Student life 2013/2014

ISSUE 2

STUDENTL I F E 2013/14

ACCOMODATION, LIFE, FOOD, UNIVERSITY

The Cast of Freshers On surviving the first term

Levi Roots and The Hairy Bikers Perfect student recipes

Charlotte Crosby On the perfect housemates

City Guides Make the most of your University City

The no-nonsense guide to student life

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of furniture for your house

EDITOR’S INTRO HELLO AND WELCOME TO ACCOMMODATION FOR STUDENTS’ LATEST GUIDE TO UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION AND STUDENT LIFE. I’m Elle and I study Management and Marketing of Fashion Textiles at the University of Manchester. As a final-year student, I have experienced a wide range of accommodation, from student halls to houses with bickering housemates (someone thought it would be a great idea to install a pole to dance on in front of the TV) to, finally, my own flat.

University should be all about having fun and making memories that will last a lifetime, so it’s crucial to find a nice place to live; with everything us students have going on (studying, exams, nights out...), we don’t need anything else to worry about. That’s why we’ve created this guide for you – not only do we have insider information from students all over the country, sharing the best bars, restaurants and nights out in their cities, but we also have some helpful tips for telling someone you don’t want to live with them.

It may sound harsh, but if you’re just not compatible (they like to be tucked up in bed at 10pm while you’re the life and soul of the party), it’s better to set them straight now instead of causing arguments later on. And if that’s not enough, we also have an interview with the cast of Freshers on how they’re finding University life.

As the UK’s leading student accommodation site, we’re also here to help you find housemates. Have a look at our ‘find housemates’ section to view the options, or register your interest if you’re the one in search of a spare room. Also, as we are set up by students for students, we don’t want anyone to get ripped off, which is why we never charge you anything; with our Accreditation Scheme, we aim to give you the best quality housing possible.

From all of us at AFS, we hope you enjoy the guide!

Elle www.accommodationforstudents.com

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CONTENTS Celebrity Interview Celebrity Interview

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Celebrity interview Hairy Bikers

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8 –9 Charlotte Crosby 8-9 Cast Of Freshers 10-11 10 –11

Wit, wisdom and advice Charlotte Crosby 8-9 from Si King, half of certified Cast oone f freshers 10-11 national treasures, The Hairy Bikers.

Student Guide General Accommodation Advice 14 –15 How to tell someone you don’t want to live with them 16 –17

199 200

Gentleman’s Dub Club

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Aberdeen

23 31

Birmingham

32 33

Bath

34 37

Bristol

38 39

Brighton

We talk to lead singer Johnny Scratchley about student life.

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40 42

Canterbury

43 47

76 77

Lancaster

Cardiff

78 83

Leeds

48 52

Coventry

84 89

Leicester

53 55

Durham

90 95

Liverpool

56 60

Edinburgh

96 114

London

61 66

Exeter

115 118

Loughborough

67 70

Glasgow

119 131

Manchester

71 75

Huddersfield

132 135

Newcastle

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136 144

Nottingham

182 186

Wolverhampton

145 146

Oxford

187 189

York

147 152

Plymouth

190 195

Student Scran

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153 157

Portsmouth

158 162

Preston

163 167

Reading

168 175

Sheffield

176 181

Southampton

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Levi Roots cooks budget Reggae Reggae Soul food. 190 –192 The Hairy Bikers share some of their lastest recipes. 193 – 195

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Milkround

199 200

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Love your part–time job even the truly awful ones.

How to get your deposit back

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CONTENTS CONTENTS

City Guide

CHARLOTTE CROSBY C

harlotte Crosby is one of the UK’s most popular reality TV personalities, starring in studentfriendly shows, Geordie Shore and Celebrity Big Brother, which she won this summer.

Charlotte has been the highest profile star of Geordie Shore since 2011, when the show began. She was famously named as Cheryl Cole’s favourite cast member and has enjoyed an ‘on/off’ relationship with fellow star Gaz Beadle.

Her relationship with her co-star has led to some turbulent scenes in the past, including getting kicked out of the Geordie Shore house in April following a heated argument with Gaz. In the past, Charlotte has demonstrated a thrifty approach to socialising and eating. She once admitted that she only ever went out with £10 in her purse, having become skilled at ‘acquiring’ other people’s drinks during the course of an evening. Evidence of her success is that she often found herself waking up in some strange places, including the roof of her own house, a police cell and in the toilet of a bar.

Charlotte regularly exists on the ‘tin diet’, eating only cold food directly from a tin. After leaving college, she had a number of different jobs, before finding fame on TV. In addition to Geordie Shore and Celebrity Big Brother, she has appeared on This Morning and Celebrity Juice.

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Who would be your ideal housemate, if you could choose anyone, and why?

Why do you think you are so popular with students?

Holly (Hagan) and Sophie (Kashei) are my ideal housemates. We get on really well and have such a laugh, and after having lived together we have become really good mates, which has helped us start a business together.

Maybe because they can relate to me?

Everything that’s happening on the show happens in real life, and students love to party so I think they can actually relate to everything that happens on the show!

Who did you get on with most in the Big Brother house?

Who would be your nightmare housemate and why?

I got on really well with Carol (McGiffin) – she was really nice and great fun.

Vicky and Bruce from the Celebrity Big Brother house. They are both too angry and judgemental and it is hard to live with people who are like that.

Any tips for dealing with housemates you don’t get on with?

Avoid them! In the end it is the best thing to do. When I went into the Celebrity Big Brother house, I couldn’t choose my housemates and I guess it is a bit like going to Uni and ending up in a hall full of people you don’t know. Some of them you will get on with and some you won’t. Just remember to choose carefully when you get the chance in the second year!

What advice do you have for students who are about to get involved in a relationship with a housemate?

I was only at college for a year and nothing really exciting happened there; secondary school was the best time of my life and I had so much fun with my friends. I guess that one of the best things about going to Uni is making new friends and, for me, the equivalent has been the experience of being in the Geordie Shore house. We’ve become like family so it’s impossible to ever feel lonely in there.

We notice that you fancy being in Downton Abbey. Any other famous houses you would like to live in?

Buckingham Palace!

Don’t do it. It could get very messy. Just look at me and Gary. It ended up getting me thrown out of the house a few times.

Although getting thrown out does give me a bit of a break and a chance to see my family, its probably not the ideal situation for everyone.

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CHARLOTTE CROSBY – INTERVIEW

Did you enjoy being a student?

FRESHERS ANITA, BAYLEIGH AND FORREST, STARS OF ITV 2’S HIT SHOW FRESHERS ON THE FIRST TERM AT UNI

What made you choose to go to University in Bedfordshire?

Anita: Firstly, I chose it as it’s not too far from home, and also, because before I even started the course, my tutor called me personally to answer any questions and explain more about the course. I thought that was a really nice touch and showed that they care about the students that enrol.

Bayleigh: I chose Bedfordshire for the course - Media Performance – I’d love to be a presenter one day.

Forrest: When I went to the open day, everything the lecturer said answered my questions in detail, and the classes were smaller and more intimate than other universities I had looked at, which appealed to me.

What were your main concerns before going to University?

B: I was apprehensive about making new friends, living away from home and

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generally coping with student life.

F: My course - if you don’t enjoy it, you won’t put the effort in. I was also apprehensive about the lectures being difficult, knowing I would have to read a lot of books, but I am enjoying it.

What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking of going to Uni? F: 100% do it - but don’t just come if you think it’s going to be laugh and one big social party. Whilst that’s a part of it, work needs to come first; otherwise you’re wasting your time and money.

How are you managing to juggle work and the social aspects of Uni life?

A: I’m lucky as I only have lectures two days a week. I go on the student nights that won’t affect my lectures the next day and then also put two days aside for reading – it’s working well!

What have been the best bits about moving away from home?

Have you managed to keep in touch with your friends from home?

A: Definitely the independence, you don’t have to answer to anyone. I actually really enjoy cooking now as well – our flat has our own ‘Come Dine with Me’ which is really sociable.

B: I think the best bit is having more independence; I can do what I want, when I want.

What have been the most difficult things?

F: Because I come from a large family (six brothers and sisters), I’ve missed seeing my little brothers and sisters. I hate going back home and seeing how much they’ve changed. However, that’s also probably why I appreciate having my own space so much at uni!

What do you think makes for a good housemate?

A: Someone that’s clean. Everyone should recognise it’s a shared space and clear up after themselves. I also think someone that’s honest and you feel you can trust.

F: Yes, I’ve kept in contact with all my friends and they’ve been so supportive, I’m so overwhelmed and touched at the response I’ve had. They all made time to watch all three episodes, which is really nice.

What made you decide to be part of the show?

B: My course choice and wanting to be a presenter encouraged me to take part in the show, as well as the fact I thought it would be a really fun experience.

How has the reaction on campus been?

B: There’s been a really positive reaction, mainly because people love the fact that their uni is on TV. Although during filming, there were some people who didn’t want to be involved, which is fair enough.

What was the highlight of Freshers for you?

A: My highlight was the first day here, and the Freshers’ ball, which was also the last day of filming. Everyone was together and having fun.

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HAIRY BIKERS WE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH UP WITH SI KING, ONE HALF OF THE THE HAIRY BIKERS ON THEIR STUDENT DAYS, TIPS ON GETTING THE PERFECT JOB AND HOW TO AVOID A HANGOVER! We understand Dave worked as a furnace man while he was a student – how did that come about?

It came about because it was a summer job that Dave took on and he was working with his local community at the furnaces. He was there to clean out so it was a pretty dirty job but it’s important to earn some money whilst you are a student. Nowadays, with students leaving university with so much debt, it’s even more important than ever.

You both seem to have moved effortlessly from career to career, any tips for students who are facing a competitive jobs market?

The problem nowadays for students is many go from school and college into spending 3-4 years studying at university. Then, when they go to apply for a job, they are asked what experience they have! For this reason, I think what is always a good idea is offering to volunteer.

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I understand this isn’t for everyone but my advice to students is to tap into any network that your friends or parents have and offer to help out. The great thing about volunteering is you only sign up to what you want to do and what you can contribute, be that just a few hours a week or a couple of weekends a months, for example.

Do you think that travelling is more important that studying?

I actually think they go hand in hand. Travelling is always going to embellish your studies. If you are privileged enough to be able to do it and have the financial resources at your disposal, then I would say go, it broadens your horizons. I have numerous friends who have travelled; some have even worked and travelled which is another great way of getting around and seeing the world we live in. Dave and I have been around the world two and half times and are still discovering new things. Whilst it takes

you out of your comfort zone, it’s massive diversity in culture, cuisine, language, geography, and culture, is truly mind blowing. Education is about a tool for life and travel is about sharpening that tool. It’s invaluable in my view.

Any tips for students cooking on a tight budget?

My suggestion would be to research when and where your local market is.

They have little overheads meaning they can keep the cost of produce low, and the quality of ingredient is always far greater.

add hot vegetable or chicken stock with salt and pepper. Cook away on the hob until the lentils are soft and form a soup.

In another pan, chop up an onion and fry with a teaspoon of ground coriander, wait until the onion is nice and golden and caramelised, add a little salt. Spoon the lentil soup into a bowl, then add your fried onion on top with a big dollop of harissa.

Delicious!

What would you recommend as a cheap, but tasty student meal?

Ok, so this is a really really simple dish using lentils, the perfect blend of carbohydrate and protein. All you do is take a quarter of a pack of red lentils, grate 2 carrots into them, a teaspoon of ground cumin and then

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STUDENT GUIDE THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR COPING WITH FLATMATES How long has the property been on the market?

If the house/flat has been available for a while, be on the ball in case there’s something wrong with it. That said, the longer it’s been advertised, the more likely you are to negotiate a great deal.

How much is the deposit?

Generally, the deposit will cost between one month’s rent and one month’s rent plus £200.

What is the length of contract?

In highly student-populated areas, the contract is most likely to be 12 months, with half rent paid over the summer. In non-student areas, it’ll probably be easier to negotiate a shorter contract if you wish, with a specific moving-in date.

STUDENT GUIDE

Will there be a break clause in the contract?

These are increasingly being inserted into Tenancy Agreements, particularly in the London area. A break clause allows either party to give two months’ notice to end the tenancy after six months.

Is the property accredited?

Has the landlord signed up to the AFS/ Unipol code? This voluntary accreditation scheme is an assessment that includes a number of standards that a landlord must achieve during a robust property

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inspection. Peace of mind: it’s comforting to know that an accredited property is tried, tested and safe for you to live in.

Can they provide proof that the property meets official standards?

If a landlord hasn’t opted into voluntary accreditation, they should still meet minimum standards. Firstly, landlords have a legal obligation to provide a gas safety certificate before you move in.

Also, check furniture is marked with a label depicting a triangle and a lit cigarette; this marker denotes it has passed fire safety regulations and is not a fire hazard.

Equally, landlords must check all electrical items between tenancies for frayed wires or badly-fitted plugs under the Electrical Equipment Safety Regulations 1994. Finally, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) – that is, houses shared by five or more people from two of more families - must meet minimum standards, including a satisfactory number of bathrooms, toilets, washbasins, cooking and laundry facilities. If your landlord won’t satisfy these requirements, speak to your local authority. Note, different rules and regulations apply in Scotland.

7 TIPS TO HELP YOU LIVE HARMONIOUSLY Once the paperwork and bureaucracy is out of the way, there’s little left to do except live happily ever after. To maintain a harmonious house atmosphere, it is a very good idea to establish some house rules from day one

Deliberately overestimate the cost of the bills It is miles better to have money left over at the end of the year than to frantically fall short. Also, remember bills will be higher in winter than summer.

Consider these things:

Set up individual standing orders to your landlord for your rent This means that no one else is held accountable if one housemate fails to pay their share of the rent.

Make sure the bills are in joint names or sign up with Glide This will ensure that the bills are not the responsibility of one housemate. If a few people don’t pay their bills, it’s not fair for one person to get a poor credit score.

Discuss whether you will all live independently or cook together. Even if everyone is busy it could be nice to commit to getting together at least once a week.

Be considerate of others If one housemate likes to play their music or TV at full blast, agree on a set period of ‘down time’ each day so other housemates can work or sleep.

Form a kitty to pay for the essentials These include tea, milk, toilet paper, cleaning products and any other goodies you choose to share.

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STUDENT GUIDE

Ensure everyone is clear on the terms of the tenancy Make sure everyone knows when the rent is due, how much the bills are and the length of stay.

Decide what kind of household you are going to be

STUDENT GUIDE THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR COPING WITH FLATMATES HOW TO TELL SOMEONE YOU DON’T WANT TO LIVE WITH THEM

You’ve moved in with complete strangers and now you have to live with them for an entire year. Here’s how to cope (without having a breakdown!)

STUDENT GUIDE

Nightmare housemates are a student rite of passage. University wouldn’t be university without being able to sit in the Students’ Union and wax lyrical about how your flatmate is driving you crazy; from not washing up to staying holed up in their room, we have all been there. But that doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. Cosmo Columnist Tiffany Wright (who has had her fair share of nightmare-inducing flatmates) offers her advice on how to have the conversations you don’t want to have, with the people living under your roof.

The dilemma: When you first moved in you all lived in harmony. Three weeks later, you are at each other’s throats – from stressing over whose turn it is to wash up to hammering on each other’s bedroom doors whilst screaming; “turn your music down, I’ve got a hangover!”

In short, you feel a HUGE confrontation brewing.

What you want to say: “When I signed this tenancy agreement, I didn’t realise I would be living under a roof with

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characters from the Inbetweeners. I’m a student…GET ME OUT OF HERE!” What to actually do: Try to keep your conversations over any problems that do arise solution-focused rather than grumbling, bitching and telling one another off. Whilst people can’t change what they have already done, chances are they might listen to you and try to change their ways if you confront them in a non-aggressive way.

The dilemma: Your flatmate hasn’t paid their shares of the bills and when you confront them they claim they are broke.

The problem is, the bills need to be paid regardless. Eek – what do you do?

What you want to say: “OK, so you bought us a round at the Union last night and a new top for your hot date last week, but the Bills HAVE to be paid. All of us are broke…and we still manage to do it. When will you grow up and realise you have responsibilities?”

What to actually do: Gather the troops (aka your other flatmates and the one who isn’t paying) and find out the reasons why they’re unable to make the payment. Then try and help them find a solution: Perhaps their parents can lend

them the money so you can afford to pay the landlord?”

The dilemma: Having tried to survive in your new flat for a couple of months, you’ve suddenly realised it’s just not for you and you want to move out. Now all you have to do is tell your flatmates…..eek.

What you want to say: When I moved in, I thought we’d have fun. In truth, you are all the MOST BORING FLATMATES I HAVE EVER MET. I NEED OUT. What to actually do: Even if you get on well with your flatmates, at some point you may find you want to move out. The most important thing is not to stitch up your remaining flatmates, so you need to tell them of your intentions and insist you will help find someone to replace you. By being as helpful as possible in finding a replacement (that they will all like) you are showing that you hold no grudges and they will respect you for that. Hey, just because you’re moving out doesn’t mean you have to stop hanging out.

The dilemma: A friend from your course has suggested you share a house together.

The thought scares the life out of you, so how do you tell them you don’t want to share with them?

What you want to say: Thanks mate, but the thought of living with you makes me want to gouge my eyes out with a spoon.

You’re untidy, your hygiene habits are despicable and I’m pretty sure you’re the type who would buy blue loo roll!

What to actually do: If your friend is on the same course as you, you have the perfect excuse. Tell them that whilst you would love to live with them, living and working together might be too much. You can soften the blow by convincing them that having two separate houses between you means more opportunities for house parties. Perfect!

Tiffany writes for top magazines incuding Cosmopolitan, Grazia, Stylist and Men’s Health She currently runs an nine magazine couree for those wanting to learn how to become a journalist. You can find out more at www.tiffanywright.co.uk

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9-PIECE DUB, SKA, ROOTS AND REGGAE BAND, GENTLEMAN’S DUB CLUB ARE CAUSING A STIR WITH THEIR HIGH-POWERED LIVE SHOWS AND ZESTY TUNES. EVEN IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE BAND WELL, YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD ‘HIGH GRADE’, ‘EMERGENCY’ AND ‘RIOT’. HAVING SUPPORTED THE LIKES OF MADNESS, ROOTS MANUVA, THE STREETS AND BOB MARLEY’S OLD BUDDIES THE WAILERS, THE BAND SHOOK UP THE SUMMER 2013 FESTIVAL CIRCUIT – UK AND BEYOND – AND WENT RUNNING KNEES-UP INTO THEIR AUTUMN 2013 UK TOUR.

GENTLEMAN’S DUB CLUB

AFS: Hi Johnny, thanks for talking with us. First, as a band you guys met at university didn’t you? Can you tell me how it was being students together and what you got up to.

Johnny: Yeah, we all met while studying in Leeds; half went to Leeds College of Music and the rest to study various courses at the Uni. University in Leeds was all about the music. It’s such a great place for new music, house parties and the selection of clubs. All of course dwarf’d by the mighty Subdub; that’s were our unquenchable love of dub music come from.

F: When I went to the open day, everything the lecturer said answered my questions in detail, and the classes were smaller and more intimate than other universities I had looked at, which appealed to me.

AFS: You’re a nine-piece band which must be tricky to manage at times. Do you think the fact you were students

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together has helped you stay so tight?

Johnny: I suppose we’re just very fortunate in that we met at that time in our life when we were at uni. Then, you make very strong connections with people and you can’t just sack that off.

It’s part of you. If someone annoys you or a situation annoys you, you just remind yourself that you’re there because of that person. Ultimately we are one pretty happy family.

AFS: Name me one horror story from being a student.

Johnny: One particularly big night I ended up physically sick after drinking the beer I had been using as an ashtray for the last two hours...

AFS: Your debut album ‘FOURty FOUR’ recently hit shelves (strongly recommended!). Why did you call the new album ‘FOURty FOUR’?

Johnny: It is the number of the house we first started rehearsing at. I guess

a few of us lived. Luckily it had a giant basement perfect for spending days in the dark and throwing weekend long parties.

Johnny: That often depends on the gig.

‘London’ works best at a festival in the mid afternoon sun but songs like ‘Riot’ and ‘Forward’ prefer the dingy venue at 2am!

AFS: In ‘Riot’ you repeat the line ‘Watching the world disappear from my rooftop, things will never be the same again...’ I’ve heard this is inspired by the London riots. How did this come about?

Johnny: We wanted to write a big stinking dub tune about how we felt during that time and that’s what came out. With a dub tune like that I think it

needs a purpose; it evokes something pretty dark when we perform it live.

AFS: You guys just came off your ‘FOURty FOUR’ autumn 2013 tour.

Who in the band has the most annoying habit to be on tour with and what is it?

Johnny: Ha! I can’t think of any on this tour, although there certainly has been in previous excursions! Harry our tour manager has an annoying habit of being right when you wish he wasn’t!

AFS: If you could get anyone to write your biography, who would it be?

Johnny: Eddie Izzard AFS: That’d be hilarious. Thanks again for the chat and good luck with everything

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GENTLEMAN’S DUB CLUB

AFS: I felt ‘FOURty FOUR’ has quite a mixture of intense tracks such as ‘Riot’ and lighter, almost calypso-esque tracks. Which is your favourite track to perform live?

ABERDEEN city guide HI! I’M JONATHAN. I’M A THIRD-YEAR STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AND I LIVE IN ROSLIN STREET – JUST OVER BY MORRISONS.

byJonathan Kerr MY IDEA OF A GREAT NIGHT Aberdeen’s a city with fantastic nightlife.

A decent night out starts in one of the city’s many bars – Athenaeum is a student favourite, featuring a fantastic range of cocktails for only a few quid midweek. If you feel like splashing all of your student loan, then The Tippling House on Belmont Street is absolutely the best place to do it. For more reasonably-priced cocktails, head over to Revolution Bar – buy the student card at the Fayre at the beginning of the year to get fantastic, year-long discounts.

Where to next? Really, it depends on what you’re into. The Tunnels almost always have live music going on while, if you prefer the mainstream, then Tiger

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Tiger is full of chart hits – and a fantastic rum bar to boot! If you want something a little off the beaten track then Origin on Windmill Brae has some very, very heavy bass, while Snafu hosts a variety of different evenings - from comedy to R&B. For LGBTQ students, Cheerz is the most popular nightclub, although Chaplins, opened in 2011, is making huge steps.

Karaoke on a Wednesday there gets very competitive.

To bring the night to a close, there are pizzerias and kebab shops dotted around the city – just be mindful of the eagle-sized seagulls who’ve learnt that Styrofoam = dinner!

BEST PLACES TO EAT Eating on-campus is a bit of a tricky choice. If you have the time, head up to the Hub – there are five or six food stations on the second floor offering scran from around the world. For something lighter, head down University

HIDDEN GEMS Aberdeen is formed mostly of King’s Street and Union Street, but there are plenty of corners and little alleyways that lead off to fantastic hidden gems.

For example, there’s a little archway on Union Street, opposite the CEX. Look around, check no-one’s watching, and duck inside – then head to the end of the street for the greatest, most enormous bowl of home-grown Hungarian goulash you’ve ever faced. The Botanical Gardens, located just north of the University, are gorgeous in winter or summer. Head towards the beach for a different kind of

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY There are so many great things about Aberdeen that to pick out only one is impossible. The Student Show, a musical parody in Doric, is a yearly highlight. So too is the Torcher Parade, the biggest torchlit procession in Europe. Remember that Aberdeen is the Silver City; when the sun shines, the quartz embedded in the granite glitters and the entire city sparkles.

The people are universally friendly, if occasionally incomprehensible – here in the northeast of Scotland resides a dialect called Doric – mentioned above.

It’s absolutely fascinating from an academic point of view, but from a literal,

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ABERDEEN

Road and onto the Spital to Grub, the greatest sandwich shop in Aberdeen. If you can’t spare the time, grab a coffee at Kilau – those guys know more about coffee than anyone I’ve ever met.

art installation – I won’t ruin the surprise, but it combines a view with a change of perspective and is well worth a visit.

Finally, if you want a sneaky treat, Mrs Smith, on Orchard Street, bakes the best cupcakes in the country, or head to the Eatery on Thistle Street for a Mars Bar panini. Sounds awful. Tastes great.

The whole city sparkles in the sunshine.

best thing

oh-god-I’m-new-here-and-this-person’sspeaking-gobbledegook, it’s a bit scary.

Don’t worry about it; you’ll soon get used to it!

WORST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY

worst thing

On the other hand, it’s not all glitter and torches! Here, winter is almost year long. There are two weeks in June that are quite nice, but aside from that, it’s chilly all year. The wind is alive, and its personality varies from a practical joker who whisks away your class papers to a vicious killer trying to strip the skin from your face. The rain, too, is in a league of its own; it becomes blinding and sometimes it feels like it will never stop.

Prices in the city are high too. Scottish Law relating to alcohol sales requires that a double measure costs double the price: no doubling up for a pound north of the border! However, most student bars offer dangerously low prices – it’s a bad night when you can’t get a double vodka and mixer for £1.50.

In short: Aberdeen is cold and wet, but the city (like the granite stones from which it’s built) glitters in secret ways.

And if you don’t understand… dinna fash yersel!

WHERE ARE THEY? Athenaeum, 5-9 Union Street, AB11 5BU

Origin, 40-42 Windmill Brae, AB11 6HU

Revolution Vodka Bar, 25 Belmont Street, AB10 1JS

Snafu, 1 Union Street, Kirkwall, AB11 5BU

The Tippling House, 4 Belmont Street, AB10 1JE

Cheerz, 2 Exchange Street, AB11 6PH

Soul Bar and Casino, 333 Union Street, AB11 6BS

Chaplins, 20 Adelphi, AB11 5BL

G Casino, 5 Exchequer row, AB11 5BW

Goulash, 17 Adelphi Lane, AB11 5BL

Grub, 149 Spital, AB24 3HX

Botanical Gardens, Found to the north of the university just past the Old Town House

Kilau Coffee, 57-59 High Street, AB24 3EH The Tunnels, Carnegie’s Brae, AB10 1BF

It can feel like winter almost all year round.

Tiger Tiger, 1-2 Shiprow, AB11 5BY

Aberdeen Art Gallery, Schoolhill, AB10 1FQ Mrs Smith, 26 Orchard Street, AB24 3DL The Eatery, 47 Thistle Street, AB10 1UY The Student Show, Takes place annually.

Email: info@studentshow. co.uk for more information

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BIRMINGHAM city guide

by Rachel Enright GREAT NIGHT OUT Cheap and cheerful student nights definitely rule the weeknights. The student town of Selly Oak offers a great range of pubs, all of which are perfect for starting the night. My favourite would definitely be the Bristol Pear, which offers cheap drinks in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Urban Village is another firm favourite of mine, and it’s the ideal place to head to if you want a club-like atmosphere. From Selly Oak, I’d take a cab into the city and head to one of the clubs. On a Wednesday night, Motion at The Hub is well worth a visit, and on Thursday, Mechu is the best place to be.

Weekends in Birmingham are definitely all about splashing a little extra cash and stepping up the game. The business of beautiful and bizarre bars is booming in the city at the moment, so I’d start any Friday or Saturday night by sipping on one or two oh-so-charming cocktails from one of the cutest downtown bars; the effortlessly cool Lost & Found is perfect for anyone wanting a mini-break from student life. Come here to rub shoulders with the sophisticated set.

Prices may be slightly more expensive than you can find in the Students’ Union, but they’re not going to break the bank either.

Highlights include £5 cocktails before 8pm on weeknights, including Fridays, and the ever-so-cute cocktail bar hidden behind a secret door disguised as a bookshelf.

