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Warwick University

UCAS Code: W20

Location: West Midlands Show on Map

Site: Single campus near Coventry

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World-class research-intensive university; a member of the Russell Group of universities.

Student Population

Total Students:	28,870
Undergraduates:	66%
Postgraduates:	34%
FE Students:	0%

Undergraduates

Total undergraduates:	19,120
Male:	50%
Female:	50%
Full Time:	62%
Mature on Entry:	10%
UK Students:	80%
State school entry:	75%

Teaching Staff

1869 (full- and part-time).

Broad study areas

Arts, science, medicine, social science.

Freshers

Admission Information:	Entry requirements usually include 3 A-levels plus a further AS-level. UCAS tariff not typically used.
Points on Entry (Mean):	462
Drop Out Rate:	4%
Accommodation:	All first years housed who apply by given deadline.

Institution

Founded:	1965
Site:	Single, landscaped campus, 2½ miles south-west of Coventry city centre.
How to get there:	To Coventry by rail (1¼ hours from London Euston, 11 mins from Birmingham International Airport), by coach (2½ hrs from London), by road (close to M1, M6, M40, M42). Frequent buses to campus from Coventry and Leamington Spa (both journeys 25 mins); students can get reduced bus pass.
Special features:	Many visiting professors. Arts and music centres; string quartet in residence. Successful science park; business school; close links with industry and local community.

Student services & facilities

Student advice & services:	Doctors, psychiatrist, chaplains, law centre (in school of law), student counsellors and personal/residential tutor system. 78-place nursery.
Amenities:	Restaurants, real ale pub, fast food outlets, coffee bars and bars on campus. New SU building with student newspaper, travel and insurance offices; refectory; university arts centre (theatres, concert hall, music centre, cinema, art gallery, sculpture trail, bookshop); banks, hair salon, print shop, post office, large supermarket on campus. Close to Coventry (swimming pool, theatre, museums and galleries), Leamington, Warwick and Stratford (RSC).
Sporting facilities:	Extensive playing fields, sports pavilion, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, dri-play floodlit area, running track, trim track, 2 sports centres (25m pool, squash courts, well-equipped fitness room, gymnasia, aerobics studios, indoor climbing centre).
Accommodation:	All first years who apply in time are in university campus or managed accommodation (50+% of all first-degree students). 6200 places in halls on campus, 1600 places off campus (almost all with internet access). Rents £79–£135 per week self-catering, contracts 30 to 50 weeks. Some final-year students return to campus (decided by ballot). Most 2nd and 3rd years live in self-catering places in university-managed properties (in Coventry, Kenilworth and Leamington Spa) or privately rented accommodation, rents typically £70+ pw plus bills.

Study opportunities & careers

Library & information services:	1 main library; over 1 million volumes, 11,000 periodicals (6000 electronic); 1980 study places; short-term loan period for books in heaviest demand. Specialist collections: modern records centre; BP archive centre. Information provision, £222 pa spent for each student (FTE). Separate IT service. Ratio workstations to students 1:9 plus further facilities in halls of residence; many students have own computers. 1000+ machines with access to library and internet. IT facilities open 24/7; comprehensive technical and advisory support. Induction courses on library and information services for all new students (reinforcing transition towards independent learning); IT skills courses and training suites.
Other learning resources:	Language centre, computing centre; integrated space (Learning Grid) for 300 students, in range of independent and group learning activities, open 24 hours/day all year.
Study abroad:	5% of students spend a period abroad. Formal exchange links and Erasmus partnerships with 150+ universities in Europe and the Americas, many open to non-language specialists.
Careers:	Careers library, individual counselling, sponsorship officer, employers' recruitment visits.

Money

Living expenses budget:	Minimum budget of £9000 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.
Term-time work:	University advises limit of 10–15 hours pw term-time work. University-run temps agency. Work available on campus in eg admin, SU, arts centre, conferences.
Financial help:	Awards for students who have attended state schools in England and whose family income is up to £42.6k pa: of £4500 pa where family income is up to £25k pa, of £1500 pa where it is £25k−£36k pa, or of £500 pa where family income is £36k−£42.6k pa. Also some scholarships for international students. £330,000 government funds offering special help for those suffering financial hardship, mature students, single parents, disabled students. Own fund provides limited, short-term aid to international students who experience financial hardship.
University tuition fees:	Home students pay £9000 pa for first degrees (£6000 for courses taught in local FE colleges for the first 2 years). International students pay £13,800 (classroom-based), £17,600 pa (lab-based, performance, economics, business courses).

Courses

Academic features:

4-year accelerated medical course (MBChB) for graduates. University provides adult and continuing education courses locally and validates an open access scheme; range of part-time degrees by day and/or evening study.

