Surrey University - In Depth

Founded: Royal Charter 1966, previously Battersea College of Technology.

Site: Single campus, 1 mile outside Guildford.

How to get there: Fast train from London Waterloo (35 mins) and south coast; close to A3. For campus, 10 mins' walk from station or bus from Guildford.

Special features: All first degree courses offer periods of professional training in UK or abroad. Applications from mature students are welcomed.

Academic features: BSc/BEng incorporate foundation year for those without subject qualifications.

Awarding body: Surrey University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BEng, BMus, BSc, MEng, MChem, MMath, MPhys.

Length of courses: 3 years; 4 years for undergraduate Masters', courses with professional training or integrated foundation year; 4% years, MEng; 5 years, professional training and foundation year.

Library & information services: 450,000 volumes, 2700 current periodicals, 900 study places, CD-Rom and networked databases. Annual expenditure on information provision, £136 per (FTE) student. Library and IT services converged. UNIX-based servers, large number of PCs and Apple-Macs available to students 24 hours a day; these connected together and to over 1000 workstations across campus; access to SuperJanet and high performance computers. High ratio of PCs to students; internet access from all (3000) student rooms. IT support from helpdesk, online and paper information. Basic IT skills courses; library and information services training as part of induction programme.

Study abroad: 20% of students spend a period abroad; opportunities for many students to take professional training abroad. Formal exchange links with 30 universities/colleges in EU.

Careers: Information, advice and counselling.

Student advice & services: 4 student counsellors, disability co-ordinator, doctor, FPA, psychiatrist, welfare officer, chaplains. Limited residential facilities for married and disabled students.

Amenities: SU house with print-room, games-room, restaurants, bars, canteen. Bookshop, grocer, post office, launderette, bank, restaurants.

Accommodation: All first years normally offered university accommodation, 60% of all students (including all fee-paying international students). 3400 self-catering places at £45-£80 per week, term-time contracts. Students live in privately owned accommodation for 1-2 years: rents £65-£75 pw for self-catering. 10% of first degree students live at home.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £5000 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term time work: University allows term-time work for full-time students (30% believed to work). Some work available on campus and in town centre.

Financial help: Total available £340,000 government funds; 90% who applied were helped (average award £1040); limited own funds. Special help for hardship due to either exceptional and unexpected circumstances, or to additional costs incurred by non-traditional students. Apply for help to Student Advice & Information Service.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £7860+ pa (arts), £10,380 (science).