Just a five-

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BIRMINGHAM

I’M RACHEL, I’M IN MY FOURTH YEAR STUDYING MODERN LANGUAGES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND I LIVE IN SELLY OAK.

minute walk away from The Lost & Found is Bacchus Bar, an underground, historically-themed pub, and another great spot for starting a night in the city.

The atmosphere here is much more relaxed and it has a quieter vibe, making it a good place for smaller groups and conversation. After a few rounds, it’s time to head to a club, and the hardest question of the night will definitely be “which one?” If you’re looking to get lost in an infinite maze of dance floors and smoke machines, the only real option on a Friday night is superclub Gatecrasher.

My personal favourite, however, is definitely The Jam House, which is great for a more sophisticated night, offering fantastic live music as a great alternative to standard DJ sets.

BIRMINGHAM

BEST PLACES TO EAT All of the lunchtime options on-campus are perfect for a quick bite to eat between lectures. New to campus is Go Mex, serving fast-food Mexican style and offering a more substantial lunch, while Joe’s Bar at the Guild offers great food at pretty low prices. If you have that ever-so annoying two-hour lunchtime gap between lectures, I’d recommend going

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into nearby Selly Oak for a bite to eat.

Selly Sausage is not to be missed; the fryups are the best hangover cure around and the portions are huge.

HIDDEN GEMS It’s an oft-repeated fact that Birmingham has more canals than Venice, so what better way to get to know the city than by taking an afternoon stroll alongside the waterways? You can join the canal path located next to the University train station and wander all the way into the heart of the city. It’s the perfect option for a sunny day, and a great alternative to the train.

If you’re not feeling up to contending with the bustle of the city, the canals also lead from the University to the idyllic town of Bourneville. The town is home to the world famous Cadbury World, an attraction that is well worth a visit at least once during your degree. If your student loan won’t cover the £11.30 student ticket for the tour, I’d still recommend checking out the Cadbury Café, where you’ll find the best hot chocolate in Birmingham Another hidden gem is the Electric Cinema, the oldest continually running cinema in the UK. It’s the perfect place

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The amazing shopping.

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for a first date, boasting row upon row of sofas. These are available for a little extra money and are perfect for sidling up to that special person. It also has the added bonus of being able to text in your drinks order! After the film, you could head to another hidden treasure in Birmingham’s centre, Bodega; a South Americaninspired restaurant - don’t hesitate to order the nachos!.For anyone who is tired of Selly Oak, the town of Harborne is another hidden gem. It’s incredibly close to the University and offers everything that Selly Oak doesn’t. There are lots of great little coffee shops, cute gift shops, restaurants and gastro pubs, making it the perfect town for a civilised meal out with friends and the best place to head for on a first date. One of my favourite places to go to is The Plough, a gastro pub with a villagey feel. Bear it in mind for special events, like a flatmate’s birthday or a nice house Christmas meal.

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BEST THINGS ABOUT BIRMINGHAM The Bullring shopping centre is definitely the best thing about Birmingham.

The crowds around New Street and in the Bullring.

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The choice of shops is great and there’s something to suit every budget. Even if you’re not looking to spend money, it’s a great place to spend the day. Selfridges’ food hall is a great place to grab a quick lunch, and the rest of the shop is great fun to look around; don’t miss the jellybean Bull! Every student should check out Forever 21; the prices are low but the clothes are bang on trend, and there’s even a fairly large men’s section and a coffee shop to distract any lesskeen shoppers. The area around the shopping centre is great too, with New Street being the main draw. In the run up to Christmas, the street transforms into a German Christmas Market, which is a lot of fun to explore.

WORST THINGS ABOUT BIRMINGHAM The crowds in Birmingham can at times be unbearable, especially on New Street and outside the Bullring. And trying to have lunch in a restaurant at midday on a Saturday is next to impossible without a reservation.

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WHERE ARE THEY? Bacchus, Burlington Arcade New, Street Birmingham, B2 4JH

Forever 21, 91 Bullring Stairway, Birmingham, B5 4BU

Bodega, 12 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, B2 5RS

Gatecrasher, 182 Broad Street, Birmingham B15 1DA

Bristol Pear, 676 Bristol Road, Birmingham, B29 6BJ

Go Mex, University Centre, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT

Cadbury World, Linden Road, Bourneville, Birmingham, B30 2LU

BIRMINGHAM

Electric Cinema, 47-49 Station Street, Birmingham, B5 4DY

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Jam House, 3-5 St Pauls Square, Birmingham, B3 1QU

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Joe’s Bar, University of Birmingham, Guild of Students, Edgbaston Park Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TU Lost & Found, 8 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, B2 5RS Mechu, 47-59 Summer Row, Birmingham, B3 1JJ Motion - The Hub, Nightingale Club, Essex House, Kent Street, Birmingham, B5 6RD

Selfridges, The Bull Ring, Upper Mall East, Birmingham, B5 4BP Selly Sausage, 539-541 Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6AU Spar University Centre, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT Urban Village, 580 Bristol Road, Birmingham, B29 6BE

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BIRMINGHAM STUDENT ACCOMMODATION Birmingham is a city made for student living; there’s a whole load of things to do and places to go, and the public transport links are great. Users of the AFS website ranked Birmingham 6th in the UK, with an overall score of 54%, which is the same as Oxford, Cambridge and just 2% less than London. Average Birmingham rent is £68 per week, well under the 2013 national average of £79.42.

BIRMINGHAM

The best area for University of Birmingham students is definitely Selly Oak; the vast majority of students choose to live there, so it’s really easy to meet up with friends and socialise, and there’s the added bonus of its proximity to the University (most people will live about a 10-minute walk away from their lecture theatres). On the AFS website, Selly Oak has a satisfaction rating of 64% and an average rent of £67 per week. The centre of Birmingham has a very high satisfaction rating of 76%, but higher

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rents of £84 per week. Harborne has a satisfaction rating of 56%, and an average rent of £56, so it would be a great place for people who want slightly cheaper rent. If you choose to live in Harborne, you should bear in mind that it is better suited for people wanting a quieter student lifestyle; think less Aldi and more Waitrose.

AFS TOP TIP Selly Park has an average rent of £63 per week and a satisfaction score of 60%, so it’s slightly cheaper than the main student haunt of Selly Oak. Nearby Stirchley has an average rent of only £52 and a satisfaction rating of 60%. It’s a similar length walk to the University as Selly Park, so it’s definitely a viable option if you want to save on rent and if you don’t mind a bit of extra exercise each day.

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BATH city guide I’M GREG, I’M IN MY THIRD YEAR STUDYING CREATIVE WRITING AND I LIVE IN TWERTON. If you fancy something a bit more relaxed, The Little Theatre Cinema and Komedia host regular film screenings as part of the E4 Slacker’s Club. Membership costs nothing and you can get yourself a member’s card from either venue’s box office.

by Greg Henley A GREAT NIGHT OUT IN BATH As Bath is a small city, it’s not exactly a clubber’s paradise. However, if you explore the city’s rich integration with the arts and culture, you can have just as much fun.

Once a month on Thursdays, the Comedy Cavern comes to Burdall’s. This is your chance to see some of the stand-up circuit’s best performers, so come on down and laugh yourself silly! Admission to the venue is inexpensive (£3), and the drinks are also generously-priced.

Those who want more can head down to Moles on George Street once things have finished at Burdall’s Yard. On Thursdays, Moles plays host to Stereotypes, which often features live bands and has free entry before midnight.

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BEST PLACES TO EAT Alfalafel is always densely populated with students once everywhere else in town has shut their doors. With low prices and quick serving times, it’s easy to see why the place has such a celebrated seal of approval from Bath’s student population.

If you’re looking for something at the opposite end of the spectrum (in other words, less greasy and free from drunkards), try the Royal Pavilion Café that’s nestles comfortably in Victoria Park’s lush green surroundings. With homemade food, spectacular views and plenty of coffee, the Pavilion is a comforting place to be, even in winter.

HIDDEN GEMS Bath is a major tourist city, with visitors coming from all over the world to see

I also love the fact that the centre of town is always full of buskers, ranging from the simple to the bizarre (such as, singer-songwriters and tightrope-walking violinists). A common hotspot for buskers is the Abbey courtyard, so grab some food from one of the shops in town or bring a packed lunch and enjoy a free performance.

One of the best things to do when the sun’s out is to have a picnic in Victoria Park. If you can get a good number of people involved and encourage everyone to make a contribution towards food and drink, you can have a great day.

Moles, 14 George Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2EN, Tel: 01225 404445 The Little Theatre Cinema, St Michaels Place, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1SG, 0871 902 5735 Komedia, 22-23 Westgate Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1EP, Tel: 0845 293 8480

Royal Pavilion Café, Royal Victoria Park, Bath, BA1 2NR, Tel: 01225 448860 Bath Abbey, 12 Kingston Buildings, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1LT, Tel: 01225 422 462 Bath Spa Railway Station, Dorchester Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1SU, Tel: 0845 700 0125 Sainsbury’s Local, 54-56 Moorland Road, Bath, Somerset, BA2 3PJ, Tel: 01225 495150

The rain, watch out for Pultney Weir overflowing.

Oldfield Park, Railway Station, Brook Road, Twerton, Bath, Somerset, BA2 3RS, Tel: 0845 700 0125

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The green space when the sun is out.

Burdall’s Yard, 7A Anglo Terrace, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5NH, Tel: 01225 876133

Alfalafel, 3 Monmouth Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2AJ, Tel: 01225 332257

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THE BEST THING ABOUT BATH

WHERE ARE THEY?

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its most famous landmarks. After living here for a few months, you might consider yourself a resident of Bath, but you’d probably never think of calling yourself a tourist.

There’s an easy way of adding this identifier to your personal repertoire: see those City Sightseeing buses driving around town?

Hop on one!

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BRISTOL city guide I’M MATT HOARE, I’M A HISTORY GRADUATE AND I LIVE IN GLOUCESTER ROAD, BRISTOL

atmosphere, The Apple Boat is definitely the place to go!).

Located on the river to the south of Queen’s Square, Thekla is Bristol’s unique floating club; with a different theme every night, a drink on the top deck is an unrivalled experience. For jazz, funk and afrobeat, check out Mr Wolf’s on St. Stephen’s street – the atmosphere is electric.

BEST PLACES TO EAT With several outlets around the city, the Southville Deli is the place to go for a wholesome lunch or mid-morning snack; ideal for those wanting to eat well and watch the waistline. If you’re not watching the calories too closely though, head to Start the Bus on Baldwin Street to sample one of their unique burgers.

by Matt Hoare GOING OUT The promenade in the heart of the city is flanked on either side by the two main hotspots of activity after the sun goes down: Park Street and the old city.

Leading up towards the affluent suburb of Clifton, Park Street plays host to all manner of posh cocktail bars and upmarket venues, while the old town and Stokes Croft are brimming with pubs, clubs and Bohemian hangouts Though the generic clubs found in all student hubs have residencies in the city (including Oceana, Vodka Revolution and Syndicate ), Bristol is a city that rewards exploration. Many of the best pubs in the old city are hidden down narrow, cobbled alleyways and some even on the river itself (if you like your cider and a chilled

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The Grecian, situated at the heart of Gloucester Road, serves traditional Greek kebabs, pistachio-infused cakes and freshly-made stone-baked pizza for around £5. If you’re a connoisseur of curries and fancy splashing out, Kathmandu is far and away the best curry house in the city, with the Thali Café making for a great, low-cost alternative.

HIDDEN GEMS Gloucester Road is lined with small, independent shops; from the exotic foodstuffs in the Asian supermarkets to the unique trinkets found in the countless boutiques. Most of what’s on offer here cannot be found in the city centre.

Some of the best parks in the city lie off of the paths most trodden. St Andrew’s Park (off Gloucester Road), Brandon Hill (outside Clifton) and Victoria Park

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY

WORST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY The hills in Bristol can be both a curse and a blessing. Though you’re never far away from another spectacular view of another area of the city, getting around on foot or by bike can be strenuous!

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The hills provide great views but are very tiring.

Bristol also has a unique ability to combine the urban metropolis with the traditionally rural and, although it is the sixth-largest city in the country,

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It’s such an independent, free-thinking city.

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Bristol’s rich cultural heritage has given the city a character unlike any other in the country, and the dreary urban cityscape that plagues so many towns is nowhere to be found here. Its place as one of England’s hotbeds of creativity is evident everywhere you go. Streets across the city are awash with vibrant murals and graffiti (hours can be spent finding the hundreds of “Banksy’s” alone) and every year the city plays host to UpFest, Europe’s largest graffiti festival.

Public artwork, sometimes controversial but always compelling, dominates the city’s public areas. It is the most visible insight into the heart of Bristol: an independent, free-thinking and politically-active city.

The city lives and breathes music, from the buskers on the streets to the spontaneous street-parties and numerous summer festivals. During St. Pauls Carnival, people from across the region come to the area to enjoy the lush sounds of sunshine reggae and the sweet tang of jerk chicken.

During the final months of the year, the traditional Belgian market is assembled in Broadmead, where shoppers can sample traditional bratwurst and munch on lebkuchen.

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(Southville) are among the best places to chill in the summer months, with Brandon Hill in particular offering stunning views over the south of the city.

you are never far from the countryside.

If you feel like escaping the urban bustle, the Ashton Court National Trust site and Leigh woods are only 30 minutes’ walk from the city centre.

It is here that the annual International Balloon Fiesta is held in August, when hundreds of hot-air balloons fill the sky with colour.

WHERE WHERE ARETHEY? THEY? ARE Oceana, The South, buildings Canons Road, Bristol, BS1 5UH Vodka Revolution, 19-21 St.Nicholas St, Bristol, BS1 1UA Thekla, The Grove, East Mud Dock, Bristol, BS1 4RB Syndicate, 15 Nelson St, Bristol, BS1 2JY

BRISTOL

Mr Wolf’s, 33 St Stephen’s St, Bristol, Avon, BS1 1JX

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The 02 Academy, 1-2 Frogmore St, Bristol, BS1 5NA The Fleece, 12 St Thomas St, Bristol, BS1 6JJ Bristol In:Motion, 74-78 Avon St, Bristol, City of Bristol, BS2 0PX The Apple Boat, Welsh Back, Bristol, Avon, BS1 4SB Southville Deli, 262 North Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1JA

Thali Café Clifton, 1 Regents Street, BS8 4HW Aston, 64-66, St. Marks Road, BS5 6JH Montpelier, 12 York Road, BS6 5QE, 0117 942 6687 Southville, Tobacco Factory, North Street, BS3 1TF, 07851 700215 Totterdown, 1 William Stree, BS3 4TU, 0117 933 2955

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Kathmandu, Colston Tower, Colston St, Bristol, Avon, BS1 4XE, 0117 929 4455 Start the Bus, 7-9 Baldwin St, Bristol, Avon, BS1 1RU, 0117 930 4370 The Grecian, 2 Cromwell Road, St Andrews, Bristol, BS6 5AA, 0117 942 3456

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BRIGHTON city guide MY NAME IS KANIKA AND I’M A GREAT NIGHT OUT 20 YEAR OLD STUDENT AT THE No matter where you’re from, you UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON. must have heard about the great nightlife in Brighton. It’s not ranked I’M CURRENTLY IN SECOND YEAR number 1 for the best nightlife in the United Kingdom for no reason!!

STUDYING MATHEMATICS WITH There is a list of clubs for each day of the week. So it doesn’t BUSINESS AND I LIVE IN THE matter when you are free in the MOULSECOOMB AREA OF BRIGHTON. week, or when you are visiting Brighton, you will always have a good opportunity to experience the clubbing nights. The places you have to be at during the week include:

by Kanika Kaur

During my first week at Brighton, I disliked the city but as the weeks passed, I grew to like it and now I don’t think I would have fitted in well at any other university.

Brighton University has campuses spread out according to different departments.

However, all the campuses are closely based so they are easily accessible. Due to the variety of campuses in the same city, when my friends and I go out, we meet people with different interests. This broadens our friendship circle, which can be really fun. The city is very clean and has regular transport services, so it’s very convenient for travelling around.

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Monday - Vodka Revs. It has been given a brand new look over the summer so definitely check it out!! The bartenders are really helpful – I didn’t feel like drinking alcohol, so they personally made me a non-alcoholic cocktail, which tasted delicious!

Tuesday- Wahoo. Located just beside Oceana, it has wacky music and cheap drinks for students!

Wednesday- OCEANA!! You cannot miss out the crazy ‘OSH WEDS’!! The queue is crazily long with large crowds turning up.

Made up of four various music rooms, you will definitely find the music you’re into.

Students get a discounted entry of £3 with their student ID on Wednesdays, so make sure you bring it!

There’s a club night for every day of the week!

Friday- SHOOSH! Recently, two clubs came together to create this humongous club consisting of five different rooms playing the latest charts and serving crazily cheap shots and drinks. Get yourself on the guest list before you visit because it can be a long wait in the queue.

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Travelling around the city can be a bit pricey, especially if it is every day of the week, but I guess the excitement of the nightlife makes up for it.

WHERE ARE THEY?

Madam Geisha, 75-79 East Street, BN1 1NF

Vodka Revs, 77 West Street, BN1 2RA

Shoosh, 214 Kings Road, Arches, BN1 1NB

Wahoo, 79-81 West Street, BN1 2RA

JB’s Diner Kings Road BN1 1NR

Travel costs can get quite expensive.

I have a few secret places in Brighton that not many people are aware of. Firstly, I have tasted the best stir fry at the Asian Food stall on Brighton Pier. It’s located just opposite the ghost house ride. If you ever need any ingredients for Asian cuisine, visit TAJ opposite Waitrose. It can be a little pricey but you can get everything you want, from paneer to tofu!

If it’s stodgy American food you’re after, head to JB’s diner. They will provide you with the taste (and large portion sizes!) of America.

WORST THING ABOUT THE CITY

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Of course, all these clubs are close to the seafront, so by the time the clubs shut, there is always time to stroll on the pebble beach with a portion of fish and chips.

Finally, for all the girls who love pretty things, stop by the craft shop opposite Waitrose in Brighton city centre. You will find beautiful sun catchers, chimes, jewellery boxes and gifts at very low prices.

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Thursday - Madame Geishas/Lola Lo’s.

These are located side-by-side and always have a crowd outside.

Oceana, Kingswest, West Street, BN1 2RE

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CANTERBURY city guide I’M JULIA (JULES). I’M IN THE Chemistry, the most popular THIRD YEAR, STUDYING MARKETING club, which is comprised of three floors with varying music genres.

AT CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH However, my personal favourite is Alberry’s. On a Friday night, UNIVERSITY AND I LIVE IN this bar opens its basement and hosts a night of indie and rock music which is CANTERBURY, JUST OFF more to my taste, plus there are more non-alcoholic alternatives available, so STURRY ROAD. GREAT NIGHT OUT The best way to start any night is with your closest friends and housemates; and nothing goes hand-in-hand with social interaction like a takeaway! Domino’s pizza is always a good choice, and has multiple deals available to get the most for your money.

Ordering as a group means you save money, so you can order those chicken wings you love so much! If you fancy something a little more exciting, Palace Chinese Takeaway means you can curb those chow-mein cravings for under a fiver. After a delicious meal, it’s off to your nearest supermarket to stock up on pre- drinks, soda and a quick trip to the cash machine before heading out.

There are a multitude of clubs available in Canterbury. Across the road from Canterbury East Train Station is Club

by Julia Warnes

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there is something for everyone to enjoy at the bar. On the walk (or stumble) home, I always like to stop off at Efes Kebabs. The friendly customer service, generous helpings and lashings of burger sauce will replace those sickly feelings in your tummy with warm deliciousness!

BEST PLACES TO EAT Canterbury is home to many high street restaurant chains; McDonald’s, Subway, Nandos, Wagamama, Pizza Express and, of course, Wetherspoons. All these places offer reliable food you know and love from home. However, this is university!

Try something new! Café Du Soleil just over from the Westgate Towers serves delicious, high-quality food cooked on an open fire for prices even the poorest student can afford! Tacos Locos is also a fantastic place to visit if you are a lover of all things Mexican – they also give you a free shot if you visit on your birthday!

CJ’s is another fantastic place to visit for a healthy, yet filling, lunch. The premise is very similar to Subway, but more varied

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One of my favourite spots in the city also doubles as a shortcut. Behind the Sainsbury’s on Kingsmead Road is a stream that leads all the way to the Marlowe Theatre Gardens. This stream has a footpath that leads away from the main road of the city centre – tucked into a quiet pocket of this historic city.

The stream is surrounded by trees, and frequent spots of grass make it the perfect spot for a picnic. Westgate Gardens, located next to the Westgate Towers is another place of natural beauty, and taking a boat trip along the canal is the best way to see this sliver of nature embedded in the heart of the city. If you have a couple of quid to spare, you should take the bus to one of the nearby beaches. Broadstairs is the best, but Margate, Ramsgate and Herne Bay all offer the typical seaside experience, and are all on direct public transport routes.

The best thing about Canterbury is the massive student population. With CCCU, UKC, UCA and the American University and Canterbury Collage all located within miles of each other, you will always find students wherever you go. This means you can guarantee every night out will bring new friends and events no matter where you end up. Canterbury is one of the warmest places in the UK, so in the warmer months you can guarantee you will be having multiple barbeques and lounging in Dane John Gardens. CCCU students get into the cathedral for free with their university student card; it’s a good chance to see where you and your classmates will graduate, and a definite tourist sight for anyone interested in architecture or history.

There are masses of students wherever you go.

HIDDEN GEMS

BEST THINGS ABOUT YOUR CITY

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fillings are available, such as hoisin duck and spring onion.

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There are always loads of tourists to try and dodge when you are late.

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WORST THINGS ABOUT YOUR CITY As Canterbury is a tourist hotspot and is located so close to Dover, you do end up barraging your way through hundreds of tourists trying to get to your lectures, especially in the spring and summer months. French schools take day trips to visit Canterbury and will take over the city in the same way you did during Fresher’s Week. Also, the city is small. This is a benefit when living in the city because everything is right on your doorstep, ut when you need a store or a location not within the city, it can be a bit of a pain.

WHERE ARE THEY? Domino’s Pizza, 64 A Militray Road, CT1 1LU, 01227 789666

Efes, 36 Northgate, CT1 1BL, 01227 766966

Palace Chinese, 6 St Dunstans, Street, CT2 8AF, 01227 462108

Café Du Soleil, 5 Pound Lane, CT2 8AA, 01227 479999

Club Chemistry, 15 Station, Road East, CT1 2RB, 01227 462520

CANTERBURY

Alberry’s, 38 St. Margaret’s Street, CT1 2TY, 01227 452378

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Tacos Locos, 45 St Peter’s Street, CT1 2BG, 01227 379330 CJ’s, 29B St. Margaret’s Street, CT1 2TG, 01227 478999

CARDIFF city guide HI I’M VICKY AND I’M A SECOND YEAR JOURNALISM STUDENT AT CARDIFF UNIVERSITY! I CHOSE CARDIFF PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE UNIVERSITY’S FANTASTIC REPUTATION, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE AMAZING VIBRANCY THE WELSH CAPITAL HAS TO OFFER.

You’re never short of pubs, bars and clubs in Cardiff and there is somewhere to suit everyone, no matter what genre of music you like, or what sort of night out you’re after. It’s cheap, especially if you pick the right night to go and choose studentorientated events.

But if that’s not your thing, no fear!

Wednesday at Retro promises 80p drinks, vintage classics (by vintage, I mean 90s’ Britney songs), and some cracking fancy dress socials for you to laugh at. Or if you’re more interested in live music, Clwb Ifor Bach (Welsh Club for us English speakers) and Live Lounge are perfect for lovers of anything alternative. If you’re less eager for sweaty dance-floor antics, Buffalo Bar, 10 Feet Tall and Peppermint are great for 2-4-1 cocktails, getting to know local bands and DJs and catching up with friends.

For those of you looking for packed dance floors, flashing lights and the promise of student prices, the city is filled with ‘big name’ clubs, including Glam, Vodka

Pubs old and new litter the city and offer warm retreats and local brewed beer from the Brains Brewery, which supplies most pubs in Cardiff.

by Vicky Chandler GREAT NIGHT OUT

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CARDIFF

Revolution, Soda, Ladybird and Oceana.

They all have student nights at which you’re guaranteed to get a huge crowd ready to spend their student loans (notso) wisely.

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Celeb spotting!

EATING OUT If you’re strapped for cash or want to splash out on a meal, you’re definitely spoilt for choice at the Students’ Union.

This is the first stop for lunchtime refuelling - whether you need the infamous Hangover Sandwich from CF10, a healthier option from Magic Wrap or sit-down pub grub at The Taff (not to mention the amazing hot lunch offers from The Kitchen and The Pantry).

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And once you get into the heart of the student area of Cathays, affordable pubs, takeaways and independent restaurants surround you. Noodlebox, Wok In Wok Out and Zi’s Café are amazing take-out Chinese restaurants within walking distance of the heart of student housing.

However, if you prefer somewhere to sit down but which doesn’t take too much out of your piggy-bank, Kama Lounge, The Woodville Pub (with its ‘Beer ‘N’ Burger for under a fiver) and The North Star all offer intimate meal settings.

If you don’t like sports, it can get horribly chaotic.

You can head into the heart of the city if you prefer the twinkling of candles and the absence of the ‘we’re all students here’ vibe. The Old Brewery Quarter is filled with independent and chain restaurants, and around the Millennium Stadium there are places like Zero Degrees, which has its own micro brewery ,and Bill’s, which promises the homely vibe of your living-room - albeit with strangers and much better food.

HIDDEN GEMS Cardiff Bay is one of the most magical places I’ve seen. Just out of town, it’s a gorgeous piece of waterfront - Europe’s largest waterfront development in fact! Home to the Welsh Millennium Centre, The Senedd (The National

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Assembly building) and loads of bars and restaurants – it’s perfect for a day or night trip, or somewhere to take your visiting parents.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY Cardiff was voted the UK’s best city for young people this year and was National Geographic’s sixth best place to visit in the world in 2011. However, I think the best thing about Cardiff is that you’re bound to stumble onto the set of a BBC Drama. Doctor Who, Torchwood and Sherlock are all filmed around Cardiff, including in some of the University buildings. It was a shock seeing Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman filming a scene outside my seminar room! You’ll soon get used to having huge dressing-room trailers, camera crews and staff meal vans dotted about Bute Park and campus.

WORST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY If you’re a sports fan, it’s great; but prepare yourself for chaos when the rugby and football are on. In particular, the Six Nations tournament is an exciting time as a sea of red floods into the city centre and pubs are filled with patriotic rugby fans cheering on their team. Nonetheless, it can be tough for those not that interested in sports – and students that are brave enough to take on the clubs and bars on the weekends when ‘Valley boys’ are out to play deserve a medal. Just take it in your stride; don’t book trains just after the game has finished, as the station aftermath is carnage, and become a true Welshman for the day!

