A GUIDE FOR EXCHANGE AND VISITING STUDENTS

Including Socrates-Erasmus Students

academic year 2006/2007

A Guide to the University of Bath for Exchange and Visiting Students (including Socrates-Erasmus Students)

CONTENTS

Introduction 3 Visiting Students, Exchange Students, Free-movers 3 First and Higher degrees 4 Equal opportunities 4 Note on contents 4 Contacts for further information 4

SECTION 1: About living and studying at the University of Bath 5Part A: General information 5

1A.1 The University of Bath 5 1A.2 The City of Bath and its surroundings 5 1A.3 The Library and Learning Centre 6 1A.4 Computing Services 6 1A.5 Sports recreation 6 1A.6 Creative arts 7 1A.7 Support services 7

1A.8 Students’ Union 7 1A.9 Students with disabilities 8 1A.10 Tuition fees 9 1A.11 Accommodation 9 1A.12 Cost of living 12 1A.13 Day-to-day travel and the ban on the use of cars 13

Part B: Academic information 14 1B.1 Subjects available at Bath and Faculty/Departmental/Structure 14 1B.2 English language courses 16 1B.3 Supervision 16 1B.4 The academic year 16

1B.5 Teaching methods and UK academic culture 17 1B.6 Assessments 17 1B.7 Units offered for study 18 1B.8 How to choose a suitable programme of study 18 1B.9 Detailed notes on using the Unit Catalogue 19 1B.10 Special units in English language and British studies 21 1B.11 Credit structure 22 1B.12 Results: grades 22 1B.13 Results: transcripts 22 1B.14 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits and grades 23

SECTION 2: How to apply 25 2.1 Entry requirements 25 2.2 How to apply 25 2.3 What happens after you have applied? 26 2.4 Preparation for arrival 27 2.5 Additional information for Socrates-Erasmus Students 27

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A Guide to the University of Bathfor Exchange and Visiting Students

(including Socrates-Erasmus Students)

INTRODUCTION

The University of Bath is one of Great Britain’s premier teaching and research universities. It principally offers first and higher degrees but it also welcomes Exchange and Visiting students for stays of one or two semesters without taking a qualification.

This guide provides information about studying at and living in Bath. Reading Section 1 should help you to decide whether the University of Bath is the right choice for your study abroad. Section 2 explains how to apply for a place.

Visiting Students

Students from any university outside the United Kingdom may apply as fee-paying Visiting Students to study a single subject area with the exception of Architecture, European Studies & Modern Languages, and Social and Policy Sciences. Applications for multiple subject areas cannot be accepted. The level of the tuition fee will depend upon nationality, domicile and subject of study as well as length of stay. Please see 1A.10 for more details.

This guide gives information for Visiting students at undergraduate level only. Visiting students at postgraduate level are administered by the Graduate Office, and different procedures and tuition fees apply. Contact details for the Graduate Office are: www.bath.ac.uk/grad-office/, tel. + 44 (0)1225 383234; fax + 44 (0)1225 386366.

Exchange Students

Students nominated by institutions with which the University of Bath has an exchange relationship in the appropriate subject area and level may apply as Exchange Students. Exchange students are not required to pay tuition fees. Most of the University’s exchange relationships are within Europe and are governed by the Socrates-Erasmus Programme of the European Union, so most of the Exchange students who join us are also Socrates-Erasmus students. However, we also have exchange agreements with partner institutions in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore the United States of America and Uruguay. Your home institution’s International Office or Socrates-Erasmus Office will be able to tell you whether there is any exchange agreement in place with the University of Bath and advise you how to apply for nomination.

Free-movers

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We regret that the University of Bath cannot accept free-movers.

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First and Higher Degrees

If you are interested in undertaking a full undergraduate degree, please see our Undergraduate Prospectus, www.bath.ac.uk/prospectus/undergrad/.

If you are interested in undertaking a full postgraduate degree, please see our Postgraduate Prospectus, www.bath.ac.uk/prospectus/postgrad/.

Equal Opportunities

The University of Bath is committed to a policy of equal opportunities in accordance with its Charter. It is the University's aim that potential and actual students are treated fairly on the basis of merit regardless of age, disability, family responsibilities, gender, HIV status, marital status, nationality, race, religious or political views or affiliations, sexual orientation, socio-economic background or transexualism.

The University follows a code of practice to ensure that this policy is fully effective, copies of which may be obtained by writing to the Personnel Office, University of Bath, BATH BA2 7AY, United Kingdom.

Note on contents

The information in this publication is correct at the time of going to press, but all matters which it contains are subject to change from time to time both before and after a candidate’s admission. The University of Bath reserves the right in every case at its discretion and for any reason to alter arrangements presented in this guide. Such changes are necessary as we aim continuously to improve our academic provision.

Contacts for further information

If after reading the guide you have any further questions please contact:

The Study Abroad AdministratorInternational OfficeUniversity of BathClaverton DownBATH BA2 7AYUNITED KINGDOM

tel. + 44 (0)1225 386766fax + 44 (0)1225 386366student-exchanges@bath.ac.ukwww.bath.ac.uk/international/studyabroad/

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SECTION 1: About living and studying at the University of Bath

Part A: General information

1A.1 The University of Bath

The University of Bath is one of Britain’s leading universities with an international reputation for teaching and research. It specialises in Science, Engineering, Management and Social Sciences. The well-equipped, modern campus is located in beautiful countryside within easy distance of the historic city centre, and there are many places of interest in the surrounding area. The University offers a wide range of social and leisure facilities, including outstanding provision for sports, and has a strong international community, with 24% of students joining us from more than 100 other countries.

Founded in 1966, the University of Bath is modern in both appearance and outlook. The campus is compact, with all major facilities easily accessible from a central pedestrian parade. Shops, eating places, bars, laboratories, lecture theatres, the Library and computer facilities are all grouped around this area. The University’s buildings are modern, light and functional and its green-field site contributes to a general feeling of space and calm. The University has a full-time student body of 9,500 and a strong sense of community.

Although still less than fifty years old, the University of Bath is now recognised as one of the UK's leading universities, with an international reputation for research and teaching of the highest academic standards. It has a distinctive approach that emphasises the education of professional practitioners, fosters high achievement, and promotes original inquiry and innovation in partnership with business, the professions, public services, and the voluntary sectors. It has close links with industry and commerce and is targeted by top employers. In a wider context, the Times Higher places it in the top 200 world universities.

