West Hill

Tel 01962 827 234

course.enquiries@winchester.ac.uk

www.winchester.ac.uk

Sunday Times ranking 70 (70)

Teaching excellence 45.5%

Student satisfaction 74.7%

Head teacher ranking 83= (98=)

Peer ranking 95= (95)

Research quality 21.1%

A/AS-level points 257

A-levels for entry 85%

Unemployment 6.2%

Firsts and 2:1s 54.1%

Student/staff ratio 18.5:1

Dropout rate 12% (14%)

Undergraduates 3,330 (909)

Postgraduates 121 (1,120)

Teaching staff 161

Applications/places 5,830/1,317; 4.4:1 (+16.8%)

Clearing entry 5%

Bursaries 41%: £410-£820

Scholarships 100%: £205-£2,050

EU/overseas 1.2%/1.7%

Mature 16.6%

State school 96%

Lowest social classes 32%

Low-participation areas 11%

Live in 28% (100%) £75-£98

The cathedral city of Winchester offers a historic and picturesque setting for student life. It was the ancient capital of England and, centuries later, it made historical headlines once again when William the Conqueror asked the monks of Winchester to write the Domesday Book. More contemporary claims to fame include being named the best place to live by a Channel 4 television programme last year, beating 433 other UK towns and cities for its achievements in education, the environment, employment and low crime rate. Handily, too, London is just one hour away by train.

The university itself is a friendly, compact community whose entrants this September were the first to benefit from new social facilities that bring it in line with its peers. The University Centre encompasses a student union complete with 1,200-capacity venue, bars, and a cinema and shops. It also has a learning cafe and space for students to do group work.

More mod cons are on the way, befitting Winchester’s relatively recent university status, gained in 2005. Outdoor sports facilities at Bar End in the city have received £2.8m funding from Sport England and Winchester city council. The money is set to add a floodlit all-weather sports pitch and a 400m athletics track with full-field events, as well as extend the pavilion.

Winchester is building its course portfolio offering law for the first time from next year. BAs in applied theatre, English with American literature and childhood, youth and community studies will be introduced at the same time. Good quality teaching and, no doubt, the setting, help Winchester to a top 40 ranking in the latest national student satisfaction survey.

An extensive range of programmes is designed to widen access, not least a generous scholarship system.

All students qualify for a Winchester scholarship, worth £205 in their first year of study, £310 in the second and £410 in the third and fourth. The one-off payment of £2,050 made under the King Alfred scholarship programme is available to those who have recently left care.

Present bursary provision is based on the state maintenance grant, with £410 for those on partial grants and double that for those who qualify for the full grant.

Open days October 6, 13 and 20; May 10, 2008.

Student view Steve Bowers, students’ union president:

USP Our size ensures a friendly atmosphere that won’t overwhelm you.

Worst feature There are far too many pubs in Winchester.

Location Winchester has a relaxed atmosphere, perhaps because of the views.

Social scene Our new students’ union has a cinema and three venues.

Rated excellent (5) Archeology; business and management; education; teacher training; theology and religion studies.

Student satisfaction 74.7% Education studies 85.3; English-based studies 81.1; History and Archeology 80.2; Sociology, Social Policy and Anthropology 76.9; Psychology 75.7; Media studies 74.3; Management 73.8; Performing Arts 73.5; Sports Science 72.0; Teacher Training 65.9

Times recommends

• Student bursary system 'penalises' the poor
• Number of part-time students doubles
• Students prefer studying to socialising, says survey