Greenwich

It's up-and-coming and with huge ambition. It's based on three campuses: at Greenwich, Avery Hill in Eltham, and Medway in Chatham (as well as partner colleges in the south-east). Each campus houses complete university schools, so the subject you study determines where you'll spend your time. The majority of schools and students are at Greenwich Campus - part of a World Heritage Site on the River Thames, designed some 300 years ago by Sir Christopher Wren. The area is full of history and tourist sites: the Cutty Sark and Gypsy Moth IV are both in dry dock nearby; the Royal Observatory (home of Greenwich Mean Time), Royal Naval College and Painted Hall; and then of course there are Greenwich markets, which are a real part of local life. Avery Hill, at Eltham, is a vibrant campus of nearly 6000 students, with modern facilities and the up-to-date equipment needed for education & training, health & social care and architecture & construction. Eltham is full of surprises such as Eltham Palace. Medway campus offers the high-tech research and science facilities needed for the engineering and science, as well as the Natural Resources Institute which is based there. Chatham Dockyard and other sights are nearby. There are halls of residence at (or near) all three campuses. The Avery Hill village is open to students on all campuses (a free bus service so lectures easy to get to!). It's a courtyard development of shared flats, some rooms ensuite and all have a small fridge, telephone and internet access; it's set in parkland and has a great community feel; there is a general shop, launderette, gym and bars and food court at The Dome. Four halls near to Greenwich campus, offering a variety of accommodation, some ensuite, many with internet connections. Two halls on site at Medway campus (all rooms ensuite). A huge part of the Greenwich experience is the social life. SU creates a variety of social and cultural events to meet the needs of a diverse student population - from live music, different acts and club nights to comedy, quiz and film nights. SU bars at all campuses are a great place to relax and escape the pressures of academic life. Annual events (eg freshers', valentine's ball, may ball, sports and societies awards dinner) are special dates in the calendar and attract lots of interest. Wide range of sporting activities, from BUCS premiership football to newly-created American football. Also massive choice of societies (Amnesty international to LGBT); there's generally something for everyone - but if not, the SU can help you set it up. If you want something different, central London is only a train ride away. Whichever campus you are on, with over 20,000 students from 80+ countries, the university's policy on equal opportunities and diversity encourages a vibrant multicultural atmosphere. 

Housing: University accommodation for all new students. Then local rented housing (look on noticeboards, estate agents). Eats: SU food outlets on all sites - value for money food. Meal £3+ on campus. Usual variety of local eateries at all sites; good restaurants in Greenwich, Chatham and Gillingham. Drink: SU bars at all campuses. Earl of Chatham (Woolwich), brand new bar in Greenwich - Bar Latitude - very popular. London Pride, Ramrod Special, good local beers. Nightlife: Loads of ents at the SU. Incredible number of bars and clubs in central London. Multiplex and nightclub bars on outskirts of Chatham and Gillingham. Zen's club in Dartford popular. Locals: Friendly in Dartford and Chatham, less so in Woolwich. Sports: Multi-purpose (and cheap) gym at Avery Hill site. Charlton Athletic Football Club has massive sports facility on site (used for training purposes) and new sporting facilities (eg sports hall, dance studios) at Avery Hill. Jobs: Lots about, at minimum wage, through the SU (bars, stewarding, ents work), university (registry, recruitment and marketing, lab work), off-campus (all sorts!), and work experience programmes operated through the Jobshop. Best features: Diverse campuses and societies. 

Hale & Pace (TV comedians), Brian Jacks (Olympic judo medallist), Ann Packer (Olympic athletics medallist), Rachel Heyhoe-Flint (cricketer), Prof Ian McAllister (Prof of Politics, Uni of New South Wales). 

Ring SU on 020 8331 7629 or visit website www.suug.co.uk.