Sanya came to Bath to study Applied Clinical Psychology, but got so much more than academic knowledge from her time here.
While dancing at the Bath Indian Dance Society showcase, she had no idea the love of her life was sitting right there in the audience. And the rest is history!
Why did you choose to study at Bath?
I chose the University of Bath because of its strong academic reputation, particularly for applied, professionally grounded courses, the supportive student community and the beautiful and safe city that it is. Bath already felt like home before I got here.
Did you have a particular career in mind when you chose your course?
Yes, I was interested in pursuing a career in clinical psychology, with a strong focus on applied, people-centred work. I knew I wanted a course that would give me both theoretical depth and practical exposure, alongside research.
Can you tell us about your experience of studying here?
My experience at Bath was incredibly formative. Academically, it challenged me to think critically and work at a high standard and prioritise self-study and research.
Outside of the classroom, I was deeply involved in societies like dance, which helped me build leadership skills, confidence, and lifelong friendships. Bath truly felt like a community rather than just a university.
You met your partner while studying at Bath. Can you tell us your story?
This is one of my favourite parts of my Bath journey. We met in the most unexpected and Bollywood
way. I was performing at the Bath Indian Dance Society showcase, and he had come along to support his flatmate, who was also my close friend – let’s call her M.
He saw me perform and, as he later admitted, completely fell in love. Because I was an incoming Students’ Union officer at the time, he felt shy and a little intimidated, so he didn’t approach me.
What makes it even funnier is that our paths had never crossed before – we were on completely different courses. He was studying an MSc in Finance with Risk, and I was studying an MSc in Applied Clinical Psychology, so academically we lived in very different worlds at Bath.
Fate eventually stepped in three months later at the Postgraduate Summer Party that I was hosting, where we finally met properly. Around the same time, my sister was visiting from India, and in true plot-twist fashion, she and my now-boyfriend became friends before we did. So, my sister and M unknowingly played cupid while we all hung out as a group. Not long after, he finally asked me out, and I said yes.
Our story came beautifully full circle when we graduated together in January, surrounded by our 
parents, siblings, and friends. They were all cheering us on, not just for our degrees, but for our journey together. I’ll always be grateful to Bath for giving me not just an education, but my life partner, my favourite love story, and proof that sometimes the best things really do happen when you least expect them.
Were there particular places on campus or around the city where you spent time together, or that now hold special memories?
The Weston Studio will always be incredibly special to us. It’s where he first saw me dance. Even now, whenever I rehearse there with my team, he makes a point of sitting in the exact same seat he was in that day.
The University of Bath lake is another place close to my heart, it’s where we spoke to each other properly for the first time, and later, became the place where he gave me a ring, promising that we would spend our lives together.
Aquila Court accommodation and Quays Bridge also hold so many memories. That’s where he and M, who brought us together, lived. I spent almost the entire summer, from July to September, with them there, and those months were filled with laughter, friendship, and the quiet beginnings of our relationship.
Bath itself feels deeply romantic. There’s something about the city, its beauty, that makes everything feel like a fairytale, and every corner now holds a memory for us. 
What advice would you give to prospective students thinking about studying at Bath?
Get involved, say yes to everything, and don’t limit your experience to academics alone. Try things you have never tried before. Step out of your comfort zone.
Bath offers so much beyond the classroom, from societies to leadership roles – and those experiences can shape your career, your confidence, your friends, and sometimes even your life in ways you never expect.
Respond
