University of Bath Admissions Statistics

If you’re thinking about applying there, understanding the University of Bath admissions statistics can help you decide how competitive your course might be and how strong your application needs to be.

Ranked 7th best university in the UK by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 (opens in a new tab), Bath is known for its strong reputation in subjects like Engineering, Management, and Computer Science. But how difficult is it to get in? And does competition vary by subject?

In this guide, we break down the latest University of Bath admissions statistics, including overall offer rates, subject-level competitiveness, and what these numbers mean for you as an applicant.

All figures are based on the most recent UCAS (opens in a new tab) and officially released admissions data (opens in a new tab).

Top 3 University of Bath Admissions Statistics

• In 2024, 38,427 students applied to the University of Bath for an undergraduate course.

• Of those, 24,853 students received an offer, meaning around 65% of applicants were made offers.

• The course with the highest number of applications was BSc Management, which received 4,268 applications in 2024.

University of Bath Acceptance Rate Overview

The University of Bath receives tens of thousands of undergraduate applications each year. In the 2024/25 cycle, there were:

• 38,427 applications

• 24,853 offers made

• 8,698 students who accepted places.

This means:

• The offer rate was approximately 64.7%.

• The overall acceptance rate was approximately 22.6%.

The difference between these figures reflects the fact that many students apply to multiple universities and may decline offers in favour of other institutions.

Overall, Bath enrols just over one in five applicants, placing it among the more competitive UK universities outside Oxford, Cambridge, and the specialist London institutions.

Acceptance rates vary significantly by subject, as shown below.

University of Bath Admissions Statistics by Course

Below is a breakdown of how competitive some major subject areas were in 2023/24, based on applications, offers, and acceptances. Lower acceptance rates generally indicate higher competition.

Key Trends from 2024

1. Computer Science is one of the most competitive courses at Bath

Computer Science (BSc/MComp) is one of Bath’s more selective undergraduate courses.

In 2024, there were 2,893 applications, but only 988 offers were made. That means around 34% of applicants received an offer, roughly 1 in 3 students.

This makes Computer Science significantly more competitive than many other subjects at Bath. Strong predicted grades are essential, but they’re unlikely to be enough on their own. When many applicants meet the academic threshold, admissions teams look closely at subject commitment and potential.

If you’re applying for Computer Science at Bath, think carefully about how you show:

• Evidence of coding beyond the classroom

• Personal or independent programming projects

• Clear enthusiasm for computing in your personal statement

2. Management and Business courses attract very high demand 

Bath’s School of Management consistently receives thousands of applications each year. In 2024, BSc Management received 4,268 applications.

From those applications, 2,745 offers were made, meaning around 64% of applicants received an offer, roughly 2 out of every 3 students.

While the course is extremely popular, it is not among the most restrictive at offer stage. However, a large number of applicants means you will face strong competition from well-qualified students.

If you’re applying for Management, Accounting & Finance, International Management, or similar degrees, make sure your application shows clear motivation and subject fit. You could strengthen it by:

• Showing evidence of leadership or teamwork

• Demonstrating commercial awareness

• Undertaking work experience or part-time jobs

• Showing a clear understanding of the course structure

3. Engineering competitiveness depends on the specialism

Engineering at Bath is strong across multiple disciplines, but competitiveness varies by subject.

Some branches attract more applicants than others, particularly those linked to high-demand industries.

If you’re applying for Engineering:

• Make sure your subject combination supports the course

• Highlight practical projects or problem-solving experience

• Show enthusiasm for the specific engineering discipline

A less oversubscribed specialism does not mean lower standards. You’ll still find entry requirements remain high for any engineering degree.

4. Some humanities and social science courses have higher offer rates

Courses such as Modern Languages, Social Policy, and certain humanities subjects often receive fewer applications compared to Business or Computer Science.

This can result in a higher proportion of applicants receiving offers. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean easy entry. Strong grades plus a thoughtful personal statement remain essential.

5. Bath is selective but not uniformly competitive

One of the most important insights from the 2024 data is that competitiveness varies widely by subject.