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WHERE ARE THEY? Glam 2 Greyfriars Road, CF10 3AD Vodka Revolution, 9-11 Castle Street, CF10 1BS Soda, 4 Mill Lane, CF10 1FL Ladybird, 10-11 Mill Lane, CF10 1FL Oceana Greyfriars Road CF10 3DP Retro, 7 Mill Lane, CF10 1FL,

Clwb Ifor Bach, 11 Womanby Street, CF10 1BR Live Lounge, 9 The Friary, CF10 3FA Buffalo Bar, 11 Windsor Place, CF10 3BY 10 Feet Tall, 11a – 12 Church Street, CF10 1BG Peppermint, 63 St Mary Street, CF10 1FE Student Union, Park Place, CF10 3QN

CARDIFF

Noodlebox, 62 Salisbury Road, CF24 4AD

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Wok In Wok Out, Woodville Road, CF24 4EE Zi’s Café, 94 Woodville Road, CF24 4EE Kama Lounge, 106-110 Woodville Road CF24 4EE The Woodville Pub, 1-5 Woodville Road, CF24 4DW The North Star, 131 North Road, CF14 3AE The Old Brewery, Quarter Stryd, Caroline, CF10 1FG Millennium Stadium, Westgate Street, CF10 1NS

Zero Degrees, 27 Westgate Street, CF10 1DD Bill’s, 27-39 Wyndham Arcade, Mill Lane, CF10 1FH Hobos, 26 High Street, Arcade, CF10 1BB Cardiff Fashion Quarter, Womanby Street, CF10 1BR Welsh Millennium Centre, Bute Place, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AL The Senedd, Cardiff Bay, CF99 1NA

CARDIFF ACCOMMODATION With average weekly rents of £65, prices are much lower than the national average of £79.42. However, it’s all about knowing where to live in the city, especially considering Cardiff is home to three different universities. If you’re at Cardiff University itself, Cathays is your best option, while Roath is normally the haunt for those studying at Cardiff Met. Both of these areas have a decent walk into town and are close to their individual universities.

The average rent in the two respective areas is reasonable, with Cathays and Roath inhabitants paying on average £63 per week, with the lowest rent reported as being £16 (however, don’t set your expectations that low!) Both areas were scored highly by students in terms of shops, transport links, community, facilities and nightlife – scoring an overall satisfaction rate of 66% and 62% respectively.

is extremely attractive, although the average weekly rental rate is higher at £89. Yet, student accommodation in the sought after city centre is sparse compared with Cathays, Roath and the surrounding areas, so you most definitely have to get in quick to get an affordable place.

AFS TOP TIP Medicine is a big part of Cardiff University and those training to become doctors, dentists and optometrists (to name a few) and need to live nearer Heath Park Campus and the hospital, will most likely find themselves residing in the Heath and Whitchurch areas of the city.

Although students didn’t score the areas as high in terms of shops and facilities as Cathays and Roath (56% and 52%), the transport links are a bonus and the average rent price of £54 per week is hard to argue with.

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However, if living in a highly populated student area doesn’t appeal and you are keen to live in the heart of the city, the student satisfaction rate of 82%

COVENTRY city guide HELLO! MY NAME IS CHRISTINE BRAGANZA. I’M IN MY SECOND YEAR; STUDYING ENGLISH AND JOURNALISM BA (HONS) AND I LIVE IN COVENTRY. The Earl Of Mercia Rosie Malone’s Irish Bar The Castle Kasbah Hush JJ’s

by Christine Braganza GREAT NIGHT OUT My number one rule: don’t forget your student ID! It can score you special offers so always ask or find out if the venue offers any student discounts. Also remember to carry your NUS card if you have one; it can come in handy since most venues have worthwhile deals for students.

There are so many pubs and clubs to visit in the local area. However, I have a select few at the top of my list.

Phoenix The Quids Inn The Oak Inn The Flying Standard

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The Castle is one of my highlights for a night out, as it transforms into a club once it starts to get busy. This makes it a terrific staple for the last pub on your bar crawl list, because it helps point the night in the right direction.

Phoenix has a couple of offers worth investing in, such as the yellow card discount on beverages and meals as well as a free birthday party inclusive.

The best bit is it costs only a quid to be a yellow card holder.

The Quids Inn is a student-oriented outlet, so it’s good for a quick bite as the price range is affordable and the food is appealing, especially if you’re craving a late night dessert.

To wind up the night, I tend to lean towards Kasbah as it offers different rooms dedicated to various music genres.

This allows you to have fun in one club

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instead of wasting your energy travelling to a new location. All you have to do is hop from one room to another. Keep your eye on Hush as well because it’s definitely coming in strong as our present student venue. Popular nights out are: Monday’s Dejavu and Friday’s Population night, which have free entry if you live in any student accommodation.

BEST PLACES TO EAT I like to have a nice peaceful breakfast every now and then; Café Italia is my number one pick for a classy meal between lectures. It’s a nice alternative to sticking around the library café or the Hub’s food court.

The Chinese Kitchen is located conveniently opposite Trinity Point, so if you feel peckish, a quick run across the street with your flatmates and you’ll have a delicious dinner. Another good Oriental restaurant is Cosmo. It has a buffet during lunch and dinner hours with an exquisite platter; worth checking out.

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Fancy a movie night? Odeon and Showcase are good cinemas as they have a lot to offer besides their regular screenings. The Odeon is located at the Skydome, which is where JJ’s is based so after watching a film of your choice with your friends you could easily jump to a clubbing scene. As for Showcase, they host wonderful live comedy nights.

Spending my birthday there was the best detour from the movies I’ve had to date so I’d highly recommend it for those of you who enjoy laughing and gaining cherished memories.

I’d have to say the scenery is by far the best thing about this city.

best thing

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY Well, after spending a few years in and around Coventry; I’d have to say the scenery is by far the best thing about this city. With all its majestic and historical background, it has so much to offer while you take a casual stroll around the University square.

WORST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY Unfortunately, for students looking for a wild time; Coventry can tend to be on the quiet side as we do have a lot of elderly residents and families in the vicinity. So, I guess it can get a little lonely if you’re here alone during the holidays.

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WHERE THEY ARE Phoenix, 122 Gosford Street, Coventry, CV1 5DL

The nightlife isn’t as ‘wild’ as some students might hope for.

The Quids Inn, 118 Gosford Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 5DL The Oak Inn, 119 Gosford St, Town Centre, Coventry, CV1 5DL

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The Flying Standard, 2-10 Trinity St, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 1FL The Earl Of Mercia, 18 High Street, Coventry, CV1 5RE Rosie Malone’s Irish Bar, 44 Jordans close, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 5RW

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The Castle, 7 Little Park Street, Coventry, CV1 2UR Kasbah, Primrose Hill St, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 5LY Hush, The Foundry, 150 Far Gosford Street Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 5DU JJ’s, Skydome Leisure Park, Croft Rd, Coventry, CV1 3AZ Odeon, Croft Rd, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 3AZ Showcase, Gielgud Way, Walsgrave, Coventry, CV2 2SZ Café Italia, 9-11 Trinity St, Town Centre, Coventry, CV1 1FJ

Costa, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry, United Kingdom, CV1 5FB Costcutter, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry, United Kingdom, CV1 5FB West Orchards, Smithford Way, Coventry, CV1 1QX Chinese Kitchen, Far Gosford St, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 5DY Cosmo, 36-42 Corporation St, Coventry, CV1 1GF Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way, Coventry, West Midlands, CV6 6GE Tenpin, Crosspoint Business Park, Olivier Way. Coventry.

Warwickshire.

CV2 2SH

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COVENTRY STUDENT ACCOMMODATION Coventry is a cosy city for students to live in while studying towards their degree.

It has a variety of reasonably-priced accommodation, with a weekly average of £71 in 2013 - much lower than the national average of £79.42. Students regard the shops, transport links and community as positive points. The city is very easy to get around; a basic guide is provided via

The city centre is also popular amongst students with its close proximity to bars, clubs and restaurants. With a satisfaction rate of 64%, the location can justify the higher rental rates of £85.

(http://www.coventry.ac.uk/study-atcoventry/open-days/visiting-coventryuniversity/travel-directions-info/)?)

COVENTRY

The most popular student areas are Trinity Point, Priory and Raglan. Priory, in particular, scores highly amongst students at 70%, although rents are at the highest here, with a weekly average of £82.

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AFS TOP TIP Earlsdon attracts students significantly more so than Tile Hill, which edges towards dangerous and receives negative feedback from students. Earlsdon has average rental prices of £63 and a satisfaction rate of 56%, compared with Tile Hill’s cheap £58 weekly rates and 52% satisfaction rate.

DURHAM city guide I’M KATIE. I’M IN THE SECOND YEAR STUDYING PHYSICS AND I LIVE BETWEEN THE LIBRARY AND THE DSU.

GREAT NIGHT OUT

BEST PLACE TO EAT

Wednesday night is the biggest night out during the week. As a house, we’d start with some drinks, maybe play some drinking games whilst we all get ready and then head out to Lloyds or Loveshack. They are both always packed with students as it is where all the sport socials head to, so be prepared to see a lot of people out in fancy dress.

Loveshack is great if you want cheesy music to dance to and offers really cheap drinks. To end the night, I’d head to Pizza Uno where there is always 30% off for students, as everyone needs a snack for the walk home. Other nights during the week include College Bar’s crawls – they’re always fun, especially if you are playing pub golf. It is really fun to try the different College Bar’s drinks and if

At lunchtime, if you are eating out, there are loads of great options. For amazing hot chocolate and an endless selection of cheesecake, Café Continental is your best bet. Situated next to everyone’s favourite pizza place (Paddy’s Pizza), Café Continental is a really cute café with a massive menu. Only 10 minutes’ walk away from the Library and the Science Site, you could even squeeze in a good lunch between lectures. If you’re in the mood for something more substantial, In Shanghai is the all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet that everyone loves. They even have fish and chips, nuggets and a variety of English favourites for those who aren’t keen on Chinese food. Make sure you show your campus/student card at the

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DURHAM

by Katie Darmody

you do not feel like trekking all around Durham, you could always head to Klute for a real student experience; just make sure you get a quaddie whilst your there!

You can get everywhere in just a 30 minute walk.

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door to receive a 10% discount, and don’t be afraid to go up for seconds, thirds and, if you can manage it, fourths! Top Tip: If you are pushed for time between lectures, don’t get scammed by the expensive library YUM cafes; instead, take a packed lunch. You can easily waste your loan on hot drinks and cakes in the cafes that are placed all around the science site and college. If you are living in college, you can ask to have a packed lunch prepared for you by the catering staff; just remember to plan ahead!

HIDDEN GEMS Durham is a cultural hub of amazing architecture, including the oldest Norman building in Europe, so make sure you check out the cathedral and the castle.

Some people are even lucky enough to live in this accommodation during term.

This amazing backdrop provides a great place to live and there are lots of amazing places to check out.

worst thing Everywhere in Durham is uphill.

The Botanic Gardens are really worth a visit, and are free to enter. Durham is also an amazing place to just walk around and take in the scenery, especially over the bridges and alongside the river.

Bi-yearly, a real hidden gem comes to Durham: The Lumiere Extravaganza. It is basically an amazing light show that takes over Durham. You really have to see it to believe it. A real summer treat is the Splits and Glory ice-cream parlour that opened above Chapters Café this summer. It is decorated like a 1950s’ diner and really is like stepping back in time. It is a must see place and that’s before you’ve even sampled some of the amazing treats there.

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BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY Durham has a great village vibe and everywhere is within a 30-minute walk.

It is one of the safest places to live but you still feel there is a constant buzz and loads going on, which you would ordinarily only get in a larger city. It is so easy to make Durham feel like home and so many graduates are constantly visiting.

Summer in Durham really is like being on holiday, even though it rains for most of the year. When you are able to row down the river with your friends having icecreams it makes you forget the previous few months of snow. It really is a city just filled with students and there is so much to see and do that is geared primarily towards students. Therefore, everything is cheap and cheerful and the perfect location for student life.

WHERE ARE THEY? Lloyds, Walkergate Leisure, Durham, County Durham, DH1 1WA, 0191 370 8510 Loveshack, 3 Walkergate, Town Centre, Durham, DH1 1WA

Klute Durham, Elvet Bridge, Durham, DH1 3AA, 0191 386 9859

Split and Glory Ice cream Parlour, 16-17 Elvet Bridge (at Chapters of Durham Tea Rooms), Durham, DH1 3AA, 0191 386 0649

CafĂŠ Continental, 87 Elvet Bridge, Durham, DH1 3AG, 0191 386 0000 InShanghai, 30b Phase 2, The Gates, Durham, DH1 4SL, 0191 375 7333

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Pizza Uno, 92 Claypath, Durham, DH1 1RG, 0191 384 4444

EDINBURGH city guide I’M GAIA CROSTON. I’M IN THE SECOND YEAR, STUDYING GEOGRAPHY AND SOCIOLOGY AND I LIVE IN MERCHISTON.

by Gaia Croston

rooms. Also, music fans with different tastes should check out Liquid Room; it’s hosted phenomenal acts in the past few years and the venue gets a positive review from me too. Close any night with a curry on Nicolson Street or Mamma’s American Pizza Co. in Grassmarket, which are open late at the weekend.

GREAT NIGHT OUT

BEST PLACES TO EAT

I’d say get your drinks from your local off-licence and stock up, because drink prices won’t be kind to you regardless of where you go in an evening. You’ll find most students stay away from the clubs too far west, apart perhaps from Why Not or Picture House, the latter of which hosts good DJs and great celeb guests throughout the year. A good LGBT+ night out is CC Bloom’s - it can be a walk but always promises to be fun, has free entry and is surrounded by many other bars and clubs to hop on to. If you’ve any karaoke fans amongst your friends then Frankenstein is a must, if only to request your favourite cheesy hits that haven’t yet been played in other clubs’ throwback

If you’re an international student like me, you must enjoy a delightful Cream Tea (or at least sample some teas, treats and sandwiches) at eTeaket in New Town. For lunch, there are plenty of reasonablypriced indulgences around campus buildings: for a filling, tasty meal of noodles to warm you up I’d head to RedBox. If you’re feeling like falafel wraps or a great stew I’d try The Flavour’s Café, or if you’re meeting a friend I might go for a plate of nachos or a burger at the Teviot Library Bar. Your stay in Edinburgh wouldn’t be complete without visiting The Elephant House, J.K. Rowling’s old writing haunt, at least once – plus, the paninis and drinks are delish. The same

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EVENTS AND FESTIVALS IN EDINBURGH The Edinburgh Fringe features live music, comedy, plays, spoken word events and so much more. The venues are located all over town and people swarm to the city to engage in some of the best performances of their life. Be warned, staying in a hotel is nigh-impossible, especially if you haven’t booked way in advance, but if you’ve got your flat for the summer, I

BUCKET LIST Climb Arthur’s Seat (just not in the middle of winter) Pull an all-nighter (or 10) Go to a lecture that is nothing to do with your subject Have a barbecue in the Meadows Beat the Fresher’s flu Go to a student lock-in Pay a visit to the National Gallery, Edinburgh Castle and the Botanic Gardens!

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applies to Peter’s Yard, which is also a hop and skip away from campus and where the pastries are supreme. To enjoy the absolutely scrumptious fried dishes for which the city is known, you need to hit up Globetrotter in Morningside at least once and grab either traditional fish and chips or another of their mouth-watering offerings. Can you tell I’m a food person?

recommend you come to town for at least a week during the festival. The Christmas Market centred in Princes Street is gorgeous to look at, not to mention full of food, drink, ice skating and more. If you’re braving the holiday season in town, then Hogmanay is a must at least once: it’s like ringing in the New Year with tens of thousands of your closest friends.

Celebrating Bonfire Night, all wrapped up and snug from the crags on Arthur’s Seat to watch the fireworks, should also be part of every Edinburgh student’s experience.

It’s such a historical city.

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HIDDEN GEMS

has been ranked 17th in the world this year, and only looks to be rising higher

Be on the look-out for vintage clothes sales advertised online. For a small entry fee, you’ll get the chance to shop through tonnes of clothes, often stuff from likeminded students that you can pay for by the kilo. Morningside is a neighbourhood some students might not ever see in their day-to-day life, but it’s a nice road made up of boutiques, cafés, charity shops and restaurants – all of which are fairly affordable and definitely worth a day trip.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY

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Animal lovers won’t see much other than dogs and birds during term usually, but if you’re feeling adventurous head to Gorgie City Farm (free entry!) and take a look at their many animals, big and small, along with a community garden that’s refreshing for many of us flat inhabitants.

Broughton Street in New Town also offers a fantastic selection of food, pubs, shops and even tattoo parlours worthy of a visit or two; and there’s plenty of green open spaces nearby if would like to enjoy the outdoors on a nice day.

EDINBURGH STUDENT ACCOMMODATION Edinburgh is extremely welcoming and easy for student living; and affordable accommodation can be found both in the city centre and the suburbs.

The history. Whether it’s the extinct volcanic nature of Arthur’s Seat, dating back to the Carboniferous age, or simply the spine-tingling feeling you experience from centuries past on excursions such as the walking ghost tours that descend beneath the Royal Mile, there’s a neverending list of footsteps to retrace and interesting facts to discover. Fans of ghost stories and gore lovers will find fodder galore, from the supposedly haunted Greyfriars Kirkyard to the rooms of Holyroodhouse Palace.

WORST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY Probably the wind. Whether you’re from halfway around the world or you’ve just moved north from England, students agree the wind (and the ice, to be fair) is enough to bring a tear to the corner of anyone’s eye. As long as you bring out your winter clothes and accessories in phases, you should be fine. Just know that the only people who will be professionals at handling the weather are probably from Antarctica or Shetland.

The wind – it’s a shock to anyone who isn’t from Antarctica.

Users of the AFS website ranked Edinburgh 5th in the UK, with an overall score of 62%. Reviews were consistently positive for Edinburgh, especially with regards to the public transport.

Average room rental in Edinburgh weighed in at £79 in 2013 compared with the national average of £79.43, a remarkably reasonable price especially considering the University of Edinburgh

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WHERE ARE THEY? Why Not, 14 George St, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH2 2PF The Picture House, 31 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2DJ

EDINBURGH

CC Bloom’s 23-24 Greenside Ln, Old Town, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA

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Frankenstein, 26 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH1 1EN The Liquid Room, 9C Victoria St, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH1 2HE Mamma’s American Pizza Co, 28-30, Grassmarket, Old Town, Edinburgh, EH1 2JU

eTeaket, 41 Frederick St, Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, EH2 1EP Red-Box Noodlebar, 51-53, W Nicolson St, Edinburgh, EH8 9DB Flavour’s Cafe, 4 Chapel Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9AY

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The Elephant House, 21 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH1 1EN Peter’s Yard, 27 Simpson Loan, Edinburgh, EH3 9GG Globetrotter Fish & Chips, 169 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4DG Gorgie City Farm, 51 Gorgie Rd, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH11 2LA

EXETER city guide I’M OLIVIA BROCKLEHURST. I’M A SECOND-YEAR STUDYING BA MANAGEMENT WITH MARKETING AND I LIVE IN THE ST. JAMES’S AREA OF EXETER’S CITY CENTRE.

GREAT NIGHT OUT We generally start the night with a few homemade cocktails, and then go to a flat/house party before heading out.

Bars such as Monkey Suit, John Gandy’s and 44 Below are for those with bigger pockets who enjoy delicious cocktails.

My particular favourite is the Zombie at 44 Below; legally, you’re only allowed two glasses per person because it’s that cheeky! As Exeter is a relatively small city in comparison to others further north, getting from one bar to another doesn’t take long. In fact, social bar crawls are very popular with many societies dragging hundreds of Freshers from one

venue to the next across town is quite an achievement! Depending on which night you go, there are certain clubs that play the best music. Arena is very busy on three nights of the week; offering Original Sin’s ‘Dirty Sexy People’ on Monday’s, Cheesy Tuesday’s and Thursday’s ‘Electric House’. They even offer Fryday’s for international students. Timepiece bar and club steals volumes of students on Wednesday socials and Friday nights out. Monday’s dubstep at Arena is my favourite. At the end of the evening, taxis are scarce in Exeter and you can rarely find one unoccupied; therefore, being organised and booking early is much advised, unless you don’t mind skipping along in the rain at 2am.

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EXETER

by Olivia Brocklehurst

is extensive and so are its customers.

Prepare yourself for delicious starters, mains and puddings that offer pretty much everything at a price!

EXETER

BEST PLACES TO EAT There is an abundance of choice for students wanting to eat out, and the variety of chain restaurants offers student discounts or daily vouchers off your mobile apps nearly every day of the week.

My personal favourite is Firehouse, which was originally a house for the fire brigade and has three cosy floors and an outside seating area, all with fabulous mood lighting. It gets packed really early but stays open until 2am. They offer gigantic pizzas at reasonable prices (and when I say gigantic, I mean they are enormous) and good, local alcohol. Another sociable place to eat is Bill’s, on Gandy Street, offering ‘Breakfast to Bedtime’ food. It’s got that typically quaint British ambience, almost as if you’re stepping into a photo shoot for a new cook book. Its menu

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HIDDEN GEMS There are many exciting places off the beaten track in Exeter, and even I have yet to explore them. One beauty is The Exeter Phoenix, which offers a fantastic array of performances, classes, festivals and much more throughout the year.

There’s also the Cellar Door down by The Quay with an edgy, indie style offering an underground nightclub playing House music. And let’s not forget Mama Stone’s, owned and run by Joss Stone’s parents – sometimes she even makes surprise appearances. I have yet to see her, but they say the place even provides free curry while you watch. Tasty!

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Please note, photos used are indicative

It’s beautiful in the summer and only 30 mins from the beach.

best thing

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY

WHERE ARE THEY?

When the sun is shining, autumn is beautiful and the summer is hot.

Students come out of their rooms and expose themselves for the first time, enjoying Exeter Cathedral as a meeting place or catching the 30-minute train journey to Exmouth beach. Hundreds of students flock to the coast for the sun, sea and fish and chips! Last year, temperatures reached nearly 30 degrees in May – crikey! The Exeter Phoenix also celebrates the summer with its Film Festival, and constructs an outdoor cinema in the Northernhay Gardens. Last year, they screened Goonies, Skyfall, Life of Pi and The Great Gatsby.

Domino’s Pizza, 49 Sidwell Street, Exeter, EX4 6NS 01392 425252

WORST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY

worst thing Division between locals and students.

One of the pitfalls of being by the coast is the breezy walks into town. And it’s not nice if you’re a fresher, as campus is located on the outskirts of the city. There is also an apparent divide between the locals and students. You can really tell who’s who and the clubs promote and stress this divide even more. But being polite and opting to shop in the selection of charity shops can really help support local trusts and the community.

Firehouse, 50 New North Road, Exeter, EX4 4EP 01392 277279 Bill’s, 32-33 Gandy Street, Exeter, EX4 3LS 01392 259227 Arena, Summerland Street, Exeter, EX1 2AZ 01392 491419 Timepiece, Little Castle Street, Exeter, EX4 3PX 01392 493096 Monkey Suit, 161 Sidwell Street, Exeter, EX4 6RH 01392 431420 John Gandy’s, 23 Gandy Street, Exeter, EX4 3LS 01392 213924

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44 Below, 44 Queens Street, Exeter, EX4 3SR 01392 422999 Cellar Door, 4 The Quay, Exeter, EX2 4AP 01392 277174 Mama Stone’s, Mary Arches Street, Exeter, EX4 3BA 01392 848485 Exeter Phoenix, Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter, EX4 3LS 01392 667080 Charity Shops are located primarily on Sidwell Street and Fore Street, close to the city centre.

Taxis: Capital, 3 Isambard Parade, St David’s, Exeter, EX4 4BX 01392 433 433 Gemini, 50a-53a South Street, Exeter, EX1 1EE 01392 66 66 66

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STUDENT ACCOMMODATION Exeter has a variety of accommodation to cater for a wide range of requirements, but it’s pricey here. Due to being in the south, the average rent is £88 per week, higher than the national average of £79.42. University halls, in particular, are more expensive than most, although Exeter achieved The Sunday Times University of the Year 2012-2013; so don’t let the higher prices put you off.

EXETER

However, student satisfaction has been ranked consistently high in recent years and the campus feel helps create a warm community for students. Exeter city is simply a pleasant place to live in comparison with other towns. Competing cities, such as Plymouth and Bristol, are listed further down the table for overall satisfaction. For first-year undergraduates, there is an extensive range of halls to choose from, from

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studio apartments and self-catering ensuite rooms to catered corridors. All have 24/7 security, so you can be quite picky. Depending on which campus you go to, second-year students and beyond tend to rent houses in clusters near campus. There are several areas of Exeter that have been taken over by the student housing population, which helps create healthy competition for the market and drives up quality - so much so that Exeter was one of the first cities to enforce accredited quality standards for landlords! Mount Pleasant is popular amongst students, scoring a 56% satisfaction rates and £87 weekly rental rates – in line with Exeter’s average.

The city centre can also seem appealing, as it is central for all the bars, clubs and restaurants. With a 92% satisfaction rate, students living there certainly like it, and the average £65 weekly rental rates are surprisingly low too!

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GLASGOW city guide I’M LUCY AB MOLLOY. I’M A THIRDYEAR POLITICS STUDENT AND I LIVE IN THE WEST END OF GLASGOW.

CLUBBING/GIG GUIDE Arguably the best city outside of London for clubbing in the UK, here is your go-to guide for clubs in Glasgow. My recommended places for a great night out include; SUB Club, with its body sonic dance floor. SUB Club has been going strong for 25 years and was ranked the 10th best club in the world by DJ Mag. The best night there is Deadly Rhythm, which is bi-monthly; but you should definitely pay a visit when the likes of Fatima, Levon Vincent and Jon Phonics are there!

St Judes is a great club to spend the night (and early hours of the morning!).

Downstairs from one of the West End’s fanciest hotels, it’s a basement club

Bar Bloc is a gem, situated on the corner of Bath Street. It hosts a wide variety of gigs, serves food till late and always has free cake – what’s not to love?! Its Bloc Jam event on Sunday nights-is one of Glasgow’s most popular open mic nights.

DAYS OUT/HIDDEN GEMS Glasgow Green is situated in the city centre and is the perfect place for an autumn stroll. Come Bonfire Night, it’s a great place to watch the fireworks with a flask of mulled wine. Not too far away is the Necropolis. Whilst it’s a graveyard, it isn’t as creepy as it sounds and has stunning views of the city.

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GLASGOW

by Lucy Molloy

offering affordable cocktails and a plethora of nights, including Harlem is Burning every other Wednesday and a gay-friendly night with quality house and techno DJs. Tucked away in Merchant City is one of Glasgow’s most respected clubs – Max’s Bar/La Cheetah, renowned for its intimate dance floor and egg-shaped DJ booth. I recommend Nightrave, an unpretentious night that emphasises fun and good quality tunes. Watch out for the secret guest, past ones have included Rustie and Spencer!

The Lighthouse Scotland’s National Centre for Design and Architecture houses the Mackintosh Centre, which hosts regular art talks and historic tours. It is a must-see for art’s lovers. Glasgow Science Centre by the River Clyde is also worth a visit, offering an alternative day out with a variety of interesting and informative visits.

WHERE ARE THEY? Nice ‘n’ Sleazys, 421 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, G2 3LG

GLASGOW

The O2 ABC, 300 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, G2 3JA The Garage, 490 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G2 3LW

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Offshore, 3-5 Gibson Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom The Glad Café, 1006a Pollokshaws Road, Shawlands, Glasgow, G41 2HG Cocktail Burger, 323 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, G2 3HW

Tchai Ovna, 42 Otago Ln, Glasgow, Glasgow City, G12 8PB Bar Bloc, 117 Bath St, Glasgow, G2 2SZ St Judes, 190 Bath St, Glasgow SubClub, 22 Jamaica Street, Classic Grand, 18 Jamaica St, Glasgow, G1 4QD Maxs Bar & La Cheetah, 73 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3BZ

Banana Leaf, 76 Old Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow

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The Science Centre, Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow, G51 1EA The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow, G1 3NU The Necropolis, 70 Cathedral Square, Glasgow, Glasgow City, G4 0UZ George Square, George St, Glasgow, G2 1DU

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It’s got the best club scene outside of London.

