The university is really nice, but there are strengths and weaknesses. Academically I would rank it really highly, but quality of life could be improved upon. As an exchange student it is proving hard to assimilate into the community here. The weather is depressing as hell. Things are also quite expensive, and working part-time is something I would have to do if I was staying here any longer. Best part is that it is close to London and the classes are quite interesting. More practicial than theoretical, expect lots of groupwork.

Not as visible as they could be. You have to go looking for things (e.g. health services), they are not obvious or talked about much.

They have personal tutors for each student which is pretty impressive, however with some modules not having stand-alone tutorials or drop-in tutors, it is hard to get help from your lecturers.

Good so far. They have a presence on campus, but in terms of action have not seen much happen.

Guildford is a small town but very quaint and cute. London is very close so big points for that! The university has a nightclub and places to eat and socialise.

Lots of clubs and societies. Was very impressed.

Course hours can be very long (some lectures are 3 hours) and some lecturers can be quite boring. There is little sense of direction in terms of course progression and lecturers do not make links between their own courses and others. At times it seems very disjointed. Some courses also overlap greatly with others.

Depends on what type of person you are, but living in a Band C or lower room can be really difficult. Living with 14-15 people and sharing only one kitchen can prove to be a bit challenging. The rooms themselves are nice. Maintenance is a bit slow. Cleaning is adequate.

The "Campus Bubble" Feel: Unlike many city unis spread across town, Surrey has a proper campus community. The main Stag Hill campus is scenic (with a famous lake that is a prime spot for summer picnics) and walkable. You bump into friends constantly, which makes it feel safe and cohesive. Employability is King (The PTY): The jewel in Surrey’s crown is the Professional Training Year (PTY). The university has massive industry connections, and the support to get you into a placement (often paid) is better than almost anywhere else. It’s why their graduate employment stats are consistently high. World-Class Sports: The Surrey Sports Park (Manor Park campus) is elite. It hosted Olympic teams and is vastly superior to standard uni gyms. If you play sports, it’s a dream. Specific Academic Powerhouses: It isn't just "good overall"; it is arguably the best in the UK for niche subjects like Hospitality & Tourism, Paramedic Science, and Food Science. It is also a heavyweight in Electronic Engineering and Vet Medicine. Location Sweet Spot: Guildford is safe, affluent, and picturesque. You are only a 35-minute fast train from London Waterloo, so you get the "London experience" on weekends without the stress of living in Zone 1.

The "Lakeside" Factor: This is the big differentiator. You don't just sit in lectures; you spend part of your first year running the Lakeside Restaurant (the on-campus fine dining venue). You rotate between the kitchen and front-of-house. It is real, practical experience that gives you an edge over students from other unis who have only read textbooks. The "Rik Medlik" Community: The course is based in the Rik Medlik Building. Because the cohort is tight-knit and you wear uniforms/business attire more often than other students, there is a strong "professional" identity. You feel like you are already in the industry, not just a student. Unrivaled Industry Links: The "Professional Training Year" (PTY) is taken by almost everyone on this course. Surrey’s contacts are elite—we are talking placements at The Savoy, Hilton, Four Seasons, and Disney. The careers fairs for this department are often separate and packed with top-tier employers.

everything is good