The Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities 2005 Book

If you want a great social life as well as a decent degree, then pack your bags and set off for Sheffield. According to The Virgin 2001 Alternative Guide to British Universities, Sheffield not only tops the table with 20/20 for its social scene, it also provides world-class teaching and excellent facilities. Leeds, Manchester then Edinburgh follow. This guide's trump card is that it is written by students for students. Alongside fact boxes containing straightforward stats such as when the university was founded, male/female ratios (vital), what grades you need to get in, etc., is a far more interesting box headed up "What It's Really Like". This contains the low-down on freshers week ratings, risk of violence, union bar prices, to name a few, and is based on student interviews and questionnaires. Students also write the main "View From The Ground" sections, which give an overview of the university's surroundings, its academic and student profile, its sporting facilities and, perhaps the most eagerly devoured, an assessment of the "scene", ie how many 70s clubs are in the immediate vicinity and where to go for industrial strength curries. One final table makes for arresting reading. Next to its subject requirements, the guide publishes Government inspectors' subject assessments, so you can see which university departments demand excellent grades yet fail to match them with excellent teaching. After all, if you have to take out a huge student loan you might as well get some value for your money! --Amanda CameronRead More