1A.2 The City of Bath and its Surroundings

Bath is both historic and beautiful and is widely regarded as one of the most desirable places to live in Britain. Its interest and importance are recognised in UNESCO World Heritage status.

The hot mineral springs of Bath attracted the Romans for health and leisure, and the town became a spa resort. During the Saxon and Medieval periods it was the site of a succession of monasteries and major religious buildings, of which the only survivor is Bath Abbey, “the lantern of the West”. The eighteenth century saw the city’s resurgence as a spa resort, and much of the city’s beautiful architecture derives from this period of prosperity, including the elegant and famous Circus, Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge. The city is rich in museums and sites of interest and has many parks, gardens and green spaces.

The Bath Theatre Royal and Ustinov Theatre offer a varied programme throughout the year, and the city has several cinemas ranging from arthouse to mainstream. There are innumerable bars, cafes, pubs and restaurants catering for all tastes and price ranges, some of which also serve as venues for live music. In May and June each year the Bath International Festival takes place, offering daily events in classical, jazz, experimental and world music.

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Bath is a small, compact city and it takes little time to get out into the countryside. It is close to the Cotswolds, the Mendips, the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean, all areas of great interest and beauty. The fine old cities of Wells and Salisbury, and the ancient sites of Avebury and Stonehenge, are only an hour away, and for those seeking the shops and bustle of a major city, Bristol is less than half an hour, Cardiff one hour, and London less than two hours from Bath by train.

1A.3 The Library and Learning Centre

The University of Bath Library and Learning Centre is situated centrally on the campus, is open 24 hours a day during semesters, and aims through its materials and services to provide students with all the information they need when they need it.

It has a collection of 500,000 books and periodicals and subscribes to a wide range of electronic journals and databases. It is equipped with 400 PCs and other computer workstations which all access the campus network. The surroundings are comfortable and ideal for study.

For more information see www.bath.ac.uk/Library.

1A.4 Computing Services

The University of Bath Computing Services (BUCS) work with the Departments to provide appropriate computing facilities for study purposes. All students are issued with a computer username and password when they join the University which allows them to use the Library and Learning Centre PCs and those in dedicated teaching laboratories within the Departments. Microsoft word-processing, spreadsheet and database applications are available, together with laser printers and scanners. Subject-specific software, such as statistics and engineering drawing packages, are also provided.

Students have access to the World Wide Web and Electronic Mail and can connect to three powerful UNIX servers for programming. Access to the campus network including these facilities is also available from rooms in University halls of residence. In the last year we have installed wireless technology to many of the public areas across campus.

For more information see www.bath.ac.uk/BUCS/.

1A.5 Sports Recreation

The University of Bath has an excellent range of sports facilities, most of which are free of charge to students. There are many opportunities for all students to enjoy sport, whatever their level.

Our Sports Training Village and related complexes, which are located on campus, offer a floodlit eight-lane running track, two swimming pools (50 metres and 25 metres), indoor and outdoor tennis courts, synthetic grass pitches, a multi-purpose sports hall, squash courts, a weight training facility, a human performance testing laboratory and a physiotherapy centre. Instruction is available in more than fifty sports, games and physical activities.

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The University is recognised as a centre of excellence for sport and has been awarded the status of United Kingdom Sports Institute for the South West. A number of national and international performers and squads are based on campus and form the family of elite performers known as Team Bath. Team Bath includes high performance squads in badminton, bobsleigh, judo, hockey, football, netball, rugby, swimming, tennis, triathlon, track & field and modern pentathlon.

For more information on all aspects of sport at the University of Bath see www.bath.ac.uk/sports/.

1A.6 Creative Arts

The University student community is active in drama, dance, music and the visual arts, although it does not offer degrees in these areas.

The Creative Arts Department offers classes and workshops in theatre and dance (jazz, tap, ballet), and there are regular performances by the student orchestra, chamber choir, choral society and musical and operatic society, as well as by visiting artists. Tuition and rehearsal facilities are available for musicians, and there are many active student bands.

The University has well-equipped facilities for the visual arts and offers weekly workshops in a range of media and access to studio space outside session times.

For more information please see www.bath.ac.uk/arts/.

1A.7 Support Services

A comprehensive range of student support services provides information, advice and practical help. These include the Students’ Union Academic & Welfare Centre (AWARE), the Counselling Service, the Student Money Service, the International Office, the Chaplaincy Centre, the Learning Support Service, the Careers Advisory Service and the Health Centre. Further information may be found on our website, www.bath.ac.uk/students/support/.

Prospective students are particularly recommended to consult our International Student Handbook, which gives detailed information on a wide range of issues including immigration, health, personal safety, insurance, bank accounts, employment, and travel. The current edition can be downloaded from our website at www.bath.ac.uk/international/handbook/. The new edition is expected to be available in May each year and copies will automatically be sent to all students who receive an offer of admission.

Prospective students are strongly advised to ensure that they take out comprehensive medical, accident, personal liability and possessions insurance before they leave home.

1A.8 Students’ Union

The University of Bath Students’ Union (BUSU) is a non-political organisation run for students by students and aims to provide services, support, training and opportunities. All Exchange and Visiting students are invited to become members of BUSU when they enrol at the University of Bath.

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The website www.bathstudent.com/ gives information about the wide-ranging activities of the Students’ Union, including advice, welfare, shops, travel, food, entertainment, training, employment and voluntary service. See the Sport & Societies section for information on the many clubs and societies active at the University of Bath.

1A.9 Students with Disabilities

The University has a positive policy of supporting students with disabilities, and welcomes applications from students with disabilities, dyslexia, specific learning difficulties and additional support needs. If you require a publication in large print or in electronic format, please let us know.

We are happy to receive applications from disabled students and encourage you to enter your disability or condition in the appropriate place on the application form as this will enable us to send you information and advice promptly. It will also enable us to consider your application in an appropriate context and to arrange appropriate support for any visit or interview.

The University of Bath campus is a compact site, centred around level pedestrian access from the parade. All major buildings have wheelchair access via ramps and lifts and are equipped with wheelchair-accessible toilets. The University has undertaken an access audit and there is a major programme of works in place to develop campus access for disabled people. In the meantime, some areas of the campus have proved limiting for access, and you should consult the Learning Support Service.

