Paisley University - Student Life

Housing: Range at Paisley, some good, some bad but cheap. Limited catered accommodation at Ayr.

Eats: Union refectory, and the town itself is fairly student-centred.

Drink: SU bar. Nightlife: Paisley Arts Centre (theatre, music), SU, 14 screen cinema, pubs and clubs.

Sports: Uni runs Thornly Park Centre - free to join, really cheap to use (tennis and squash courts, indoor hall and outdoor football, rugby and astroturf five-a-side). Student discounts at Lagoon Leisure Centre (council-run).

Travel: 10 min by train to Glasgow from Paisley, 45 min from Ayr.

Financial help: Uni access funds; SA hardship fund.

Jobs: Union employs student staff for bar, DJ, entertainments crew. Off-campus, some local authority work, lots of bar, shop, and telesales work.

Annual living costs: The minimum amount students say you need to live on each year (covering all living expenses but excluding tuition fees) is £4000 (in uni accommodation), £5000 (in private accommodation).

Best features: Students Association; accessibility.

And worst: The weather!

More info: Contact the SA President, Tel: 0141 849 4161, for advice and UPSA Students' Handbook, or check out the website: www.upsa.org.uk

Past students: Gavin Hastings (scottish/British Lions rugby football international); Douglas Dryburgh (junior world curling champion), Craig Brown (scottish national football coach), James Grady (footballer).