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University of Warwick
From The Student Room(Redirected from Warwick University)
TSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > University of Warwick
 Warwick University was a new creation in the 1960s to increase the number of universities in the UK. Since then it has rapidly risen to be regarded as one of the top universities in the UK and offers a wide range of traditional university courses. But don't let the name confuse you about the Unis location. While the historic town of Warwick is quite close, the University is actually located on the edge of that oh so lovely and picturesque city of Coventry! FacilitiesLibrariesThere's one main library at Warwick, although there is also some library stock in the Learning Grid so you can refer to books there without having walk all the way back to central campus. The library itself has just been refurbished, allowing it a modern and aesthetically pleasing presentation on the inside. Whilst it is a reasonable size there have been several complaints concerning it being underfunded and at times it can be difficult to find core texts, especially for some arts/humanities subjects and around deadline times. If you're doing a science, you'll probably rarely go near it! It has many computers, group study rooms, individual rooms with TV/video (used for work, not just cos you've realised Neighbours is on and you're meant to be working!), silent reading areas, photocopiers, interactive whiteboards, and the Student Reserve Collection where some really in-demand books and past papers are kept to allow students to be able to find at least one copy. Athough you can only borrow these books for a maximum of 24 hours at a time (and the fines are pretty hefty, paid by the hour, if you're late returning it), it does create a high possibilty of getting all of the books you need all of the time. The Learning Grid is open 24hrs, 7 days a week, and is based on a more relaxed learning environment. You can basically do the opposite of what you can do in the Library, ie you can eat, drink, use your phone and chat. In addition to your tables and chairs, there are quite a few sofas from which you can work. You can book presentation rooms to work in, there are video editing suites, interactive white boards (smart boards and clever boards), plasma screens with dvd and video, document visualisers, and your usual printers, scanners and photocopiers. There is also a wireless network and it's a great place to do group work. The Faculty of Biological Sciences and the Warwick Medical School are situated on the Gibbet Hill campus and have their own library containing all the necessary text books, reference books and also copies of all the pHD thesis books from Warwick Students. Second year students and above also have access to current and previous hard copies of all the Biological Journals (including medical journals). There is also a Biomed Grid, like a miniature learning grid which contains interactive white boards, computers, text books and teaching models of organs etc. If you're NOT a fan of working in a very quiet place, the Learning Grid will suit you. Advanced warning, though - During exam period, both the library and the learning grid get pretty full during the day, so either get there early, or plan to leave quite late. IT and ComputingQuite a lot of computers all over campus, and as a student you can access all the IT Services machines plus any your department has. The main computer cluster is under the library and is almost invariably nearly full, but there are several other smaller rooms about the place which are less well-known so you can usually find a free computer somewhere if you know where to look. Most departments also have their own computer rooms which usually have all the facilities of the normal IT Services machines plus some which students in those departments may find useful e.g. Engineering (with CAD programs and other specialist software), Computer Science (running Linux) and Maths (also running Linux). SportsWarwick has some of the best university sporting facilities in the country, and is ideal for all kinds of sports no matter what your ability or fitness level. Around the University there are 60 acres of outdoor playing fields, including 11 soccer pitches, 3 rugby pitches, a lacrosse pitch, 2 cricket squares and a Frisbee pitch. There are 3 floodlit all-weather pitches, one of which is artificial grass, ideal for football, rugby and American football. 3 artificial grass courts and nine macadam courts are available for tennis. There is also a 400 metre all-weather running track, shared with the Godiva Harriers.