The University has a number of specially adapted rooms for the accommodation of disabled students, but their availability is subject to the level of demand and priority is given to those who will be studying with us for the full academic year.

The Learning Support Service will provide initial screening for study difficulties, identification and assessment of needs and general advice, and will also administer access to appropriate learning support and personal care. They will also be able to offer the loan of equipment e.g. dictaphones, tape recorders, wheelchairs and portable hearing systems, and arrange support for lecture access. Other forms of support may be costly, scarcer to resource, harder to set up, or dependent on funding. Unfortunately, international students are not entitled to the UK government allowances for students with disabilities. The University will make every effort to help you. However, you may be asked to fund resources or equipment that may be identified in an assessment of your needs, and which are in addition to those outlined above.

Please contact the Learning Support Service at the earliest opportunity, as it can take some time to help you identify and prepare to meet your individual support needs. We will treat all enquiries on a confidential basis.

For further information and advice, including information in an alternative format, please contact our Learning Support Student Advisor:

Tel: + 44 1225 383241Email: learningsupport@bath.ac.ukWeb: www.bath.ac.uk/learning-support/

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1A.10 Tuition fees

Visiting Students will be required to pay University of Bath tuition fees. The level of fees changes from year to year and depends upon their nationality, domicile, subject of study and length of stay. The table below shows the level of undergraduate tuition fees for the academic year 2006/2007

SUBJECT

STATUS

Faculty of Engineering & Design (including Architecture);Faculty of Science

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences;School of Management

Home/European UnionUndergraduate2006/2007

full academic year: £3,000one semester only: £1,500

full academic year: £3,000one semester only: £1,500

Overseas/non-European UnionUndergraduate2006/2007

full academic year: £11,900one semester only: £5,950

full academic year: £9,300one semester only: £4,650

Where there is doubt whether a student has Home/EU or Overseas status, he/she will be asked to complete a Fees Status Questionnaire.

1A.11 Accommodation

The University of Bath owns a limited number of halls of residence and gives priority for accommodation in these halls to permanent full-time students in the first year of their degree. We regret that this means that only a limited number of Exchange and Visiting Students can be offered a place in University of Bath accommodation. Those who cannot be housed in University residences will be responsible for finding their own privately rented accommodation in the city.

A checklist of the circumstances in which Exchange and Visiting Students may be eligible for a place in University of Bath accommodation is given in the table on the following page. Where University accommodation is offered it will always be in off-campus halls of residence in the city centre; the main price range for this is expected to be £71.50 to £88.00 per week including electricity/gas/water etc. in 2006/2007. However, University accommodation is always subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.

There is a minimum letting period for University accommodation of one full Semester (approx. 20 weeks) which applies to ALL students. We regret that we will not be able to give refunds for non-residence in vacations or for early departure.

In allocating the very limited places available in University accommodation preference will be given among Exchange and Visiting Students to those who are studying at the University of Bath for the full academic year.

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University of Bath accommodation eligibility checklist

Student Category Eligibility for University Accommodation

Visiting Students who are:-from outside the European Unionand-paying “overseas” (i.e. non-European Union) tuition feesand-submit their academic and accommodation application forms on time*

Will usually be offered a place in one of the University of Bath off-campus halls of residence in the city centre. (Minimum letting period: one full semester, approx. 20 weeks.)

Visiting Students who are:-from the European Union and-paying “home” (i.e. European Union) tuition fees

Will not usually be offered a place in University of Bath accommodation.

Exchange Students who are:-from partners which have a reciprocal housing agreement with the University of Bath and- submit their academic and accommodation application forms on time*

Will usually be offered a place in one of the University of Bath off-campus halls of residence in the city centre provided that the conditions of the reciprocal housing agreement are met and that academic and accommodation application forms are submitted on time*. (Minimum letting period: one full semester, approx. 20 weeks.)

PLEASE NOTE that the University of Bath will tell you in your offer of admission letter if you will receive a place in University halls of residence because of a reciprocal housing agreement with your home institution. Otherwise you should assume that you will not be able to receive a place in University of Bath accommodation.

Exchange Students who are from partners which do NOT have a reciprocal housing agreement with the University of Bath

Will not usually be offered a place in University of Bath accommodation.

Exchange and Visiting students who are joining the University of Bath for summer projects in Engineering or Pharmacy & Pharmacology in the months March to August

Please work on the assumption that you will not be offered University of Bath accommodation. The availability of accommodation in off-campus halls of residence in the city centre is unpredictable and cannot be confirmed until close to the time.

All Exchange and Visiting students who do not submit their academic and accommodation application forms on time*

Will not usually be offered University of Bath accommodation.

* “On time”: Academic application forms should be submitted to the Study Abroad Administrator by 1st June for September entry or by 1st November for February entry. Application for accommodation will become possible only after a study place has been offered; students will be advised of their accommodation deadline when they receive their academic offer of admission.

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For those eligible for University of Bath accommodation:

Details of accommodation available and how to apply will usually be mailed to eligible students in June for Semester 1 entrance and in November for Semester 2 entrance. It is not possible to apply for a place in University of Bath accommodation until you have received a formal offer of admission letter from the University. For information only in the meantime, details of the off-campus halls of residence may be found at www.bath.ac.uk/accommodation/.

Payment for accommodation is for the full study period selected (Semester 1, Semester 2, or full academic year), including any relevant vacations. We regret that we will NOT be able to give refunds for non-residence in vacations or for early departure.

For those NOT eligible for University of Bath accommodation:

Those students who cannot be housed in University residences will be responsible for finding their own privately rented accommodation in the city.

It is helpful to be aware that most private sector accommodation is located outside the city centre, and that most students need to take two buses to get to the University campus, one from their home to the centre, and one from the centre to the campus. It is normal to expect a journey of up to one hour between your home and the University campus.

Finding suitable private accommodation in Bath is not easy, because although there are plenty of rooms available, there is also great demand for them. Therefore students joining the University in Semester 1 are VERY STRONGLY ADVISED to come to Bath for one to two weeks in or before August to do their house-hunting.