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Frequently a hit with students, it scored a satisfaction rating of 70%.

Kelvinhaugh

ACCOMMODATION With rents in Glasgow at a weekly average of £85 in 2013, the city is well above the national average of £79.42. However, you can still find a good deal on your accommodation depending on where in the city you live.

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Living in the city centre is always advantageous as you’re close to anything and everything you could possibly need!

For Glasgow Caledonian and Strathclyde students, you’re within walking distance of your campus so it seems the natural choice. For those at the University of Glasgow, the abundance of bars, restaurants and clubs, not to mention the extensive range of shops right on your doorstep, are a major attraction. For the price of £1.40, you can take a short ride on the subway and be back on-campus within 10 minutes. With an average weekly rent of £80, it’s lower than the city’s average and has received positive feedback, with students scoring it 86% satisfaction rating.

Student accommodation is relatively expensive.

If you want the best of both worlds, then where better to settle then Woodlands?

Equidistant from the city centre and the University of Glasgow, this area really has it all. It’s a stone’s throw from Sauchiehall Street, which is packed with student-friendly bars, and with average rental rates of £68, you’ll have plenty of your student loan left over for partying.

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Situated behind Kelvingrove Park, Kelvinhaugh, although with a higher rental rate of £87, is a popular area for Glasgow Caledonian and Strathclyde students due to its proximity to town; not to mention the incredible views. It is home to some of the best restaurants in Glasgow, which students like, giving it a satisfaction rating of 62%, and is close to two large supermarkets.

Finally, Hillhead is a great area for those at the University of Glasgow who want to roll out of bed at 9.55, throw on some clothes and still be at their 10am lecture on time. With a satisfaction rating of 74%, the £88 average rental rate is justifiable considering its proximity to a range of supermarkets to suit any budget. It is also close to Ashton Lane, a cobbled haven of vintage shops, bars and restaurants.

Alternative place to live: Shawlands For those of you that are sick of bumping into half of Glasgow Uni every time you step out of your front door and could see yourself being a big fan of the ‘Overheard in the Westend’ hipster-shaming Facebook page, then the Southside of Glasgow is for you. Despite what the Daily Mail will have you believe, there are some safe areas in this part of town. Shawlands is an up and coming, ethnically-diverse area packed with independent eateries, such as ‘The Glad Café’, which also hosts regular gigs and arts events. Rents are significantly cheaper here than the West End and city centre, with an average rental rate of £71 and a satisfaction rate of 68%.

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HUDDERSFIELD

city guide

I’M JAIME. I’M IN MY FIRST YEAR STUDYING FASHION AND TEXTILE BUYING MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HUDDERSFIELD AND I LIVE IN HUDDERSFIELD. the night. Varsity has cheap drinks for students that own a V-card, so it is good to stop there before going to your main place as it’ll be a lot cheaper.

GREAT NIGHTS OUT The best nights out always start with predrinks with a big group of your favourite people (the more people the cheaper the taxi). Sometimes there are flat parties close by that you can join, which is a great way to meet new people.

When you head out, make sure you choose a student night, as lots of bars and clubs have special offers, such as Tuesday’s Let’s Get Funked! at Revolutions where all drinks are half price! There’s also Camel Club Wednesdays. It may cost extra for your entry, but you are sure to have a great time with a fabulous DJ throughout

BEST PLACES TO EAT I’d tend to avoid the Students’ Union café where the food is pretty basic and overpriced. During the first few weeks of term, you will find you will be given lots of vouchers and offers. Now is the time to use them as they will help you save money on student favourites, such as KFC, McDonald’s and Wetherspoons.

If you are meeting your family and you want to impress them with your knowledge of the best places to eat, there are some lovely little pubs in and outside of town, such as the Head of Steam and

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HUDDERSFIELD

by Jaime Sandelands

After a great night there are lots of delicious takeaways on the main stretch in Huddersfield, that aren’t too pricey and are a must do at the end of the night. Dixy Chicken on Cross Church Street is my personal favourite!

The scenery and the iconic three peaks.

best thing worst thing

Star. If you like Italian, and are making the most of your parents’ credit card, then Trattoria Domenico is perfect! The food is exquisite and the service is brilliant. Good quality and huge portions! What more could you ask for?!

lead across the river and you are likely to discover tumbling streams and cascading waterfalls. A must visit is Gibson Mill, which is at the heart of Hardcastle Crags where you can discover 200 years of social and industrial history, offering a unique insight into the area’s past.

HIDDEN GEMS

A great place to visit in Huddersfield is Castle Hill, which is one of the highest peaks in Huddersfield; you can see the town from the most incredible angle.

If you like the atmosphere of a live game, John Smith’s stadium is perfect for you. Huddersfield has a long tradition of successful sports teams and this continues today. Home to the mighty Huddersfield Giants RLC and Huddersfield Town FC, the John Smith’s stadium is just one of Huddersfield’s iconic landmarks. Even if you aren’t a huge sports fan, you may find yourself there to support your flatmates’ interests and combine a few drinks with the lively social atmosphere of the arena. You may surprise yourself and have a really good time (even if you still don’t understand the game).

Although the assumption may be that Huddersfield is quiet and there is little to do, if you are imaginative or even look slightly outside the town centre, there are many unusual and great places to see.

Greenhead Park is only five minutes’ walk from the town centre. It is truly beautiful, the perfect place to find your own hideaway spot and get your head stuck in a book by the sweet little pond, rather than being locked up in the library.

If you’re after something a little different ,then Hardcastle Crags in Hebden Bridge is a great place to visit. Enjoy escaping on one of many footpaths that will take you on your new adventure. There are also the famous stepping stones that

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Personally, I love to shop. Not just to spend, but to stare in awe at the displays. Some may find this sad but for those who can relate, Byram Arcade is the place to go. Not only is Huddersfield’s oldest Victorian arcade unique and inspiring, the stores contained within it are too.

You can find so many unusual items from arts and crafts and intricate handmade clothing to great tattooists. Plus, there are several cafés and restaurants to choose from.

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BEST THING ABOUT HUDDERSFIELD The best thing about Huddersfield is its scenery. It is evident why Huddersfield is known for the “Three Peaks”, as the surrounding countryside views are incredible. I usually hate catching the bus and even walking can be tedious in a busy city, but now I go out of my way because the countryside it is breathtaking and you don’t have to go off the beaten track or buy any special footwear to enjoy it.

ACCOMMODATION

HUDDERSFIELD

Huddersfield is a student-friendly place to live - whether you are situated in town or slightly outside, everything is at your feet; and with a Lidl and many Poundlands close by, it is easy to keep within that student budget. Huddersfield’s average weekly rental prices are very reasonable, at £77 in 2013, just below the UK average of £79.42.

Now, you may think that as Huddersfield is a town rather than a city, student life could be quite boring; this was certainly my concern.

However, you will be quite mistaken. Students know how to party in Huddersfield and you will have many laughs during your years here. Living in the city centre is a popular choice, as it’s centrally located to everything you could possibly need. With a 60% satisfaction rate, it’s highly rated, although the higher

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rental rates of £87 need to be taken into account.

Rent is slightly cheaper closer to the University, averaging between £54 and £66 per week, with a satisfaction rate of 60%; the upside of this is that you can lie in even when you have lectures!

AFS TOP TIP Although most accommodation is situated near the University; even the properties outside of town have regular cheap buses running to campus, so there’s little chance of you missing those important lectures.

WHERE ARE THEY?

Huddersfield Taxis 7A Railway St, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 1JS Revolutions Huddersfield, 28 Cross Church St Huddersfield HD1 2PT Camel Club Huddersfield, Byram St, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 1BS

McDonald’s Huddersfield, 1 Kirkgate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 1BA Subway, 61 Wakefield Rd, Huddersfield, HD5 9AB 49 Westbourne Rd, Huddersfield, HD1 4LG Dominos Unit A, St. Johns Rd, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 5AT, KFC, 9 New St, Town Centre, Huddersfield, HD1 2AX

Varsity, 24 Zetland St, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 2RA Trattoria Domenico, 7 Imperial Rd, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 2BR Greenhead Park, Trinity Street, Huddersfield, HD1 4DT Hard Castle Crags, Hollin Hall, Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, HX7 7AP

Wetherspoons – The Lord Wilson, Unit 27, Kingsgate Centre, King Street, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 2QB Castle Hill, Castle Hill Side, Huddersfield, Kirklees, HD4 John Smith’s stadium, The John Smith’s Stadium, Stadium Way, Huddersfield, HD1 6PG

Byram Arcade, Westgate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 1ND

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Dixy Chicken, 19 Cross Church Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2PY

LANCASTER city guide I’M DZUNG NGUYEN AND I’M IN THE FOURTH YEAR STUDYING HUMAN RESOURCES AND CONSULTING AT LANCASTER UNIVERSITY. I LIVE IN THE BOWERHAM AREA OF LANCASTER.

by Dzung Nguyen NIGHTLIFE

You will be spoilt for choice with pubs - from old cask-ale to live music and dance floors to get you in the mood for clubs - nine of which are conveniently situated oncampus. In town, along the canal where you enjoy your pints and traditional pub food on benches in the lovely summer, there are the Water Witch and the White Cross, both of which are popular for society gatherings. A must-visit pub for live jazz, folk and traditional music is the Robert Gillow, featuring regular musicians and bands.

For such a small city, Lancaster has a surprising number of nightclubs, not to mention pubs, inns and bars. Nightlife during term is dominated by students.

From dancing and drinking to performing and listening, your night-out needs are all catered for in Lancaster. The Sugarhouse is very popular and has a capacity of over 1,300. It proves a safer and more costeffective choice for Lancaster students thanks to the free buses running from campus to the back of The Sugarhouse.

Additionally, Dalton Rooms, a fine dining

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pub with more class than Wetherspoons and Yates, often throws Latin Parties 2-3 times per term. This event is extremely popular with international students as the focus is on dancing their socks off to great music from around the world, and less of a focus on alcohol.

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BEST PLACES TO EAT The reasonable selection of restaurants, snack bars and fast-food takeaways based on the Lancaster campus provides a range of choice to suit all tastes throughout the day. Cafe 21 in InfoLab21 offers a fantastic view from Bowland Fells to Morecambe Bay and is the greatest place on-campus for diners with special dietary requirements. The Venue cafe is favoured for its deli salad bar and I highly recommend its freshly squeezed

HIDDEN GEMS

WHERE ARE THEY?

Fylde Bar, Fylde College, LA1 4YF

The Sugarhouse, Sugarhouse Alley, LA1 1NW

The Sultan of Lancaster, Brock Street, The Old Church, LA1 1UU

Dalton Rooms, 14 Dalton Square, LA1 1PL Cafe 21: InfoLab21, Lancaster University, LA1 4WA The Venue, Off Alexandra Square, Lancaster University, LA1 4YW

Full House Noodle Bar, 21 Common Garden Street, LA1 1XD

The campus can get a bit claustrophobic.

Forrest Hills, an award-winning scenic venue situated beside the M6 and connected to Lancaster University campus through a hidden footpath next to George Fox building, is a beautiful place for a stroll with two fishing lakes, a river, woodland and a golf course. If you want to take a break from the bustle of campus and busy town centre on market days, why not treat yourself a visit to the unique J.Atkinson roaster and tea merchant?

You won’t be in the minority in the shop; and it’s like stepping back in time in their café where you can find traditional Lancaster souvenirs. Next, for the green enthusiasts, Williamson Park is a great place for a walk, picnic, and to enjoy the entire view of Lancaster and Morecambe Bay for free. During the summer, don’t

Lancaster was in the top three safest towns and cities in the UK in 2011. You will come to truly appreciate this whilst walking home after midnight from a night out or even forgetting to lock the house at night. Nevertheless, don’t just take my word for it – still take precautions as you would normally do. Another legitimate reason for residing in Lancaster is the breath-taking and vibrant countryside at your disposal; from excellent walks in the Lune Valley and the quirky scarecrow festival in Wray village to the signature Lancashire hotpot in The Merchants and the literary icon Beatrix Potter in Bowness. People are generally friendly and welcoming, especially to students.

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Lancaster would not be Lancaster without the Castle, the Canal, the City Museum and other famous attractions. However, there are more places you should discover that are well off the ordinary trail.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY?

Paulo Gianni’s, 15 New Street, LA1 1EG

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It is one of the safest cities in the UK.

However, restaurants in the town centre boast a much better dining experience.

For Indian cuisine, you can enjoy a very good curry in the setting of a converted church at The Sultan of Lancaster. Fans of oriental food will also be impressed by the ultra-friendly service and Malaysian chicken curry at Full House Noodle Bar. Top of the list for cheap-and-cheerful Italian dishes is Paulo Gianni’s – although the noisy setting can prevent smooth conversations at times. Happy Hour offers make up for this with well-cooked pasta from as little as £2.99.

forget to watch out for the Robin Hood outdoor theatre performances.

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orange juice. If you are after something bolder, the Fylde bar frequently rotates its animal burger with unique species, such as llama, kangaroo or even crocodile, and salad for about £4.

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LEEDS city guide I’M JESS MACDONALD AND I’M IN MY FIRST YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS, STUDYING TOWARDS AN MA IN WRITING FOR PERFORMANCE AND PUBLICATION. I LIVE IN GUISELEY, WHICH IS SITUATED IN THE NORTH WEST OF THE CITY. Propaganda or Phat Thursdays. Leeds also has a great range of little bars off the beaten track, near Calls Lane and the river.

by Jess Macdonald GREAT NIGHT OUT Leeds is a city with loads of options and has a range of evening entertainment to suit everyone. Personally, I like a big night out where there’s guaranteed to be a big student atmosphere, so I tend to head to Fruity on a Friday in the Leeds University Union’s award-winning club Stylus.

There’s also the O2 Academy, just down from both the Met and Uni campuses, where I often go to watch headline acts or to have a big night out at Moustache,

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When I want a more relaxed night but still want to head out, I’ll go to the historic Hyde Park Picture House in Headingley or the new Everyman Cinema in the Trinity Leeds Shopping Centre, where there’s great food and drink and a unique cinema atmosphere. The Hyde Park Picture House is one of the longestrunning cinemas in England, and is a firm favourite with students. The annual November Leeds Film Festival also plays at both venues and you can see some great short films and world cinema!

BEST PLACES TO EAT For a good value, student-friendly lunch, I’ll walk past Hyde Park and eat

If I’m celebrating a birthday or the end of exams with friends, I’ll treat myself and book a table at Bibi’s Italian restaurant, which has art nouveau décor and excellent waiting service. They have a great cocktail menu and a central bar area for pre-dinner drinks. It is a great excuse to get dressed up.

For a reminder of that great summer trip to Thailand, I’ll spend a nostalgic

evening in the Thai Edge on Millennium Square, which has a gorgeous menu of well-priced dishes to suit every taste. The restaurant is also nicely decorated with Buddha statues, elephants and orchids, and if I don’t look out the window too much I can imagine I’m back in Chiang Mai for the night.

HIDDEN GEMS Just on the outskirts of Leeds is the small town of Ilkley, which is the last stop on the Wharfedale train line, or you can

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at Oranaise Café, which specialises in North African food, and have a Mezze platter or tapas to share with friends.

The food is delicious and good quality too, with fresh ingredients to add to your fivea-day. They also sell a range of cakes and desserts, like baklava, to transport you to Turkey when it’s raining and cold!

The huge range of shopping.

best thing

Parklane have the widest range of student property in Leeds.

Visit www.parklaneproperties.com to find your prefect student property.

Become a parklane tenant and get great discounts on your favourite local brands.

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also take the X84 bus from Leeds City Centre. Ilkley is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city – not only is it surrounded by world famous moorland, it’s also home to the Cow and Calf rocks that form part of this well-loved historic landscape. I’ll head into the hills for a refreshing, high impact walk or go down to the bottom of town and take a walk through the park along the river. When I’m ready for a nice warming cup of tea and a real slice of Yorkshire, Betty’s tearooms welcome you and serves you from their cake trolley. You can pick up some souvenirs from the bakery or send some tea biscuits home to your family, so they know you’re thinking of them!

WORST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY The worst thing about Leeds is that it can get quite chilly – it is high up and quite exposed so it’s a bit of a shock if you’re coming from the south. You can avoid the winter freeze by wrapping up warm with winter woollies and purchasing a good coat so you’ll manage the trip to university each morning without getting too red-faced. I stocked up last year on Primark jumpers and have enough now to last me a lifetime! It also rains a lot in Leeds (like most places in England!), so make sure you purchase a goodquality umbrella.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY

The weather – it rains a lot!

The best thing about Leeds is undoubtedly the shopping! There’s a huge range of shops – high street, designer and smaller boutiques – where you can get anything from a top brand designer dress to charity shop vintage chic. The new Leeds Trinity Shopping centre is constantly growing and changing, with shops like Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie and Fitch springing up beside the largest Topshop outside of Oxford Street (31,000 square feet of bliss!). Trinity also has a number of

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quirky and brilliant restaurants, like Giraffe and the Handmade Burger Company. There are also a number of covered lanes in Leeds, like the County Arcade and Victoria Quarter, as well as the Leeds Market where Marks and Spencer’s originated!

The market is great for cheap fruit and veg, and specialist items at a good price.

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WHERE ARE THEY? Stylus, Leeds University, Union, Lifton Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9JZ O2 Academy, 55 Cookridge St, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3AW, Hyde Park, Picture House, 73 Brudenell Rd, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 1JD

LEEDS

iforhome_Leeds_Ad.indd 1

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Everyman Cinema, Level 4, Trinity Leeds, Albion Street, Leeds, LS1 5AT Trinity Leeds, Shopping Centre, 27 Albion St, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 5ER

Bibi’s Italian Restaurant, Criterion Place, Swinegate, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 4AG Thai Edge, 7 Calverley St, Leeds, LS1 3DA Leeds Market, 28-34 George St, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HY

Oranaise Café, 1 The Crescent, Hyde Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2NW

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Betty’s Tearooms, 32 The Grove, Ilkley, LS29 9EE Giraffe, Trinity Leeds, LS1 5AY Handmade Burger Co, Trinity Leeds, Trinity East, Leeds, LS1 5ER

Leeds is a very student-friendly city, with lots of cheap accommodation near Leeds Met and Leeds University. Scoring an average weekly rental rate of £74 in 2013, it is cheaper than the national average of £79.42; it scored a 60% satisfaction rate amongst students.

For easy access, most students live near Hyde Park or further into Headingley, both of which have high satisfaction scores (58% and 68%). There are now lots of city centre accommodation blocks springing up too, with the city centre scoring highest for student satisfaction (70%).

Average rent prices in Headingley are better than in the city centre (£60) and there’s more of a student community there too. City centre prices average at £75 but you pay for easy access to campus and the shops and nightlife of Leeds on your doorstep.

If you go to Leeds Trinity University, it might be an idea to live further out of the city and nearer to campus, as you’ll be spending a lot of time there! Average prices in Horsforth are £52 per week and the campus is on the 97 bus route, which takes you straight into the city centre and back for less than £4. You’ll never miss out on the action if you live in Horsforth, and you won’t miss any of your lectures either!

AFS TOP TIP Further out of town, but away of the bustle of the city, is Meanwood. It scores an average 50% satisfaction rate, which reflects the quieter surroundings, and has an average rental rate of £68. There are parks and a nice mix of village life for those wanting to be within a stone’s throw of the city, but surrounded by a more relaxed atmosphere.

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ACCOMMODATION

LEICESTER city guide HI, I’M EILISH AND I’M A THIRDYEAR STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER STUDYING COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA AND SOCIETY.

Whether you’re heading out for a messy club night or some sophisticated casual drinks, Leicester has numerous bars and clubs to accommodate all. Terrace is a posh but expensive bar, if you want to head out on Saturday for a few smart drinks! Other clubs, such as Republic and Skint, are really popular with students and always have deals on to keep you saving pennies.

offering loads of different deals and great coloured shots! If you are looking for something a bit more upmarket, then there are plenty of those as well.

Varsity and the Loaded Dog are always a huge hit with students before nights out, and this is where a lot of the societies start on a Wednesday before ending up in the O2 Academy. The O2 is a great night out; having all the students in one place means you will always have the opportunity to see everyone and it is guaranteed to be a busy night! Each night, the O2 has a different theme so you can never get bored and it’s a cheap night if you need to watch the pennies.

Other great hits with students are Mosh and Religion - these are a bit smaller and different from the mainstream, so if you are looking for something different on a Tuesday night, these are the places to head to! Sosho is good on Thursdays because they always have famous guest appearances.

Leicester offers a great variety of different clubs and bars for students. If you want to go out for a few cheap drinks then Yates and Firebug are great options,

If you are looking for somewhere quieter to have a few drinks, then Coast to Coast is a restaurant and bar that is always creating new cocktails and is a nice

by Eilish McGregor GREAT NIGHT OUT

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sophisticated place to go; whether it is for a few drinks or a meal. Vodka Revs is also close to the University and is a great student place, especially if you’re up to the challenge of getting a stick of shots!

BEST PLACES TO EAT The University of Leicester Students’ Union offers a variety of different places to eat, whether you want a sit down meal in-between lectures or a quick sandwich to grab. The restaurant 1923 is unique if you’re looking for a cute lunch date during the middle of the day.

They sell filling meals, such as pizzas, jacket potatoes, salads, etc. These are reasonably priced for the portions and I would highly recommend going. The atmosphere throughout the restaurant is always positive and lively, and it is a great place to catch up with friends.

team, but you also meet up with other teams! More educational and enterprisefocused societies, such as Enactus, are also available.

PLACES TO HANG OUT The University of Leicester is a huge campus, so there are many places to choose if you want to catch up with your friends! The Students’ Union is like no other I have seen before, with the over-sized lamps and colourful couches creating a homely feel, and plenty of room for you to meet with your friends.

If you fancy eating out in the city centre, there is a huge variety of places. The High Cross food court offers a number of contrasting restaurants suitable for any meal you fancy, ranging from YoSushi to expensive steak houses and Zizzis.

There are so many interesting and fun societies to join, I would honestly recommend getting involved in everything during your first year of University! It is a great way to meet new friends, and if you change your mind and decide you don’t like it anymore – you can always drop out!

Sporting societies are a great option; not only do you get to go out on socials with your

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LEICESTER

SOCIETIES DO’S AND DON’TS

TRANSPORT During your first year at University, students are normally based in Oadby.

There is a great bus service that runs every 10 minutes from halls to town and to the University. You are able to purchase the bus pass online before you even arrive on your first day. I would definitely recommend this, as the walk to the University takes about 40 minutes.

BUCKET LIST Leicester is an extremely cultural city with many new and divergent things to learn and explore. During November, there is a cultural and diverse festival to celebrate Diwali, which includes live cultural entertainment along with a spectacular fireworks display. I found this different from any other cultural event I had been to before, and it was amazing to attend.

absolutely fantastic as it is within walking distance of almost everything you need.

The only time we ever seemed to need taxis was when we were with a large group of people heading for a night out; it’s also situated close to the University and many bars and restaurants. Many of the students live around these areas, known as LE1 or LE2, close to London Road and surrounding streets.

Other popular student areas are Evington and Clarendon Park, which offer cheaper houses. However, the walk is just that bit further from the University and the city centre, so it depends on what is most important to you. Evington’s rental rates are only £61 a week, although the satisfaction rate was only 54%; whereas Clarendon Park scored a 68% satisfaction rate from students, with average rental rates of just £65.

ACCOMMODATION

LEICESTER

I am currently in my third year at the University, so I have lived in a couple of different places since first moving to the city. The majority of first-year students will be living in Oadby Student Village, which provides a great opportunity to meet all of the first years and get used to using the buses to and from University.

Accommodation is really cheap in Leicester, with average weekly rental rates of £72 in 2013, compared with the national average of £79.42. For second and third years, West Street and New Walk are popular areas for students, and it was where I lived during my second year. With average rental rates of £82, it is on the more expensive side, but it’s

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AFS TOP TIP The Westend area offers a variety of accommodation, including places near Nelson Mandela Park and the Leicester Tigers Stadium; so it’s definitely a place to live if you like rugby! With an average weekly rental rate of £67 and a satisfaction rate of 62%, the students who live there rate it positively.

No matter where you end up in Leicester, there are so many things to become involved in, you’re going to have an amazing experience, so cherish every moment; before you know it, you’ll be writing your dissertation and graduating.

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The range of nightlife.

best thing

WHERE ARE THEY? Slug and Lettuce, 27 Market St, Leicester, LE1 6DP Dominos, 148A London Rd, Leicester, LE2 1ED Zizzi’s, Highcross St, City Centre, Leicester, LE1 4SD YO! Sushi, 4 Highcross St, Leicester, LE1 4SD

The Terrace, 1 Albion St, City Centre, Leicester, LE1 6GD Club Republic, Sandacre St, City Centre, Leicester, LE1 3AG Yates, 17- 23 Belvoir St, Leicester, LE1 6SL Firebug, Millstone Ln, Leicester, LE1 5JN

worst thing First year halls are a 40 minute walk away from campus.

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Varsity, 146 London Road, Leicester, LE2 1ED Loaded Dog, 144 London Rd, Leicester, LE2 1ED Mosh, 37 St Nicholas Pl, Leicester, LE1 4LD Religion/ Rockafellas, 35 St Nicholas Pl, City Centre, Leicester, LE1 4LD

Sosho, 62 Humberstone Gate, City Centre, Leicester, LE1 3PJ

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LIVERPOOL city guide I’M ISABEL WHITELEY. I’M IN THE SECOND YEAR STUDYING COMPUTER GAMES TECHNOLOGY AND I LIVE IN MARYBONE.

by Isabel Whiteley GREAT NIGHT OUT Generally, we start the night at a flat party. Next, we pop down to G Bar, which usually has free entry with a student card on Thursdays and Fridays, making it a cheap place to start off. However, I’d avoid it on Fridays since it is House night. After a couple of drinks, we then head out to Concert Square, where a lot of the bars are situated. Pop World is a must, with its 90s’ non-stop pop sure to get everyone singing along. They even have face cut-out stands of childhood bands, which guarantee a good laugh.

We usually head out to Krazyhouse next, which has three floors of music; one for metal, one for indie and one for pop. It’s a great alternative option to classic clubs

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as it has something for everybody, there’s even a giant rideable rhino! Typically, we end up getting some fast food from one of the many McDonald’s; chicken nuggets are a must to end a good night out! For a quieter night out, Bierkeller is the place to go, featuring live bands mixed with popular club hits. They do steins with either beers or cocktails and allow dancing on the seats, guaranteeing a good time out.

BEST PLACES TO EAT The Students’ Union has a shop on-site which is great for a quick snack, but if I have time at lunch I usually pop up to one of the local museum cafes, such as the Tate; they have nice food and there’s always a new exhibition to visit. It can be pricey but the food is definitely worth it. Another good option is Leaf, a lovely tea shop which has the most gorgeous cakes - if only chocolate brownies could be eaten for every meal! Tribbiani’s is a great pizza place, located close to the University. They offer a 20% discount with any student ID, making it a cheap option

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LIVERPOOL

The music and the heritage.

best thing

for lunch or dinner. They even do a double pizza sandwich with all the toppings if you’re looking for a challenge! For dinner, the local Yates is a must on Mondays; certain meals are half price, which can be a life saver, and they do a good roast on a Sunday!

HIDDEN GEMS

worst thing

A really great place to go is Central Perk, a near replica of the café from Friends.

They do great coffee and always have an episode of Friends running on the TV - it’s worth going to just for the experience!