Awarding body:

University of Warwick

Main undergraduate awards:

BA, BSc, LLB, BEng, MBChB, MChem, MEng, MMath, MMathStat, MPhys, MMORSE

Length of courses:

3 years; 4 years (incl languages, undergraduate Masters).

Main subjects offered:

Accountancy
American Studies
Ancient History
Archaeology
Art History
Automotive Engineering
Biochemistry
Biological Chemistry
Biology
Biomedical Science
Business Economics
Business Studies
Cell Biology
Chemistry
Childhood Studies
Civil Engineering
Classical Studies
Classics
Comparative Literature
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Computer Technology
Computing
Creative/Performance Writing
Cultural Studies
Drama
Economic History
Economics
Education
Electronic Engineering
Engineering (General)
English
Environmental Biology
European Business Studies
Film Studies
Finance
French
Gender Studies
German
Greek, Ancient/Classical
History
Information Technology
International Business
International Relations
Italian
Latin
Latin American Studies
Law
Management
Manufacturing Engineering
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Medicinal Chemistry
Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Operational Research
Performance Arts
Philosophy
Physics
Politics
Psychology
Social History
Social Policy
Sociology
Spanish
Statistics
Theatre Studies
TV Studies
Virology

Student view

Mike Pidgeon, Communications Officer (Graduate, Engineering Business Management)

Living

What's it like as a place to live? Warwick campus was recently voted the best in the UK by the Times Education Supplement. Everything you need, from supermarkets to clubs, are just around the corner. Nice friendly chilled atmosphere where there's always something going on.

How's the student accommodation? University-run accommodation on campus is nice but expensive. Some halls are better (and louder!) than others - Rootes has a reputation as being Party Central for freshers. Private accommodation in Leamington and Coventry varies massively, both in cost and quality - some are cheap as chips and amazing, whereas others cost a fortune and are complete dives. Make sure you check them out properly before you sign any contracts!

What's the student population like? Warwick has an incredibly diverse student population, made up from over 120 different countries. Always interesting to make friends with people from far and wide.

How do students and locals get on? Community relations are probably not the best in some areas of Leamington, but are getting much better - in part due to the work done in the community by Warwick Volunteers. Make sure you invite the locals to your house parties!

Studying

What's it like as a place to study? Courses are incredibly flexible - one of Warwick's main academic strengths. I changed mine a little all three years I was a student here! Courses are modern and highly regarded by employers. There's also a brand spanking new library, with lots of computers and uncomfortable fancy chairs, but there is still a slight lack of core textbooks, especially round exam time.

What are the teaching staff like? Lecturers are almost always internationally regarded as experts in their field, carrying out top-notch research. Some are more interested in students than others however - bit of a lottery as to who you get as your tutor!

Socialising

What are student societies like? Warwick SU has the highest number of societies of any Union in the UK - over 220. From socialism to string orchestra, break dancing to bridge, there is bound to be one that you like the look of. Add to this over 70 sports clubs run in partnership with the University. Clubs and socs are a major part of life for many people at Warwick.

What's a typical night out? Warwick SU has been completely redeveloped this year to the tune of about £11 million - the new building open in time for Freshers 09, with pretty top-notch facilities. A typical night in the new Union might be starting off for a few drinks in the terrace bar overlooking the main Piazza area, moving up to the Union's pub for a pint or 2, then moving downstairs to the main venue for Top Banana - the longest-running student night in the country.

And how much does it cost? Depends how much you drink! I can usually get by on about £15-£20, but then again I am a lightweight.

How can you get home safely? Yup. Campus is well lit at night and regularly patrolled by the University's Security Department.

Money

Is it an expensive place to live? Much cheaper than most city unis. Accommodation costs in first year might be a struggle, but apart from that it's generally ok.

Average price of a pint? Couple of quid.

And the price of a takeaway? A fiver-ish? Depends what type of takeaway!

What's the part-time work situation? There are plenty of part-time jobs in the Union, doing things like bar work and stewarding. The Uni also runs its own recruitment agency for students, definitely worth a look - some of the jobs they offer are pretty well paid.

Summary

What's the best feature about the place? Fantastic brand-new Students' Union building.

And the worst? Campus can become a bit of a bubble.

And to sum it all up?Get involved in your Union as much as possible - join clubs and societies, vote in elections and make the most of the new venue. Without the SU, Warwick would be a pretty dull place!

Past Students

Sting, Dave Nellist (Militant MP), David Davis MP, Lord Jeff Rooker, Stephen Pile (journalist), Simon Mayo (DJ), Timmy Mallett (TV personality), Estelle Morris (politician).