5 reasons to call the University of East Anglia your home away from home

16 Feb 2017

Established in 1963, the University of East Anglia (UEA) is part of a new wave of institutions that prides itself on shaping disciplines that respond to challenges currently facing the world. As the first university to offer courses in Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences and International Development, it is clear the institution takes its motto to ‘do different’ seriously. Throughout the years, the University of East Anglia has continued to be academically innovative by focusing on interdisciplinarity across subjects.

Currently ranked 7^th out of all UK universities, the internationally-renowned institution has four comprehensive faculties, including the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Social Sciences. Each Faculty encompasses several Schools that offer an abundant list of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, catering to students with a kaleidoscope of interests. Students also have the option to create a flexible degree, allowing them to study a mix of compulsory and optional modules before tailoring the course to suit a specific ambition.

Image courtesy of the University of East Anglia

In addition to an extensive range of high-quality courses, the University is known for the quality of its research outputs. With 82 percent of its research classified as ‘world-leading’, the institution is ranked 10^th in the UK in terms of the quality of research output, climbing 12 places with improved research assessment scores across the arts, sciences, health and social sciences. But that’s not all that this reputable university is known for…

Home to over 15,000 students, the University of East Anglia has been voted into the top five for student experience since the inaugural National Student Survey. Intrigued to know more about why you should make University of East Anglia your home away from home? Here are 5 great reasons for you to study at UEA…

1. An amazing location

Located in Norwich, the University is set in a strategic spot that’s bustling with good food, a lively arts scene and breath-taking scenery. This is a city where old meets new and where nature blends with technology. Just minutes away from the university, you’ll find the cutting-edge cultural scene, historic landmarks, retail outlets, and trendy restaurants. But if you’re hoping for a little exploration throughout the weekend, you’ll find plenty of hidden gems within the Norfolk countryside. Beyond the city, why not visit the Norfolk coastline and all its striking beaches, or take a peaceful stroll through the medieval villages and rustic market towns.

2. Everything you need in one place

Built on 130-hectares of beautiful parkland on the outskirts of Norwich, the award-winning UEA campus has an ongoing multi-million-pound investment to continue to enhance campus facilities. The institution considers itself a ‘Mini-city’, equipped with plenty of campus services, like the careers centre, the multi-faith centre, counselling team, disabled facilities, IT and computing services, library, medical centre, and so much more. On top of that, students have the chance to use the biggest indoor sports centre at any university in Britain, complete with international-standard facilities and The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.

Sportspark

School athletes and sports fans will be pleased to know that the centre is equipped with a 50m Olympic-size pool, 12 badminton courts, an 8-lane athletics track, six floodlit hockey and soccer pitches and a state-of-the-art gym. It also has a 10x28m climbing wall, 5 squash courts, a newly-equipped gymnastics centre, 6 tennis courts and 40-acres of playing fields. This one-stop sporting destination is the perfect place for students to go after a long day of studies.

Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

For those interested in the arts, UEA’s Public Art Museum is a place you shouldn’t miss. Visit the museum for free and experience modern work by artists such as Henry Moore, John Davies, Alberto Giacometti and Francis Bacon, as well as art from Africa, the Pacific, the Americas, Asia and many more.

3. A friendly community

Starting life in a new country, state or city can be terrifying for new students, and UEA is one institution that understands this – hence the creation of the UEA Friends Buddy Scheme, which helps international students get settled onto campus. Through this scheme, student volunteers help new students by sharing knowledge of the campus and local areas, answering important questions and advising students on the best places to eat, where to shop for food and which bus to take into the city. It’s a great way to meet current students, make international friends and find out what events are going in UEA and in surrounding Norwich.

4. Five-star accommodation

Given a five-star rating from students in The Virgin Guide to British Universities 2012, UEA offers 4,300 fully-furnished, spacious rooms on 200-hectares of stunning natural landscape. Here, students don’t have to walk far to get to class, as lodgings lie minutes away from the UEA teaching spaces. All rooms have free wireless internet and come with a single bed, wardrobe, desk with chair and fitted shelving, while each kitchen is equipped with a refrigerator, freezer, oven or combination microwave oven. While living on campus can be pricey, UEA makes sure it provides students with the best accommodation for the best possible value.

5. Paint the town red

This great city may be famous for its picturesque beaches and lush greens, but it also boasts a vibrant nightlife that you wouldn’t want to miss! According to UEA undergraduate, Jessica Howard, there’s plenty of fun UEA students can have on a night out in the city. First thing to do is check out the Student Union events page to see what’s going on and see if you can get some tickets. But if nothing takes your fancy, you could catch a bus into the city and head to Prince Wales Road, a popular student spot where you’ll find several karaoke bars and clubs.

With reasonably priced stellar accommodation, a picturesque city and a friendly community, students are guaranteed to feel at home at the University of East Anglia.

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