter will contain more information about accommodation. Accommodation applications open April 2014.

Olympic success for Bath^

We have been inspired by the 2014 Winter Olympic success of the University of Bath’s gold medallist, Lizzy Yarnold, in Sochi in the women's skeleton.' This really is a dream come true – my whole life I have dreamt about becoming a British Olympian.' Read more about our success stories here.

Bath named as one of the '100 most international universities in the world'^

The Times Higher Education has compiled a list of the top 100 most international universities using the "international outlook"
indicator from the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

We are immensely proud to be number 66 on the list out of the top 100.

 Most major research universities view their international standing as a vital part of their strategic plans. With powerful global networks universities can find the best academic talent, attract the brightest students and produce collaborative, innovative research that exploits the resources of multiple institutions and tackles matters of global concern.

University of Bath features in the world's elite (Top 200) institutions^

University of Bath features in the world's elite (Top 200) institutions in 11 of the 30 subjects featured in this year's QS World University Rankings by Subject published on Thursday 27 February 2014 on www.topuniversities.com. Key media around the world featured the rankings, including The Guardian in the UK and Chosun Ilbo in Korea.

For the fourth edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject, QS evaluated 2,838 universities and ranked 689 institutions in total. Of particular note, University of Bath has an improved ranking or is featured for the first time in the following subjects:

• 51 University of Bath is ranked 51-100 in Education in QS WUR by Subject 2014 check it out http://bit.ly/MgrBtu #QSWUR
• 11 University of Bath is ranked in 11 subjects in QS WUR by Subject 2014 check it out http://bit.ly/MgrBtu #QSWUR
• 5 University of Bath: 5 subjects in Social Sciences & Management appeared in QS WUR by Subject 2014 check it out http://bit.ly/MgrBtu #QSWUR 

International Baccalaureate World Student Conference 2014 comes to Bath!^

The University of Bath is delighted to be hosting the International Baccalaureate World Student Conference 2014, taking place from 27 July - 2 August.

The theme 'The City of the Future' will be explored during the event, looking at social, economic and technological challenges facing the cities of the future.

Over 200 students from IB schools across the world will come together for the conference, which takes place in the University's newly-built Chancellors' Building. Attendees will have the opportunity to use the University's world class sports facilities and visit some of the city's world famous heritage sites.

For more details please visit the website: http://www.bath.ac.uk/education/events/news_0002.html

New institution registration for students taking US College Board tests^

We are pleased to announce that for any undergraduate students taking the US College Board tests, such as SAT, we now have an institution registration and the scores can now be notified to us directly at the University of Bath. 

 The Designated Institution code (DI) is 7376 - University of Bath.

Please pass these details on to any undergraduate candidates that are applying to Bath and taking the College Board tests.

Undergraduate Programmes now closed for 2014 entry - update^

Please see below programmes that are now closed for 'NEW' applications.

 ARCHITECTURE

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE

 IMML with Spanish

 ALL 3 NEW MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES:
BSc Management
BSc International Management
BSc Management with Marketing

PSYCHOLOGY

SOCIAL WORK

SPORTS PERFORMANCE

All the other programmes are still open at this time, including our highly acclaimed and unique BSc (Hons) Business Administration N100 – 4 years with two six month placements.

New ‘Entrepreneurship’ Masters programme in the School of Management launched for entry 2014^

The School of Management is delighted to announce the launch of the MSc in Entrepreneurship and Management- the latest edition to its highly-ranked portfolio.  This one-year full-time Masters combines core business/ management skills with an awareness of the nature, context and process of entrepreneurship. It is designed for graduates who wish to pursue entrepreneurial careers in a variety of contexts, such as establishing and growing an independent business, leading new business initiatives of established companies or family businesses, or using enterprise methods to deliver positive social impact.

 Applications will open in April for 2014 intake.

 In the meantime, interested candidates can register their interest on our website.

Update on English Language Qualifications acceptable at the University of Bath^

As some of you will know, the UK Home Office has started an investigation this week into the operations of an English Language test provider called ETS. This provider administers the TOEFL qualification. Although TOEFL was not the award called into question this week, (the initial problem was with TOEIC) TOEFL is  included in the Home Office investigation.

Our understanding is that only applicants who have taken a TOEFL test at a UK centre and who apply for a visa in the UK will have their visa applications put on hold. The majority of our international applicants offering TOEFL take this at overseas centres and should not be affected by the UK situation. However, as is often the case with UK Government policy around visas, the guidance we are receiving from different sources is still confusing and contradictory in places.

Therefore, we have taken the following steps at Bath for the short-term:

- From 17 February 2014 until further notice: any new offers which are made to applicants for undergraduate or post-graduate programmes with a language condition do not include TOEFL as an option in the offer text and refer offer holders to alternative tests.

- Any existing offer holders with an outstanding language condition *may prefer* to consider taking an alternative approved test (e.g. IELTS or PTE) in case the situation is not resolved quickly.

- Any applicant who has already submitted TOEFL to meet the language conditions should wait for further advice.

We understand everyone’s concern but our advice would be to wait until we have further clarification. Fortunately, there is time for this issue to be resolved before the main confirmation and clearing period. .

We will let you know as soon as we have further clarification to offer.

Combined English and Masters Programme^

The University continues to offer non-native speakers of English in need of a short pre-sessional English course the opportunity to combine this with their Masters degree.  The benefits are a single offer of admission and a single CAS, covering both the English course AND the Masters degree.  The Combined Masters is available across all of our provision with the exception of MA Interpreting and Translating and programmes in Architecture and Civil Engineering.

 Our Graduate Schools and School of Management are looking to alert eligible Masters applicants to the opportunity to take the Combined English and Masters as they assess applicants and make offers of admission.  The process of formalising a place on the Combined Masters rests with the appropriate Graduate School or the School of Management, rather than the English Language Centre.  Places are limited and with the continued increases in applications for our taught Masters programmes early action is strongly encouraged.  There are some further details on our website:

http://www.bath.ac.uk/elc/for-future-students/combined-offers/index.html

The opportunity to combine English studies with a degree programme will remain confined to the 5-week Pre-sessionals and excludes undergraduate and PhD students.  Students seeking admission to the 10 week English programme or longer should do so via a separate application to our English Language Centre: http://www.bath.ac.uk/elc/for-future-students/how-to-apply/index.html

Highlight on MA TESOL – Places available for 2014 entry^

The MA TESOL is a specialist degree for aspiring professionals who wish to enhance their career prospects in the field of teaching of English as a second, foreign or additional language.

It will provide you with the tools and resources you need in order to develop your teaching skills, reflect upon your professional practice and conduct your own research.

We place particular emphasis on helping you to develop appropriate methods and materials to suit your social and cultural context.

The MA TESOL is part of The Department of Education - a thriving, largely postgraduate community which has links with a wide range of educational institutions, schools, colleges, universities, local authorities and government departments, both nationally and internationally.

Find out more here