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University of Leicester
From The Student RoomTSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > University of Leicester
 The University of Leicester is based in the city of Leicester in England, with the main campus about one mile out of the centre. It current has over 20,000 students of which nearly 10,000 are full time undergrads. The uni was created in 1921, later being known as University College, Leicester before achieving university status in 1957. FacilitiesLibrariesThe academic heart of the University is the main library. Leicester has a well stocked library of over a million books, and numerous digital resources. Currently nearing the end of a £30 million extension and refurbishment, the new library will be open fully in 2008. The main section of the library is now open and ready for use, with private study and comfy seating areas, group study rooms and has many laptop points with wireless internet access. The library staff are all well trained and will help out whenever needed. There is usually a guide on hand, if you get lost, and you can currently go on a library tour at 11 am or 3 pm. In addition the the main library, there are also several others, the largest being the education library situated at the School of Education. This has a wonderful assortment of children's literature, teaching books and classroom resources. Also located here during the main library's refit is the English Local History collection. There is a clinical sciences library for medical students located at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. Several departments also have their own libraries, the Law department owns the Harry Peach library in the Fielding Johnson Building, and the History Department has dedicated libraries to Holocaust studies, English Local History and Urban History.  IT and ComputingLeicester University is well equipped with computing services. Upon enrolling every student receives a 'CFS' username which gives them access to a personal university approved email address, a computer account allowing you to log onto all computers on campus and allows access to the online learning resource come to be known as 'Blackboard'; a crucial link between students and their tutors for announcements about upcoming lectures, seminar information and alike; and a way to submit coursework online through a plagiarism detector. The CFS username also allows the use of Athens authenticated online learning resources. There are various of computer suites around campus, in the library and Ken Edwards' buildings amongst others; and there are also several 'quick access points' which are standing units around the university, which allow users to log on for 20 mins at a time. Generally these are for checking emails and such short term activities. The computer centre is located on the main campus library and is available should anybody have any problems. The Oadby halls of residence are equipped with limited internet access, which has its slower times at peak points during the day. This is included in accommodation fees. Mary Gee houses has a limited internet access. Freeman's Common and Nixon Court also has limited but adequate internet access.
SportsThe main University building, the Charles Wilson building, has it's own Sports hall; with facilities for many of the university approved clubs, from badminton and basketball to indoor football. In addition to this there is Manor Road sports ground, located close to the Oadby halls of residence. This has a slightly smaller indoor area; but features tennis and hockey courts, space for 5-a-side football; and a running track. The majority of the university clubs will have training sessions at both, utilising these facilities to the full. Fortunately located next to Leicester's Victoria Park, there's plenty of room for clubs and friendly training. Both Manor Road and the campus sports halls have gym facilities, which are free to use with posession of a sports card. To partake in one of the many university sports clubs, and to get free use of any of the university sporting facilities at any time, you need to purchase a Sports Card for £55. You can do this at the Charles Wilson building any weekday, provided you have a picture of yourself, and the money!  WelfareThe University Welfare Office is located on the first floor of the percy gee building. The staff are efficient, helpful and well-informed and offer services such as counselling for students with personal or social problems and arranging temporary financial aid for those who have not yet received their student loans as deadlines for tuition fees and accommodation payments approach. As well as the universities welfare office, each hall has an elected team of welfare reps on the JCR. There job is to make sure your time in halls of residences is as care free as possible, they do an excellent job and are there whenever you need them. HealthcareUpon joining the uni you are given the option to register for a doctor in Leicester. This is done when you move into halls. The doctor is found just down the road from the university, and a short bus ride from halls in Oadby, located on the site of the Freeman's Common residences. Also located here is the Hugh Binney sick bay. Upon arriving at halls you pay a small fee towards the running of the place (your fees for your total time at university are billed with your first accommodation bill, working out at about £11 a year) and if you are ever ill you can stay in it. Whilst you are there you will have a team of qualified