A to Z for new students

A

Acronyms: you will come across many different acronyms around the University (FASS, FEPS, SSP, SBS, just to name a few). Don’t ever be afraid to ask what they mean – we are all learning! 

AccessAble: we have partnered with AccessAble to develop guides to help you get to and around our sites and buildings more easily.  

Academic Hives: your Academic Hives provide you with support relating to courses and advice on assessment issues. 

(MySurrey) Attendance: we expect you to attend 100% of your timetabled teaching sessions, and it’ll give you the best chance of success on your course. This app will help you to track your attendance.

B

Bus passes: you can get heavily discounted bus passes to help you get around our campuses and Guildford town. 

C 

Clubs and societies: there is a huge range of sports clubs and societies you can join for your extracurricular activities. Join as many as you like! 

Celebrating culture: our Religious Life and Belief Centre is here for students from all faiths and beliefs and offer confidential, discreet and non-judgemental one-to-one pastoral care. 

Campus life: explore our vibrant campus and discover all the places where you can relax, eat and hang out. 

Chancellor: did you know that our Chancellor is HRH The Duke of Kent? He has been Chancellor of the University since 1976, and often visits for graduation ceremonies and other big events or celebrations on campus. 

D 

Disability and neurodiversity: for those with a disability as defined by the Equality Act (2010), academic adjustments and support can be obtained through our Disability and Neurodiversity Service team. 

E 

Employability and careers: get careers advice, attend sessions and events to enhance your employability throughout your time at Surrey. 

(MySurrey) Engagement: this online platform is personalised to you, and shows you how you are engaging with your learning so that you have the best chances of success. Sign-up now and explore your dashboard before you get started on your course.

F 

Free Fest: every year the Students’ Union holds a weekend-long festival of music, film and drama by our beautiful lake. 

Freshers’ Fair: our annual event introduces you to all the exciting things you can get up to whilst at Surrey. One not to be missed!

Food market: visit our food market every Thursday in the Students’ Union on the Stag Hill campus, featuring fresh fruit and vegetables, stalls selling hot and cold food from around the world and even a bakery! 

Front Room: the Front Room is a comfortable student-friendly social space. Here you can find a small kitchen area with microwave and instant boiling water, plus games consoles, board games and table tennis.

Feedback: student feedback is incredibly valuable to us at Surrey. It’s how we continually make changes and improvements to your experience. There are 5 easy ways to give us your feedback, including through our online student voice tool called MySurrey Voice.

G 

GP: be sure to register for a GP before you arrive at University. We have an on-campus GP surgery which gives you quick access to NHS health services. 

Graduation: graduating is something to look forward to after your years of hard work and new experiences come to an end. Surrey students graduate in the amazing Guildford Cathedral, before continuing the celebrations with friends and family in a giant marquee on campus. 

Guildford town: outside our wonderful campus, the beautiful Guildford town centre provides a hotspot of restaurants, entertainment, clubs and bars, and a modern shopping experience for everyone. 

H 

(MySurrey) Hive: MySurrey Hive provides access to immediate support and advice on student-life related queries and somewhere to meet friends for informal study and to socialise. 

I  

Inclusive: everyone is welcome at Surrey, and you can be sure that you will be part of a diverse, inclusive and supportive campus while you study. 

J 

Jobs: will you be looking for part-time work while you study? Not only can it help to cover your day-to-day expenses, it can also help with your employability and give you vital experience for your CV/resume. 

K

Key dates: get the key semester and vacation dates in your diary now! 

L 

Lockers: commuting students can use lockers on campus, found at Wates House and the Library ground floor.  

Lake: visit our beautiful lake between lectures or take a break from studying. There are also designated spots for safe BBQing.  

Laundrettes: all three of our campuses have laundrettes for use by residents. 

Library: the Library is not just a place to find books. You can also find a range of different study spaces, PCs and support to help you succeed through your studies.