Next time you feel like something sweet, visit Bold Street Sweets - it’s the best sweet shop in town, selling both classic sweets from childhood and imported candy from the US. The Pilgrim is a nice little pub with a good student atmosphere. It’s a bit alternative, but it hosts many local bands as it doubles as a venue. With cheap drinks, it’s definitely a place to check out. The Docks are worth a visit, but make sure it’s on a sunny day as they can be a nightmare when it’s windy! There’s lots of great stuff there to explore, including museums, cafes and independent shops. When out and about, it’s fun to look out for the Superlambananas; these are 2-metre tall statues of a lamb-banana hybrid located around the city centre, each one with a different theme.

could be the next Beatles! A lot of the live music is free to listen to, including the Cavern Club in the day, so there’s no excuse to not check something out. There are also lots of Beatles-related places to visit, which can be easily explored using the Magical Mystery Tour Bus. This requires booking, but it takes you to all the landmarks, such as Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields.

WORST THINGS ABOUT YOUR CITY How busy it can get. With lectures all day, it can be tempting to pop into the town centre for a break but L1, the biggest shopping centre in the area, is located right next to the main high street; meaning the streets are often insanely packed in the afternoons and especially the weekends. The nearest cinema is also located at L1, which means it can be difficult to get tickets to the latest films on their release. Even the restaurants get packed, especially on a Saturday when the footie is on. Make sure to note popular tourist periods, such as the Grand National and the Liverpool International Music Festival, since the streets will be even madder around those times!

The range of nightlife.

BEST THINGS ABOUT YOUR CITY The music. Liverpool is famous for all the bands it has produced and this can be seen everywhere in the city, from the many street performers to the Cavern Club itself. There’s always a good band to see and that local band you just saw

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STUDENT ACCOMMODATION Liverpool has a lot of ideal accommodation for students, with plenty of places located in the city centre, just a short walk to the universities. There are also cheaper options just outside the city centre, which are convenient options for students in a lower price range.

The city centre has one of the highest average rents in the area of £84, but is in a prime location for students in relation to both the Universities and nightlife. With a satisfaction level of 74%, it is certainly value for money.

Users of the AFS website have given Liverpool an overall satisfaction score of 62%, ranking it highly compared with other cities.

Students were particularly impressed with the proximity of accommodation to the University campuses and the availability of public transportation.

LIVERPOOL

The average room rental in 2013 was £70, which a lot lower than the national average of £79.42, and cheaper than other student cities, such as Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham.

Popular locations for students include Kensington and Aigburth. These areas have an average satisfaction of 60% and 46% respectively, with average rental rates of £60 and £59 per week. However, these areas do require public transport to get to University campuses.

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AFS TOP TIP Liverpool is a very student-friendly location, with hoards of students located all over the city. The city centre is a very good location but Wavertree has a cheaper average rent of £61 and a satisfaction rating of 60%. It requires transport to reach the centre but buses are every five minutes, so it’s very convenient as a cheaper alternative.

G Bar, 1-7 Eberle Street, Liverpool, L2 2AG Pop World, 68 Hanover St, Liverpool, L1 4AG Krazyhouse, 16 Wood St., Liverpool, L1 4AQ

Bierkeller, 6 Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool One, L1 8LW Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool, L3 4BB

The Pilgrim, 34 Pilgrim St, Liverpool, L1 9HB

Yates, Queen Square, Queen Square, Liverpool, L1 1RH

Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AA

Central Perk, 3b Hatton Garden, Liverpool, L3 2AN

Cavern Club, 10 Mathew St, Liverpool, L2 6RE

Bold Street Sweets, 6 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4DS

LEAF, 65-67 Bold St, Liverpool, L1 4EZ

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LIVERPOOL

WHERE THEY ARE?

Tribbiani Pizza, 3 Hatton Garden, Liverpool, L3 2FE,

LONDON city guide HI, I AM DAGMARA, A FINAL-YEAR BA FASHION JOURNALISM STUDENT AT LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION.

by Dagmara Reczka I moved to London two years ago from Poland and, I’m not going to lie, it was difficult at the beginning! London is big and busy, and takes some time to understand, but once you fall in love with it, there is no way you could imagine living somewhere else. I am really happy to share some of my favourite places and tips with you.

FANCY A NIGHT OUT? You are a student after all! Mojitos in West London for £2.95 sound too good to be true? Then try Elk in Fulham on Thursday when they have their weekly Mojito night to kick start your weekend!

East London is also great for partying and full of great pubs and clubs. The Old Blue Last hosts a lot of interesting live acts and makes a great choice when you feel

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like having a drink or two. The Book Club quickly became East London’s institution; combining talks, classes and exhibitions with crazy club nights, it has the full package for those who want to give their night out a deeper meaning.

If all you want after a week of hard Uni work is a pint with a couple of course mates, then why not try your Students’ Union bar? Most universities have them and drinks there are usually really cheap.

Plus, they are situated on-campus so you can go there directly after classes, a perfect solution for when everyone is too tired to hop on the Tube.

HAVE A MUNCH Eating out may be tricky – some of London’s most popular restaurants are just crazily expensive, and quality does not always come with the price.

However, if you know where to look, you will become obsessed with finding new dinner and lunch spots! Brixton Market is a good place to start – some of London’s best restaurants were born there and

Full of people from all over the world, London is also a great place for discovering the joys of street food. Stalls can be found anywhere and there is no greater fun than going on a street-food hunt. My favourite is The Rib Man, the founder of which has been a butcher since the age of 15. Believe me, I was not a fan of ribs and pork at all, but after my first bite of the Rib Man’s amazing rib roll, I was converted.

More of a do-it-yourself type? London is full of farmer’s markets, packed with seasonal fruit & veg, tasty cheeses and other local produce. Borough Market is a must-see but beware, it gets insanely busy sometimes. If you find yourself in West Kensington, try North End Road Market, London’s cheapest market that used to be my little secret… Well, I guess it is not anymore.

THERE IS NO LONDON WITHOUT COFFEE Sometimes I wonder what my friends and I would do without our weekly dose of caffeine. Soho’s Flat White serves, as its name suggests, the most amazing and rich flat white in central London, while its little brother, Milkbar is a great alternative if you are in the neighborhood.

West London’s Artisan serves the most amazing cakes and artisan coffee, adding a bit of fun to the experience – if you collect some stamps on their loyalty card you can either have a coffee on the house or spin the wheel and win a surprise treat!

Not a coffee lover? Try Moosh for their tasty and healthy juices and shakes, perfect for any time of the year. Hot or cold, full of fruit and vegetables, they will give you a guilt-free energy boost.

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LONDON

the prices are really reasonable. For the capital’s best pizza, try Franco Manca – it will cost you less than international chains and is just delicious. Beware though, it is really addictive! Honest Burgers serve you the guilt-free beef, chicken and veggie burgers with ingredients sourced from local producers.

For your Thai fix, choose KaoSarn – be ready for a really, really spicy but unbelievably comforting meal.

GIVE CULTURE A CHANCE Being at university is the best time to enjoy all of London’s free galleries and museums. However, in addition to visiting south Kensington’s golden three (Victoria & Albert, Natural History and Science Museums), the National Gallery and the British Museum, it is definitely worth making a little more effort to visit some less well-known museums. The Museum of London is a must-see for anyone who wants to know everything about the rich history of the UK’s capital, and my personal favourite, the Saatchi Gallery is a great treat for every art-lover.

Sometimes, when I want to have my own little city-escape, I just like to wander around its clinical white rooms and inhale the smell of painted wooden floors.

SHOPPING PARADISE

LONDON

Oxford Street on Saturdays is a nightmare, but thankfully there are many different options for when you feel a little

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under the weather and want to cheer yourself up with a shopping spree. If you can’t imagine shopping anywhere but on the high street, try the significantly less busy High Street Kensington. After hours of trying on clothes, you can always go to nearby Holland Park or Kensington Gardens to relax. Both Westfields are great for rainy weekdays with all of your favourite chain stores under one roof.

Looking for something more unique?

Camden Passage (not to be confused with Camden Lock!) is North London’s charming destination full of quirky independent boutiques selling clothes, accessories and homeware, while Box Park in Shoreditch brings all of London’s coolest brands together and is minutes from the famous Brick Lane with its vintage clothing places on every corner.

Carnaby Street and the surrounding alleyways located just behind Regent Street are a perfect place to take a rest from central London’s bustle - here you will find not only classic British brands like Fred Perry or Ben Sherman, but also quirky Swedish Monki and cool denim brand Cheap Monday. Liberty, one of London’s best department stores, known for its iconic print, is also nearby. Its beauty hall is full of independent and cult brands, so be ready make-up lovers!

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LONDON

TRANSPORT TIPS The daily commute in London is a skill that you need to master, but once you learn all of its secrets, you will feel like a member of a prestigious club! Make sure you apply for a student Oyster card as quickly as possible – with it, you will save up to 30% on your monthly or weekly travel cards. If you are not very good with money, I suggest investing in a monthly one so you won’t find yourself stranded without money or a Tube ticket for couple of weeks. Buses are great for short distances but can be a real pain when you want to take a longer journey (some of them have really picturesque routes, so if you have lots of time on your hands, hop on board and start your London adventure!). Always check what engineering works are planned for an upcoming weekend – some of the lines may be partially or even entirely suspended for two days! If you can, do it every time before you leave home – minor and severe delays happen all the time and you don’t want to risk being late to your classes! If you own a smartphone, the best way to know when your next train (or bus) is going to depart (or if it departs at all!) is installing a travel app for London Transport – they are

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usually free and pretty reliable as they use information from the Transport of London’s website.

And please, stand on the right. It will save you from the nasty looks of fellow commuters and you will appreciate it one day when the only way to make it to your important meeting is to run like a crazy person.

HIDDEN GEMS This section is probably the most difficult to write as IT IS LONDON, there are hidden gems on every corner. Let me share just a few of my favourites with you.

Brompton Cemetery is a peaceful and beautiful place; perfect when you want to clear your head. You will be surprised how beautiful and old some of the tombstones are and how many people from all backgrounds and countries rest in this only Crown Cemetery. Be careful not to go there before the Chelsea game

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though – the stadium is nearby and the club supporters tend to use the cemetery as a shortcut between it and West Brompton Station.

of the lovely little cafes and look at an old Italian granny making pasta for the restaurant nearby or just go for a walk, you won’t regret it.

If you want to escape the city, head to Kew Gardens; the Royal Botanic Gardens are breathtaking whatever time of the year. The surrounding area has a small-town feel and a really strong local community – every first Sunday of the month is the time for Kew Market.

Fancy a cake made in one of Kew’s resident kitchens? Delicious fig jam? Or a perfect duck confit maybe? You will find everything there and sellers, in love with their neighborhood, will simply make you smile.

For all lovers of the smell of printing ink and independent publications, spending an afternoon in Soho is a great idea.

Newsagents there stock the most original and interesting magazines from all over the world, some of which you will have never heard of before. In the era of digitalization, it is good to feel a thick paper under your fingers sometimes.

LONDON

Another tiny gem that will give you a breath of fresh air and the feeling of escape is Stoke Newington. Time simply seems to go slower here. Sit down in one

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But reaally, my biggest advice is – go out! Discover! Don’t sit at home waiting for your London dream to happen, step out of your comfort zone and make the memories that will last forever. Because, as Samuel Johnson once said – when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.

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The cosmopolitan variety of the capital.

best thing

WHERE ARE THEY? Elk, 587-591 Fulham Road, Fulham, SW6 5UA

Honest Burgers, Brixton, Unit 12, Brixton Village, SW9 8PR

The Old Blue Last, 38 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3ES

Soho, 4A Meard Street, W1F 0EF

The Book Club, 100-106 Leonard Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 4RH

worst thing

Franco Manca, Brixton, Brixton Market, Unit 4, Market Row, SW9 Chiswick, 144 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PU

Camden, Unit 34a 54-56 Camden Lock, NW1 8AF Portobello, 189 Portobello Road, W11 2ED KaoSarn, Brixton Village Market, SW9 8PR The Rib Man, at King’s Cross every Thursday, at Brick Lane every Sunday

The daily commute to Uni. 104

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Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL

Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, SW3 4RY

North End Road Market, North End Road, SW6

Camden Passage, Angel, Islington

Flat White, 17 Berwick Street, W1F 0PT Milkbar, 3 Bateman Street, W1D 4AG

Box Park, 2-4 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY Liberty, Regent Street, W1B 5AH

Artisan, 372 King Street, W6 0RX

Brompton Cemetery, Fulham Road, SW10 9UG

Moosh, Unit G11, Kingly Court, W1B 5PW

Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AB

Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN

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ACCOMMODATION London ranks 5th in AFS’ student survey, with an overall satisfaction level of 58%, scoring high on its excellent public transport system (rank 7) and shopping facilities (score of 6). As every big agglomeration, London is not the cheapest city in which to live, with an average rent of £129 per week in 2013 - the highest in the UK. However, deals can be had, so finding the right area that is both close to transportation links and fairly priced while being simply a good place to live requires a lot of research.

The first thing you need to know while renting in London for the first time is that living within zone 1 of the London Underground system (or Central London in other words) is not always a good solution. Even though areas such as High Holborn and Liverpool Street rank highly among the AFS’ website users in the overall satisfaction survey (76% and 90%), the rental prices are usually above average (£166pw for Holborn and £150 for City of London, Liverpool Street’s borough) and both size and standard of rented room/flat may be lower than in other, less central parts of London.

When renting, a lot depends on where is your campus located. Those planning to go to one of the universities in West London may consider living in Ealing Broadway – with an average rental price of £96, 74% satisfaction score and a lot of green areas, it is a good area for students who do not necessarily want to live close to busy and noisy Central London.

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What’s more, with Central and District underground lines and the overground railway nearby, it does not take that long to take a ride to the West End! If you prefer the more hip and slightly rougher East London, Bethnal Green may be the right choice for you. Situated on the Central underground line and very close to Liverpool Street, it has a satisfaction score of 58% with a below average weekly rent of £116.

Of course, if you really want to live where things happen and your budget is not strictly limited, you may consider living in Westminster. It scores really high in overall satisfaction (78%) but be prepared for high rental prices; up to £190 per week!

LONDON

When renting privately, no matter where you finally decide to rent your room or flat, always make sure you see it first.

London’s “big” and “spacious” can sometimes mean a room the size of a shoe box and estate agents know many

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tricks that make the photographed place look like it’s in great condition when in reality it is falling apart. Do not stick to one area either– the transport network is reliable and the Tube can quickly take you from one place to the other. Have a look at the Accommodation for Students’ website, get to know the city a little bit better and then start the property hunt.

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WAYS TO SAVE MONEY IN LONDON AS A STUDENT London has to be one of the most costly areas to live, let alone be a student.

However, sometimes, when you know where to look, you can get all the good stuff for so much cheaper. Here are some things you can do to save a ton of money in London during your stay!

Travel The first thing you have to do if you’re a student is get a hold of the 18+ Student Oyster Card. This is one of the most worthwhile things you can sign up for as a student. A one-month travel card for zones 1 – 2 using a standard adult Oyster will cost you £116. As a student, it costs around £80! Definitely worth going for - you can use it on both buses and the underground.

LONDON

Never hail a cab to head out or back on a night out, nobody wants to pay that premium price for a pointless scenic route to your destination. Google 24-hour private hire taxis close to you, and get to where you’re going for a third of the price and split it between your mates.

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Food Shopping If you go into Tesco or any other large supermarket late at night instead of the morning or afternoon, products are often marked down and lots of items are added to the reduced section. This is the best time to get the same quality products for a lot less.

Avoid the mini version of larger supermarkets, such as Tesco Express, as they mark up their prices by a bomb and you’ll find your wallet suffering. Only use them when you have to, but never for your weekly shop. Also, take full advantage of loyalty cards; they can make all the difference.

Eating Out The Cafe Lido – There’s no hangover cure quite like a fry-up. Get a full English of two sausages, bacon ,eggs, beans, etc with orange juice and coffee for only £6.50! And not just all-day breakfasts, they do a huge range of different dishes at similar prices. An absolute hidden gem in the heart of central London.

By Dania Renton

www.accommodationforstudents.com

Vivienne Patisserie Shepherd’s Bush

Nights Out/In

This is the best place to buy baked goods, Chinese food, cakes and all kinds of other goodies! Right beside the London College of Fashion Lime Grove campus, it’s so ridiculously cheap! Hot baked goods, such as cheese and vegetable pasties, cost only £1. I can have a whole lunch for only £3 and it’s amazing!

The Purple Turtle in Camden (nearest tube station is Mornington Crescent) has extremely cheap alcohol for sale every Thursday night – UPRAWR. They do shots and beer for about £1.50!

Clothes Unless you specifically want to go there, avoid student-targeting thrift stores like Rockit; they’re overpriced. If you want to find cheap clothes, head to the charity shops. Don’t be put off by the idea of second-hand clothing, because you’re missing out by avoiding these shops! The trick to finding the best quality brands for nothing is to head to the affluent areas in London. Trinity Hospice in Clapham Common is a great one; here, you can find brands such as Chanel and DKNY. They sometimes have Karen Millen dresses for £10 and men’s Jaeger shirts for next to nothing too, so get hunting!

There is a food and wine store in Camberwell, Bowyer Place, which has a 2 for £5 wine deal – red, white and rose – you can’t resist! A lot of ‘Food and Wine’ 24 hour shops do this. Great if you’re having a night in with some mates and want to get the party started without the London bar price tag.

USEFUL DISCOUNT LINKS Student Beans All kinds of discounts and offers for popular stores, restaurants and travel. http://www.studentbeans.com/ NUS This handy card costs £12 for the whole year and offers discounts on over 160 brand you’ll love. http://www.nus.org.uk/en/nus-extra/ Student Oyster Card

LONDON

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14312.aspx

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LINKS Vivienne Patisserie, 62 Goldhawk Road, Shepherds Bush, Greater London, W12 8HA

Cafe Lido, 21-22 Great Castle Street London W1G 0HY

The Purple Turtle, 65 Crowndale Road, London, NW1 3JB

Bowyer Place Food and Wine, Bowyer Place, Camberwell, Southwark, London, SE5

www.accommodationforstudents.com

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LOUGHBOROUGH city guide I’M ZOE AND I’M A THIRD YEAR AT LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY STUDYING ENGLISH WITH A MINOR IN NORTH AMERICAN LITERATURE AND FILM. I strongly advise you to never wear any

FANCY A NIGHT OUT? Loughborough is seemingly unique in that the nightlife revolves around the Students’ Union. The week starts off with Stupid Tuesday, where drinks are charged at the stupidly cheap price of £1.50 and then moves onto Hey Ewe, which is the official night of the Athletic Union. Then, there is Universal Thursday and FND, which is the only place to be in Loughborough on a Friday night. More often than not there is a big name playing a set - past guests include Jameela Jamil and Cassette Boy. When I manage to tear myself away from the Union and dare to venture into town, I take a trip to the infamous Echos.

If I don’t fancy having my clothes ruined, then Mansion and Revs are the place to be because, not only can I wear nice clothes, I can also get great drink prices on their Monday and Thursday club nights.

If I’m looking for a more sophisticated evening, then The Orange Tree and The Kelso are bars in which I can enjoy trying out their extensive cocktail menus.

BEST PLACES TO EAT Surprisingly, for a small town in the East Midlands, Loughborough has a variety of international restaurants that offer delicious food at prices that won’t

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LOUGHBOROUGH

by Zoe Mumba

clothing that you even vaguely like when frequenting Echos because they will be ruined and you will end up giving them a new home in the bin. That said, Echos is a fantastic Saturday night out with reasonable drink prices and one room dedicated to the biggest pop anthems and another to all the best drum and bass and house.

If I’m looking for a taste of the Middle East, then Tarboush is a small café in the heart of the town centre that serves everything from Arabic tea to fresh falafel, which I often enjoy over some fruitflavoured shisha.

If only an Indian will hit the spot, then I head over to Mount Ghurka, which provides the tastiest Indian cuisine in Loughborough. Their range of curries and meat platters always has me unbuttoning at least one of the buttons on my jeans when I am finished!

HIDDEN GEMS break the bank. Peter and That’s Enough is one of Loughborough’s newest and popular restaurants that offers authentic Italian pizza. If you go, be sure to try the renowned Nutella Pizza, which gets people salivating at the mere mention of it.

LOUGHBOROUGH

Moomba’s is an Australian restaurant that offers everything from fried squid to Kangaroo meatballs. They also make delicious cocktails which, combined with the fantastic food, makes it the perfect place to go and unwind if I am stressing about coursework.

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Too many students in Loughborough don’t make the time to explore the town, which is a shame as there are many fantastic little boutiques and charity shops tucked away on Church Gate. Such independent shops include Unique Shoes, Bare Essentials and Firstchoice Cards.

However, the two best hidden gems in Loughborough are without a doubt The Cheesecake Shop and the Chocolate Alchemy. The Cheesecake Shop, as its name suggests, sells cheesecakes, but not just any cheesecakes. They are all

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best thing

homemade and there is a variety on offer ranging from Rocky Road to the tantalising Jamaican spiced one. After a trip to The Cheesecake Shop, I pop along to the Chocolate Alchemy which does the best hot chocolates in Loughborough and also sells high quality, handmade chocolate. If I want to work off the copious amounts of cheesecake and chocolate, then I take a stroll to Beacon Hill which is situated just outside of Loughborough. It is the perfect thing to do on a Sunday afternoon and you will be rewarded by the spectacular view when you reach the top.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY The best thing about Loughborough is the fact that there is a real sense of a student community because the town is so small and Loughborough is a campus university.

This is something that will become immediately apparent to you when you first arrive and begin learning your halls’ song for the inter-hall sing off that takes place on the first Sunday of Freshers’ Week. Another bonus of living in a small town is that everything is within walking distance!.

WHERE ARE THEY?

worst thing

Loughborough Students’ Union, Union Building Ashby Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3TT Echos Nightclub, Biggin Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE5 1UA

If you venture out into town, you won’t come across many students.

Mansion, 17-18 Baxter Gate, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 1TG Vodka Revolution Bar, 13-14 Baxter Gate, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1TG 118

The Orange Tree, Bedford St, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 2TP The Kelso, 8-9 Ward’s End, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3HA Peter and That’s Enough, 43 Ashby Square, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 5AA Moomba, 28 The Rushes, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 5BE

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Tarboush Café and Restaurant, 12-12A Market Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3EP Mount Ghurka, 31 Ashby Rd, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3AA Dominic’s Pizza, 13A High St, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 2PY Unique Shoes, 8 Churchgate, Town Centre, Loughborough LE11 1UD

Bare Essentials, 51 Church Gate, Loughborough Leicestershire, LE11 1UD Firstchoice Cards, 15 Churchgate, Loughborough Leicestershire, LE11 1UD The Cheesecake Shop, 33 Devonshire Square, Town Centre, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3DW The Chocolate Alchemy, 5 Church Gate Mews, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 1TZ

MANCHESTER city guide HI! I’M DAVID, STUDYING TOWARDS AN ENGLISH DEGREE AT MAN MET AND I LIVE JUST OFF OXFORD ROAD IN MANCHESTER. I come from down south and chose Manchester because it’s a huge, buzzing, student-friendly city crammed full of interesting things to do, great places to eat and drink, a big arts scene and is located in the friendly north!

NIGHTLIFE

by David Heffer I love that Manchester is a melting pot of diversity. It doesn’t matter where you come from, the sport you play or which team you support, who you pray to, what type of music you like, the type of food you most enjoy, or whether you like bars, pubs or clubs because there is so much choice here – everybody fit rights in!

You will soon become familiar with Oxford Road, also known as the Student Quarter. It is two miles long, stretching down to the Curry Mile; and littered with great venues. The Font is nestled down an alley next to Oxford Rd station – laid back & decorated in a funky style that gives your eyes plenty to feast on; cocktails start at just £2. Next door is one of the five chilled New York-inspired bars, Black Dog Ballroom, also offering cheap drinks. Pop around the corner to

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MANCHESTER

The social scene in Manchester is vast and caters for everyone. There are a few hubs in the city, which feature the best places to head to for a night out.

their newest addition - Dog Bowl - and you’ll find a 5-lane bowling alley! Nearby Zombie Shack may be new on the scene but is a superb place to go for a cocktail – an exotic tiki bar, expect lots of colour, graffiti and flaming drinks. You can’t miss the bamboo-staircase entrance and huge graffiti sign under the railway tunnel. Stop

by The Temple, a converted public toilet transformed into a small but popular bar renowned for its huge array of foreign beers. If clubbing is your thing, check out 5th Avenue - indie-inspired Wednesday nights are cheapest with drinks starting at 90p, but there are deals all week.

MANCHESTER

The Northern Quarter is another lively part of Manchester, well worth a visit with a bewildering choice of bars to choose from. Check out TV21, a television, film and music themed bar. You can eye the great posters and artwork on show centred round a cool circular bar. It’s a cheap and quiet during the week but becomes very busy at weekends. Walrus offers nice cocktails for a fiver during happy hour with live music performances, but if you’re splashing out, sample the

best cocktails in the city at the relaxed Apotheca Bar! The name comes from the antique pharmacy cabinets decorating the front bar and it is located in a beautiful listed building. Another grade II-listed building worth partying in is NoHo - a neon-glowing cocktail lounge.

Here, you’ll find impressive floor-toceiling windows and an eccentric but inviting style. Terrace Bar is an awesome place to meet your mates.

It has bare brick walls, original wooden flooring and vintage school furniture – it’s literally too cool for school! Pick your tunes on the free jukebox at converted pawn shop Dusk till Pawn, or view the ever-changing are displays at Kosmonaut, which boasts its own ping pong league! Whatever you like, the Northern Quarter has something for everyone.

It doesn’t matter if you are gay or straight, the Village – scattered around the famous Canal St – has over 25 bars and clubs offering friendly, tolerant venues with great music. G.A.Y boasts £1.50 drinks Sunday to Thursday. Alter Ego gives us Poptastic nights on a Tuesday and Saturday with cheap entry and shots for just 50p! Cruz101 is one of the most popular and livelier clubs – but Thompsons will provide a more

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BEST PLACES TO EAT

MANCHESTER

laid back vibe and makes a great starting point for a night in the Village. Be sure to also venture into Queer, Baa Bar, New York New York and AXM for great nights out. They may be gay venues, but most are straight-friendly and the Village is hugely popular with straight people. It shows how open-minded and tolerant Mancunians are – and it’s always fun to check out the fab drag queens partying here!

Elsewhere in the city, Bijou Club on Deansgate is an upmarket venue, popular with the elite celebs and footie players of Manchester. There are great bars to be found at The Printworks alongside Tiger Tiger – a 2000-capacity club boasting a Moroccan-themed bar, 70s’/80s’ disco room, swanky cocktail lounge, private karaoke pods and an Ibiza-themed nightclub. Waxy O’ Connor’s is a fun Irish pub with great music and friendly staff.

With so much choice, you need to visit as many places as possible to find your favourite drinking destinations.

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If you can’t be bothered to venture far off-campus, there are great canteens and cafes across Man Met Uni selling a selection of sandwiches, snacks and hot meals at rock bottom prices. The coffee is good too and mega cheap at just £1.45 for a large latte, but these can get very busy at times. To avoid the crowds, go to the Couch Potato food-truck outside All Saints Park; the usual greasy stuff but you can grab a hot dog with onions for only a quid!

Elsewhere, Manchester offers a dizzying array of nice (but cheap) places to eat!