nurses looking after you, making sure you're well fed and warm, and are in the perfect environment for quick recuperation. ShopsAs with any City, Leicester City Centre hosts many of the major shops you all know and love. With two shopping 'malls', the Shires shopping centre, which is still undergoing renovation, and the Haymarket. Suitable for clothes and entertainment shopping, of all varieties, Leicester's intricate side roads and independant shops make it a great place for walking around on a relaxing shopping trip. WHSmith's, Waterstones, Next, Burton, Monsoon, Topshop/Topman, Thorntons, Virgin Megastores (now aka Zavi), HMV, Game, JJB Sports, Swaravoski Crystal and of course, Primark, are among the numerous shops on offer. The university itself has a bookshop, in the Charles Wilson building, a second hand bookshop, in the Percy Gee building and the 'University shop' in the Student's union. There are numerous supermarkets in Leicester; the most convenient of which is Asda, located very close to the Oadby halls of residence. There is also a Sainsbury's located about 1 mile further down the same road from Asda if you fancy the walk there and hauling your shopping back if you're walking. For those living in Mary Gee there are a large variety of shops along Queen's Road to choose from. There is also a Morrisons located near to the university, this is very useful if you are living in halls close to the campus such as Freemans Common, Nixon or Opal Court. Within the city centre there is also an iceland, located near to the haymarket. Restaurants On campus there are various places to eat during the day: including the main canteen and sub canteen in Charles Wilson building, and the Snappers Diner on the second floor. The Redfearn bar in the student Union building also serves food at most points in the day; and the lounge downstairs in the SU building is also good for buying snacks on campus. The city itself has many places to eat out. Along London road are situated many bars/pubs that serves meals, such as Varsity and the Loaded Dog. There is both a Thai and Chinese restaurant along London road, nearer the train station, as well as café. There's an Indian restaurant a few paces up Evington road, accessible from the top of London road also. There are two Nando's; one on the way into the city centre; one near Morrison's supermarket and the Odeon cinema. There are plenty of takeaway places too if you want to order food to halls. They know exactly where you are, and they hand out plenty of flyers at the halls. Try Bluepoint, the chicken is good, but the chips will be a bit soggy from condensation by the time it's delivered. New Walk Burgers is by far the best takeaway though. You also have the usual takeaways including pizza hut and dominoes. During freshers week you will be given a lot of vouchers, keep them, they will be very useful! BanksThe main University Campus has two banks; HSBC, located in Charles Wilson building, with a cash point outside, near the entrance to the University bookshop (although the student newspaper has reported that this bank on site looks set to be closed down). The other, Natwest, is located in the Student Union building, Percy Gee; to the right as you go in past the cash machine. The cash machines on campus get very busy at peak times, so it's best to get money out early, or before you arrive on campus. In addition to these, the city centre, inevitably, has all of the major banks. A Natwest, located along the main road into the city; Abbey National located near to the entrance of the Shires shopping centre; there's a Lloyd's TSB at the top of London road, near Victoria park. There is a Barclay's and another (larger) Natwest near the outdoor market. The Evington area, a popular student area, also has Barclay's, Natwest and an Alliance Leicester bank.  TransportThe 80/80A is the only regular bus route that collects from all Oadby halls of residence, and Mary Gee on Ratcliffe Road. The 80 service runs half hourly, Monday to Saturday until around 11.30pm, and goes to the university, and then on to the rail station and city centre. From Monday to Friday before 6pm the 80A service also runs on a loop service from halls to university (not into the city centre). The 80A service runs every 10 minutes, but not on the half hours when the 80 runs. To get to university on time for lectures using the 80/80A get the bus 20 minutes before your lecture is due to start, 30 minutes to be early, and 40 minutes if your lecture is at 9AM. The 31/31A runs every 5/10 minutes, 7 days a week; but less frequently on Sundays; and can be caught from anywhere along the infamously long London road. This service runs into the City Centre, including a stop right outside the rail station, and up to Oadby. It's convenient on those rainy mornings when the buses are too full to pick up students from Digby Hall - the buses collect from John Foster, GMS, Beaumont, then Digby before heading to Mary Gee; so at busy times (when lots of people have lectures starting at the same time!) the bus may completely fill at John Foster. The 15/15A takes you to Meridian Park, the site of Bowling and Cinema entertainments. A yearly bus pass covers all Arriva bus services you are likely to use whilst at Leicester. A bus pass can be purchased for £238 at the bus station, a little cheaper at University, or for £218 online; which works out considerably cheaper than buying two singles (£1.80 each) or a day pass (£3.00) every day. Most people find that their bus pass has paid for itself after the first term! If you choose to walk into university, be