If you are unavoidably prevented from coming to Bath in advance, it is essential to find yourself some temporary accommodation, such as a Youth Hostel, Hotel or Guest House, so that you have somewhere to stay while you are looking for somewhere to live. Please be aware that this could take several weeks.

The University of Bath Accommodation Office is able to provide help with certain aspects of finding private accommodation, but students must have submitted their completed application form before they can receive this assistance.

The help available is:

Access to a regularly updated database of private sector rentals, accessible online by password or in paper print-outs [contact the Accommodation Office after you have submitted your completed application form];

The Accommodation Bulletin Board, accessed via the database as above. Students advertise here to find house-share partners;

Inexpensive temporary accommodation at the University for house-hunting purposes between July and mid-September (known as “short-term lettings”) [contact beds@bath.ac.uk];

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The House-hunting Weekend, organised with the Students’ Union, usually in early to mid-August [details will be posted on the Accommodation Office website in July, or contact aware@union.bath.ac.uk to receive the details as soon as they are issued];

A contract checking service: we would advise you NOT to sign any contract until you have had it checked [Show the proposed contract to the Students’ Union Aware Centre, 1 East Level 3].

Private sector accommodation falls into two main categories:

1. Houses or flats to share with 2-5 other students where the landlord/landlady is non-resident. These usually involve an assured shorthold tenancy agreement for 6-12 months, but are in practice rarely available for less than one full academic year. The average rent for this kind of accommodation is expected to be £70.00 per week in 2006/2007, not including electricity/gas/water bills. A group of sharers will be asked to sign a joint tenancy contract creating a shared legal liability. This means that the tenants are responsible for the whole rent for the whole period of the tenancy. It is important to be aware that if you share a house or flat of this kind with other tenants who are not students you will be required to pay Council Tax – see the International Student Handbook, www.bath.ac.uk/international/handbook/, and the Student Money Service notes, www.bath.ac.uk/students/money-service/guides/moving.html.

2. An individual study bedroom in a house where you share the communal facilities (kitchen/lounge/bathroom) with the resident landlord/landlady and their family. Rental agreements tend to be more flexible and are often available for shorter periods. The typical rent is expected to range from £55.00-£65.00 per week in 2006/2007, including electricity/gas/water bills.

Private rented accommodation is usually furnished to a basic standard. You should expect to provide your own bedding, towels and kitchen utensils.

You will be asked to pay a deposit, usually one month’s rent, and one month’s rent in advance to secure private accommodation. A landlord may ask for references from a previous landlord or from your home institution, a bank reference and/or a letter guaranteeing payment of the rent from your family or sponsor.

The Student Money Service provides useful notes on the financial aspects of living in private sector accommodation at www.bath.ac.uk/students/money-service/guides/moving.html.

1A.12 Cost of living

Most students from outside the United Kingdom would comment that it is quite an expensive country in which to live. Within the United Kingdom, Bath would be thought to be quite an expensive place: less costly than London, but more costly than Leeds or Manchester. It is important to be aware of this.

Your living expenses will vary according to your life-style and type of accommodation but will probably be in the range £6,920 to £7,820. The Student Money Centre produces detailed budget estimates which you can find online at www.bath.ac.uk/students/money-service/budgets/osug.htm. You will also need to take into account the cost of comprehensive medical, accident personal liability and possessions insurance with which all students should provide themselves before they leave home.

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1A.13 Day-to-day travel and the ban on the use of cars

The University of Bath campus is about 2 km from the centre of the city of Bath. There is a frequent bus service to and from the University, with reasonably priced tickets for students. A 10-journey ticket cost £6.00 in 2005/2006 and discounted student bus passes are available for those who will use more than two buses each day.

The distance is walkable, but the route to the University is up a steep hill all the way. It is only suitable for the most energetic cyclists.

The use of cars is restricted by strong regulations on parking. Students living in University residences are not permitted to keep a car. Students living in postal districts BA1 and BA2, which include all University of Bath halls of residence and most privately rented accommodation, are NOT ALLOWED to park vehicles on the University site or within the City of Bath boundaries unless they are granted an exceptional circumstances permit on medical grounds.

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Part B: Academic information

1B.1 Subjects available at Bath and Faculty/Departmental Structure

The University of Bath offers a range of degree programmes in the subject areas listed below:

Accounting & FinanceAerospace EngineeringArchitectural StudiesAutomotive EngineeringBiochemical EngineeringBiochemistryBiologyBioprocess Engineering Business AdministrationChemical EngineeringChemistryCivil EngineeringCoach Education and Sports DevelopmentCommunications EngineeringComputer Information SystemsComputer ScienceComputer Software TheoryEconomicsElectronic & Electrical EngineeringEuropean StudiesFrenchGermanInnovation and Engineering DesignInternational Management

ItalianManagementManufacturing EngineeringMathematicsMechanical EngineeringMedical EngineeringMolecular and Cellular BiologyNatural SciencesPharmacologyPharmacy PhysicsPoliticsPsychologyRussianSocial Policy and AdministrationSocial SciencesSocial WorkSociologySpace Science and TechnologySpanishSport and Exercise ScienceSports EngineeringSports TechnologyStatistics

In addition to these subjects, units are also offered to Exchange and Visiting Students in the areas of English Language and British Studies ( Film, History, Literature, Society).

The University is structured into three Faculties and two Schools. Each of the Faculties is divided into Departments. The table below shows which Departments and subject areas belong to which Faculty or School.

