Surrey University (Student Life)

Accommodation: University accommodation is affordable; few married/family flats. Oft-campus is a little more expensive; check out the accommodation office or take over friends' houses.

Eating: Meal on campus £4-£5 (university or SU). In town, good choice (eg Pizza Express. Zizzi etc), range of prices.

Drinking: 5 union bars, complete range of drinking environments, wide range of beers and spirits (£1.80 a pint). Pubs more expensive. Good local brews - TEA from the Hogsback Brewery and USSU ale.

Nightlife: Very good on site, with cabaret, bands (The Darkness, Di EZ, Mark Owen, 411, Coolio), lunchtime concerts, discos, balls and annual festivals. Theatres and Odeon cinema complex in town.

Locals: Very friendly if you treat them well. No problem areas (Guildford's quite posh!)

Sports: Good cheap facilities; friendly and competitive events. Floodlight astroturf pitch, superb indoor facilities eg multi-purpose gym, climbing wall.

Financial help: University and government funds.

Jobs: Lots on site (eg bars, catering outlets); shop work and telephone sales in town at reasonable rates.

Annual living costs: The minimum amount students say you need to live on each year (covering all living expenses but excluding tuition tees) is £3750 (in uni accommodation for 30 weeks), £5460 (in private accommodation for 39 weeks).

Best features: Beautiful and culturally diverse campus.

Worst features: Expensive part of the country.

More info: Enquiries to President SU on Tel: 01483 689227, Fax: 01483 534749

Past students: David Varney (British Gas etc), Robert Earl (Planet Hollywood).