#In the heart of London's commuter country is the city of Guildford. #The outskirts are a brutal invasion into London's green belt, #what with shopping malls and the modern cathedral, #but the city centre is quite quaint. #The main street is even cobbled. #The University campus is on Stag Hill, #which is only 10 minutes walk away, but feels more remote. #It's a bit cramped and confusing and suffers from looking like a sandy grey Lego set. #But, from certain viewpoints over the man-made lakes and landscape gardening, #the concrete is just about hidden #by greenery and occasional rabbits, ducks and the like. #This is the carefully cropped view the prospectus offers, #not the bleakly functional impression you get from ground level. #Being campus-based and with such a large proportion of students living in, #Surrey University is a close-knit pullover, which from the outside seems tightly zipped up, #but is cosy enough when you're wearing it. #Most courses are 4 years and #most students spend their third year in vocational training - i.e. a job. #Although this is optional, #it's generally seen as an advantage by the students who are often seriously career-minded individuals. #To say that it is infested with engineers would be harsh... but, I'm afraid, fair. #Two-thirds of students are scientists and engineers, #although that does leave a third who aren't. #Whatever their course, students are encouraged to learn a language and #to get their mitts on a computer keyboard before they leave. #The students might be described as down-to-earth, but definitely not radical. #The Students' Union's the same. #In fact, if political parties raise their heads, #everyone becomes convinced they'll be overrun by petrol bombing guerrillas from hell within the hour. #This does, however, mean that the University authorities are willing to listen to the students - #mainly because they aren't likely to disagree. #Over the years, the Union has been able to develop a handsome level of facilities, not least the four bars. #The Upper Bar is, in effect, the main drinking hole, #but there's also the up-market Chancellors, #the Temp Bar for functions and the Lower Bar. #The Lower Bar is used for bops most nights run by student clubs and once a week there's a night of sound and sweat in the Hole Club. #Gigs are also held in the University's Main Hall and every Sunday, #there's free admission to bands at the Union. #There are plenty of chances to get your glad rags on and have a ball. #Suspense mounts at the Charter Ball where the results of Union elections are announced. #For more regular news of goings on, there's the award-winning campus radio station #or the less acclaimed 'Bare Facts'. #All first years and finalists have the chance to live in. #Third years who, for the most part are on placements, don't really need to, #which only leaves second years to fend for themselves. #However, increasing numbers mean that finalists are unlikely to continue to be accommodated. #There are 7 'courts' on campus - accommodation blocks of a generally adequate standard. #The courts house over 2,500 students in single rooms, #although 7% of first years have to share split level rooms. #There are 350 further places at Hazel Farm about 21/2 miles away. #Here students share 'KUBs' or kitchen/utility/breakfast rooms, #which become a focus for coffee and gossip. #A shuttle bus runs to and from Hazel Farm #until the Union shuts at night. #For those who live out, it's easy enough to find something, #but difficult to find anywhere suitable or affordable. #Most face a daily journey of up to six miles to the campus, more usually it's only three. #The students lucky enough to own a car #probably won't be lucky enough to find a parking place, foiling the point.