FACULTY and DEPARTMENTS

SUBJECTS TAUGHT

Faculty of Engineering and Design Aerospace Engineeringwww.bath.ac.uk/engineering/ Architectural Studies

Automotive EngineeringDepartment of Architecture & Civil Engineering Biochemical EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering Bioprocess EngineeringDepartment of Electronic & Electrical Engineering Chemical EngineeringDepartment of Engineering & Applied Science Civil EngineeringDepartment of Mechanical Engineering Communications Engineering

Electronic & Electrical EngineeringInnovation and Engineering DesignManufacturing Engineering

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FACULTY and DEPARTMENTS

SUBJECTS TAUGHT

Mechanical EngineeringMedical EngineeringSpace Science and TechnologySports EngineeringSports Technology

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences British Studies (Exchange & Visiting units only)www.bath.ac.uk/hss/ Coach Education and Sports Development

EconomicsDepartment of Economics & International Development English Language (Overseas Students units only)Department of European Studies & Modern Languages European StudiesDepartment of Psychology FrenchDepartment of Social & Policy Sciences German

ItalianPoliticsPsychologyRussianSocial Policy and AdministrationSocial SciencesSocial WorkSociologySpanish

Faculty of Science Biochemistrywww.bath.ac.uk/science/ Biology

ChemistryDepartment of Biology & Biochemistry Computer Information SystemsDepartment of Chemistry Computer ScienceDepartment of Computer Science Computer Software TheoryDepartment of Mathematical Sciences MathematicsDepartment of Pharmacy & Pharmacology Molecular and Cellular BiologyDepartment of Physics Natural Sciences

PharmacologyPharmacy PhysicsStatistics

School of Management Accounting & Financewww.bath.ac.uk/management/ Business Administration

International ManagementManagement

School for Health(formerly the Department of Sport & Exercise Science)www.bath.ac.uk/health/

Sport & Exercise Science

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1B.2 English language courses

All courses at the University of Bath are taught in English.

Although the University offers both pre-sessional and in-sessional courses for improving English language skills, all Exchange and Visiting students will be required to show that they have an appropriate level of spoken and written English for full academic and social participation BEFORE they join the University of Bath. Please see page 25 for details.

In-sessional courses

Exchange and Visiting students may choose in-sessional English language courses as part of their academic programme. Courses offered usually include Academic Writing, Spoken English, Reading and Vocabulary, English for Business, and Cambridge Examination Classes. See section 1B.10.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Bath English Language Centre runs a programme of pre-sessional courses in English language during the summer period. Details are available on our website at www.bath.ac.uk/elc/. Please note that tuition fees for these courses are charged to all participants, including Exchange and Socrates-Erasmus Students.

1B.3 Supervision

All students at the University of Bath are members of one of the Departments. Socrates-Erasmus Students and most Exchange Students will automatically be members of the Department with which the Bilateral Agreement is held. Other Exchange Students and Visiting Students will be members of the Department in which they wish to choose the majority of their units.

Each Department has a Departmental Coordinator, a member of academic staff who is responsible for the academic mentoring and general welfare of Exchange and Visiting Students.

1B.4 The academic year

The academic year at the University of Bath is divided into two semesters and teaching is organised in modular, semester-based units. Each semester is made up of teaching weeks followed by a period of revision and assessment during which examinations are scheduled.

The dates for the academic year 2006/2007 are:

Semester 1: 27th September 2006 to 27th January 2007Wednesday 27th to Friday 29th September 2006: Induction/OrientationMonday 2nd October 2006 to Friday 22nd December 2006: TeachingSaturday 23rd December 2006 to Sunday 7th January 2007: Christmas VacationMonday 8th to Friday 12th January 2007: Revision WeekMonday 15th to Saturday 27 January 2007: Examination Period

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Semester 2: circa 29th January 2007 to 1st June 2007 The Induction/Orientation Period is to be confirmed.Monday 29th January 2007 to Friday 23rd March 2007: TeachingSaturday 24th March 2007 to Sunday 15th April 2007: Easter VacationMonday 16 April 2007 to Friday 4th May 2007: TeachingMonday 7th to Friday 11th May 2007: Revision WeekMonday 14th May 2007 to Friday 1st June 2007: Examination Period

For further details please see www.bath.ac.uk/semester/.

1B.5 Teaching methods and UK academic culture

The University of Bath uses a variety of teaching methods combining the traditional lecture with seminar teaching, team case studies and projects, and laboratory-based practicals.

Academic culture and expectations differ according to subject, level of study and type of institution, but most of all between different countries. Some key aspects of the predominant academic culture in the UK are:

Emphasis on private study: students receive guidance and suggestions for further reading then take these as a starting point to work independently for a significant proportion of their time.

Critical judgement: assessing for yourself whether theories are coherent and well supported by evidence is regarded as very important.

Academic staff welcome student response and involvement. Students ask questions without fear or embarrassment if there is anything which they do not

understand. In assessments, it is not enough for students to show that they have learned the factual data of

their subject. They must also show that they can apply what they know to different examples/situations.

• If you use the words or ideas of another person in your work you must acknowledge your source (this process is called “referencing” and your Department will explain its preferred style of doing so). Failure to do so is interpreted as plagiarism, that is, as taking the idea of someone else and passing it off as your own. It is considered to be a serious academic offence and severe penalties apply.

1B.6 Assessments

Units are assessed by a variety of different methods and often by a combination of several elements, such as coursework and examinations. The method/s of assessment for each unit are shown in the Programme and Unit Catalogues - see Table 3 on page 21 for the abbreviations used.

All Exchange and Visiting Students are required to take all forms of assessment associated with each of their chosen units.

However, since Semester 1 ends in late January or early February each year, the University of Bath can at its discretion make alternative arrangements for those who are unavoidably prevented from returning after the Christmas vacation because they are required to be back in attendance at their home institution.

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Students in this position must provide written confirmation from their home institution at the beginning of Semester 1 so that alternative arrangements for their assessment can be made. The decision to allow alternative assessments and the form which they take will be at the discretion of the University of Bath department or departments concerned.

(NB, There is a minimum letting period for University accommodation of one full Semester [approx. 20 weeks] which applies to ALL students. We regret that we will NOT be able to give refunds for non-residence in vacations or for early departure.)

The University of Bath cannot make alternative arrangements for assessment in Semester 2.

1B.7 Units offered for study

Your choice of units must be approved by the Departmental Coordinator at the University of Bath, and by your academic supervisor at your home institution. Students will usually be required to choose the majority of their units within a single subject area.

The full catalogue of units offered for study is available on our website at www.bath.ac.uk/catalogues/. (We no longer produce printed catalogues because they quickly become out of date.) The most recent year currently shown in the Catalogue is 2005/2006. Details for 2006/2007 will be added to the Catalogue around Easter 2006 but prospective students should use the units available in 2005/2006 for approximate guidance in the meantime.

The University may make changes to programmes and units in accordance with its normal procedures, and will determine whether units will run based on constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors. It is possible, therefore, that a unit you read about in the Catalogue may not run, or that you may be unable to take it. In some cases, a unit may become available after the publication of the Catalogue, and if you are able to take it, you will be advised about it separately.