prepared for at least a 30 minute walk from Oadby (if you walk fast) and 50 minutes for slower walkers. If you choose to do this, a shorter route can be found by taking a left at Duke's Drive (on London road) followed by a right (your first right) then a left (along Knighton Park Road) which takes you to Victoria Park, at the foot of Queen's Road, saving about 5 minutes of your journey. Cycling to uni is also an option. It can take 15 minutes at a reasonable speed, quicker than the bus most days! The quickest way is the same as the route suggested above for walking. There are cycle paths all the way along London Road and most places around the city, so it can be a safe and healthy option. If you are planning to cycle to uni, don't forget your bike lights as it will get dark pretty quickly, especially during the winter when you have a late lecture! The University of Leicester Students Union run a Safety Bus service in the evenings from the university to anywhere you like (within reason; so halls or the city centre are fine, but don't ask for London!) for £1, or you can purchase a yearly pass for £30. The service runs hourly or half hourly depending on the day until the bars and Library have closed. On Sunday evenings (between 7 and 10pm) the Safety Bus also collects people from the train station, which is handy after a weekend home.  Careers serviceBased in college house, the careers service has information leaflets based on everything you might need to know when applying for a job. The small team of staff can also be booked for appointments to discuss CVs, interview techniques or any other job related questions. Part-time jobsPart time jobs can be found in the student union, at the workbank office www.theworkbank.co.uk. You have to sign up, but they have information on all kinds of jobs and can fit around your free hours. They also hold information on uni jobs which pay £6/hour. Religious facilitiesThe University of Leicester acknowledges the wide cultural heritage of the city. The Charles Wilson building features gender specific prayer lounges for those of the muslim faith. Opposite the main campus, is the Leicester University Chapel, which provides opportunities for interfaith co operation and access to resources. Social Bars, Pubs and clubsLeicester offers plenty of opportunities for nights out, both at the university and in the city. The university has it's own bar, the Redfearn, which has £1 drinks on Sunday's called 'Squids Night'. There's also Element, which hosts 'Shampoo' on Thursdays. The main Student nights at the University are held in The Venue, with 'Red Leicester' on Wednesdays and 'Madfer it' on Fridays. Both these events are extremely popular, due to range of music on offer and the vibrant scene. Each of the Oadby halls of residence have their own bars. John Foster's bar being both the biggest and most comfortable, being almost brand new. S is the next biggest; followed by Gilbert Murray, Beaumont and Digby. Sporting events are shown on TV's at John Foster and the S bar; Digby doesn't as the bar is not popular enough to sustain the need for it. The City has many places to go. Zanzibar is a very popular choice with Leicester University's only official student night on Monday's, playing mainly dance/r'n'b and some indie; Attached to this is the second room, cobarna which plays more brit-pop, alternative and indie music. Liquid also has a student night on Monday and enjoys healthy competition with Zanzibar. For those people who are more interested in rock music, there is Mosh and Fanclub, the latter hosting 80's night and 90's night on Fridays and Saturday's respectively. There are other clubs in the city e.g. life, so whatever your taste you will easily be able to find a good night out! These are quite big clubs in the city centre. Taxi's from Oadby to these places will cost approximately £10-12. Between 4 or 5 of you though, it's not too bad. In terms of pubs, The Loaded Dog and Varsity, both along London road are popular; offering both TV and wifi internet access, and pool tables. They too play a variety of music, and have a very good atmosphere. They are popular on both Monday, Wednesday and Friday as pre-student event drinking locations. There is also a Wetherspoons in Oadby, a short walk from halls. This offers some great deals in terms of food and drink and is a popular hang out. The city centre also has a wide variety of bars. There is the Landsdowne on London road which offers a relaxed environment and some very nice cocktails! Further along on London road there is also time, which is a common feature on bar crawls. Within the city there are a lot of other bars. Some of them are r-bar, The Sun, Walkabout, Lloyds and many more. Whatever your taste you will find a bar you like. Events As well as the weekly on campus events, the university hosts many other events. The Venue has recently hosted gigs for Idlewild, Reverend and the Makers, Scouting for Girls and Kosheen; in the past year the Arctic Monkeys and Chesney Hawkes have also played. There is also the new 'comedy night' event being organised. The halls also have their own events, organised by the Junior Common Room Committee; events such as comedy nights, bar crawls and chocolate fountain events. There is a central university ball at the end of the academic year, and all of the halls of residence hold their own balls throughout the year. Varsity holds and annual football and rugby match, played at Leicester's Walkers Stadium, which is available to anyone for a fee of about £5. De Montfort hall, at the foot of Victoria