I mentioned the booze on offer earlier but the five Black Dog Ballroom venues dotted around serve tasty grub too. Pick up one of their free ‘cards’ and you’ll get 25% off all food – bargain! Revolution is found around the corner; make the most of their BOGOF offer on all food on Mondays. Along Oxford Road, you find the big fast-food chains, which are not to be sniffed at as they are open 24/7 and are a welcome sight at the end of the night. There are also some real gems to be found too, such as Kro Bar, which positions itself as a Danish Village pub, delivering both good food and beer.

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Red Chilli offers amazing, authentic Chinese food (as cheap or as expensive as you like) in a beautiful setting - definitely recommended! Gorilla is a fave student haunt found under the railway tracks.

The place has the feel of a 1950s’ space lab but has cheap, tasty food and great live music. Travel down Oxford Road (or jump on one of the countless buses running along it) and you’ll reach the famous Curry Mile. The name comes from the sheer number of Asian and Middle Eastern restaurants, takeaways and kebab shops found along it. It has the largest concentration of South Asian restaurants outside the Indian subcontinent, with over 70 establishments in a half mile stretch! Tonnes of choice and friendly on the bank balance.

Fancy something a bit different? Almost Famous nearly burnt down this summer, but whilst it’s being rebuilt you can find their burgers being served at Luck Lust Liquor & Burn, next door to the original premises. Once it reopens, expect the burgers to be brought out on a frisbee, Coke served in a jar, amazing bacon fries and some crazy décor.

MANCHESTER

Dogs n Dough is a basement bar/ restaurant serving a variety of gourmet hot dogs and pizza. The ‘No Way Jose’ dog comes with guac, salsa, Doritos

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and sour cream. On Sundays, you even get free fries! If you are after Asian grub, Hunters BBQ is a late-night cafe’ specialising in game curries. It’s grubby chic at best with mismatched crockery, cheap cutlery and a slightly tatty interior – it adds to the charm as you tuck into pheasant, rabbit, venison or even quail!

Croma Pizza provides a nice meal without breaking the bank; affordable pizza in a stylish setting. The quaint Richmond Tea Rooms are housed in a pretty, traditionally-decorated venue where you can sip tea and coffee or eat amazing cakes and sandwiches in style. If you like soup – perfect on a cold, wet Mancunian day – you have some great choices.

SHLURP! Soup Bar and The Soup Kitchen pride themselves on fresh, seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients, which are prepared, cooked and sold on that day.

You can enjoy a really cheap night out.

best thing

Both offer great lunchtime food at cheap prices.

worst thing

Talking of soup, you can find the best freshly-baked bread (& meals) at Bakerie in the Northern Quarter. If stew and bread, sandwiches, bread baskets, toast or even just fresh bread is your ‘thang’, this is the place for you! Located nearby, their sister restaurant Pie & Ale, has fresh pies on offer alongside some fine ales.and sour cream. On Sundays, you even get free fries! If you are after Asian grub, Hunters BBQ is a late-night cafe’ specialising in game curries. It’s grubby chic at best with mismatched crockery, cheap cutlery and a slightly tatty interior – it adds to the charm as you tuck into pheasant, rabbit, venison or even quail! Croma Pizza provides a nice meal without breaking the bank; affordable pizza in a stylish setting. The quaint Richmond Tea Rooms are housed in a pretty, traditionally-decorated venue where you can sip tea and coffee or eat amazing cakes and sandwiches in style.

If you like soup – perfect on a cold, wet Mancunian day – you have some great choices. SHLURP! Soup Bar and The Soup Kitchen pride themselves on fresh, seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients, which are prepared, cooked and sold on that day. Both offer great lunchtime food at cheap prices.

It rains nearly every single day.

Talking of soup, you can find the best freshly-baked bread (& meals) at Bakerie in the Northern Quarter. If stew and bread, sandwiches, bread baskets, toast or even just fresh bread is your ‘thang’, this is the place for you! Located nearby, their sister restaurant Pie & Ale, has fresh pies on offer alongside some fine ales.

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HIDDEN GEMS If you want something a little off the beaten track, a must see is the stunning John Ryland’s Library. Regarded as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, it doesn’t disappoint. It’s Gothic architecture – inside and out – transforms you to a different world. There are great exhibitions to see alongside Medieval illuminated manuscripts dating back to the 1400s. It may not be an obvious destination in the city, but it is certainly the most impressive – an amazing place to learn, visit and study in!

Wherever you are in the city, you will see the rolling hills of the Pennines on the horizon. Never forget that the Peak District is literally on your doorstep; a short car or train journey will take you to some of the most beautiful, idyllic countryside the UK has to offer.

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ACCOMMODATION Manchester is a student-friendly city in which to live, with great affordable accommodation both in the heart of the city and a little further out (with good transport links if you do!). With average rental prices of £74 a week, it is perhaps surprisingly lower than the national average of £79.42, considering it is one of the major student cities.

MANCHESTER

Within Manchester, there are a lot of students based in areas with lower satisfaction levels, such as Victoria Park (56%), Longsight (44%) and Rusholme (56%); with Victoria Park and Rusholme offering rates of £70 a week, and

Longsight being cheaper at £62. The city centre is rated highly at 74%, but has more expensive rents of £89.

For Man Met students, areas near campus, such as All Saints and Cambridge Halls, score well at 78% and 86% respectively. Uni of Manchester students tend to live around Fallowfield (68%) and Withington (58%), which offer slightly higher weekly rental prices of £75 and £71.

Didsbury has great links to the city centre whilst offering a more community feel, with rental rates of 73% and satisfaction rates of 62%.

AFS TOP TIP Living close to university has its benefits, but you usually pay for it with high rents.

Chorlton has solid feedback and satisfaction levels from our students (60%), but offers great value for money with average weekly rents of just £55, with excellent MetroLink & bus service links to the city.

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WHERE ARE THEY? The Font, 7-9 New Wakefield St, Manchester, M1 5NP

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Terrace Bar 43 Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester

Walrus, 78-88 High St, Manchester, M4 1ES

Dusk till Pawn Stevenson Square, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M1 1FB

NoHo, Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1FB

5th Avenue, 121 Princess St, Manchester, Lancashire, M1 7AG

Dog Bowl, 57 Whitworth Street West, Manchester, M1 5WW

TV21, 10 Thomas St, Manchester, M4 1DH

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G-A-Y Canal Street, Manchester, M1 3WD Alter Ego 105-107 Princess St, City Centre, Manchester, M1 6DD The Thompson Arms, 23 Sackville St, Manchester, M1 3LZ Queer Bar, 4 Canal St, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 3HE

New York New York, 94 Bloom St, City Centre, Manchester.

M1 3LY AXM, 100 Bloom St, Manchester, M1 3LY Kro Bar, 325 Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PG Red Chilli, 403 - 419 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL

Dogs n Dough, 75-77 High St, Manchester, M4 1FS Hunters BBQ, 90 High St, Manchester, M4 1ES Croma Pizza, 1 Clarence St, Manchester Richmond Tea Rooms, 15 Richmond St, Manchester, M1 3HZ Bakerie, 43-45 Lever St, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 7HP

Curry Mile (The nickname for the part of Wilmslow Road running through the centre of Rusholme in south Manchester.

Gorilla) 54-56 Whitworth St West, Manchester, M1 5WW Almost Famous Burgers & Luck Lust Liquor & Burn, 100 High St, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1HP

SHLURP! Soup Bar, Unit 2 Brazenose House East, Brazennose Street, Manchester, M2 5BP The Soup Kitchen, 55 Spear Street, Manchester, M1 1DF John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester,

www.accommodationforstudents.com

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MANCHESTER

Baa Bar, 27 Sackville St, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 3LZ

NEWCASTLE city guide HI, I’M HELENA PEARSE. I’M A FINALYEAR STUDENT AT NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY STUDYING BIOLOGY AND I LIVE IN SANDYFORD.

by Helena Pearse FANCY A NIGHT OUT? For me, a great night out has to start with sharing some drinks with friends and then heading to Sinners. It is known to all as one of the best bars in Newcastle as it offers cheap drinks and great music. True, it is often stuffy and overcrowded but as any student in Newcastle will tell you, it’s the best place to start your night. The Diamond Strip on Collingwood Street offers a lot of good bars and clubs if a more high-end night out is what you’re after.This is located primarily on Collingwood Street, which then becomes Mosley Street. The bars on The Diamond Strip include Revolution and Floritas. Floritas is often paid entry

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but then becomes a club and stays open all night. Both places do great cocktails and attract a more sophisticated crowd.

For a cheaper night out with the same great experience, a five-minute walk from the Diamond strip takes you to Digital.

I find Digital, particularly on a Monday night, the best place to go as they offer promotional deals, such as 80p entry before midnight. On a Friday it is host to some excellent DJs and, if you’re into house music, it’s the place to be.

Tickets are pricey for these nights and they sell out fast. For a more alternative night try World Head Quarters which often holds themed nights, such as a journey through disco with studio 54 and 90s’ R&B-themed nights. Once you’re exhausted from dancing the night away, the only way to round off the night is a visit to Munchies. This is an excellent way to finish, soaking up some of the Geordie culture with a tasty kebab. Why aye, man!

BEST PLACES TO EAT There is a wide range of pubs and restaurants to fit all student budgets.

HIDDEN GEMS Newcastle is a city full of places to explore and discover. For modern art, the converted grain warehouse, Baltic, on the Gateshead Quays offers one of the biggest spaces in Europe for thoughtprovoking and inspiring exhibitions.

The Centre for Life is a science-based attraction offering insight into science’s most mind boggling discoveries and helps to promote science. They often hold themed nights, with a memorable

one on Halloween, called Frankenstein: Escape the Monster, which features free vodka shots and a special 4D motion ride.

If comedy is more your thing and you’re looking for a different night out, The Stand comedy club in the city centre has regular shows with up-and-coming acts alongside more established names on the UK comedy circuit. Equally, Tyneside Cinema is a little off the beaten track; this particular hidden gem is a great form of entertainment if you want something a little different. Showing movie classics, experimental and foreign language films in art-deco surroundings, it offers a new kind of viewing experience. Newcastle is also only a 25-minute Metro ride from the nearest beaches, which are a great place to visit and home to some of the best fish and chips in England.

Alternatively, Newcastle Castle Keep is the oldest structure in the city, dating back to at least the 11th century. So steeped in Newcastle’s history it often gets overlooked, but is a great landmark and an excellent way to spend the day

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A great place to head for good student deals is the Gate. It houses a number of great restaurants to choose from, such as Nandos and Pizza Hut, which always offer student discounts. The Bistro is a handy place for food as it is located on-campus.

I found, however, that it reminded me too much of school dinners as it has a very ‘canteen’ atmosphere. There are other areas on-campus to try, including the Students’ Union, which contains the newly-opened Mens bar. This offers good value, tasty food and, if that’s not enough, there is also a Subway and Dominos in the building. For something a lot cheaper and a little different, why not walk down to Grainger market where there are lots of little cafes and cheap places to eat you can also pick up your fresh fruit and veg while you’re there.

The open spaces and parks stop it from feeling so urbanised.

best thing

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY The city is alive with vibrancy and culture - not only are there lots of things to see and do, it also has many open spaces and parks that make it seem less urbanized and provide a nice contrast to the bustle of city life. Having come from a village, the city seemed less daunting and has some stunning architecture, such as the Tyne Bridge and Greys Monument. So, for me the best thing about the Newcastle is the city itself.

ACCOMMODATION Newcastle is a lively and vibrant city with the spectacular River Tyne running through it. Popular amongst students, .

AFS found the average rent for living in Newcastle was £69 per week, significantly lower than the national average of £79.42.

worst thing

Heaton and Jesmond are both popular areas for students living off-campus; with average rental rates of £61 and £79 respectively. Both areas score well with student satisfaction at 72% and 74%, proving prices aren’t everything.

The weather can be horrible.

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City-centre housing holds the most appeal as Newcastle University has a city campus. Not only are you a five-minute walk from the shops and amenities, but also barely a 10-minute walk from the university campus. As a result, citycentre accommodation is at the high end of the price range with AFS showing average rents to be £78 per week. You get what you pay for though, with a 70% satisfaction rate.

AFS TOP TIP Most students will opt to live further afield in their second year as rents tend to be cheaper. Jesmond is, on average, a 20-minute walk to campus and the city centre. But, due to its popularity, you often have to pay more for the nicer houses. I have found that if you look for a similar standard of housing in either Heaton or Sandyford, the price drops significantly. Sandyford is located at the top of Osbourne Road, which is the start of Jesmond, so you can get the best of both worlds and receive more value for money, with average rental rates of £71 and 66% satisfaction rate.

WHERE ARE THEY?

Revolution, Collingwood St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1JF Floritas, 28-32 Collingwood St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1JF

World Head Quarters, Curtis Mayfield House, Carliol Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6UF Digital, Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4EP Munchies, 31 Percy St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1

The Gate, Newgate St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4XQ Grainger Market, Grainger St, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 5QG The Baltic, Gateshead Quays, South Shore Rd, Gateshead, NE8 3BA The Centre For life, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4EP

The Stand, Comedy Club, 31 High Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1EW Tyneside Cinema, 10 Pilgrim St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6QG Newcastle Castle Keep, Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1RQ The Tyne Bridge, Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1RQ

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NEWCASTLE

Sinners, 63 Newgate St, City Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5RF

NOTTINGHAM city guide HI, I’M ELLE AND I’M A THIRD-YEAR FASHION MARKETING STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER. ORIGINALLY FROM NOTTINGHAM, I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO COMING HOME AND HAVING A GREAT NIGHT OUT WITH MY FRIENDS!

by Elle Pollicott FANCY A NIGHT OUT? Before we go out, my friends and I will always meet up at one of our houses for pre-drinks till about 11pm. We spend ages catching up on what everyone else has been up to, as we’re all at different Uni’s, but no matter how long it’s been since we’ve last seen each other, it always feels like hardly any time has passed!

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We then head into town and either go for drinks at Coco Tang, a really nice underground bar that serves amazing cocktails - many chocolate and sweetinspired (the Toblerone cocktail is a must!) - or Bad Juju, which has a tiki-bar feel to it, with many trinkets lying around including a giant puffa fish dangling from the bar! If I get my way, we generally go to Dogma afterwards – I really like it there as the first floor is a chilled-out bar with classy cocktails; but you can head down to the basement if you want to dance. If it’s my friends’ turn to pick where we’re going, then we’ll no doubt end up in Rock City – paradise if it’s cheap drinks you’re after (just beware of the sticky floors – don’t go wearing nice shoes!).

For student nights, The Forum’s Dirty Mondays are the official Trent Uni night, with drinks from £1.50; and 4Play every Thursday for the University of Nottingham. Pandora’s Box offers £4 entry on Tuesday with a student card, and has really good club nights on Sundays!

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At times when I have a bit more money, I always head over to Saltwater, which is located in the Corner House. It has its own terrace with heaters that overlooks the city – it’s the only bar in Nottingham that serves Polish Martini’s (vodka, honey vodka and apple juice, in case you were wondering), which just so happens to be my favourite cocktail!

BEST PLACES TO EAT There are many different tea rooms that have opened in Nottingham in recent years, both in the centre and the suburbs.

The White Rabbit, located in a quaint arcade in the city centre, offers really nice cake and it has an Alice in Wonderland theme, which is most definitely a plus in my eyes! However, my favourite cake place is Capers in Mapperley (about a 10 minute bus journey from the centre).

With its delicious paninis and mouthwatering range of cakes, you’ll be spoilt for choice – definitely a place to visit again and again!

NOTTINGHAM

If its Chinese I’m after, I head to Mr Man’s in Wollaton – they serve the most amazing food on rotating tables; just make sure to book in advance if you’re planning on going on a weekend as it gets really busy! For Indian food, Chutney’s,

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just up from the market square is a great place to go, and offers a 25% off voucher that can be printed from their website beforehand. Finally, for good-quality and filling food at reasonable prices, head to the Orange Tree, just back from Trinity Square – it’s a favourite with students, and you can get sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, pasta dishes… anything you could possibly want for both lunch and dinner!

HIDDEN GEMS Tucked away on Pelham Street above one of the many independent shops is Tilt Bar – its location makes it difficult to find unless you already know where it is. Although it’s tiny inside, it has a good atmosphere and great cocktails, with some very interesting names (Mr Snowjangle’s Moonshine anyone?!). You can also request cocktails that aren’t on the menu – a personal favourite of mine is the Milli Vanilli.

Wollaton Park is a vast green-space, perfect for walks or spending an afternoon out in the open air. Wollaton Hall is situated inside the grounds and houses a museum; the hall was featured in ‘Batman: the Dark Night Rises’. With playgrounds, a golf course and a large lake, it’s easy to spend a whole day in

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It’s so historical, with a rich culture.

best thing

WORST THING ABOUT NOTTINGHAM

Wollaton Park – and it is home to lots of cute deer.

For five days during the first week of October, Goose Fair takes place in the Forest Ground (2013 was its 716th year!), and is definitely worth a visit, even if only to experience the atmosphere.

The derelict Broad Marsh shopping centre. As anyone from Nottingham will know, whilst the Victoria Centre was seen as the go-to place for high street shops (although admittedly, it’s rather run down now!), Broad Marsh was always known for its discount stores. Now, all of the shops have shut and after years of promising it renovation (there was even talk of a Harvey Nichols!), all the plans were abandoned. Luckily though, another company have purchased Broad Marsh and will be refurbishing that and the Victoria Centre… it’s just a case of when!

Finally, no stay in Nottingham is complete without a visit to Sherwood Forest.

Although something of a trek from the city centre (don’t confuse the area of Sherwood with Sherwood Forest!), it’s a worthwhile trip to learn about the legend of Robin Hood, visit the Major Oak and decide for yourself whether or not Robin really was real…

BEST THING ABOUT NOTTINGHAM

worst thing The shops are nowhere near as good as they used to be.

I never really appreciated this until I left Nottingham, but it’s a really historical city – and I’m not just talking about Robin Hood. Underneath Nottingham city centre are over 500 caves dating back to the Dark Ages, where some people actually used to live! There are tours of the caves, with the entrance inside Broad Marsh. In addition, there’s the Galleries of Justice museum situated in the old courthouse and Victorian ‘gaol’ – you can even see the names and numbers of days served by the criminals chiselled into the brick walls in the ‘exercise area’! Finally, like all historical cities there are tales of hauntings and ghosts – and the weekly ghost walks are really interesting and end in the caves under the Salutation Inn, which is supposedly haunted by a young girl!

ACCOMMODATION Nottingham had average weekly rental rates of £76 in 2013, just below the national average of £79.42, and there are definitely some great deals to be had.

The city centre, of course, offers many benefits – it’s close to all of the shops,

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bars and clubs, so you won’t have to fork out money for public transport, and is on the doorstep of Trent’s city campus. For Nottingham University students, or Trent Students on the Clifton Campus, Unilink buses offer direct routes at discounted rates to students. Scoring a satisfaction rate of 74%, the higher rental rates of £81 are worth it, considering the proximity to everything.

West Bridgford is very popular with students, and is only 10 minutes from the city centre, as well as being near Trent’s Clifton campus. Known as one of the more affluent areas of Nottingham, average rental rates are surprisingly reasonable at £65 a week; while the area has scored a satisfaction rate of 68%.

NOTTINGHAM

Lenton is also a popular area for students, due largely to the cheap rental rates of £67 – although cheaper

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deals, such as £58, can be found. With a satisfaction rate of 58%, Lenton is close to the city centre, just a 20 minute walk away. However, if travelling back at night, it’s best not to walk around on your own – it’s not known for being a particularly safe area in Nottingham, so it’s worth paying a little extra for a taxi.

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AFS TOP TIP Mapperley is just a 10 minute bus journey from the city centre, and offers a community-feel with its own high street full of supermarkets, cafes and clothes shops. Situated at the top of a hill, it offers great views, especially as it’s

surrounded by fields – you’d never guess you were so close to the city centre! With average weekly rental rates of £69 and a satisfaction rate of 72%, students that have discovered this area definitely rate it!

WHERE ARE THEY? Coco Tang, 3 George Street, Nottingham, NG1 3BH Bad Juju, 9 Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1 3AJ Dogma, 9 Byard Lane, Nottingham, NG1 2GJ

NOTTINGHAM

Rock City, 8 Talbot Street, Nottingham, NG1 5GG The Forum, The Corner House, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4AA

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Pandora’s Box, 36-38 Hounds Gate, Nottingham, NG1 7AB Saltwater, The Corner House, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4A White Rabbit, 5 Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham, NG1 2HB Capers, 930 Woodborough Road, Mapperley, Nottingham, NG3 5QS Mr Mans, Wollaton Park, Wollaton Road, Nottingham, NG8 2AD

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Chutney’s, 41 Friar Lane, Nottingham, NG1 6DD The Orange Tree, 38 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ Corner House, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4AA Tilt Bar, 9 Pelham Street, Nottingham, NG1 2EH Wollaton Park, Wollaton, Nottingham, NG8 2AE Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG21 9HN

Broad Marsh Shopping Centre, Lister Gate, Nottingham, NG1 7LL Victoria Shopping Centre, Glasshouse Street, Nottingham, NG1 3QN Galleries of Justice, The Lace Market, High Pavement, Nottingham, NG1 1HN Salutation Inn, 77A Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, NG1 6AJ

OXFORD city guide MY NAME IS EWA REIGNGER AND I STUDY ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION/COMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND CULTURE AT OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY. exclusively to students. The longest

As there is no such notion as a typical student, there is no typical guide.

Here, I am offering just a small whit of inspiration in discovering the uniqueness of Oxford. The city is, in one sentence, besides housing the great universities of course, literally packed with restaurants, cafes and pubs, and you will probably discover more than one to suit you.

GREAT NIGHT OUT Several clubs, all located in the city centre, are quite popular amongst young people in Oxford, starting with Wahoo Bars at Hythe Bridge Street, which dedicates its Wednesdays and Fridays

BEST PLACES TO EAT Oxford has many small, pleasant cafes with WiFi, where you will find a comfortable corner in which to have

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by Ewa Reignger

queues - and I mean really loooong are expected on Saturday evenings. You may also try the Junction, just opposite the Registry office, where the crowds are smaller and you have the option to choose between two parquets - go to the one behind the curtains and put on the headphones for a distinct music experience. Lola Lo is another club only for students on weekdays and is open from 10pm. Do not arrive earlier because you will meet a closed door. In the companionship of funny, spiny fish hanging from the ceiling and the heads of Easter Island statues standing in the corners, I was drinking the Black Death…

Yes, I can honestly recommend it. I might also suggest Thirst Bar - everyday, everybody is welcome, which is great but mainly if you are, how to say it… kind of rebellious?

The castle and the college chapels.

best thing worst thing

a simple Panini. One is Art Cafe just opposite Oxford Central Library, where you can admire local artists’ paintings.

Pop into the Nosebag restaurant, hidden away on St Michaels Street, where, as well as a light salad, you may order a proper lunch. In the city centre, you will find the famous Tavern Turf, which offers student meals until 9pm (there is a garden too) and the Turl Street Kitchen, with a reading room – which has a nice atmosphere, diverse menu options and likable music. The number of pubs, restaurants and cafes is also huge in the Cowley Road area. First, refresh yourself with George & Delia’s homemade icecreams (which are served until midnight) before visiting Le Kesh restaurant, open usually after 4pm, offering a range of Moroccan and Mediterranean meals..

Some of my friends like the First Floor restaurant, which offers a selection of Indian, Thai and Chinese food and, again, you may eat as much as you like for the fixed price, but you need to pay for drinks separately.

WHERE ARE THEY?

Le Kesh, 180 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1UE

Art Cafe, 14 New Road, City Centre, Oxford, OX1 1LT

First Floor, 158 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1UE

Oxford Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxford, OX1 2AQ

Wahoo Bars, 3-5 Hythe Bridge Street, City Centre, Oxford, OX1 2EW

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY

Turl Street Kitchen, 16 Turl Street, Oxford, OX1 3DH

The city feels quite empty in the summer.

It is hard not to mention Oxford Castle, which is crammed with restaurants.

Whether or not you join a (ghost) tour, be sure to discover a crucial piece of the city’s history. You may also wish to visit the beautiful college chapels and Christ Church College cathedral. One very special place is Magdalene College Park.

You may punt and have picnics on the grass in the very heart of the city. There is also the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology - my favourite fourth floor contains a great collection of paintings.

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Nosebag, 6-8 St Michael’s Street, Oxford, OX1 2DU Turf Tavern, 4-5 Holywell Street, Oxford, OX1 3SU

George & Delia’s, 104 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1JE

The Junction, 42-43 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1JD Lola Lo, 13-15 Magdalen Street, Oxford, OX1 3AE Thirst Bar, 7-8 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HH

PLYMOUTH city guide

by Alexander Farthing GREAT NIGHT OUT Getting a drink in your hand in Plymouth is quick, easy and cheap. There will be a decent bar within a five-minute walk no matter where you live - soon to be your local. Stretch your legs or pitch in for an almost guaranteed £4 taxi (average price for nearly any journey), and you can hit Oceana, the largest club in Plymouth and the main club for students after the Students’ Union (UPSU). Oceana provides £1 drink nights, sticky floors and a cheesy room with talented dancers; the kind of place where you never have a bad night.

Drift further from the student areas and you will find the Barbican – expensive

but next to a harbour so nice for an early tipple – and, even further, Union street, a mile-or-so long street with various bars and clubs; Walkabout or Vodka Revolutions are the only permanent stops you might want to make on here, the rest of the places are local hang outs.

The student core really is North Hill; whilst there’s nowhere that would be classed as a typical club here, there is a variety of bars catering to all tastes, wallet widths and society nights. After 9pm, the bar definition tends towards club and the poles in the corner become more obvious as they get overly used by a keen man or woman (usually a bloke).

Your major stops here are Cuba, Bang Bang, Bac Bar, Fresher and Professor and Mouse Trap.

Cuba is a bar/club you will know intimately by the end of your degree at Plymouth University; this is where you will end up past 3am, and they are happy

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I’M ALEXANDER FARTHING. I’M STUDYING FOR A MASTER’S IN SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS AND I LIVE ON NORTH HILL.

The picturesque Barbican-Hoe area.

best thing

to let you stay till sunrise - watch out for Sambuca-fueled falls off the one person-wide surrounding platform!

Somewhere between all of this you will venture to the Students’ Union, mainly on a Friday or Saturday night. Don’t forget, you’ll need your student ID for admission, but you’ll be treated to two main rooms and three bar areas. Usually host to a famous or at least decent DJ, the cheapest drinks in Plymouth can be found here with a good mix of freshers right through to postgrads helping to add a bit of diversity to the dance floor.

BEST PLACES TO EAT

worst thing

Food can be sought out at the recently refurbished and recommended canteen in the Students’ Union. On-campus, there are more than 10 cafes scattered around and these are generally reasonably priced. To avoid paying above retail price, head to the Tesco just off the main campus - it takes a minute longer to get there but you can buy a sandwich

Plymouth is the windiest city in the country.

for half the price. Whether you are drunk or sober, Caffeine Club is highly recommended, serving large portions of starchy foods with lots of chicken or beef 24/7; you cannot go wrong. For a slightly more upmarket experience, head to a Nandos or Pizza Express at the Barbican Leisure Park and maybe see a film while you are there.For an all-youcan-eat experience, the Chinese/Oriental/ American Sizzal will alleviate every hunger pang you ever had. The Glass Blowing House is a highly recommended restaurant at student-friendly prices but with a classy environment (good date option!); the food is reasonable, but drinks will blow the budget so get a glass of wine and a water maximum. When the weather is good, head to Air (North Hill); chilled out and outside, it’s a good peoplewatching spot and cheap for any beverage or snack you want.

HIDDEN GEMS A hidden gem for food is Ibbys, located dangerously close to the centre of campus but hidden behind a few buildings. Once you find it you

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WHERE ARE THEY?