Within the sports centre there is a 25m 6 lane swimming pool, a sauna, squash courts, sports halls, a well-equipped and modern fitness suite, a performance weight training area, aerobics studio and the second 4-court sports hall. Unique to Warwick, the newly updated Bear Rock indoor climbing centre includes a specialist bouldering centre, and is often used in national competitions. There are over 70 sports clubs, so you'll definitely find something to join and probably be spoilt for choice! WelfareHealthcareThere's a health centre on campus which you can register with providing you live on campus (or nearby in Coventry). You can see doctors and nurses at the practice and can usually get an appointment relatively quickly. There's also a chemist on campus if you need prescriptions filled. ShopsWith a small (if a little pricey) Costcutter on campus and a big Tesco about 10 minutes walk from central campus, you needn't worry about getting your groceries! There is also a post office, chemist, Endsleigh insurance office, Oxfam shop (mostly second hand books but some clothes, CDs, etc. too), hairdresser and STA Travel branch around the Student Union building, plus a book shop (with a limited selection of second hand titles) which also sells gifts. For high street shops you'll need to venture into Coventry or Leamington which are both easily accessible by bus. And luckily Birmingham's practically on the doorstep so if you need a big retail fix you can head to the Bull Ring. RestaurantsEssentially there are two competing businesses on campus: the University and the Student Union. If you don't fancy sandwiches from Costcutter for lunch then you can choose from a variety of outlets run by either the Union or the University. The Union has a selection of places to eat all within the one building including:
The University has various places spread around campus including:
BanksBarclays, NatWest and HSBC have branches on campus and pretty much every other big bank will have branches in either Coventry or Leamington which are easy to get to by bus. Cash machines accept link cards and don't charge you for withdrawing money and are spread liberally around the Student Union building. TransportEasily accessible from Coventry, Leamington and Kenilworth by the number 12 bus run by Travel Coventry and the U1/U2 run by Stagecoach. You have to have exact change for the number 12 bus (£1.30 one way, £2.60 daysaver for all day travel, £2 evening saver for after 6pm, £6 family ticket for 5 adults). You can buy bus passes for the entire year or a term at a time from both companies which are likely to save you quite a bit if you live off campus and don't drive. Travel Coventry is cheaper than Stagecoach but less frequent. Parking is variable - you can usually find a space if you get in early enough but it can be expensive. If you're travelling from further afield, it's generally best to go to Coventry train station and get the bus from the stop just outside. It's only about 20 minutes to the centre of Birmingham by train and both Coventry and Leamington lie on the West Coast mainline and have good links to London by train as well. Careers serviceThe careers service is based in University House, in the Learning Grid, and you can go in whenever you want to check out what information they have available, or visit an advisor. Throughout the year, they run a variety of sessions. You can check what's available on-line, or they may be advertised through your course. They aim to help in any situation, and respond quite quickly with useful advice. They also have an online system, for which you can search for internships, graduate jobs, summer jobs, volunteer jobs etc. They also have a designated staff member to help students in different departments. Part-time jobsThere are jobs available throughout campus, from working in the various shops, restaurants, the library or IT centre. You will find that most of the jobs on campus, except for the specialist ones, are done by students. Check out the student union website to see what they have available, or alternatively sign up to UNITEMPS, a university agency that many of the outlets advertise through, and through which you and pick up temporary jobs. I'd recommend joining them at unitemps.co.uk. As a result of everyone being a student, the pay is quite good - usually ranging from £6-£8 an hour, with a recommendation to work no more than 12hours a week. Religious facilitiesSocialSome reviews of nights and venues can be found here. Bars, Pubs and clubsEventsClubs and societiesThere are over 200 societies at Warwick, the largest number of any Students' Union in the country! A complete list can be found here AccommodationAccommodation policyFacilitiesResidencesThere are many different residences on Campus, housing most first years, and a large number of final year students, as well as a number of post-grads.
First year undergrad only. Rootes is most commonly referred to as the most sociable accommodation on campus. There's always something going on, and most people are very sociable. There are quiet areas, mainly the top floors, where the resident tutors are based, but in general, the place can be pretty noisy at times, and it's very easy to hear the union at night. It's so close to the union, that people can crawl home easily! There are three parts to Rootes: Old Rootes, New Rootes, and International House. Rooms are a decent size, with a sink in each. Kitchens are shared by around 16 people, and are quite small, but the adjoining common rooms are large, with 2 fridges and a freezer and about a million cupboards! Each floor and block has showers, baths, and toilets. You rarely ever have to wait for a shower. TV reception is rubbish unless you share a TV in the kitchen, as it's the only place with a plug-in aerial - and you can share the licence cost. For a TV in your room you will need both a TV licence and a free standing aerial, but the reception isn't great. The cleaner comes each day to empty bins and clean the bathrooms and kitchen. When its your turn to have your room cleaned, they put a sign on your door the day before, so you know to be out! The laundrette is close enough too :) Rent is £70 a week, which works out at £700 a term, and £2100 a year. Its a 30 week let only. People in Rootes are sociable and friendly, and there's always someone drunk and falling asleep on the stairs to laugh at!
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First year undergraduate - also houses quite a few international exchange students Whitefields is the closest hall to the SU, it is literally on the back of it. Whitefields are basically little houses with 12 students in or 9 if the house also houses a tutor. With a 39 week let there are quite a few international students as well which gives it a really good mix of students. Whitefields rooms are on the smaller side compared to most other uni rooms but they are perfectly ample for what you need, they are also lovely unique shapes which is quite cool, better than the bog standard rectangular room. Communal areas are cleaned once a day in the morning Mon-Fri. The kitchen is on the small side cupboard space as well as fridge and freezer space can be a bit of an issue but nothing major. There are 2 toilets one on each floor and then a shower room downstaris and bath with shower over upstairs. Whitefields main advantage is that it is in the centre of the campus, its 1 minute to the union, costcutter, many lectures can be made in a few minutes, the sports centre is only a 3 minute walk away as well. Whitefields also being small houses have a very communal feel it is just like living in a house and so can be a great atmosphere to live in. It is also a pretty sociable area within the house and you tend to socialise with teh other houses especially the ones next to you. At £66 a week its one of the cheaper halls but the 39 week let does make it more expensive than similar ones such as Rootes and Cryfield.