When you access the Programme and Unit Catalogues, you will be able to choose whether to view units by programme or by unit. From the Programme and Unit Catalogues homepage (www.bath.ac.uk/catalogues/) choose View Catalogues then UG Catalogues, then the appropriate Faculty and Department. Choose Programme List to view the structure of each degree programme and the units which are available within it. Choose Units to read descriptions of all the units which are associated with each University Department.

1B.8 How to choose a suitable programme of study

BackgroundIn choosing a programme of study it helps to understand how things work at the University of Bath. As at most English universities, students specialise in one subject area for their degree. Once a student has registered on a degree programme, he or she will be committed to certain compulsory courses each year, plus a smaller number of elective courses within the same subject area.

Timetables are planned to fit this structure. This means that Level 1 courses in Physics, for example, are arranged to be timetable-compatible with other level 1 courses in Physics, because they are what Physics

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students will be taking in Year 1. They will not be timetable-compatible with courses at other levels in Physics, nor with courses at any level in other subjects, except by chance. In addition to this, the University of Bath timetable is not finalised and published until shortly before classes begin. This is not a problem in a system where the degree programme which you have chosen dictates which courses you are going to take.

This degree structure is also at the heart of the organisational and financial structure of the University of Bath. Since students are taking programmes primarily specialised in one subject area, they are receiving most if not all of their teaching from one Department. That is where they are registered, and there is a very strong sense of belonging to, and identifying with, that Department.

How this affects your unit choices

1. You will “belong” to the Department in which you will be registered. You will usually be required to choose the majority of your units within the subject area of that Department. If you are a Socrates-Erasmus or other Exchange Student, this will be the Department in which the Exchange Agreement is held.

2. In order to minimise the potential for timetable clashes (since the timetable is not known in advance), we advise you to take the majority of your units from one year of one of your Department’s degree programmes. Then when you arrive in Bath and the timetable is published, you can select the remainder of your units from those which chance to be compatible.

1B.9 Detailed notes on using the Unit Catalogue

Choose Programme List to view the structure of each degree programme and the units which are available within it. Viewing the Unit Catalogue this way helps you to see how things will fit together on the timetable.

Choose Units to read descriptions of all the units which are associated with each University Department. Units are listed in unit code order and, in addition to the unit name, aims and objectives and content, the following information is given:

Unit code and name

This shows which Department teaches the unit and its level. See Table 1 below for a key to the abbreviations.

Credits How many credits you will be awarded if you successfully complete the unit. University of Bath credits are ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits.

Level Units have been assigned a level code and description to help to guide your choice of units. See Table 2 below for a key.

Period Semester 1, Semester 2, or Academic Year for year-long units.

If the same subject is taught in both Semesters 1 and 2, there will be two separately coded entries for it; you will need to make sure that you are looking at the right one.

Assessment The abbreviations for the different types of assessment are explained in Table 3 on page 21.

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Requisites You will find that some units may only be taken if you have taken certain other units first, or if you take certain units at the same time or in the same year. It is also possible that if you take a particular unit, another specified unit or units may be excluded from your choice. It is important that you check this information as it may restrict your choices. Three sorts of rule are given to cover this sort of relationship between units. These are shown in the unit details under 'Requisites':- Pre-requisites are those units you must have taken in a previous year or semester in order to study this unit. Directors of Studies will advise Exchange and Visiting Students on how Pre-Requisites apply to them, as their previous programme of study at their home institution will be taken into account.- Co-requisites are units you must take within the same year or semester in order to study this unit.- Excluded units are units which you are unable to take if you study this unit.

Units at the levels “Certificate”, “Intermediate” and “Honours” will usually be available to Exchange and Visiting Students. Exceptions are:

The following Certificate level units offered by the School of Management are not available to Exchange and Visiting students, namely MN10001-MN10008, MN10070, MN10077-MN10079, MN10098 and MN10103.

SP30008 and SP30009, Sociology Dissertation 1 and 2, offered by the Department of Social & Policy Sciences, are not available to Exchange and Visiting students.

Some project units and laboratory units are not always available to Exchange and Visiting Students. Students will be informed of these on an individual basis after we receive their applications.

Units from postgraduate Master’s and Doctoral courses are not available to Exchange and Visiting Students. These are marked “Master’s” or “Doctoral” and level code 5 or level code 6 in the Unit Catalogues. (This restriction does not normally apply to units marked “Master’s” and level code 4).

Table 1: How the unit codes refer to Departments

AR Dept. of Architecture & Civil Engineering MA Dept. of Mathematical SciencesBB Dept. of Biology & Biochemistry ME Dept. of Mechanical EngineeringCE Dept. of Chemical Engineering MN School of ManagementCH Dept. of Chemistry MS Dept. of Medical SciencesCM Dept. of Computer Science PA Dept. of Pharmacy & PharmacologyEC Dept. of Economics & International

DevelopmentPH Dept. of Physics

ED Dept. of Education PS Dept. of PsychologyEE Dept. of Electronic & Electrical Engineering SP Dept. of Social & Policy SciencesEG Dept. of Engineering & Applied Sciences FH School for Health (formerly the Dept. of Sport

& Exercise Science)EU Dept. of European Studies & Modern

LanguagesXX Cross-departmental

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Table 2: Units have been assigned a level code and description to help to guide your choice of units. The level code is the first numeral in the unit code. For example, in the unit code MA40050 the level code is 4.

Level Code

Letter Code

Description

1 C “Certificate”. Initial degree level, not normally counting towards the final degree classification. Usually available to Exchange and Visiting Students.*

2 I “Intermediate”. Degree level, normally counting towards the final degree classification. Usually available to Exchange and Visiting Students.

3 H “Honours”. Degree level, counting towards the final degree classification. Usually available to Exchange and Visiting Students.

4 M “Master’s”. Degree level, counting towards the final degree classification of undergraduate and postgraduate Master’s degrees. Usually available to Exchange and Visiting Students.

5 M “Master’s”. Degree level, counting towards the final degree classification of postgraduate Master’s degrees. NOT AVAILABLE TO EXCHANGE AND VISITING STUDENTS

6 D “Doctoral”. Available only to Postgraduate research students. NOT AVAILABLE TO EXCHANGE AND VISITING STUDENTS

*Many Certificate level units offered by the School of Management (i.e. units with codes beginning MN1 in the Unit Catalogues) are NOT available to Exchange and Visiting students – please see details in 1B.9 above.