PLYMOUTH

Oceana, Barbican Leisure Park, Barbican Approach, Plymouth, PL4 0LG

Pizza Express, Unit 2, The Barbican Leisure Centre, 16 Barbican Approach, Plymouth, PL4 0LG

Nandos, Barbican LeisurePark, Barbican Approach, Plymouth, PL4 0LG

Barbican Leisure Park, Barbican Approach, Plymouth, PL4 0LG

15-21 Old Town Street, Plymouth, PL1 1DA

Walkabout, 5 Union Street, Plymouth, PL1 2SU

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Sizzal, 15 Derry’s Cross, Plymouth, PL1 2SW

Caffeine Club, 46 Tavistock Place, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AX

Bac Bar, 30-40 Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AB

Ibbys, 81 North Road East, Plymouth, PL4 6AN

Cuba, Sherwell Arcade, North Hill, Plymouth, PL4 8LH

Glass Blowing House, 20 Harbour Ave, Plymouth, PL1 2LS

Students’ Union, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA

Beaumont park, Beaumont Road,St. Judes, Plymouth, PL10

A piece of advice that will earn you 30 seconds of minor glory is this – Disco Water. The cheapest drink in Plymouth available every night at the Students’ Union at any time, not advertised but £1.50 is the going rate for a double and you wont beat that. Thank me if you see me!

For a walk, there are parks scattered around Plymouth; Beaumont Park is a personal favourite; it’s a five-minute walk from Uni and you can chill out and watch some squirrels.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY Plymouth’s highlight is the Barbican-Hoe area; stretching from a small harbour up

the coast line about a 15 minute walk.

It’s traditional and very picturesque with panoramic views out to the breakwater and then the open sea, culminating in the Hoe, which is a large expanse of grass; full of students when the sun comes out – bring the BBQ. The only other thing worth noting is that while Plymouth is not a campus university, all the buildings are within 300 metres of each other and nearly all student housing is within a 20-minute walk.

ACCOMMODATION Plymouth is a student-orientated city; the shopping centre is a short threeminute walk from the University campus, nearly all accommodation will be within a 20-minute walk of where you need to be, and you will find that this saves you money on public transport.

Our 2013 survey of the rents across the country found the average rent in Plymouth was £84 per week, which is £5 more than the average UK student rent of £79.42.

Nevertheless, students scored Plymouth highly, with 60% considering the city value for money.

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will be back; serving various sandwiches at super low prices, they are truly delicious with or without a hangover.

Plymouth Student Accommodation

Plymouth students tend to live in one of four areas: North Hill, Mutley, Central/ Hoe areas and Lipson/St. Judes. Central and Hoe areas stood out as the most desirable, with satisfaction ratings of 64% and 82% respectively. There are fewer students here, but they are still close to the University and the shops.

However, rents are slightly higher, at £86 for Central and £92 for the Hoe. Mutley is the main student location, covering a large area so walking distances will vary. However, with a satisfaction rating of 64% and rents exactly at the average at £84 per week, it is a highly desirable location. For less of a walk, you could live on or just off North Hill, where you can expect to pay £85 per week. Lipson/St Judes is further away, and while still a student area, there are also more local residents. Students have scored it a satisfaction rating of 58%, which is reflected in the lowest rent £79 per week.

Quality accommodation students in Plymouth

PLYMOUTH

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AFS TOP TIP

If you don’t want to pay more than £70 per week, many houses in Plymouth have single rooms due to their layouts.

These will be advertised lower than doubles, at between £60 and £75 per week.

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PORTSMOUTH city guide HI, I’M ROSEMARY AND I’M STUDYING APPLIED LANGUAGES (FRENCH AND GERMAN) AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH.

MY IDEAL EVENING OR NIGHT OUT My ideal evening out would probably be to grab some friends and head to Gunwharf Quays for some cheap outlet shopping and then yummy food - knowing me, it would be in Water Margin, the all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet! Then, depending on my friends, we’d either catch a film at the cinema (Orange Wednesdays and student discount can be combined), go to the bowling alley or go out for some drinks and fun. The clubs in Gunwharf tend to have a bigger mix of people (including tourists), whereas the clubs on Guildhall Walk, such as

NIGHTS OUT There are three hotspots in Portsmouth for students on a night out: there’s The Waterhole Bar inside the Students’ Union – which is run by the university so has super cheap prices. Guildhall Walk is also very popular with Lyberry (who organise all the fresher’s parties), and for more fun you can go down to Gunwharf Quays to find Tiger Tiger and more.

Keep your eyes open for free entry and cheap drinks - the clubs are always handing out vouchers and wristbands along Guildhall Walk and at the road crossing next to the Students’ Union.

Wednesdays are Purple Wednesday - the official student night out with cheap drinks and free entry to lots of places.

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by Rosemary Orchard

Lyberry, have a much higher proportion of students and they organise the bar crawls, fresher’s events and foam parties.

The key to having a great night is to see what leaflets you get through your door - the biggest parties are always well advertised, and you can often get priority/ cheaper entry with the flyers.

FANCY A BITE? The quest for food is non-stop for students, and Portsmouth has endless options! Make sure to grab all the freebies and vouchers you can at the Fresher’s Fayre; then you’ll know what you want to try more of. If you’re going to the cinema, you’ll probably end up eating in Gunwharf Quays which has everything from McDonald’s and Subway, to an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet, the Slug and Lettuce and, my favourite, the Old Customs House (save that for when the parents visit!).

WHAT’S GOING ON IN PORTSMOUTH?

PORTSMOUTH

The biggest local festival for Portsmouth is actually the Isle of Wight festival - it’s held every summer and features great acts! Thankfully, the ferries run 24 hours a day to and from Portsmouth, so if you still have your student house you can sleep there if you want. Also on the Isle of Wight in early September is Bestival, which is very popular and a great opportunity to see more music acts!

Aside from the Isle of Wight, there are things to do in Portsmouth as well. If you fancy something different, such as a Rolling Stones Photographic Exhibition or the German Christmas Market, then check out the visitportsmouth.co.uk website.

There are so many different things to do in Portsmouth - you really can’t count! It all depends on what you want to do and if you have money to spend. There are always music groups performing in the Guildhall and King’s Theatre, so keep an eye out for anything you might enjoy!

However, if you’re looking for something

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free, visit Southsea Castle - it’s great fun!

You can also get into the Eastney Beam Engine House, Natural History Museum and the Historic Dockyard for free.

LETS GO SHOPPING If you’re looking for designer clothes at a knockdown price, then Gunwharf Quays is for you - there are over 90 outlet shops, as well as a cinema, bowling alley, and pubs and clubs.

If you’re after the regular high street stores, then Commercial Road and the Cascades Shopping Centre are your best bet. Whether you want the Post Office, the weekly fruit and vegetable market on Thursdays or just a Starbucks coffee, this is a very popular place to go.

TRANSPORT AND GETTING AROUND Unfortunately, the University bus only runs until midnight on weekdays and 6pm at weekends, so if you’re on the Langstone Campus or living near Fratton station you can’t use the free option to get back. However, there are taxis everywhere in Portsmouth and a variety of firms. There is also a regular bus service run by First. The Students’ Union offers a “get home safe card” too - you pay a deposit of £10 and are given a card, then if you don’t have money with you, you call the number on the back and give the taxi driver the card as a payment.

The card is then returned to the Students’ Union where you pay the fare and receive the card back - definitely worth having as you get the £10 back at the end of the year!

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Beautifully designed, extremely well-thought-out, and packed with useful features and services, Unilife properties are, quite simply, in a class on their own when it comes to student accommodation.

They’re also in brilliant locations, really close to the university, local amenities and public transport.

What our studios have to offer: - Free, unlimited, high-speed Wi-Fi - Secure entry phone systems and 24-hour recorded CCTV - Well equipped kitchen area - Ensuite shower rooms - Comfy double bed with under bed storage - Laundry and cleaning facilities - Ability to share larger studios.

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Portsmouth is beautiful and relaxing.

best thing

MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO/ BEST THING IN PORTSMOUTH My favourite thing to do in Portsmouth is to walk along the sea front - it sounds corny but it’s really relaxing and you’re never that far away from it! Whether you’re in Gunwharf Quays, the Historical Dockyard or in Southsea - where most students choose to live - it’s beautiful and relaxing. You can barbecue on Southsea common and there’s always a frisbee match to join too. You can even paddle in the sea, though I only recommend doing so in the summer holidays - but maybe that’s just because I’m a wimp!

WHERE ARE THEY? Gunwharf Quays, Gunwharf Quays House, Portsmouth, P01 3TZ Historic Dockyard Visitor Centre, Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LJ Vue Cinema, Portsmouth, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3TA

worst thing

Bowlplex, Portsmouth, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3TN

The Lyberry, 29-33 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2RY Southsea Castle, Clarence, Esplanade, Southsea, PO5 3PA Eastney Beam, Engine House, Henderson Road, Eastney, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 9JF Natural History Museum, Cumberland House, Eastern Parade, Southsea, PO4 9RF Tiger Tiger, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3TP

The sporadic University bus service.

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Portsmouth is definitely a great place to live - when surveyed, it ranked fourth in the country as far as students were concerned. And they didn’t just have to rate the houses! Other areas checked included going out, shops and transport – all crucial parts of student life.

Portsmouth is not as expensive as you might think for a seaside town - an average rent of £81 a week in 2013 compared with the national average of £79.42.

Southsea and Fratton are the most popular areas for students but they don’t rank that highly for student satisfaction - 50% and 58% respectively.

This is because they’re so far away from Guildhall and Gunwharf Quays where everything goes on, and the University bus doesn’t run through Southsea (though it does run through Fratton).

However, it’s important to keep in mind that even in these areas you’re not very far away - it’s definitely within walking

or cycling distance. Rents here are on average £77 in Southsea and £81 in Fratton, so they’re about average for Portsmouth.

However, the most popular place for students to live is Southsea where the average rent works out at £57 a week - £22.42 cheaper than the national average! The second and third most popular places to live are the University campus (average £88), Fratton (£81); while Portsmouth Harbour (£129) ranks a distant fourth.

AFS TOP TIP Check out the city centre; it’s really close to everything but lots of students don’t realise you can live there and the average rent is just £73 a week. With 74% satisfaction overall, it’s certainly a hidden gem!

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ACCOMMODATION

PRESTON city guide I’M OLIVER CHRISTIE. I’M IN THE THIRD YEAR STUDYING SPORTS JOURNALISM AND I LIVE IN PRESTON.

by Oliver Christie MY IDEA OF A GREAT NIGHT OUT? A great night out in Preston would start with getting my mates round for predrinks; probably playing a few drinking games. An added bonus would be to order a takeaway, so we’re not drinking on an empty stomach. There are plenty of takeaways in the city centre, but you haven’t had a proper takeaway until you have had a Chester’s.

There are plenty of clubs in Preston to suit whatever mood you are in. Lava is the biggest and most popular club in the city centre, which is typically busiest on a Wednesday night. You won’t have a quiet night at Lava so you definitely

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have to be up for a big night. My personal favourite club is Warehouse. It has three floors – on Tuesdays, the bottom floor is rock/punk, the middle floor plays indie music, and the top floor plays pop. It’s a small club that gets ridiculously packed but somehow everyone gets in and the queues at the bar aren’t as bad as places like Lava. The people seem much more chilled and relaxed in there and I’ve never had a bad night at Warehouse. There’s also Squires/New York New York, which are busiest on a Monday, and even the Uni club, 53 degrees, although that tends to be more of a place for first years, as it’s on-campus.

BEST PLACES TO EAT A great place to go for a quick lunch or an evening meal is The Chinese Buffet.

Go in a big group, as a couple or even on your own, and for a reasonable price you can fill your boots; as students, we all love the chance to eat as much as we can for as little as possible. Preston has the standard restaurants like Frankie and Benny’s, Nando’s or Chiquito’s in case you want somewhere to go and celebrate.

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The vibrant student scene.

best thing

If you’re going in a group, share a taxi as it’ll keep down the cost. A place to definitely try is The 3 Monkeys - they sell amazing sandwiches, and their piri piri chicken is out of this world! The prices are also very student-friendly, but that means it’s always packed with students at lunchtime. If you don’t want to head off-campus for lunch, you can just pop into any of the University Cafés in Harrington or Foster. Food is reasonably priced and you generally get a good meal.

HIDDEN GEMS

worst thing

The UCLan Sports Arena is a bit of a hidden gem as, although part of UCLan, it’s quite a way off-campus (a 45-minute walk), but if you can split a taxi then it’s much easier. It’s a new facility which is home to most of the UCLan sports teams so if you are interested in joining a team then this place is going to become your second home. Equally, if you don’t want to join a team but just want somewhere to go that has great facilities and play football or hockey, this is perfect.

It always seems to be freezing cold and raining.

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BEST THING ABOUT PRESTON The best thing about Preston is the students. Whether it’s something as random as being in your flat and seeing someone outside in a banana outfit or joining a society, you will always have a laugh with the students here.

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WORST THING ABOUT PRESTON

a lower satisfaction score of 46% - you have to weigh up the options as to what is the most important factor to you when deciding where to live.

The weather in Preston is simply terrible.

It seems to rain constantly and it’s usually freezing. I was told during my first week here that it has the second worst weather in England (behind Manchester), and I can believe it. So make sure you buy plenty of thick, warm clothing before you come to Preston - especially if you are coming here from further south because it will be a shock.

The city centre is highly rated amongst students at 70% satisfaction, but rents are higher at £76 on average. However, with all of the shops, bars and clubs on your doorstep, the location can’t be beaten.

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

I have lived in Uni halls, private halls and a house during my time at University, and I would highly recommend staying in the Uni halls first year, a house in your second year and then back into halls for your third year. Living in halls during

Preston is a good place for students to live as the rent is quite cheap. In 2013, the average weekly rental rate was £75, lower than the national average of £79.42.

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Plungington Road and Moor Park are both popular areas to live with students. While Plungington Road has a satisfaction score of 58%, the rents are really cheap, with an average of £65. Moor Park, on the other hand, has similar rents at an average of £67 a week, but

the first year is great as it provides the opportunity to make close friends straight away. However, I think it would be an experience missed if you don’t live in a student house at some time whilst you’re in Preston. The freedom of you and your friends having your own place, inviting whoever you want without them having to leave by midnight (as is the rule in most halls). When you’re in your final year, you can get quite stressed out with work; however, by living in halls, you have the luxury of not paying extra for bills and being a few minutes away from lectures and the library.

WHERE ARE THEY?

PRESTON

Chester’s, 87 Moor Lane, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 1JQ, 01772 55164

Squires/New York New York, Market Place, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2ES 01772 251074

Lava, 151 Church Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 3BU, 01772 252882

53 Degrees, Brook St, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 7BQ 01772 893000

Warehouse, 50 St John’s Place, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 3XX 01772 253216

The Chinese Buffet, 126 Friargate, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2EE 01772 883088

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Frankie and Benny’s, London Way, Walton-le-Dale, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 4AW 01772 884625 Nando’s, Deepdale Retail Park, Blackpool Road, Preston, PR1 6QY 01772 701260 Chiquito’s, Port Way, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 2YQ 01772 766550

The 3 Monkeys, 16a Adelphi Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 7BE 07886219127 UCLan Sports Arena, Tom Benson Way, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 1SG 01772 761000

READING city guide I’M ZOË, A THIRD-YEAR ARCHAEOLOGY STUDENT AND I LIVE IN THE CEMETERY JUNCTION AREA OF READING.

by Zoe Richardson

up something cheap to help sober you up. After that, provided house/flatmates don’t mind, it’s always fun to bring friends back to your place and watch films or play video games until you pass out from exhaustion.

GREAT PLACES TO EAT

A great night out in Reading starts with pre-drinks with friends at someone’s halls or house. Once you’ve played enough games (Drinking Jenga is always fun), it’s time to head into town.

Propaganda on Thursday nights in Sub 89 is always good as it is the ‘indie’ night and there is usually something for everyone’s music tastes. If this isn’t for you, Sakura, with its multiple, spacious rooms playing various genres, is also a good night out.

On the way back from the club, it’s always fun to walk if you’re with a group of friends, laughing and singing. There are many late night food places to pick

Cosmo is one of the best places to go for a meal in town, especially lunch, as it will keep you full until dinner the following night. Their good quality all-you-can-eat Pan-Asian, Mexican, Italian, Indian buffet is delicious and costs only £8!

For on-campus eating, the coffee shops are great places to meet up and chat with friends, whilst Mojo’s Bar has a great selection of food and a different daily offer, such as buy-one-get-one free desserts or half-price pizza. Eat & Drink London Road, whilst slightly off-campus, is a social pub of the University that tends to be quieter than other university pubs.

It has good food, a pool table, beanbags to lounge on and, like all university pubs, pints are less than £2.

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MY IDEAL EVENING OR NIGHT OUT

The city is so compact you can walk everywhere by foot.

best thing

If you are looking for pizza, don’t waste all your money on Dominos or risk a funny stomach on £1 pizza from some of the shadier food places on Wokingham Road - go to Milano instead. For £5 collection you can get a large pizza with 4 toppings, or £7 for an XL, and they are some of the best pizzas around.

HIDDEN GEMS For literary fans, there is the Oscar Wilde walk along the canal and the prison in which he held was for five years (while there, he wrote the Ballad of Reading Gaol). His memory is honoured by a gate shaped like him. At the end of this walk are the beautiful ruins of Reading Abbey, an interesting historical gem in the town.

The ruins are inaccessible but pretty to look at.

worst thing

If you and your friends happen to stumble upon a heap of cash (or you are on the wealthy side), the Zombie Shopping Mall is a £139 unique experience of battling through a zombie invasion in a shopping centre, with airsoft guns.

If you fancy meeting up with friends in town but don’t want to go somewhere commercial and generic, Whittington’s Tea Barge, located on the river, is a quaint and adorable way to drink tea and eat cakes. It is a good place to take visiting family members.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY Reading offers a mix of urban culture with history and natural beauty; and as it is compact, most places are in walking distance. It can be useful to have a bike, instead of catching the student buses – especially as they never give change. That being said, the transport links are really good if you want to escape Reading for the day, with London and Oxford close by.

WORST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY Unfortunately, the supermarkets in town are a bit on the high-end side which makes cheap shopping rather difficult; both Asda and Aldi are quite a walk from the Uni. Also, like other cities, Reading can be quite unsettling after dark, so either walk back in a group or get a taxi after a night out – the University offers a pre-paid taxi card in case you don’t have enough money.

UNIVERSITY TIPS

Some of the shopping can be quite expensive.

Getting an NUS card is crucial - it will get you discounted entry into 360 at the Union, which is most likely where you will be spending every Wednesday and Saturday night during your first year. Likewise, the Co-Op now offers 10% student discount, two of which are located in the most popular student accommodation areas, which makes it essential when picking up milk, bread, meat and alcohol. Lots of places don’t alert you if they do student discount, so it is always good to just ask.

Regardless of how much money you might have saved or budgeted for before

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university, it is worth getting a student bank account in the first year. It takes little effort and means you have access to a larger overdraft. Be aware that you cannot apply for it after the first year, so if you come have financial difficulties in your later university years, you will not have the overdraft to fall back on like your friends might have.

If clubs aren’t for you, or you are bored of going out, get a group of friends, pick a regular night of the week and take it in turns to have the others over to yours for a film of your choice and dinner/ dessert cooked by you. It is a great way to get close to people and bond with a nice group.

ACCOMMODATION

READING

There are many choice areas to live in Reading, with some being more appealing to students than others; and with average weekly rents of £75 in 2013 compared with the national average of £79.42, the city offers value for money.

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One of the best areas for students is around Cemetery Junction. Scoring a 56% satisfaction rate, it’s close to the University and the town centre, with CoOp and Asda nearby. Average rents here are £70 a week, but can vary from £52£88 so it’s best to look around to ensure you get the best deal.

Earley is another popular area, offering spacious houses at low costs (rents range from £46-£100 a week), in close proximity to Asda and scoring a satisfaction rate of 56%. However, its distance from campus can be off-putting.

AFS TOP TIP When looking for accommodation, some people have had trouble with estate agents so it is always worth asking friends in the second and third year about their experiences and recommendations.

Living near town might mean you are about 30 minutes away from the University, but it also means closer proximity to the high street in case you need to get a job during your studies. Due to its lack of student appeal, the rent can sometimes be cheaper than one of the more popular student areas (£64 per week on average) and carries a 70% satisfaction rating.

WHERE ARE THEY?

Mojo’s Bar, Reading University Students’ Union, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AZ Milano, 136 Wokingham Road, Earley, Reading, RG6 1JL,

Eat & Drink, London Road, London Rd, Earley, Reading, West Berkshire, RG1 5AQ Back of Beyond, 104-108 Kings Rd, City Centre, RG1 3BY Whittington’s Tea Barge, Whittington’s is moored on the north bank of the river Thames, alongside Hills Meadows,

Reading – postcode RG4 8DH. Just across the George Street Bridge.

Union 360, Reading University Students’ Union Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AZ Fabric Land, 7 Cheapside, Reading, RG1 7AG

Sakura, 5 Gun St, Reading, RG1 2JR Sub 89 for Propaganda, 110-117 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1EP Zombie Shopping Mall, Book the shopping mall online at http://zombieexperiences.co.uk/ encounters/ readingshopping-mall/

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COSMO, 35-38 Friar St, Reading, United Kingdom, RG1 1DX

SHEFFIELD city guide MY NAME IS ROS, A THIRD-YEAR ENGLISH LITERATURE STUDENT LIVING IN SHEFFIELD’S CITY CENTRE. IN THIS ARTICLE, I WILL POINT YOU IN THE DIRECTION OF THE TASTIEST, CHEAPEST AND MOST FABULOUS TREATS THE STEEL CITY HAS TO OFFER. To the Union To the city (or, more specifically, West Street)

by Ros Church GREAT NIGHT OUT? My idea of a good night very much differs from when I was a fresh-faced, hangoverimmune first year. Of course, some things never change and the night always begins with a few cheeky pre drinks. Once you’re nicely tipsy, it’s time to go out - your choice generally consists of heading in two directions;

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One thing you should bear in mind is that wherever you go, you will be surrounded by students. The concept of a student night out becomes semi defunct; Sheffield is a student-dominated city, which pretty much guarantees that you’ll be dancing away with people your own age.

The day of the week counts hugely towards where we are heading. For instance, the Students’ Union has stuff on every night of the week; however, the general consensus is that only Space on a Monday, Roar on a Wednesday and Pop Tarts on a Friday are actually worth going to. If a night in the city is on the cards, it’s time to hit West Street. There are heaps

Now, we would probably stay here unless it was a Thursday, as Propaganda at Plug is well known for its Thursday nights. It goes without saying that the night must end with a kebab or two– Adnan’s is always a good shout, but if you live near Broomhill (which you probably will as a first year living in halls), Balti King’s curries taste pretty fantastic after many hours on the dance floor.

if you’re wanting a proper meal and need to stick around the Union for whatever reason, Bar One definitely wins the trophy for value. They do big portions and, if you’re feeling particularly classy, have a cheap selection of cocktails. If you have time to wander down to West Street, it’s simply a matter of keeping your eye out for deals. For instance, The Cavendish sometimes has a £2.50 lunch deal on a Monday – can’t complain about that!

BEST PLACES TO EAT

HIDDEN GEMS

If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat you should definitely check out John’s Van outside the Students’ Union. John’s Van is so highly regarded amongst the student population that, upon being stolen, it produced the most viewed story of all time in the student newspaper. However,

Although the Peak District isn’t a hidden gem as such, it is a gem and is, quite literally, off the beaten track. If you fancy doing something sporty, taking a relaxing break, or if you just want to bring some culture to your life, this is a must do. It’s only a very short bus or train ride to get

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SHEFFIELD

of bars here that are worth a visit, but the 50p shots in the ever-dingy Basement (pun intended) will no doubt lure you in. However, it’s across the road on Carver Street that the fun really begins. Here you will find the shamelessly tacky Paris and Crystal alongside the (slightly) more tasteful Viper Rooms.

Alcohol and hangover food is ridiculously cheap.

best thing

there – you can catch the 215, 273 and 275 from the Interchange or hop on the train to Hope Valley, all of which run every day of the week.

On my last visit to the Peak District, we took the bus to Bakewell. Although there are many other beautiful villages on this route, we especially wanted to head along the Monsal Trail. Once we reached (the now closed) Hassop Station, we stumbled across Monsal Trail Cycle Hire. We weren’t initially going to hire a bike, but were tempted into it by the lovely staff – the power of customer service! If you decide to do this route, I recommend riding at least to Monsal Head.

This huge bridge crosses a valley that you can actually climb down, and in nice weather it’s definitely worth bringing a picnic to eat by the river.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY

worst thing

Ah, alcohol and hangover food - staples of the student diet. Luckily for you, both of these are spectacularly cheap in

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Sheffield. You’re thinking 50p drinks if you scout around, and £1 as a standard.

Although this makes those post-lecture drinks less strenuous on your wallet, it also greatly increases the chances of getting ‘accidently’ drunk.

But do not fear! There is no better way to ward off a hangover than a pub brekkie.

There’s loads of choice, but Varsity’s £2.40 Full English is pretty great. The standard price for a meal in Sheffield is a fiver, but if you hunt around for those deals, getting a meal for half price is not outlandish.

The great thing about Sheffield is that the local businesses are cheaper here, making restaurant chains seem absurdly pricy in comparison.

The hills – they can be a major demotivator at 9am.

Keeping to this theme, Sheffield as a whole is excellent in accommodating student needs; it’s no exaggeration to say that nearly every store has, at the very minimum, a permanent 10% student discount. If you want to update your hairdo, head down to The Avenue hairdressers on West Street. They have a year-round 25% student discount, supplemented by 50% off for first-time customers – bargain!

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TRANSPORT Despite not having to use transport all that much this year, I can still acknowledge that Sheffield’s transport is not bad at all. The 95 and 120 buses will take you via the city centre and train station - useful for when you decide to take a trip home.

Taxis are everywhere, and you’ll easily be able to hail one from the side of the street. Also, to help the lovely ladies of Sheffield get home safely, the University of Sheffield has set up a scheme called the Women’s Mini Bus. It picks you up from the IC (just minutes from West Street) and drops you right off at your door. The price is also excellent, costing £10 for 10 trips home, which means that if you’re unable to find enough people to share the cost of a taxi, this will get you home safely.

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STUDENT ACCOMMODATION Sheffield is a notoriously cheap place to live - hopefully meaning that your funds won’t be reduced to the point where you’re living off baked beans in the final weeks of term. The average rent in 2013 was £69 pounds, a good £10 cheaper than the national average of £79.42.

If you’re studying at The University of Sheffield, Crookesmoore seems to be the area in which students congregate; it has a 64% student satisfaction rating.

The average rent is £68 a week here; in line with the average for Sheffield.

It is, however, Broomhall and its S1 postcode counterparts that hold the highest (82%) satisfaction rating. This area is one that really ticks all the boxes – it’s minutes away from the University, local amenities, nightclubs and transport links, although rent is slightly higher at £73 a week. Unfortunately, while houses are in abundance in Sheffield, Broomhall and S1 postcoded areas will get swiped up quickly – so bear that in mind!

SHEFFIELD

Sheffield Student Accommodation

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AFS TOP TIP Having been in a similar situation, I cannot stress this enough – don’t jump into a rental contract too early. It’s commonplace for first-year students to get a house for the following year within a few months of starting Uni. What many people don’t realise is that Sheffield has a surplus of houses. As mentioned above, you may have a little more of a hard time getting a place with an S1 postcode but, I’ll be honest, this only really applies if you are trying to get your hands on one literally a week before term starts.

