Guildford GU2 7XH

Tel 0800 980 3200

information@surrey.ac.uk

www.surrey.ac.uk

Sunday Times ranking 39 (39=)

Teaching excellence 43.8%

Student satisfaction 71.6%

Head teacher ranking 80= (32)

Peer ranking 53 (57=)

Research quality 67.2%

A/AS-level points 338

A-levels for entry 58.1%

Unemployment 3.2%

Firsts and 2:1s 64%

Student/staff ratio 15.8:1

Dropout rate 11% (13%)

World ranking 258=

Undergraduates 7,098 (2,621)

Postgraduates 2,810 (3,417)

Teaching staff 477

Applications/places 9,637/2,155; 4.5:1 (+36.7%)

Clearing entry 11%

Bursaries 33%: £19-£1,020

Scholarships 225: £1,000

EU/overseas 11.2%/14.3%

Mature 19.5%

State school 89%

Lowest social classes 23%

Low-participation areas 9%

Live in 60% (100%) £54-£115

With applications up more than 35% on last year, the secret that was the University of Surrey seems to be out. It has long been the university for jobs, with an unrivalled track record for getting graduates into employment – often well-paid employment at that. Called “complete education”, the Surrey ethos focuses on a combination of personal development, academic learning and the real-world application of it.

About 70% of students benefit from work placements and a graduate unemployment rate of just 2.1% in the decade from 1996-2005 – the lowest in the UK – speaks volumes.

From its inception in 1966, Surrey set out its stall in the world of science, technology and engineering. Its research park is home to the Surrey Technology Centre, which provides incubation facilities for high-tech business start-ups.

The commercial success for which the university is perhaps best known is Surrey Satellites Ltd, a spin-out company with an order book worth £70m. Degrees in space technology and planetary exploration, physics with satellite technology, and electronics with satellite engineering are Surrey’s signature dish, but the academic and social menu is more varied than this might suggest. Surrey is not all anoraks and 9am physics practicals.

There is excellence in music teaching, for example: CampusDance is one of the most comprehensive programmes of its kind and plans have just been approved for a £33m sports centre to include a 50m pool.

Following the opening of key projects such as the postgraduate medical school and a health sciences building, efforts in the past year have been focused on the car-free Manor Park development, adjacent to the main campus. Last September, accommodation was completed for 700 students and there are plans for 2,000 more residential places by next year.

Guildford might not be the cheapest place to be, but with the burgeoning supply of rooms now able to accommodate 60% of the student body from £54 a week, the university cannot be accused of not trying. Its bursary arrangements have benefited all on a state maintenance grant, offering up to a maximum of £1,020 a year, doubled if the student wins one of the plentiful supply of scholarships. There are at least 200 entry scholarships awarded each year, worth £1,000 in their own right, to students who gain AAA at A-level or equivalent.

Open days October 24.

Student view Alex Collins, students’ union president:

USP We have one of the best graduate employment records.

Worst feature Horrendous architecture, but you can look forward to a £33m sports centre.

Location The cobbled streets of Guildford are just 10 minutes away.

Social scene The union, sports clubs and societies ensure the community feel is fantastic.

Rated excellent (9) Allied health professions (nutrition and dietetics); business and management; civil engineering; economics; electrical and electronic engineering; materials technology; music; physics and astronomy; psychology.

Student satisfaction 71.6% Sociology, Social Policy and Anthropology 84.9; Mathematical Sciences 80.5; Electronic and Electric Engineering 79.8; Biology and related Sciences 76.2; Computer Science 75.6; Performing Arts 73.6; Civil, Chemical and other Engineering 73.3; Psychology 73.1; Nursing 73.1; Other subjects allied to Medicine 72.9; Economics 72.5; Combined 71.4; Physical Science 70.9; Mechanically-based Engineering 70.3; Media studies 69.3; Tourism, Transport, Travel and others in Business and Administrative studies 68.5; Law 67.4; Management 66.3; Business 62.7; European Languages and Area studies 60.9

Times recommends

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