[HDNG]INTRODUCTION:[EHDNG][PARA]On the edge of the North Downs, in the heart of London's [PARA]commuter country is the city of Guildford. Around the outskirts, [PARA]it's a post-war invasion of modern architecture (not least the [PARA]cathedral, where Gregory Peck met a sticky end in 'The Omen') [PARA]and shopping malls, but the city centre is a [ITAL]quaint [EITAL]old place with [PARA]its cobbled main street [ITAL]and its rural feel[EITAL]. The University campus [PARA]is on Stag Hill, 10 minutes walk away. It was built (largely of [PARA]concrete) in the late 60s, before which the University had been [PARA]Battersea Poly. [ITAL]The campus is a bit cramped and confusing and[PARA]suffers from looking like a sandy grey Lego set. But, from [PARA]certain viewpoints over the man-made lakes and landscape [PARA]gardening, it's just about possible to hide the concrete with [PARA]greenery and occasional migrant wildlife (rabbits, ducks and the [PARA]like). These are the only views the prospectus offers, but they're [PARA]not the bleakly functional impression you get from ground level.[EITAL][HDNG]ATMOSPHERE:[EHDNG][PARA][ITAL]Being campus-based and with such a large proportion of [PARA]students living in, Surrey University is a close-knit community, [PARA]which from the outside seems insular, but is friendly enough [PARA]from within. Most courses being 4 years, with part of the 3rd [PARA]year spent in vocational training (ie. a job), there are some [PARA]seriously career-minded individuals around and a fairly [PARA]business-like attitude to study. To say that it is overrun with [PARA]engineers would be harsh... but fair. However, the sex ratio is [PARA]less bloke-heavy than some science-based universities. [EITAL][HDNG]THE TOWN:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Population: 121,500 [BULL] London: 30miles [BULL] Southampton: [PARA]45miles [BULL] Birmingham: 106miles[ESTAT][PARA][ITAL]One of the best things about Guildford is that it is close to London.[PARA]For serious spending and furious fun, it's best to hop on the next [PARA]train out of town.[EITAL] However, for your daily needs, Guildford is well[PARA]equipped with supermarkets (a Tesco's within walking distance [PARA]of the campus), shops (a few open till late), banks with [PARA]cashpoints, bookshops (including 2nd hand), public libraries and a[PARA]street market. Last year, the Spectrum Leisure Centre opened [PARA]with an ice rink, bowling alley, pool and gym. Guildford also [PARA]offers the River Wey, 2 museums and the castle keep.[HDNG]TRAVEL:[EHDNG][PARA][BOLD]Trains: [EBOLD]From Guildford Station (1/2 mile from campus) main-line [PARA]connection to London (40 mins).[PARA][BOLD]Coaches: [EBOLD]National Express from Guildford to London (ú3.25, 1hr, [PARA]5/day), Bristol (ú15.75, 4hrs, 5/day) and Birmingham (ú12.75, [PARA]4:10hrs, 5/day).[PARA][BOLD]Car:[EBOLD] 5 mins from A3 (look for the mortar board sign posts), A25 [PARA]and Junction 10 of the M25 also near.[PARA][BOLD]Air: [EBOLD]1/2hr by car to both Heathrow and Gatwick (inland and international)[PARA][BOLD]Hitching: [EBOLD][ITAL]Okay for A3 for London or M25.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Local:[EBOLD] Good bus service around town, including a minibus every [PARA]12 mins from campus to city centre (50p return).[PARA][BOLD]Bicycles:[EBOLD] [ITAL]Not too hilly and there are a few bicycle racks, but no [PARA]cycle lanes and theft can be problem.[EITAL][PARA][PARA][ITAL][HDNG]LIBRARIES and COMPUTERS:[EHDNG][EITAL][PARA][ITAL][STAT][BULL] Books: 300,000 [BULL] Periodicals: 2,200 [BULL] Study places: 550 [PARA]Computer workstations: >1,000[ESTAT][EITAL][PARA]Students are urged to be computer literate. Access to Macs and [PARA]PCs available day and night all week long.[HDNG]CAREER PROSPECTS:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Careers Service [BULL] No of staff: 4full [BULL] Unemployed after [PARA]6mths (1992): 5.2%[ESTAT][PARA]Many find permanent work through their work placements.[HDNG]SPECIAL FEATURES:[EHDNG][PARA][BULL]Most of 1 year (usually 3rd) or 2 half years are spent on [PARA]professional placements. Although some are optional, it's [PARA]generally seen as an advantage.[PARA][BULL]Students (regardless of their own course) are encouraged to [PARA]learn a language for which extra classes are laid on.[PARA][BULL]Many courses are already modular and many more will be [PARA]moving this way. From 1995 2 15-week semesters rather than 3 [PARA]10-week terms will be introduced.[HDNG]FAMOUS ALUMNI:[EHDNG][PARA]Alec Issigonis (the guy who designed the mini); Nabil Shaban [PARA](actor, founder Greae Theatre).[HDNG]FURTHER INFO:[EHDNG][PARA]Prospectuses for undergrads and postgrads. The SU also [PARA]produces an alternative prospectus.[PARA][PARA]
