University of Surrey

History

• The origins of the university can be traced back over 120 years to Battersea Polytechnic Institute in London.
• In 1962 the decision was made to relocate to Guildford. It was declared that "the University would bring imaginative possibilities for the future of Guildford".
• Faced with government funding cuts in the 1980s, Surrey showed a fighting spirit with ambitious plans for a research park. Spurred on by the success of the park, the university became recognised for delivering cutting-edge research that would make a real difference in the world.

Location and transport

• The campus is particularly well placed on the edge of Guildford's historic town centre, directly off the A3 and only 9 miles from the M25.
• The campus is set in landscaped grounds which feature two lakes and a sports field.
• The main line rail station is just ten minutes walk and there are frequent bus services between campus and the town centre and rail station. London is only 40 minutes away with frequent services and the University is easy to reach from Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Entry standards

• Visit the website for information about entry standards at the University of Surrey.

Student mix

• All student population: 44% men, 56% women.
• Overseas 23%.
• Young full-time first degree from state schools 91.4%.
• Applications to places ratio 5.62.

Course flexibility

• Many modular courses allowing students to choose specific subject areas of particular interest.
• The majority of students also undertake a Professional Placement to enable them to relate their university studies to the practical situations encountered in the working environment, and develop transferable skills that will benefit them in their future careers.

Teaching standards

• The university received a 'confidence' judgement in its 2009 Audit by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Surrey was commended for its professional training year, support for postgraduate research students, management of its library and student induction.
• Touristm, Transport, Travel and others in Business Administration ranked 1st nationally for the 2011 NSS; 13 subjects in all ranked in the top 20.
• Teaching comprises group projects, traditional lectures and individual work, along with practical laboratory sessions for some subjects.

Research standards

In the 2008 RAE:

• 88% of Surrey's research activity was rated either 'world class' or 'internationally recognised' with four areas of research activity in the top ten and nine areas ranked in the top 20.
• The activities of 425 researchers from across all four faculties were submitted in 14 subject areas. Results show that almost half of Surrey's assessed research staff work in areas that have been ranked in the top ten.
• 55% of Surrey's units of assessment were rated as 'internationally excellent' or 'world class,' with a further 44% ranked as 'recognised either nationally or internationally'.

Academic strengths

• Surrey is the top English Chartered University for jobs in the UK, with 95% of first degree leavers in employment or further study. This success story owes much to the effectiveness of Surrey's pioneering professional training scheme for undergraduates.
• The University of Surrey is a research active university, and its research actively informs undergraduate students' learning, keeping the degrees up-to-date and relevant.
• Students are encouraged to develop strong intellectual skills such as research, critical analysis, evaluation and the ability to challenge views and opinions.
• Students are encouraged to develop their leadership, numeracy, project management, ICT, foreign languages, problem solving and communication skills to give them the edge that employers look for.

Student facilities, including library and computing

• The newly refurbished and extended Library and Learning Centre is linked to a lively student concourse which includes a shop and book shop and a meeting space. Facilities include more than 1,200 study spaces arranged in zones to provide varied space for concentrated individual study or for working in a group.
• There are group study rooms which may be booked online, sound and image collections adjacent to viewing and listening facilities, specialist language learning facilities and resources, and lounge areas for meeting up and working together over a coffee with quick access to email and internet.
• The building is fully wireless enabled for laptop use and includes 380 PCs in various labs and work areas, together with 'follow me' printing, photocopying and scanning.
• Opening hours are daily with 24 hour opening Sunday to Friday during Semester weeks.
• The Library collections comprise 600,000 printed books, access to 227,000 electronic books, 1,400 printed current journals, 47,000 electronic journal titles and over 200 specialist electronic databases.
• Specialist support for academic development and study skills is provided from SPLASH (The Student Personal and Learning Study Hub) by student learning advisors and subject librarians.  There is also a Distance Learners Information Scheme (DiLIS) to help students working away from campus make best use of the Library's resources and an Assistive Technology Centre equipped with specialist IT and software. 

Disability services

Students' Union

• The Students' Union is the heart of all student life at Surrey, and is run by five full time Sabbatical Officers who are elected annually by the student body.
• It voices students’ opinions, facilitates their clubs and societies, delivers entertainment, offers development opportunities and provides support if things get tough.

Sport

• The Surrey Sports Park is one of Europe's premiere sites for elite sport, physical activity, well-being and leisure.
• Its world-class, state-of-the-art facilities include a 50m, eight-lane swimming pool, 120-station health and fitness centre, an indoor climbing centre, 3 multi-purpose sports halls, squash courts, tennis courts and a range of outdoor sports pitches.
• Over 36 sports clubs are part of the 'Team Surrey' initiative and sports scholarships are also available.
• Opportunities to take part in recreational sports, dance and fitness classes.
• For further information, visit the Surrey Sports Park website.

Recent/prospective new builds

• The Surrey Sports Park is a major new development at the University's Manor Park site, and opened in April 2010.
• A major extension and refurbishment of the existing library provides a new Library and Learning Centre together with a new supermarket, chemist, post office, bookshop and eating space.
• The first phase of student and staff residences at the new Manor Park campus consisting of 1,500 high quality bedrooms is now complete. This will eventually grow into an environmentally friendly, residential village of 2,200 bedrooms. 2012 will see the completion of work to build a new reception building with cafe, bar and lounge areas.
• The upgrade of the University’s lecture theatre blocks and many of its academic buildings is now complete.
• The new Ivy Arts Centre, containing a 200-seat theatre, three dance/drama studios and teaching space was opened in June 2011.
• The relocation of the Guildford School of Acting to the University campus and the construction of a new 16 studio facility for dance and theatre studies was completed in December 2009.
• Parts of the Students’ Union building have been refurbished and a new dining and social area opened.
• A research and production facility for large satellites is currently being constructed on the University-owned Surrey Research Park.

Availability of part-time work

• Part-time work is readily available. A temporary employment agency has premises on campus and can assist in placing students in appropriate positions.

Notable alumni

• Sir Alec Issigonis – inventor of the Mini.
• Sir David Varney (BSc Chemistry 1968) – first executive chairman of HM Revenue and Customs.
• Alan Parker (BSc Hotel and Catering Management 1969) – Chairman of Mothercare and former CEO of Whitbread.
• Robert Earl (BSc Hotel and Catering Management 1973) – founder of the Planet Hollywood chain.
• Mrs Justice Dobbs DBE (BSc Russian and Law 1976) – the first non-white person to be appointed to the senior judiciary of England and Wales.
• Paul Sheffield (BSc Civil Engineering 1983) – Chief executive of construction giants Kier Group.
• Neil Chapman (BSc Chemical Engineering 1984) – Senior vice-president with Exxon Mobil.
• Professor Tanya Byron (PsychD Clinical Psychology 1995) – broadcaster, clinician and Chancellor of Edge Hill University.
• Samuel Okell (BMus Music and Sound Recording 2002) – grammy-winning music producer and graduate of Surrey’s Tonmeister course.