University of Surrey: An unforgettable undergraduate experience

Beyond the pursuit of knowledge, studying at the UK’s University of Surrey is an exciting and enriching life experience. From the first time you meet its students and academics on campus at an open day to the day you throw your cap into the air at graduation, you will experience many memorable moments.

A global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research, the university is situated in a charming historic market town named Guildford, nestled at the foot of the Surrey Hills, with cobbled streets and hundreds of places to shop, eat and drink.

Igniting your passion, encouraging you to find friends for life and enabling you to kick-start your career, your time as an undergraduate student at the University of Surrey will become an unforgettable experience.

An unbeatable social scene

For Richard Banbrook, the BSc Economics degree transformed his outlook on life for the better.

“I think the best moments at university have been socialising with friends that I will keep for life. When I arrived at university, I was a rather shy and introverted person, but I think this place has really allowed me to grow in confidence, meet great people, gain real-life work experience and develop great skill,” he reveals.

With your new-found university friends, you’ll have the chance to embrace Guildford’s cultural charm and make the most of its convenient location.

Home to the arts with its three theatres, art galleries and the G Live music venue, the town welcomes a multi-arts comedy festival, literature festival and science festival every year.

Plus, the beautiful Surrey Hills are perfect for enjoying the great outdoors with your friends, whether you choose to hike in the countryside, go on a zip wire, try paintballing or start mountain biking.

For international students who also wish to travel throughout their study abroad adventure, you’ll be pleased to know that Guildford is just a 34-minute train ride to London, making it easy to head to the capital for shopping, brunch, a West End show, some sightseeing or to visit one of the city’s many inspiring galleries or museums!

A campus that cares

“In the spring and summer, I mostly spend my time on campus by the lake. It’s one of my favourite spots in Surrey because most of the time it’s busy yet quiet. You never feel like you’re alone, but it’s not too loud either”, explains Billie James, a BSc Psychology student.

Billie James

The University of Surrey was recognised as an ‘outstanding’ institution when it received a prestigious Gold award in its first Teaching Excellence Framework, a testament to the institution’s passion for inspiring students and preparing them for a bright future.

This is a campus that cares. There’s a Student Wellbeing Centre, an in-house recruitment agency named UniTemps, a library and learning centre located at the heart of the main campus, and 24/7 security on all university and campus accommodation sites.

The Surrey Students’ Union (USSU) also caters for a diverse range of tastes. Throughout the year, there are many student events held on campus, from sports to cultural celebrations. Here, there are student societies and calendars of activities to suit everyone!

“If you’re interested in attending socials at the beginning of your first year, you’ll be happy to know that Surrey Uni is incredibly diverse (both in terms of multiculturalism and interests) and it’s impossible not to find at least one person who has the same interest as you do. You’ll meet lovely people, who love similar things as you do and I promise you, you won’t regret it!”, Patricia Pelea from the Guildford Leos society advises.

Where your future starts

Uniting your skills with unique access to today’s world of work, the University of Surrey has developed a Professional Training placement programme that gives you the opportunity to develop your professional edge alongside your academic and personal potential.

“The opportunity to do a Professional Training placement was definitely a contributing factor in my decision to come to Surrey. Having researched the university online from my home in Zambia, I was impressed with the many links Surrey has and the fact that it cares not only about how students do academically but also about their future career prospects,” BEng Mechanical Engineering student Fahmid Chowdhury explains.

Achieving 1st in the UK and 7th in the world for work placements and research partnerships with employers in the QS World Employability Rankings 2019, the university is universally known for its impressive graduate employability figures.

That’s why many students embark on a placement in industry and receive ample support in finding a placement through the University Employability and Careers service.

Preparing you for the future worlds of work, the careers service provides a wide range of professional opportunities to students through their extensive 2,300+ business partner network.

Upon completion of their placement, many students then return to university with a fresh perspective and new set of professional skills, driving them to achieve high results in their final year.

Confronting financial restrictions, the university’s bursaries and scholarships are also among the most competitive in the country, with both merit-based and means-tested awards available.

So, what are you waiting for?

Create your own series of unforgettable undergraduate memories at the University of Surrey today!

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