Table 3: To indicate the nature and proportion of the types of assessment associated with each unit there is a code followed by a numeric value to represent the percentage. For example, an assessment made entirely on the basis of a formal examination would be coded EX100. If there is no information, this does not mean there is no assessment! This information is for guidance only and may not be definitive. Please ask your Departmental Coordinator for more information.

Code

Type of assessment

CW CourseworkDS DissertationES Assessed essayEX Written examinationOR Oral examinationOT OtherPR Practical or laboratory classes/reports/workRT Report

1B.10 Special Units in English Language and British Studies

Irrespective of their principal subject of study, Exchange and Visiting Students may usually include English Language and/or British Studies units in their academic programme.

English language units for students who are not native speakers of English: A range of units is offered, usually including Academic Writing, Spoken English, Reading and Vocabulary, English for Business, and Cambridge Examination Classes. For a list of these units please see www.bath.ac.uk/elc/in-sessional/overview.htm. To view details of these units (and for their codes) go into the UG Catalogue as described in 1B.7 above, select Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, then European Studies &

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Modern Languages, Department of, UNITS. Exchange and Visiting Students are generally permitted to take one six-credit or two three-credit English language units. British Studies units: These units are offered exclusively for Exchange and Visiting Students. The subject areas covered usually include British History, Society, Literature and Film. To view details of these units go into the UG Catalogue as described in 1B.7 above and select Catalogue of Units for Visiting Students at the bottom of the page.

1B.11 Credit Structure

The University has adopted a credit-rating structure for the units which make up our programmes. It is important to understand this structure when you plan your choice of units.

Firstly, the credit-rating structure helps to describe your workload. It starts out with 60 credits for a typical undergraduate year, which are then divided to give an approximate workload for each of the units which the year includes. The majority of Departments will be using a system which breaks down to 3, 6, or 12 credits per unit, with the possibility that project work may have different values.

Secondly, the credit-rating structure helps to describe how work contributes towards the award of a degree. The typical undergraduate degree programme will require the accumulation of 60 credits in each year of the programme. Exchange and Visiting Students will normally be expected to take between 24 and 30 credits per semester. Students who wish to follow additional units should note that taking more than 30 credits per semester has serious workload implications which should be discussed with their Departmental Coordinator.

You will automatically acquire the credits for units which you pass. You should note that the marks you gain are distinct from credits: credits reflect workload; marks reflect performance.

If you do not pass a unit at the first attempt, it might be possible to acquire the credits by re-taking and passing the assessment (if this is permitted), or by the appropriate body (such as a Board of Examiners) deciding that you may be awarded the credits. However, these avenues are only permitted to Exchange and Visiting Students in exceptional circumstances.

Exchange and Visiting Students from institutions in the European Union and within the Socrates-Erasmus Programme should note how University of Bath credits fit within the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS): see Section 1B.14.

1B.12 Results: grades

The University of Bath uses a percentage system for expressing the results of assessments. The pass mark is normally 40%.

In parallel with this system, the University of Bath also uses ECTS grades for students from European Union home institutions. See further details in section 1B.14 below.

1B.13 Results: transcripts

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All Exchange and Visiting Students will receive two copies of their official University of Bath transcript which will be sent to their home address after their departure. Students who join the University for Semester 1 only will receive their transcripts in early to mid-April; those who join for the full academic year or for Semester 2 only will receive them in late August. Please be aware of these dates and make your plans accordingly as it will NOT be possible to issue transcripts earlier than stated.

The transcript will show:

- name, date of birth, and University of Bath registration number;- unit codes and names;- University of Bath grades;- ECTS grades (European Union institution students only);- number of credits awarded for each unit.

The reverse of the transcript will show:

- a key to the ECTS grading scale (see Table 5 on page 24);- a key of equivalence between University of Bath grades and the USA system (Table 4 below).

Table 4: Key to equivalence between University of Bath and USA grades

DEGREE CLASS BATH MARK (%) USA GRADEI (Excellent) 70 or over A+II.i (Very Good) 66 to 69

64 to 6560 to 63

AA-

B+II.ii (Good) 55 to 59

50 to 54BB-

III (Satisfactory) 46 to 4944 to 4540 to 43

C+CC-

Ordinary Pass 38 to 3936 to 3735

D+DD-

Fail 34 or under F

1B.14 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) Credits and Grades

The European Credit Transfer System was developed within the Socrates-Erasmus Programme as a means of improving academic recognition for study abroad. It makes it easier for institutions to give full academic recognition to the learning achievements of students through the use of commonly understood measurements – credits showing workload and grades showing performance – and for those achievements to be transferred from one institution to another.

Credits showing workload

Under this System, a full undergraduate year will consist of 60 ECTS credits and a single semester of 30 ECTS credits. You will notice from this that University of Bath credits are identical to ECTS credits: 1 University of Bath credit = 1 ECTS credit.

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Grades showing performance

The University of Bath grading system is an absolute scale, based on a mark out of 100. Many other institutions across Europe also use an absolute scale, but with a range of different reference points. For instance, some use a mark out of 10, others a mark out of 30, others a mark out of 6 etc. You have to know how each system works both in theory and in practice in order to work out how good a performance is shown by any given mark within that system.

The ECTS grading system is a relative scale – see Table 5 below. The letter grades A to F indicate a student’s performance relative to the others studying the same unit in the same place at the same time. This means that it can be applied to produce a “best fit” translation of the results achieved in one grading system into any other.

Broadly speaking, the letter grade A is awarded to students whose results place them in the top ten percent of their peer group for that unit. The letter grade B is awarded to those students whose results are in the top thirty-five percent but not in the top ten percent, and so on through grades, C, D, E and F.

However, different countries’ systems also differ in where the significant percentage bands begin and end in the spread of students’ results within a peer group. For example, although many systems view the top ten percent as a significant band, others place emphasis on the top five percent. This is where the description words in capitals, “EXCELLENT”, “VERY GOOD”, etc. come in as a refinement to the percentage bands. In order to be awarded an ECTS grade of A, a student’s result should fall into the band of marks which the institution would normally describe as “excellent”. This would frequently, but not always, be the top ten percent.

