St Mary's University College

What's it like as a place to live? St Mary's is a great place to live as the campus provides a community atmosphere where there is always something going on to make everyone feel included. This personally meant for me that the transition from home life to university was as swift and easy as possible. The local area provides a wide range of activities available, especially with central London a 20-min train journey.

How's the student accommodation? The student accommodation ranges in price to suit the individual student but all halls of residence provide sufficient facilities; the main differences in price due to ensuite facilities in the more expensive ones.

What's the student population like? Since joining in 2005 I have felt part of the University both socially and academically. This is because of the family atmosphere St Mary's provides every year so everyone feels included, involved and welcome. St Mary's has a diverse student population with representatives present from all over the globe.

How do students and locals get on? There doesn't really seem to be much interaction; we both on the whole co-exist quite happily.

What's it like as a place to study? St Mary's is renowned for its teaching excellence within sport, drama and especially teaching, as well as providing high standards across all other subjects. Statistically St Mary's has the highest employment rate for those graduating with a teaching qualification.

What are the teaching staff like? The teaching at the institution is of the highest standard with all members of staff willing to assist as much as possible both during and outside lectures.

What are student societies like? The Student Union has 31 clubs and societies providing for a wide range of interests - both at recreational level up to Olympic standard, with 13 representatives travelling to Beijing in 2008. Whether it be sporting, such as football, rugby and netball, or other, such as drama, Christian Union or fire dancing.

What's a typical night out?  There is a wide variety of entertainment available to students, whether it be provided on campus, surrounding areas or with Central London a 20-minute train journey the possibilities are endless, catering for everyone.

And how much does it cost? Ultimately it depends where you go but there are loads of nightclubs which offer entrance and drink discounts to students.

How can you get home safely? I'm sure it's the same everywhere else but the taxi drivers know where the most fares are going to be and so there are several points in town where there is normally a line of taxis - usually outside all of the nightclubs.

Is it an expensive place to live? That's a hard one to answer really, it's different from student to student I guess. All depends on how much money they have, what bills are like, price of rent. As with everything there's a mix.

Average price of a pint?  On average £2.

And the price of a takeaway? Depends on what, but most places have student discounts such as buy-one-get-one-free pizzas.

What's the part-time work situation? The university has an excellent careers service able to assist in such matters. However with various businesses in the local vicinity, as well as Twickenham stadium who pay £9 an hour on match days, part time work is readily available.

What's the best feature about the place? Strong family atmosphere.

And the worst? That you only spend three years here.

And to sum it all up? St Mary's has provided me not only with excellent teaching facilities but enabled me to grow as an individual.

Robert Ackerman (author); Patricia Mordecai (television director); Tom O'Connor (presenter); David Bedford (composer); John Callander (President of Commonwealth Institute); Geoffrey (from Rainbow); Pete Postlethwaite, Robert Beck (actors). 

Enquiries to SU president on 020 8240 4315, email smucsu@smuc.ac.uk, or check out the website on www.smsu.co.uk.