Some courses admit around one-third of applicants. Others make offers to a much larger proportion.

This means your chances depend heavily on what you apply for.

When building your UCAS choices, it’s sensible to:

• Include one ambitious choice

• Include one realistic match

• Avoid choosing five courses that are all at the same level of competitiveness.

For further support with your decision-making and UCAS application, consult the University Advice section of our Learning Hub.

How the University of Bath Makes Admissions Decisions

The University of Bath considers a range of academic and non-academic factors when making undergraduate admissions decisions.

Academic Requirements

Bath makes offers based primarily on academic achievement. This usually includes A-level grades or equivalent qualifications such as the IB, BTECs, or international qualifications.

Each course sets its own entry requirements. Competitive courses may expect grades at or above the published minimum, particularly in subjects such as Mathematics or Science.

Personal Statements

Your personal statement is used to assess:

• Your interest in the subject

• Your motivation for studying the course

• Relevant skills or experience

• Evidence of preparation beyond the classroom

For competitive courses, your personal statement can help you stand out among other academically strong applicants. You may find our guide on how to write a personal statement helpful.

Contextual Admissions

The University of Bath operates a contextual admissions policy. This means your application may be considered in the context of your educational and personal background.

Bath may take into account factors such as:

• School or college performance data

• Socio-economic background indicators

• Care experience or other widening participation criteria

Applicants who meet contextual criteria may receive adjusted offers. Full details are published on Bath’s admissions policy (opens in a new tab) pages.

Interviews, Tests, Portfolios

Most Bath undergraduate courses do not require interviews.

However, certain courses may require:

• Admissions tests

• Portfolios (for example, Architecture or design-related subjects)

• Additional subject-specific requirements

Always check the individual course page before applying.

Other Non-Academic Factors

Bath may also consider your academic reference, subject combination, and evidence of relevant extracurricular activity.

How Competitive Is the University of Bath Compared to Similar Universities?

With around 38,000 undergraduate applications in 2024 and an overall offer rate of roughly 65%, Bath is certainly competitive. However, it is not as selective overall as institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, or the LSE.

Compared with universities of similar standing, such as Bristol, Exeter, Durham, or Warwick, Bath’s overall level of selectivity falls within a broadly similar range. 

How competitive your application will be depends heavily on the subject you choose:

• In high-demand subjects such as Computer Science or Economics, lower offer rates mean stronger competition.

• In subjects with more moderate demand, offer rates are higher, but academic standards remain strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of University of Bath applicants get accepted?

In 2024, 38,427 students applied to the University of Bath and 24,853 offers were made. That means around 65% of applicants received an offer. Of these, 8,698 students ultimately enrolled, meaning roughly 1 in 5 applicants secured a confirmed place.

Which course at the University of Bath is the hardest to get into?

Based on 2024 offer rates, Computer Science (BSc/MComp) is one of the most competitive courses. With 2,893 applications and 988 offers, roughly 1 in 3 applicants received an offer.

What percentage of University of Bath students drop out?

According to The Guardian (opens in a new tab), the University of Bath had a continuation rate of 96.8% in 2025, meaning that only about 3.2% of students did not continue from first year into the second year. 

Final Thoughts

If the University of Bath is one of your top choices, strong grades will be essential, especially for competitive courses like Computer Science, Engineering, or Management.

Save My Exams provides teacher and examiner-written A Level revision resources designed around real exam requirements to help you feel fully prepared for exam day and give yourself the best possible chance of success.

References:

• UK university rankings 2026: League table | The Times and The Sunday Times (opens in a new tab)

• UCAS provider statistics – University of Bath undergraduate data, 2026 cycle (applications, offers, acceptances) (opens in a new tab).  

• Save My Exams | University of Bath (UoB) acceptance rate for undergraduate admissions

• Undergraduate Admission Statistics - a Freedom of Information request to University of Bath - WhatDoTheyKnow (opens in a new tab)

• Contextual data used for undergraduate admissions (opens in a new tab)

• The Guardian University Guide 2025 – the rankings (opens in a new tab)