If you are from a European university, your official transcript will show both your absolute grades in the University of Bath system and your ECTS grades calculated relative to your peers in those units, in order to give maximum comparability information for you home institution.

Table 5: Key to ECTS Grading Scale

ECTS Grade

% of Students normally achieving the grade

Definition

A 10 EXCELLENT – Outstanding performance with only minor errors

B 25 VERY GOOD – Above average standard but with some errors

C 30 GOOD – Generally sound work but with a number of notable errors

D 25 SATISFACTORY – Fair but with significant shortcomings

E 10 SUFFICIENT – Performance meets the minimum criteria

FX -- FAIL – Some more work required before credit can be awarded

F -- FAIL – Considerable further work is required

N/A -- NOT APPLICABLE – Does not apply to this student

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SECTION 2: How to apply

2.1 Entry requirements

Academic

Applicants for courses at the University of Bath will be expected to have achieved a high academic standard in their studies at their home university and a similar level of attainment in their pre-university education to that required of full-degree entrants to the University of Bath. In some courses there may also be specific entrance requirements, for example a knowledge of a particular area of mathematics or engineering.

English language

All courses are taught in English and all non-native speakers are required to show that they have an appropriate level of spoken and written English for full academic and social participation. Usually this means a score of at least 6.0 in the British Council/IELTS English language test, or of at least 80 in the internet-based TOEFL test (213 in the computer-based test or 550 in the paper-based test). Entrants to the School of Management will usually be required to have a score of at least 6.5 in IELTS or 92 (237, 580) in TOEFL .

For other means of showing an appropriate level in English language see “Section 6, English language competence” below.

2.2 How to apply

The application form is available by post or e-mail from the Study Abroad Administrator, contact details on page 4, or can be printed from our website at www.bath.ac.uk/international/studyabroad/. It should be returned by post, or by fax followed by post. We regret that we are not able to accept applications by e-mail.

Please complete the form as fully as possible. Incomplete applications will be returned.

The following comments might be helpful:

Sections 3 & 4, Your Current Studies & Your School StudiesPlease give details of: the subjects which you studied at school and the grades which you achieved; the subjects which you are studying at your home institution and the grades which you have

achieved so far. Please enclose transcripts of these results. Do not try to translate these into British equivalents – give the titles used in your home country.

Section 6, English language competencePlease include your IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge results here. If you have not yet taken any of these tests please give full details of your level of English, including how long you have been studying the

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language and the results of any exams (school, university etc.) which you have taken, and include a statement from your academic tutor attesting to the level which you have achieved.

Section 8, Your proposed study programmePlease use the Programme and Unit Catalogues (www.bath.ac.uk/catalogues/) and read the instructions in section 1B.7 above in order to select the units which you wish to study. Choice of units will be subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed in advance, but your provisional selection will enable the University of Bath and your home institution to make sure that your choice is broadly appropriate. Please include at least three additional units as reserves.

Section 9, Approval of applicationThis section must be signed by the appropriate academic advisor at your home institution. In the case of Exchange Students (including Socrates-Erasmus) it must also be stamped by your home institution.

Section 11, Checklist of additional documents requiredPlease enclose: a transcript of your home institution subjects and grades; your English language results/details of English language studies/academic tutor’s statement of

competence in English language; a reference from your academic tutor, attesting to your competence and suitability to undertake

study abroad at the University of Bath; a transcript of your school subjects and grades. This is normally required for Visiting Students.

Socrates-Erasmus and other Exchange Students should include it if they wish to offer their school studies of English as evidence of their level of English.

AccommodationStudents must complete the academic application process and receive a formal offer of a study place before they apply for University accommodation or access to the private accommodation information service. Please see section 1A.11 for details of which students are eligible to apply for University accommodation.

Please send your completed form and additional documents to:

The Study Abroad AdministratorInternational OfficeUniversity of BathBATH BA2 7AY, UNITED KINGDOMfax + 44 (0)1225 386366 (remember to send a paper copy with your original signature as well)

The deadlines for receipt of applications are:

1st June for applications for Semester 1 or the full academic year;1st November for applications for Semester 2.

2.3 What happens after you have applied?

We will send an acknowledgement of receipt of your application, by e-mail if you have provided an e-mail address and otherwise by airmail.

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We will send a formal response to your application, usually within four weeks of receiving it, both by letter and by e-mail if an address is provided.

If we are able to offer you a place our response will be a formal offer of admission letter. This may include conditions which you must meet, and/or restrictions or recommendations on your choice of units. We will ask you to complete a reply form to let us know whether you wish to accept or decline our offer.

2.4 Preparation for arrival

Orientation and welcome events will be organised for new students. These are expected to take place from Wednesday 27th to Friday 29th September 2006 for Semester 1. Orientation dates for Semester 2 are to be confirmed.

Practical information and instructions on coming to live and study at the University of Bath will be sent to you before you join us, including accommodation application details for those eligible for University of Bath accommodation and information on finding privately rented accommodation for those who are not eligible.

We will send you the latest edition of the International Student Handbook which gives detailed information on a wide range of issues including immigration, health, personal safety, insurance, bank accounts, employment, and travel. In the meantime you can find the most recent edition of the Handbook on our website at www.bath.ac.uk/international/handbook/.

Students are strongly advised to take out fully comprehensive insurance cover for medical expenses, personal accident, personal liability, and possessions.

2.5 Additional Information for Socrates-Erasmus Students

The formal details of the University of Bath for Socrates-Erasmus purposes are as follows:

Name: University of BathSocrates-Erasmus code: UK BATH01Address: Claverton Down, BATH, BA2 7AY, United KingdomInstitutional Co-ordinator: Mr Andrew Howman, Senior Assistant RegistrarInstitutional Administrator: Mrs Sarah Crampin, Study Abroad AdministratorAdministrative Assistant: Mrs Maria ScotcherWebsite: www.bath.ac.uk (www.bath.ac.uk/studyabroad/)

Please contact Mrs Crampin and Mrs Scotcher in the first instance for all enquiries:

Office: Wessex House 2.14Telephone: + 44 1225 386766Fax: + 44 1225 386366E-mail: student-exchanges@bath.ac.uk

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