M 

MySurrey website: this is your dedicated website for current Surrey students. You will be able to find lots of information about university, plus the latest news, events and campaigns. 

MySurrey App: download our MySurrey App on your phone for quick access to all the most useful University services, events and news. 

N 

Nightline: Nightline is a listening service for students. You can talk to us about any problem, ask questions or get something off your chest, confidentially and anonymously. 

(MySurrey) Nest: a space for you to rest, relax and meet with friends. Find it on the Stag Hill campus!

O 

Outdoor gym: Head to PATS Field on the Stag Hill campus to use our outdoor gym. It’s free and available for all students with no booking needed. 

P 

Professional training placement year: our scheme gives you the opportunity to develop your professional, academic and personal potential in the workplace. You will find out more about this when you reach Level 2 of your course. 

Personal tutor: you will be allocated a personal tutor at the start of your first week at University and will normally keep this tutor throughout your studies. We recommend getting in touch with them at the start of your course just to say hello! 

Peer supporters: our team of students who are here to give you support and guidance and signpost you to other services across the University and the local area. You can chat to them online every evening, and they are great if you just need someone friendly to talk to or if you need help with just about anything! 

Q   

Queen Elizabeth II: did you know that Queen Elizabeth II visited our campus a number of times during her reign? Her final visit was in 2015 when we she opened our Vet School on the Manor Park campus.

R 

Rubix: Rubix is our Students’ Union nightclub that holds up to 1550 students and hosts our regular Citrus and Flirt! nights as well as society and special events. Rubix has three levels fitted with state-of-the-art sound and lighting for maximum atmosphere. 

Report + Support: all staff, students and visitors to campus can report abuse, bullying, harassment, hate crime and sexual misconduct anonymously or with their contact details via the Report + Support online system. 

S 

Surrey Sports Park: whether you are a keen gym user, competitive sports person or prefer something more casual, you can benefit from a range of activities and facilities at Surrey Sports Park. 

Sustainability: sustainability is embedded into all of our activities at the University, and there are opportunities for you to be part of it too. 

SurreyLearn: SurreyLearn is the virtual learning environment (VLE) where lecturers will upload class notes, lecture slides and where you will need to submit assignments or take online tests. 

Students’ Union: the University of Surrey Students' Union (USSU) is a not-for-profit charity, independent from the University that represents all University of Surrey students on a local and national level. It is here to represent you, offer support, and provide entertainment and activities.  

T 

Tesco: Tesco Guildford is open 6am – midnight Monday to Saturday and 10am – 4pm on Sunday. It is located at a short walking distance from both the Manor Park and the Stag Hill campuses. This will be the main place where you can buy your groceries while living on campus. 

Team Surrey: Team Surrey is all sport and physical activity at the University of Surrey. Whether you are a gym user, play sports casually, competitive athlete or just walk to lectures, there is something for you. 

U 

University of the Year: we are proud to have been shortlisted for The Times / The Sunday Times University of the Year by the Good University Guide 2023! 

V 

Volunteering: take a look at our dedicated Surrey volunteering platform to browse the hundreds of opportunities available to students throughout the year. 

W 

Wates House: our on-campus pub, Wates House, serves burgers, hotdogs, cocktails, beers and more. It even has two pool tables and an outdoor area for when the weather is good. 

Wi-fi: you will be able to access University Wi-fi across campus in halls, teaching spaces and social areas. 

X 

(E)xtraordinary achievements: university is your opportunity to excel. It’s time to learn, try and experience something new. It’s an opportunity to grow and to find yourself. It’s time to create extraordinary achievements! 

Y 

Year abroad: if you are already on a four-year pathway, or would like to change to one, you can study abroad for a year at one our partner universities. 

Young’s Kitchen: Young's Kitchen is the University’s very own Asian=influenced restaurant! A popular lunch spot in the Students’ Union, they also serve breakfast for early risers. 

Z  

If you’ve made it this far maybe you could help us find something for Z! Get creative and let us know.