The teaching and facilities at Bath are outstanding

I have just finished my first year at the University of Bath studying Biology with a professional placement and can confirm that moving is worth it!

After completing the international baccalaureate, I started exploring my options of studying abroad. As I had lived in England before I started looking at different universities across the country and the types of courses they offered. I was originally interested in politics and ended up applying for different combinations of politics, economics and international management. To aid in my application process, I contacted Across the Pond who acted as my school/student advisor and uploaded my predicted grades to UCAS (the university application portal used in the UK). Across the Pond were also able to advise me in how to finance my studies. They also helped me keep up to date with my application and would let me know if any additional information had been requested. The communication between me and the representative from Across the Pond was fast and essential to being able to attend university abroad. After I had received offers from 4 universities, I changed my mind about the course and decided that I wanted to study biology instead and to also defer starting uni until the next autumn. Instead of waiting to reapply the year after, I contacted the admissions of the university directly and asked to be reconsidered as a candidate for their biology with a professional placement course. I had also decided that I only wanted to try and get into the University of Bath, which I don’t recommend! Apply to more than one university for your course! The admissions team got back to me quickly and requested that I write a new personal statement. This is an example of how the university of Bath was able to be flexible and meet my needs.

After receiving my grades in the summer, I had an unconditional offer to study at the University of Bath starting the next autumn. During my gap year I worked in retail and travelled around Europe.

When September rolled around, I started packing and realised that two 23kg suitcases is hard to fit your previous life into! I moved into shared accommodation located on the very beautiful campus Bath has to offer. I lived with eleven other people, four other girls and seven boys, sharing the same kitchen and bathrooms. It was overwhelming being surrounded by people all the time especially as someone who has always considered themselves an introvert but after 9 months of living together, I consider them family and will continue living with the girls next year. Freshers’ week was a blast and included a lot of going out and exploring Bath’s nightlife. Christmas time was cozy; me and my flatmates made a big Christmas dinner together. Spring/early summer in Bath was dreamy, the location of our accommodation was in a green open space which we really took advantage of. Surrounding the campus are national trust fields which feature some of the most beautiful meadows and get very nice sunsets. If you value nature, then I really recommend the University of Bath! In the second semester, I met my boyfriend which has also allowed me to explore other areas of England when visiting his hometown.

Furthermore, the teaching and facilities at Bath are outstanding. I had many contact hours which included lectures, workshops and time in the labs. My favourite module was biodiversity where we would study a group of organisms in lectures for example plants and then have labs that would feature a wide range of extraordinary specimens. As well as the lecturers being present, there would also be two or three lab assistants that could answer your questions or just have a chat. I would leave the labs feeling inspired.

I also think that the city of Bath is a beautiful place to be a student, it is a heritage city which means that there are lots of tourists and there is always a busy feel. An aspect I really appreciate about Bath is that there isn’t a pressure to go out all the time partying and equally there isn’t a pressure to stay in all the time studying. There is always the opportunity for both. In addition, the University of Bath is a prestigious uni and a degree from there is usually very valuable.

In addition to my studies and social life, I also got a part time job in Bath. I work as a waitress at a restaurant and the money goes in my fun fund which only enhances my experience as a student. For example, to celebrate the end of exams me and some friends went to a festival in Bristol which is only a 15-minute train away!

If I were to do first year again, I would join more societies and sports! In the beginning it can be quite overwhelming, and I just didn’t feel I had the time to commit myself to more societies, however looking back I wish I would have! I did however join the Scandinavian society and met great people!

Despite the inevitably huge loan that I will have when I’ve finished my degree, I really think it is worth it. I have made friends I hope I will stay in contact with for life, I love my course, I love the freedom and feeling of accomplishment that comes along with establishing yourself in a new country. I can only wish that you also get a just as joyful experience.

- Lila