Student life in Bath

Bath student life​ offers a bit of everything, from historic sites and gorgeous green spaces to an exciting social scene and campus-focused living. Nestled in England’s South West, this ancient Roman city is home to two universities - the University of Bath and Bath Spa University - and welcomes 45,000 students to its streets each year. The city is regarded as a fantastic place for students to live and study, having been awarded the TEF Gold Award by the Office for Students in 2023.

The city is graced with an abundance of stunning 18th-century Georgian houses - many of which have now been renovated into large student properties. The student homes in Bath come in a range of sizes, with larger detached homes available for larger group sizes. You'll also find three-storey Georgian-style terraced houses for mid-sized groups, as well as double-bedroom student apartments for those wanting to live alone or with a partner. Just keep in mind - Bath was the second most in-demand student city in 2026-27 for student housing, so be sure to secure your base in plenty of time!

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  A culture vulture's paradise

  Bath gained World Heritage Site status in 1987 thanks to its 18th-century architecture, Roman remains, natural hot springs and a stunning landscape setting. The entire city is dripping in culture and history, with most of the city centre built from old Georgian and Victorian sandstone, cobbled streets and old shops. The hot springs and Roman Baths are a huge tourist attraction here; Thermae Spa is Britain's only natural thermal spa and gives its name to the famous Bath Spa.

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  A well-connected city

  Not only is Bath itself full of fun things to do, but it's also near to more than just Glasto. The bustling, vibey city of Bristol is less than 15 minutes away by train. The sandy beaches of Weston-super-Mare are close by, and the city also has excellent transport links to London via frequent trains and the M4. In town, there are bus services that connect the campuses with the city and student neighbourhoods - perfect for getting to those early lectures on time.

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  Epic nights out

  Bath University student life offers a fantastic nightlife. Each university has an on-campus union which puts on student nights, like PLUGTUB and SLAM. There are popular student nights in the middle of the city too, with Second Bridge and Labyrinth being two of the most popular. Students who are hanging onto their houses into June should note that Glastonbury Festival is less than an hour's drive down the A37! This makes it no surprise that Bath is one of the best student cities in the UK.

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  Range of accommodation choice

  Both unis are campus-based, with Bath Spa's three campuses all located to the west of the city, and the University of Bath to the east. With the centre between the two, and rolling Somerset countryside in all directions, you'll be able to find a perfect student home no matter your preference. City dwellers will love living in Oldfield Park or Bathwick, whereas those who love Bath student life might prefer living on-campus. Nature lovers will find housing with easy access to the countryside in Weston or Combe Park.

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  Great spots to eat

  There are plenty of places to fill your belly in Bath, with The Bath Brew House being centrally located for all to enjoy. This pub comes with an array of student discounts, comforting Sunday roasts, and a vast range of beers. Chaiwalla is worth a look if you fancy cheap Indian street food, while The Green Rocket Cafe is perfect for the plant-based eaters amongst you. And, as you can’t go wrong with an Italian, you and your flatmates will all find something you like at Sotto Sotto.

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  Outdoorsy activities

  Nature lovers may be interested in all the outdoorsy spots and activities that Bath University student life​ has to offer. To enhance your Bath student life​, we recommend checking out Sydney Gardens, Alexandra Park, and the Botanical Gardens. You can also take a stroll by the Kennet & Avon Canal, perfect for cycling or enjoying a cute date. If you fancy adventuring further afield, the Cotswolds National Landscape is an absolute must-visit!

Bath Spa University

In the west side of Bath you'll find Bath Spa university, split across five campuses between almost 10,000 students. Bath Spa university students usually live in places like Weston and Twerton when studying here.

University of Bath

The University of Bath is a campus university on the east side of the city. It’s well-connected to the city centre by the “U” buses and there’s lots of student housing in the nearby Bathwick and Olfield Park areas.