curriculumdev@bath.ac.uk

Updated on: 14 May 2021

The Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) concept is an innovative student education programme which is currently being explored at Bath.

Since 2019/20, the University of Bath have been developing Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs), which are innovative research and applied learning projects that enable inter-disciplinary, multi-level teams of students to work with a member of academic staff on long-term real-world projects.  

VIPs are an attempt to create sustainable, research-engaged communities of staff and students - both undergraduate and postgraduate - who work collaboratively on live projects. Students come from a range disciplines or fields and from across year groups, enabling more experienced students to support other student team members, and allowing everyone involved to work closely with researchers or senior staff. The VIP concept was created by Professor Ed Coyle at Georgia Tech, but has since extended to around 70 HE institutions all over the world.

The University of Bath is the first University in England to develop VIPs.  

At Bath, the VIPs are currently operating outside of the curriculum, enabling students across all disciplines and year groups, including postgraduate and doctoral students, to work together on global challenges often with a local focus. Discussions will be held within the context of the Bath Blend and Curriculum Transformation around whether VIPs could operate within the curriculum as optional units, which is the traditional structure for VIPs at other HE institutions. 

VIP@Bath Projects

In 2020/21, we ran nine VIPs, led by 12 academic members of staff working alongside 150 students. For 2021/22, we are delighted to offer eight new VIPs.

New VIPs - 2021/22

Since 2020/21

Since 2019/20

Previous Projects

Benefits of Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs) 

VIPs offer students an opportunity to:

  • Make a difference or make an impact
  • Demonstrate their enthusiasm for your subject and its application
  • Develop skills prioritised by employers, e.g., collaboration, negotiation and creativity
  • Develop ideas for a project and improve research skills
  • Innovate and use their imagination to create change

How to get involved

Students

Undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students from across all courses can apply to participate in a Vertically Integrated Project.

Application for 21/22 are currently closed

Interested in finding out more before you apply? You can view a recording of the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs) information event held on 8th December 2021 for further information.

If you have any questions about VIPs, or about making an application, please email the VIP Team at: Vertically-Integrated-Projects@bath.ac.uk.

Please note: priority will be given to those students not undertaking a work placement year, as a means of providing other students with applied learning experiences and professional skills.  

Take a look at our student blogs to find out about students’ experiences on the VIPs.

Read our VIP@Bath FAQs

Staff

We are seeking to develop more VIPs to meet growing student demand. Please do get in touch if you would like to find out about what’s involved and how you can participate in the initiative. 

Please contact Stephanie Kamffer or Jo Hatt at Vertically-Integrated-Projects@bath.ac.uk for more information.

You may find it useful to watch our latest VIP Information Session for Staff (April, 2021) to find out more about VIPs here at the University of Bath.

Watch our VIP Student Presentations (December 2021) to find out more about some of our existing projects.

External organisations

There may be the opportunity for external organisations to contribute to existing or new VIPs. Please contact Emily Richards if you would like to find out more. 

Beyond Bath: the VIP experience

Find out about the University of Strathclyde VIP experience. Take a look at a presentation by Professor Ed Coyle:

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Vertically Integrated Design banner.

Contact us

See the How To Get Involved section for specific information.

For general queries please contact us at Vertically-Integrated-Projects@bath.ac.uk for more information.