The University of Surrey in 2012

A snapshot of what awaits you at the University of Surrey.

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The Surrey community

Our friendly community encourages a real sense of belonging. With over 140 nationalities all playing a role in campus life, you will discover a lively, dynamic atmosphere that enriches the student experience for all.  

Surrey’s staff and students work hard to rise to the challenges of study and research, but once the work is done it’s time to relax, socialise and make the most of leisure time. Ask any of our current students and they’ll tell you that being part of the Surrey campus community helps keep the work–life balance just right.  

Almost all our classrooms, labs, research facilities and social venues are located on campus – and our Sports Park is only a short walk away – so you won’t waste any time switching from study to socialising.

If you want to imagine yourself on campus, take a look at our 360˚ virtual tour feature.

Societies and events

Student societies

Get involved with our student societies and you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people, try something different and maybe even start a lifelong passion. There are over 70 active societies for you to get involved in, and the Students’ Union can also help you to set up a new society for any tastes not already covered.

Trips and activities

The Students’ Union organises an exciting programme of activities, events and experiences for you to try.

There is a wide variety of activities on offer, from creative workshops to trips abroad, so you’re almost certain to find an event that interests you.

And because this is your Students’ Union, you can get involved and put an event on yourself. What better way to enjoy yourself, meet new people, add to the University’s vibrant social life and learn about organisation and planning?

iFestival

iFestival (International Festival) is an annual two-week Students’ Union event that is organised by our students to promote international culture and diversity. The festival is a celebration of the different cultures found right here on campus, ranging from performances to food festivals, film screenings and much more.

iFestival is an amazing chance for all students to explore the diversity of one of the most multicultural universities in the country – and there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved.

Nightlife

Nightlife on campus

Whether you’re into clubbing or comedy, live music or pub quizzes, you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained without even having to leave campus.

Our Students’ Union houses five bars and three food outlets, so you’re bound to find something that appeals to you.

Rubix, the Students’ Union’s 1,600-capacity nightclub, has the finest sound and light facility of any Union club in the country. Individual music tastes are catered for, with several music societies which stage gigs from trance, dance and funk to indie, rock and metal.

It’s not just home-grown talent either. Recent bands and DJs to grace our stage have included David Hasselhoff, Loick Essien, Rizzle Kicks, DJ Fresh, We are Scientists, Booty Luv, Mary Anne Hobbs, The Darkness, Rachel Stevens, Jo Whiley, The Twang, Zane Lowe, Tinie Tempah, Tiffany Page, Example, Tim Westwood, Kate Nash and Pendulum, to name but a few.

Guildford nightlife

A night on the town couldn’t be easier either, with a variety of nightclubs, bars and a cinema a mere 15-minute stroll from campus. Many students regularly take the short train ride into London for gigs, clubbing, theatre and shows.

If you’re a fan of live music, independent venues such as Backline and the Boileroom feature the best of local talent and have indie and alternative music nights several times a week.  

Eating and drinking

Chancellors serves a variety of meals perfect for refuelling after a day of lectures.

Young’s Kitchen provides freshly cooked authentic Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Korean cuisine.

If it’s a hot drink and a chat you need, we have three branches of Starbucks and a coffee bar called Sorrento.

Hillside Restaurant and Lounge meets all your needs from breakfast to late lunch, with snacks and fresh food available.

Our campus even boasts its own restaurant, Lakeside, which is run by students on our prestigious Tourism and Hospitality degree programmes.

If you need to eat on the go you can always pick up a snack on campus in the Appleseed Bookshop, Hillside, the Union Shop or Amigo supermarket.

When you’ve had a long day studying and fancy a break from the kitchen, you can even let our on-site pizza house deliver directly to your room.

You can see what some of these venues are like through our 360˚ virtual tour feature.

Guildford

Living in Guildford

The University campus, the town and the surrounding area provide a safe and pleasant place to live.

A frequent bus service linking campus with the town centre runs late into the night, and the local area is cycle-friendly too. The campus and Courts of Residence are patrolled by our friendly Security team, whose on-site office is always open to visitors and staffed for phone calls.

Just ten minutes’ walk from campus, Guildford is an exciting mixture of historical, cultural and modern delights. Whilst it offers all the convenience of a modern town, you’ll also feel as safe and included as in any village.

View a snapshot of Guildford through our 360˚ virtual tour feature.

Shopping and socialising

Guildford’s cobbled High Street, criss-crossed by lanes and alleyways, provides the perfect setting for a day’s shopping. As well as exclusive boutiques, independent shops and cosy cafés there are also two shopping centres.

If it’s food you’re looking for, we have a range of international restaurants, your favourite chains and trendy independent eateries, as well as English pubs, stylish bars and the traditional kebabs and takeaways to round off a lively evening out.

The town boasts:

• Lively nightlife with over 70 pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés
• Major regional theatre and performance venues such as the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
• Community arts, comedy, music and cabaret venues such as the Electric Theatre
• Some of the best shopping in the South East
• Parks and lido
• G-Live concert venue
• Sporting events such as ice hockey, netball and basketball
• Relaxing walks and bike rides along the River Wey

Guilfest

Guildford is home to Guilfest, one of the most popular and fastest-growing independently run music festivals in the country. With over 100 bands performing at the festival and a huge variety of stalls, Guilfest is an experience not to be missed.

Surrey and South East England

London is only 40 minutes away by train, putting world-class shopping, culture, sport and nightlife right on your doorstep.

Airports – including Heathrow and Gatwick – are close by when you really need to get away from it all or fly home for the holidays.

The region is rich in heritage, culture and great locations for a day out. Quick trips and places to visit include:

• World-class sporting venues – Wimbledon (tennis), Twickenham (rugby union), Epsom and Ascot (horse racing), The Oval (cricket)
• The Tower of London, Hampton Court and Windsor Castle
• Kew Gardens
• Theme parks – Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures
• The remains of Guildford Castle, built by William the Conqueror shortly after 1066
• National Trust sites – afternoon tea at Box Hill or Polesden Lacey
• The Lightbox (gallery and museum)

Sustainability

Our desire to create a sustainable future starts right here on campus. Thanks to significant investment, we now send less than 5 per cent of our waste to landfill, with the rest being recycled or reused for energy. Our carbon emissions are reducing, thanks to the use of low carbon technology, including new LED lighting, onsite power generation and our own solar energy panels on the roof of the new Library & Learning Centre.

We sustainably manage our own woodland near the campus, and source all the woodchip fuel for our biomass boiler at the Surrey Sports Park locally. We even send our food waste off to be turned into energy – in fact, we were one of the first universities in the UK to do so.