Surrey University - Student View

It's a medium-sized campus on the grassy Cathedral hillside, overlooking Guildford - 10 minutes' walk to the railway (35 minutes to London) and 15 to the bus station. Being on a hill it's not ideal for students with mobility problems.

First years are in university accommodation, as are many final year and all international students; standard from OK to very good (most rooms have a basin, some ensuite). Between 4-14 share a kitchen with single and mixed floors.

Good community spirit on campus and at the smaller residential site (3 miles from university with free bus service). Students living within a 3-mile radius are normally unable to have a car on campus. Launderette. shop, bookshop, computer parts shop, post office and bank on campus.

Large library (open until 1.30am), superbly equipped sports hall and 24-hour access PC labs building.

Union has excellent entertainments: discos every Wednesday, Friday and most Saturday nights, free films on Sunday nights. It produces award winning media - barefacts, a weekly student newspaper, and a campus radio station, GU2. The university gives social advice and support, and there is a health centre with family-planning advice, confidential counselling service; SU has a dedicated education & welfare sabbatical officer.

Guildford is fairly expensive but the 3 nightclubs offer student discounts. There are dozens of pubs, 2 theatres, a vast cinema complex, all coupled with the lovely Surrey countryside.

Originally a technological university but now with thriving human sciences, performing arts, law and European studies departments. Courses are generally up-to-date, most modular, and most have a period of placement in industry (some abroad) offering valuable experience. Workload varies from OK to hard, generally combining end-ofsemester exams with assessed course work.