park, very close to the university also hosts regular events; including concerts and shows, one of the current shows is high school musical. Clubs and societiesThe University has a large number of clubs and societies, far too many for me to name them all. From your sporting clubs, football, rugby, hockey, badminton and more; religious societies; gaming societies, both fantasy and board games; and many miscellaneous societies, such as the Viking Society. Most subjects have their own societies also, such as the English society, Law society, etc. All the clubs have their own events; bar crawls, with varying themes; and various trips organised by the committees. The societies also host these sorts of events, usually having competing bar crawls, such as the Politics vs History bar crawls. The clubs and societies are a great way to make new friends and get involved with the university.  AccommodationAccommodation policyThe University of Leicester guarantees accommodation to anyone holding conditional or unconditional offers for the university having selected the uni as their first choice. Those with the university as their insurance choice and who go through clearing are given the choice of rooms available from what's left. However due to the large amount of accommodation coming through clearing isn't always a bad thing, and you can still get decent accommodation as long as you sort your forms out as soon as possible. FacilitiesHalls in the Oabdy village each have a bar, with pool table(s), a common area open when the bar isn't, except Digby, which is the smallest, and on site laundrettes. Some also have bike storage facilities. They also have internet access. Nixon Court and Opal Court also have their own laundrette. These residences do not have their own bars, but as it is more like living in flats you have a living room area. Nixon Court offers internet access, whilst Opal Court doesn't. Mary Gee, similarly, has all the washing facilities required and (limited) internet access in the common area. However these halls are being closed at the end of this academic year (afaik). ResidencesThe University of Leicester has numerous halls of residence of varying distances from the University campus. The main bulk of the university's accommodation is located in a student village in Oadby in the south of the city.  The Oadby halls of residence, featuring five (or four now two have been linked together) halls, are the furthest away from campus; comprising a 30-45 minute walk and 15 minute bus ride. They consist of John Foster Hall, formerly known as New Hall, as it was officially opened last year (2006-2007); Gilbert Murray Stamford (GMS, formerly Gilbert Murray and Stamford separately); Beaumont and Digby. The Oadby halls are in a nice location, near to Asda supermarket, in a quiet area; situated near the Universities botanical gardens, the perfect place for a nice stroll. New Hall is the newest and most modern hall. One of the largest Halls of residence, New Hall is all en-suite rooms. In the other halls, communal shower and bathrooms are still used. Communal foyers are a good place to get to know your halls mates, with night times being alive with activity. All these halls have their own bars, with typically cheap alcohol on sale, and pool tables available. Both catered and self catered accommodation is offered at each hall, with food being served from 8 - 10 AM and 5.30 - 7 PM weekdays, and 12 - 1 and 5.30 - 7 PM Saturdays, 12 - 1 and 5.30 - 6.30 Sundays. Each block has it's own kitchen facilities. On site launderette's are available at each halls, which obviously get busy at certain times of day. GMS comprises a variety of blocks, old houses and smaller houses. It has a mixture of new buildings such as Bowder Court, and older houses dating from 1902, like Kent House and more. It contains both catered and self catered residences with a very active social comittee organising a wide variety of events e.g. balls, bar crawls, comedy nights and treasure hunts. Beaumont Hall is a very sociable catered hall. It features a mixture of blocks and houses. Beaumont house itself was built in 1904 and contains residences, a lovely bar, a games room and the dining hall. Digby Hall is the smallest and closest to Asda. It features 6 blocks; yellow, green, white, blue, black, and red (a smoking block); the main house and various houses on the other side of the road. Ratcliffe Road is the site of the Mary Gee houses. These are a number of self catered houses arranged in blocks ranging from A to double I, with each block consisting of 10 single rooms with communal wash facilities on the ground and second floor and a kitchen and laundry room on the 1st floor. They are about half the distance from the university as the Oadby halls. The Mary Gee Houses were scheduled for demolition but greater than expected demand for accommodation forced the university to reopen them in order to fulfil their promise of "guaranteed accommodation" for all students applying on time. There is a small common room with 100mbs wired and wireless internet access and a laundry room containing washing machines and tumble dryers. The closest halls to the uni are located on and around Freeman's Common. These are self-catered houses,are usually populated by post graduates and international students. Opal and Nixon Court are flat like accommodations, also self catered. They are within 5 minutes walk from the main campus. Private sectorStudents at the University of Leicester tend to live in two main areas; Evington and Clarendon Park, and a couple of subsidiary ones. 