Westwood is the furthest hall from the SU and is considered off the main campus right opposite University House, which is a benefit if you intend to be making use of the Learning Grid. Other advantages of Westwood are the huge rooms, the largest on campus, easily twice the size of those in Rootes. The distance from central campus gives Westwood a more of a community feeling. Westwood also have their own bar, only open for special ent and can be booked for functions. There is a large meeting hall / common building in the centre with TV, cafe, pool table etc. Westwood is the closest halls to Tesco (5 mins) and there are parking spaces (but you will need a permit). As with Rootes, communal areas are cleaned daily, usually between 9.30 a.m. and noon, and individuals' rooms are cleaned once every two weeks. There are a lot of green open spaces around Westwood, its own mini-Costcutter, own postroom, laundry (though recently laundry facilities have been installed in each block) and IT suite. There is a sort of 'arts' building, with a theatre and loads of music practice room. The rooms are also cheap. Rooms are well furnished with lots of room to work and to store books. A big advantage is that Westwood is close to Varsity, as well as being the closest to the Astroturf and sports centre. It is generally quiet, especially compared to rootes. There's a bus stop right near the entrance to Westwood, which is good if you're going to Coventry on the evening. If you're going to the train station and carrying heavy bags, you don't have far to walk with them. However, lots of people share the same kitchen (18 to 26), so there is not too much room for storing food, however not having an en-suite room is not much of a problem. Westwood is not recommended to students wishing to study Biological Sciences/Biochemistry/Microbiology/Virology on the Gibbet Hill Campus, unless you intend on bringing a bike. It is a 30 minute walk across campus. Rent for 2007/2008 is £74/week.
One the best accomodation - in terms of room size. Massive rooms, en suite. very very nice, newly built - like Arthur Vick but even nicer.
Hurst Arthur Vick The best accom in my opinion, 80% of my corridor were very sociable and all other corridors were as well. cleaner was really nice as well. Fairly quiet place to live- which is nice. Usually people hang out in their kitchens so you can't hear anything from your bedroom. But you sometimes get people playing football along the corridors! Close to main campus although not so close that you can hear all the union noise etc. Pros
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Good accommodation; room size isn't noticeably small. Very similar to Arthur Vick but a bit smaller and no en suite. Think it is quite expensive though. Very close to Tesco.
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First Years Only: A very small residence, with many shared rooms for two people. CONS:
Heronbank First year undergraduates. Heronbank is a fairly new accommodation located in the Lakeside student village. The rooms are quite good and if you are lucky you may end up in a sociable flat. This residence is generally favoured by international students due to the 39 week letting which may be daunting at first if you are a home student and they are talking amongst themselves (international students tend to be more reserved about communications with other people in their flat often because of the language barrier), but usually you can find a social flat nearby. PROS:
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Private sectorStudent union
A few facts & figures (from the website... http://www.warwicksu.com)
The Union recently secured £11 million funding from the University to improve and transform Union South. The result will be a state of the art 2000 capacity club, allowing the Union to host the biggest bands as well as huge club nights. In addition to this all the food outlets will be fully revamped, including a glass-fronted cafe looking onto the piazza. See the following link for more info on the rebuild - http://www.warwicksu.com/unionsouthrebuild/ The Union is not for profit. It's mission statement is - "This Union is directed by its members and aims to enhance the experience of students whilst at the University of Warwick." All the money that is earned through its commercial activities is put straight back into making improvements for students. EnvironmentArchitectureThe University was constructed in the 1960s, so many of the buildings are just concrete blocks - the chemistry and physics building, humanities, and library being main examples of this, although they have been renovated to appear more modern in places.
It is said that the success of the university can be seen in the constant construction work that has occurred in recent years, with construction projects occurring practically non-stop over the past few years.
The more modern buildings are much more up to date and aesthetically pleasing.
The Maths and Statistics buildings being the main examples of this, as well as the continually expanding adjacent science and business parks. The Arts Centre is also of fairly modern design too.
University house is another of the more modern buildings, resembling an American mall on the inside, though with offices at the sides rather than shops.
The Student Union is also a concrete block, though at least it has had some styling, but lacks a stylish entrance, with a concrete ramp leading up to a pair of automatic doors being what there currently is.
It is divided into Union South, which is the main entertainment complex containing the bars, restaurants, shops and stage primarily focused on the first two floors, but with the graduate bar, graduate club and pool room located on the higher two floors and Local areaTeaching qualityApplying to University of WarwickThinking of applying to University of Warwick? Why not read some Personal Statements which were used for applying here? Other University of Warwick ArticlesWhy not read these other University of Warwick Articles? Links |
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