INTRODUCTION BATH SPA UNIVERSITY / INTRODUCTION
Study facilities As a university that emphasises high quality teaching we put a lot of effort into helping you get the most from your studies. You’ll expect first rate lecturers, but you’ll also get modern, well-equipped libraries and IT suites; innovative teaching methods; the chance to study abroad – and much more!
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LIBRARIES Each campus has a library with stock that reflects the courses that are taught there. At Bath School of Art and Design, the University invested in equipping a central new library facility which opened at Sion Hill in 2009. Here you can seek creative inspiration from a wide range of specialist books and journals as well as collections of exhibition catalogues, images and DVDs. At Newton Park, our larger campus library, there is a coursefocused collection of books, journals, CDs and DVDs, covering the wide range of subjects we teach. If you’re an Education student, there is a separate collection of resources to use when you are on teaching placements in schools. As well as traditional library materials, there’s also a wealth of electronic resources such as electronic journals, electronic books and online services to help you access high quality information for your university work. We also have a small library at Corsham Court which supports the needs of staff and postgraduate students based there. Students may use any of the University libraries and a regular book transport service runs between them. STUDY AREAS There are separate areas in the Libraries for different kinds of study. If you really need to concentrate, you can work in silent study areas where we ask people not to talk at all or use equipment that might disturb others. However, at other times, you’ll need to work on group projects, so we’ve set aside areas where you can talk, use mobiles, eat and drink. The foyer of Newton Park Library provides collaborative learning space and laptop docking points as well as a modern and welcoming reception area and library information point. This study space is open 24/7 in term-time, along with the computer suites on the first-floor of the Library. COMPUTER FACILITIES There are several hundred networked computers for students to use, many in open access rooms which are available in the evenings and at weekends as well during the day. You can use these computers for word-processing, spreadsheets, database work, email and Internet access. And you’ll find user-friendly online help pages covering all aspects of IT at the University. There are also specialised computer facilities across the campuses for subjects such as music, art and design, and media production.
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We have both PCs and Apple Macs as well as wireless connections for laptops. GETTING HELP Professionally qualified librarians run sessions that teach you how to find and use information – helping you to produce good quality work but saving you time as well. Each academic School has a dedicated subject librarian. We also offer one-to-one tutorials, an electronic enquiry service and advice as and when you need it. If you’re a disabled student, you’ll get help on an individual basis to make sure we best meet your library and information needs. Check our website www.bathspa.ac.uk/services/library WRITING AND LEARNING CENTRE The Writing and Learning Centre helps students in all subjects and years make the move from ‘student’ to ‘scholar’ by offering guidance on academic writing, research, independent learning, referencing, and a range of other topics. Students can drop in, book a 1:1 appointment, access information online, or simply email us a quick question. Our trained professional and peer tutors have a wide range of academic backgrounds and are ready to help students rise to the challenges of studying at degree and/or postgraduate level. The Writing and Learning Centre also offers English language support. ONLINE LEARNING As a teaching-led university we make sure we’re right up to date with the most advanced teaching methods, and all students have access to our online virtual learning environment, Minerva. Minerva allows your lecturers to send course materials to you via the web – and makes these easy for you to find. It also provides various other features such as discussion boards which allow you to have online conversations with others from your course, and lets you submit coursework electronically.
01 Newton Park library 02 Using the Newton Park library study space 03 Quiet study in the Newton Park library