Student union The Union is located in the Percy Gee Building on the main campus. The union offers a whole host of services to students. In the union there are 3 food outlets, The Redfearn a large bar, The Lounge, a smaller coffee bar, and Oasis, a snack venue. There is a large nightclub, as well as a shop, student support services and a performance hall. The second hand bookshop is also located in the union. It is notoriously hard to navigate, the building being somewhat of a catacomb, but worry not, you should just about be able to find your way around by the end of your third year here. PricesUsually about £1:80 for a pint of beer, or £2 for a glass of wine, spirits and mixers vary, but are normally around the £2 mark. VKs are £1.70, and on event nights in The Venue all drinks are £1 before 11pm. The Students Union shop is generally well priced for most things, including stationary, a meal deal for £2.99 (including a gingsters sandwich, mc coys crisps and a drink), sandwiches (Rolls can be bought for as little as £1!) and snacks. The student union shop is also the place you can purchase your university merchandise e.g. Leicester hoodies, pens etc. EnvironmentOne of the key attractions of Leicester is the amount of greenery around both the main campus and the halls of residence. The campus is adjacent to Victoria Park, which was, until the 1920's the city's racecourse. The park contains a large war memorial, which is a rather impressive structure, and in the summer is host to all sorts of sporting and cultural events, and is very popular with students relaxing in between exams.  The halls of residence in Oadby are, environmentally, in a stunning area. By far and away the most affluent area of the city of Leicester, Oadby is an area of lovely green spaces, and very, very large houses indeed. The main attraction here is the university's own Harold Martin Botanic Gardens, which are really beautiful. Students from the nearby halls of residence come to the gardens to relax and revise during the summer. ArchitectureArchitecturally the university campus is an interesting place. The university's first building, which now houses the administrative core of the university, as well as the Faculty of Law, is the Fielding Johnson building. Built in 1837 as the Leicestershire and Rutland Lunatic asylum, the building was used as a field hospital during the First World War and donated as the main building of Leicester's new University College in 1918. Also of note from the university's early days are the Astley Clarke buildings, constructed as the university's first scientific laboratories in the 1920's, and College House, home of the careers service, notable for having been the childhood home of Richard and David Attenborough, whose father Fredrick was Principal of the University College.  It is, however, the universities modern architecture, that is now the defining image of the university. Leicester's skyline is defined by the three towers of Leicester University, the Engineering building, the Attenborough Tower and the Charles Wilson building. Of these three, of most note is the pioneering engineering building, designed in the late 1950's by James Stirling, one of the 20th centuries greatest architects. The Attenborough Tower, home of the infamous paternoster lift, is currently undergoing a refit, is the home of the Faculty of Arts, and the Charles Wilson building, one of the most stunningly ugly buildings you will ever see, is the central hub of the university. And if you think the Charles Wilson building is ugly, wait until you see the maths building. Most of the university's buildings are named after notable figures in the university's history, the Chemistry, Biology buildings are named after George Porter, Edgar Adrian and Alan Hodgkin, Nobel Laureates and former Chancellors of the university. Local areaLeicester is a modern campus, undergoing varying redevelopment stages. The university library is currently undergoing redesign, the Attenborough building amongst others is currently being renovated. The East side of the campus leading to the Bennett building and other sceince related buildings has been recently repaved. Situated close to Victoria Park, Leicester university has a peaceful feel. Victoria park itself, much like London's Hyde Park, though not as big, is a large expanse of greenery and trees. It's the perfect setting for a friendly game of football, a picnic or a nice walk. Also in Victoria Park is the WWI memorial (as pictured to the right.)  The City itself is a good mixture of new architectural shopping centres and old side streets with your independant style shops. London road, renowned for it's almost never ending length is the site of many hotels and B&B. Closer to the city centre it has your bars and restaurants, and various shops. Leicester train station is also along London road, about 10-15 minutes walk from the uni. The station itself is clean and, considering it only has 4 platforms, quite expansive, serving London (every 30 mins) and most other areas in the Midlands regularly. Teaching qualityLeicester has performed outstandingly well in both the governments teaching reports, and the National Student Survey. For three consecutive years the University of Leicester has recorded the highest average score for overall satisfaction amongst full time students at mainstream universities in England. Described as a "first class university" Leicester is ranked 12th in the UK out of 113 universities by the UK Complete University Guide [1] published on 24 April 2008. Applying to LeicesterThinking of applying to Leicester? Why not read some Personal Statements which were used for applying here? Other Leicester ArticlesWhy not read these other Leicester Articles? Links | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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