Royal Holloway - Student Life

Housing: College accommodation good. Study bedrooms some ensuite; some purpose-built for married students. Local area expensive (help from SU welfare, college accommodation office, local agents).

Eats: SU coffee bar cheap, varied. Meal on campus £3+; cashless card system for buying food. Local places in Englelield Green. Windsor, Egham.

Virginia Water: Don Beni's Pizzeria, Caffe Uno (3 course meals from £14+), several chinese and indian restaurants.

Drink: SU operates 4 bars - good hours and good prices (Fosters £1.70+ a pint). Stumble Inn on campus (nice pub atmosphere, cheap prices); also Happy Man nearby.

Nightlife: Very active SU ents eg discos, comedy, chart bands (Sash, Lightning Seeds, Boy George, Hot Chocolate, Radiohead, Ministry of Sound, Brandon Block, Trevor Nelson). Visits from Steps, Republica, Billie Piper, Ali G, Wheatus in last two years. Musical theatre regulars at Edinburgh Fringe.

Locals: Quite friendly (though some friction over parking). Sports: Playing field, fantastic new sports hall and gym on campus. Egham Sports Centre good but costs; swimming in Staines.

Travel: College bus service runs all day. At night, SU bus takes non-residential students home for small fee. Cheap deals through Ski'n'Snowboard Club, european studies society.

Financial help: Principal's Board and some access funds available.

Jobs: Term-time work in SU bar, DJs, security etc (£4.10+/hour); local pubs, office temping jobs (£5+/ hour). College employment in holidays.

Annual living costs: The minimum amount students say you need to live on each year (covering all living expenses but excluding tuition fees) is £4600 (in uni accommodation), £5300 (in private accommodation).

Best features: Great atmosphere; very friendly.

And worst: Hotbed of gossip.

Good news: Improved computer facilities, new halls being built.

More info: Enquiries to the SU President. Tel: 01784 486300

Past students: Ivy Compton-Burnett, Richmal Crompton, Felicity Lott, Janet Fookes MP, David Bellamy, Kathleen Lonsdale, Jean Rook, Marie Patterson, George Eliot.