This isn’t just about contracts though - finding the people you really want to live with will take longer than a few months. Waiting to find your perfect housemates is well worth it, especially when you’re dealing with a housing market chock-a-block full with choice.

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WHERE ARE THEY?

Basement, 104 West Street, Sheffield, S1 4EP Paris, 24 Carver Street, Sheffield, S1 4ES

Crystal, 23-32 Carver Street, Sheffield, S1 4ES

Balti King, 216 Fulwood Road, Sheffield, S10 3BB

Viper Rooms, 35 Carver Street, Sheffield, S1 4ES

John’s Van, Outside Uni of Sheffield’s Students’ Union, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TG

Plug, 14-16 Matilda Street, Sheffield, S1 4QD Adnan’s: 52-54 London Road, Sheffield, S2 4LR

Bar One, Students’ Union, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TG

The Cavendish, 238A West Street, Sheffield, S1 4EU Varsity, 173-179 West Street, Sheffield, S1 4EW Meadowhall, Management Suite, 1 The Oasis, Meadowhall Centre, Sheffield, S9 1EP

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SHEFFIELD

University of Sheffield Students’ Union, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TG

SOUTHAMPTON city guide HI, I’M LEWIS, A STUDENT AT SOUTHAMPTON SOLENT UNIVERSITY STUDYING A PROMOTIONAL MEDIA DEGREE. I HAVE LIVED AND STUDIED IN SOUTHAMPTON AND IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE; A PROPER ‘STUDENT CITY’ THAT CATERS FOR ALL.

by Lewis MaClean GREAT NIGHT OUT? Southampton has come a long way from its humble origins as a medieval market town to its present day status as a cosmopolitan student nexus.

When arriving in Southampton, before starting Uni you might consider taking a stroll around the civic centre. The Guildhall Square stands across the park from Solent Uni, boasting a number of

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places to eat and drink. Southampton has many friendly pubs and I recommend ducking off the high street for some R&R at Goblets, a quiet little hideaway just below street level. Afterwards, I normally nip around the corner to The Cellar, where I have enjoyed so many wicked gigs, including performances by Craig Charles, Don Letts, Kate Tempest and Scroobius Pip to name but a few, and I know I will be back again soon.

When it comes to live music though, there is only one place to go; the Joiners Arms, the premier live music venue in Southampton and recognised as such by the NME. The Joiners has hosted the likes of Oasis, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, The Libertines and, on more than one occasion, Frank Turner. It’s anybody’s guess who will be playing this year or next.

Hungry? Get something to eat at Mangoes Thai restaurant or some excellent West Indian cuisine at Turtle Bay, then round off the evening with some cocktails - all within a stone’s throw of the Guildhall Square. There’s also a Mexican restaurant called La Cantina just across the park in Bedford Place.

This is only the beginning, restaurantwise, with Sushi restaurant Zen just down the High Street (enjoy the student-friendly Sunday buffet prices). Situated opposite is the highly recommended Coriander Lounge - an Indian restaurant with a difference - and my long-time favourite Italian restaurant, La Lupa.

On a student budget, I often find myself getting decent Mexican food at the excellent Mexigo takeaway on London Road.

Once you’re settled, you might want to venture further afield, with the infamous Bedford Place area at the top of your agenda. Home to many rammed latenight bars, I normally start off at Vodka Revs, then the Orange Rooms or 90 Degrees before ending up in Junk, which plays some fierce tunes till gone 3am. All of Bedford Place is designed specifically

for students to have fun, so enjoy it!

Just remember to soothe your hangover with a drink and a Sunday roast at the Cricketers the day after!

HIDDEN GEMS I’m always at Monday Night Blues, a live music night at the Orange Rooms every Monday - free entry with cheap drink deals and the best burgers I’ve ever tasted, all at student-friendly prices.

If you are looking to go off the beaten track, I recommend Bevois Valley; a quiet little secret suburb kept between Southampton locals and Southampton University students. A multi-cultural city urban district, it’s been on the up for years. If you are a metal fan, the Dungeon is a must, or stop off at the Hobbit pub, famous thanks to its victory over Hollywood lawyers last year To this day, I have yet to finish the cocktail challenge.

Bars and clubs might not be your thing, but don’t worry because there’s lots of other things to do in Southampton to keep you entertained. The Guildhall itself

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SOUTHAMPTON

BEST PLACES TO EAT

(aside from being a successful music venue bringing in A-List music acts) is also host to the city’s library. A free art gallery with rare works from great artists, it’s worth a look. Try the new Seacity museum, celebrating Southampton’s legacy as a port city, and enthral yourself in the tragedy of the Titanic and its effect on Southampton’s past. If you like musicals, then the Mayflower Theatre is the place to be, hosting some of the most memorable shows seen.

If it’s history and culture you’re after, then my personal recommendation is taking a walk down to Bugle Street, taking in the old city walls. Keep an eye out for the Tudor-style buildings before stopping off at Tudor House & Garden, one of Southampton’s oldest buildings with a painstakingly renovated authentic sixteenth century Tudor garden.

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

SOUTHAMPTON

There are lots of places to live in Southampton, easily accessible to both town and Uni, whether you’d prefer to catch a bus or walk. With average weekly rents of £83 in 2013, it’s only slightly above the national average of £79.43; it is really reasonable considering you’re right by the sea.

University students so again, there is a large presence of people out and about, making walking the streets safer and crime less opportunist. Rents are the same at £71, with an identical satisfaction rate to the Polygon at 66%.

If you are lucky enough to find a place near the quiet and peaceful Inner Avenue, my advice is to take it. It’s safe, central and has respectful neighbours. The average room rent is a little cheaper at approximately £69. Some of the more refined looking semi-detached houses can be more costly, but it’s worth paying if you can afford it.

AFS TOP TIP If you are on a tight budget and are looking for somewhere really cheap, then you might want to consider the St Marys area. Once considered intimidating and rundown, council renovation and student investment has seen it change significantly in the last few years. A rising multi-cultural area with a diverse population that shares strong community values, it’s a much safer place to live now.

It is located centrally and a 5-minute walk from the High Street. Rents are just £52 a week, with a satisfaction score of 58%.

The ‘Polygon’ - an old Georgian-style housing estate based at the foot of Bedford Place – is popular amongst Solent students and is considered ‘student central’. I enjoyed living there for several years, as it encapsulates the student lifestyle the moment you arrive.

It is rated well amongst other students too, with a satisfaction score of 66%. It’s a pretty safe area as it is near the civic centre and there are always people about; the rents are cheap here too, at £71 a week. Down the road in Portswood, you are on shared territory with Southampton

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Please note, photos used are indicative

There’s always lots of live music at night.

best thing

WHERE ARE THEY? Guildhall Square, Soton High Street, SO14 7FP

worst thing

Goblets, 180 Above Bar Street, Southampton, SO14 7DW The Cellar, 78 West Marlands Road, Southampton, SO14 7FW

Rental prices tend to be quite high.

Mangoes Thai Restaurant, 180- 182 Above Bar Street, Southampton, SO14 7DW Turtle Bay, Guildhall SquareSouthampton, SO14 7FP 180

Zen Restaurant, 42 High StreetSouthampton, SO14 2NS Coriander lounge, 130-131 High Street, Southampton, SO14 2BR La Lupa, 123 High Street Southampton, SO14 2AA The Mayflower Theatre, 22-26 Commercial Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 1GE

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Tudor House & Gardens, Bugle Street, Southampton, SO14 2AD, 023 8083 4242 Seacity Museum, Havelock Road, Southampton, SO14 7FY, 023 8083 3007 Bevois Valley, The Rockstone, 63 Onslow Rd, Bevois Valley, Southampton, SO14 0JL The Dungeon, Bevois Valley Road, Southampton, SO14 0JR

The Hobbit, 134 Bevois Valley Road, Southampton, SO14 0JZ Bedford Place 90 degrees, 24A Carlton Place, Southampton, SO15 2DY Vodka Revs, 28 Bedford Pl, Southampton, SO15 2DB Orange Rooms, 1-2 Vernon Walk, Southampton, SO15 2EJ Junk, 55 London Road, Southampton, SO15 2AD

Unilife y a w r u o y , e c a p s r u o Y tions

loca Two amazing Southampton Opened 2013 - Park House,

Above Bar Street

Opened 2012 - High Street

Beautifully designed, extremely well-thought-out, and packed with useful features and services, Unilife properties are, quite simply, in a class on their own when it comes to student accommodation.

They’re also in brilliant locations, really close to the university, local amenities and public transport.

What our studios have to offer: - Free, unlimited, high-speed Wi-Fi - On site gym and movie room* - Secure entry phone systems and 24-hour recorded CCTV - Well equipped kitchen area - Ensuite shower rooms - Comfy double bed with under bed storage - Laundry and cleaning facilities.

Call us to arrange a viewing. We’d love to show you around. facebook.com/unilifestudent Email us at yourspace@unilife.co.uk call us on 0845 5195 100, visit us online and watch our students. twitter.com/Unilifestudent udent

st @Unilife unilifestu

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www.youtube.com/Unilifestudent

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* Park House location

WOLVERHAMPTON city guide HI! MY NAME IS HOLLY. AT 23 YEARS OF AGE, AFTER STUDYING CREATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL WRITING AND LITERATURE PART-TIME THROUGH THE OPEN UNIVERSITY, I am finally completing a degree at the University of Wolverhampton. I was asked to write something useful for students who wish to live and study in the city and ending the night with a chicken and bacon foot-long from Subway.

I call home!

Wolverhampton is the place to be. With

by Holly Cadman GREAT NIGHT OUT? My idea of a great night out is getting my friends together for a pint in rock n’roll venue, The Giffard Arms,laughing at them attempt drunken Karaoke at Irish tavern, McGhee’s (just off King Street),

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its student-friendly nightlife and eclectic range of restaurants, pubs, clubs and bars, there is absolutely nothing that a student could not want.Across the road from the University entrance is the Royal London. This is the most student-friendly pub in the city centre. Every Tuesday, the Royal London hosts a ‘Quids In’ night, where virtually all drinks are £1-£1.50 between 7pm and closing.Further to this, they host in-house discos, have a games room - complete with air hockey and pool – and they serve hot, delicious food.

Be sure to pick up one of their ‘Yellow Cards’ for further savings during the rest of the week! The Hogshead is also a thriving hive of activity with its ‘2 for 1’ deal. Home-cooked mains and desserts, televised sporting events, seasonal drinks

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g n i v i L t n e d Stu

Wolverhampton Why look anywhe re else ?

Award Winning Quality en-suite Accommodation Ideal location, 24hrs CCTV Security and much more!

C ontact us: www.victoriahall.com AWARD WINNING STUDENT ACCOMMODATION 1 Culwell Street, Wolverhampton

wolverhampton@victoriahall.com

+44 (0)845 810 9000

The city comes alive when walking down the High Street.

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offers, sheltered beer garden and a pool table are all on offer here.For those who prefer a more toned down approach to ending their study-filled day, there is one of Wolverhampton’s lesser-known pubs – The Lych Gate Tavern.The Lych Gate Tavern is situated in one Wolverhampton’s oldest buildings between the Man on the Horse (M.O.T.H) and St. Peter’s Church.

This traditional tavern has a homely feel as well as specialising in traditional house ales (subject to change). It also boasts a function room, commonly rented out by University lecturers for group readings.

HIDDEN GEMS The city not only plays home to nightlife, but also to nature. Located on the outskirts of the city centre in Whitmore Reans is West Park. West Park, although free to enter during the day, is used for a

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plethora of events, such as The Classic Car show, funfairs and Bonfire Night celebrations. There is also a boating lake for those who wish to try something out of the ordinary on their day off.

The park is also home to glorious flower beds, a bandstand and many species of wildlife. The park is an ideal outdoor venue for photography and media projects if you are a student, or just if you love long walks.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY

The retail experience is not as vibrant as it once was!

There are a number of things that I enjoy about Wolverhampton which are not just about partying. It is impossible to just pick one. As a lifelong resident, I have had time to think about the lesserknown quirks that make Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton.

The people who live here would be first on the list and when walking down the High Street, the city comes alive.

The High Street oozes culture and plays home to many a busker – and not just teenagers with guitars trying to make an extra couple of pounds on the weekends.

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Here, you’ll find tambourine players, organists, violinists; even Caribbean steel drums, pan flute players and bagpipes! During the run up to Christmas, the High Street also welcomes the annual, much-smallerthan-Birmingham, German market, which features many traditional Christmas German dishes. However, the High Street would not be the same without its resident doughnut man, who is known to sell ‘the best doughnuts ever’ according to his customers.

ACCOMMODATION The University has several accommodations available to both new and returning students, all based within walking distance; as well as shuttle buses that commute between the Wolverhampton, Walsall and Telford campuses.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Wolverhampton offers the third lowest student rental prices in the country, at just £52 in 2013 – much lower than the national average of £79.42!

The city centre, of course, is very attractive due to its close proximity to the bars, restaurants and shops, as well as Wolverhampton University’s city campus.

Scoring a satisfaction rate of 60%, with average weekly rents of £68, whilst its one of the most expensive rental areas in the city, you can’t really complain!

Whitmore Reans and Blakenhall are also popular areas amongst students. Whitmore Reans is about a 15-minute walk from the University and city centre, and has lots of clubs and shops as well as a 24-hour Asda! Rents are cheap at £53 a week, with a satisfaction rate of 58%.

Blakenhall is popular with students at both the City and Dudley campuses, as it is situated halfway between the two, and Birmingham is also easily accessible.

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AFS TOP TIP Pennfields and Merridale are becoming increasingly popular and scored some of the higher satisfaction rates at 66%.

They also have ridiculously low rents of £46 per week on average. Both of these areas are approximately 20 minutes from the city centre and main campus, and have a wide selection of shops including a supermarket and takeaway joints.

WHERE ARE THEY? The Giffard Arms, 64 Victoria Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 3NX McGhee’s Irish Bar, Wheeler’s Fold, Wolverhampton, WV1 1HN Bentley Bridge Retail Park, Nando’s/ CineWorld/ Subway/Pizza Hut/Cosmo’s/ Hollywood Bowl Backhouse Lane, Willenhall, WV13 3XB

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Royal London, 4-6 Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LX The Hogshead, 186 Stafford Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1NA Lych Gate, Tavern, Lichfield Chambers, 44 Queens Square, Wolverhampton, WV1 1TX West Park, Wolverhampton, Whitmore Reans

YORK city guide HI I’M PHILIPPA, A THIRD YEAR HISTORY STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF YORK. I LIVE ON LAWRENCE STREET, AN IDEAL TEN MINUTE WALK AWAY FROM UNI. in York, playing chart music with a variety of different rooms, including the Tiki Bar, where you can have a cheeky rest in the VW camper van that sits there if the night gets a bit too much! The £4 entry is fairly similar to the other club nights in York, while Tokyo, Salvation and Revs are the other most popular student venues in the city.

YORK NIGHTLIFE For quite a small city, York has a surprisingly good nightlife. Nights out in York will inevitably start in one of the many bars; Stone Roses and Nags Head are both popular choices with treblefor-single prices and good music, and they are always guaranteed to start the night off well without breaking the bank.

Just off Coney Street in the city centre are Dusk and Blue Fly, which offer 2-for-1 cocktails on most weeknights; with names like ‘Graham Norton’, who wouldn’t be tempted?! Kuda has a student night every Tuesday and is one of the most popular clubs with students

The city is also said to boast 365 pubs if this is more your scene, and whether or not this is an exaggerated claim, the number of ‘ye olde’ style pubs in the city is impressive. The Old White Swan on Goodramgate offers good quality pub food at reasonable prices and has a beautiful ivy-clad courtyard where you can enjoy a quiet drink in fairer weather. The Punch Bowl on Stonegate and the Golden Fleece, which is apparently York’s most haunted pub, are just some examples of the huge offering of watering holes in the city.

BEST PLACES TO EAT In the last couple of years, the range of quality eateries and cafés on campus has

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YORK

by Philipa McInstosh

York comes alive at Christmas.

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risen and The Courtyard and the newlyopened Alcuin Bistro are the best places to grab a good-quality and well-priced meal; however, the choices are endless in the city. For instance, if it’s Italian you’re after, Little Italy on Goodramgate always has great reviews, as does Il Paradiso del Cibo on Walmgate With meals starting at £7, it offers authentic Italian cuisine and a great atmosphere at similarly good prices. York’s pub culture means that you don’t have to go far to find hearty, well-priced pub food, and Stonegate Yard always has great reviews from students.

For the discount-friendly among you, both Revs and the Slug and Lettuce offer halfprice food on Mondays, with a delicious duck pizza in Revs (it really is!) costing just under £5. On Tuesdays, Fiesta Latina offers some of the best Mexican, Cajun and Creole food in the city, but again at half-price it’s always busy, so booking a table is a must!

you feel like you’ve just stepped back in time to the 1500s. If you fancy some fresh air and want to get out of the city for a few hours, the Transpenine trail that runs along the river towards Selby is a beautiful way to soak up the Yorkshire countryside, whether on foot or by bicycle.

YORK’S HIDDEN GEMS

worst thing It can be very difficult to navigate by foot.

The city boasts more historical attractions than you’ll know what to do with, such as The Shambles, York Minster and Clifford’s Tower. If you have a spare afternoon, the medieval city walls can be walked in under two hours and it’s a great way to gain a different perspective of the city by foot. York Minster is definitely worth a visit, but even if you don’t want to pay to go in the surrounding gardens, the streets are a very pleasant way to spend an hour or so, and the Vanilla Café on College Street (just behind the Minster) is a beautiful little café serving tea in vintage tea sets and a multitude of homemade sweet treats. Part of York’s irresistible charm is the number of quirky little independent shops and cafés, and if you head to Walmgate there is another great little coffee shop, this time in the walls (yes actually in the walls) where

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BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY There is something magical about York at Christmas. There is nearly always live music playing in the streets (although this happens pretty much all year round... another treat!), food and craft markets, and numerous carol concerts that take place in the Minster as well as in various little churches in the city and surrounding areas. Also, this is the ideal time of year to sample one of the 365 pubs in the city, if you haven’t already. With mulled wine on most pub menus from late November, cosy interiors and open fires, there’s few places more inviting than York at Christmas!

WORST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY York is notoriously difficult to navigate on foot, so don’t be surprised if you can’t find the same street twice for a while. Saying that, so much of York’s charm comes from its quirky nature that even when you have no idea where you are you’re more likely to find an interesting little shop or café here than anywhere else in the UK!

WHERE ARE THEY? Tokyo, 3-5 Toft Green, York, YO1 6JT 01904 620203

Nags Head, 100 Micklegate, York, YO1 6JX 01904 673651

Club Salvation, 3 George Hudson Street, York, YO1 6JL 01904 63514

Dusk, 8 New Street, York, YO1 8RA 01904 634851 Blue Fly, 10a New Street, York, YO1 8RA 01904 621081 Kuda Bar and Club, 12 Clifford Street, York, YO1 9RD 01904 647947

Vodka Revolution (Revs), Coney Street, York, YO1 9NA 01904 676054 The Old White Swan, 80 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LF 01904 540911

The Golden Fleece, 16 Pavement, York, YO1 9UP 01904 625171

Stonegate Yard, 8-10 Stonegate, York, YO1 8AX 01904 625870

Punch Bowl, 7 Stonegate, York, YO1 8AN 01904 655147

Slug and Lettuce, Riverside1-1A, Low Ousegate, York Riverside, York, YO1 9QU

Little Italy, 12 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LQ 01904 623539

22-26 Back Swinegate, York, YO1 8AD 01904 639971

Il Paradiso del Cibo, 40 Walmgate, York, YO1 9TJ 01904 611444

Fiesta Latina, Clifford Street, York, YO1 9RD 01904 658772 York Minster, Deangate, York, YO1 7HH 0844 939 0011 Gatehouse Coffee, Walmgate Bar York, YO10 2UB 01904 464050 Vanilla CafĂŠ, 12 College Street, York, YO1 7JF 01904 658852

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YORK

Stone Roses, 4 King Street, York, YO1 9SP. 01904 670696

LEVI ROOTS LEVI’S REGGAE REGGAE BEAN BURRITO SERVES: 4

LEVI ROOTS

250g uncooked white rice (basmati or long grain) *or 2 x 250g Microwaveable rice pouchxes 1 red onion 1 pepper 1 tbsp. vegetable oil 400g tin kidney beans drained, Original Reggae Reggae w‘Rap’ Kit.

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PREP TIME: 10 minutes

COOK TIME: 13 minutes

1

Cook the rice as per pack instructions and leave for 5 minutes with the lid on, to allow all of the water to absorb. If using microwaveable rice, cook as per pack instructions and leave until the rice needs to be added to the pan.

2

Meanwhile, dice the onion and chop the pepper into chunks. Heat a large frying pan or wok, add the oil and fry off the onion and pepper for 3-4 minutes or until they start to brown.

3

Add the Jerk Seasoning Mix and fry for a further minute. Next add the kidney beans and the cooked rice and stir through. Add the Reggae Reggae Sauce and continue to stir on a low heat until everything is coated in sauce.

4

Warm up the wraps (as per pack instructions) and then grab a wrap, put some of the filling down the centre leaving about 3” at the bottom). Fold the bottom of the wrap up, then fold in both sides to finish making your burrito!

5

To make this meal extra delish serve with Caribbean Salsa and soured Cream!

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LEVI’S BEEF & SWEET POTATO CARRIBEAN WRAP SERVES: 4 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 large sweet potato (about 250g), peeled and cut into small chunks 1 onion, thinly sliced 500g stir fry beef or beef steak cut into thin strips 1 red pepper, thinly sliced Original Reggae Reggae w’Rap’ Kit Optional: Sour Cream & fresh coriander to serve Grated Cheese (around 150g)

PREP TIME: 10 minutes

COOK TIME: 13 minutes

1

Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the sweet potato and onion slices and then cook for 4-5 minutes until they have started to brown.

2

Add the beef strips then cook for a further 2-3 minutes until brown. Then add the sliced pepper and Jerk Seasoning and cook for a further minute.

3

Add the Reggae Reggae Sauce and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until heated through and sweet potato is cooked.

4

Serve in a warm wrap, alongside some soured cream and coriander.

CHICKEN, CORN AND PEPPER REGGAE REGGAE W’RAP’

3 chicken breasts, 1 onion, 1 pepper, 1 tbsp. vegetable oil, 340g tin of sweet corn drained, Mild Reggae Reggae w‘Rap’ Kit.

PREP TIME: 8 minutes

COOK TIME: 9 minutes

1

Slice the chicken, onion and pepper into thin strips.

Add the oil and fry the chicken for 3-4 minutes until nicely browned. Add the onion, pepper and fry for 1 minute then add the Jerk seasoning mix. Add the drained sweet corn, stir and cook for another minute until there is a good coating of seasoning on the chicken and veggies. Add the Mild Reggae Reggae Sauce and simmer for 1 minute on a lower heat.

2

Remove wraps from bag, microwave for 30-45 seconds (650w) or cook in a pre-heated oven wrapped in foil for 10 mins at 150’c. Keep them wrapped in foil until ready to serve.

3

Grab a warm wrap and get filling with the Reggae Reggae chicken mix!

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LEVI ROOTS

SERVES: 4

REGGAE REGGAE BEEF QUESADILLA SERVES: 4 1 tbsp. vegetable oil, 500g stir fry beef or frying steak cut into thin strips, 1 onion, sliced into thin strips, 1 pepper, sliced into thin strips, Original Reggae Reggae w‘Rap’ Kit, Grated Cheese (around 150g)

PREP TIME: 4 minutes

COOK TIME: 19 minutes

1

Heat a large frying pan or wok and add the beef strips.

Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until the meat is sealed.

Add the onion and peppers and cook for a further 3-4 minutes until they start to caramelise. Then add the Jerk Seasoning Mix and stir through until all of the meat and veggies are coated in seasoning and cook for a minute. Add the Reggae Reggae sauce, stir through and cook for a further minute.

2

Heat up a frying pan or griddle (medium heat), add a small amount of oil (around 1/2 tsp.) and coat the pan.

Take a tortilla wrap and heat for around 10 seconds or until it starts to brown. Place some of the mixture evenly over the wrap (about an 8th of the mixture), sprinkle some of the cheese over the top and carefully fold the wrap in half (using a spatula, as if making an omelette). Turn the heat down low and heat for a further minute.

3

Remove from the pan and cut into wedges. Continue to make until all of the mixture and wraps have been used up. Serve with sour cream and my favourite Caribbean Pineapple Salsa!

LEVI ROOTS

CARRIBEAN PINEAPPLE SALSA 500g pineapple chunksfresh is best but you can use tinned (in natural juices), 1 red pepper, diced 1 red onion, diced A handful chopped coriander, Juice of 1/2 lime ½ tbsp, Levi Roots Scotch Bonnet Sauce or ¼ Scotch Bonnet Chilli, finely diced

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1

Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. Add salt to taste and add more Scotch Bonnet Sauce or chilli if required.

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HAIRY BIKERS WHEN WE CAUGHT UP WITH SI KING OF THE HAIRY BIKERS HE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH US SOME OF THE HAIRY BIKERS LATEST RECIPES.

Hairy Dieters Chicken Casserole A cracking cooking sauce with tons of flavour, made from fruity cider, delicate leeks and tasty chicken stock. All you need to do to enjoy this delicious dinner is brown two chicken breasts in a pan before adding the sauce and simmering until the chicken is thoroughly cooked – easy peasy! Serve with new potatoes and some greens, to remind yourself of home cooking.

Hairy Dieters Chilli con Carne A cheeky chilli cooking sauce made from tomatoes, kidney beans and gently spiced with cumin, coriander and oregano for a warming Chilli con Carne. Just brown extra lean beef mince in a pan and pour over the sauce and simmer until the meat is thoroughly cooked – you can also throw in extra veggies to make sure you’re getting your five-a-day. Serve with

wholegrain rice and for a tasty alternative, why not try meat free mince?

Hairy Dieters Smoky Paprika Chicken This sauce is packed with punchy flavours from tomatoes, smoked paprika and sweet peppers and is based upon the Romanian dish, Paprikash. Quick and easy, just brown two chicken breasts in a pan and pour over the lip smacking sauce and simmer until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serve with wholegrain rice and green beans – a spoonful of halffat crème fraiche also really brings this dish to life.

Have a bit more time?

Have a bit more time to spare? The ‘Bikers’ have kindly shared some of their favourite recipes with us. Click here to see their famous post pub classic Kebab or become the most popular person in your house by creating this breakfast treat!

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HAIRY BIKERS

We know from experience that lots of students want to eat well and healthily, but don’t have the time or inclination to spend ages in the kitchen. We think that their new cooking sauces are the perfect solution for students who want a quick and healthy meal.

SPANISH STYLE CHICKEN BAKE MAKES: 4

HAIRY BIKERS

1 medium onion, cut into 8 wedges, 1 medium red onion, cut into 8 wedges, 500g new potatoes, quartered lengthways, 8 whole garlic cloves, unpeeled, 8 medium tomatoes, quartered, 75g chorizo (preferably picante), 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, ½ tsp sweet smoked paprika, ½ tsp dried oregano, 1 green pepper, deseeded and cut into strips, flaked sea salt, freshly ground black pepper

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PREP TIME: 10 minutes

1

COOK TIME: 12 minutes

Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6. Put the onions, potatoes, garlic and tomatoes in a large roasting tin and season with sea salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Toss everything together lightly and roast for 20 minutes.

2

While the vegetables are roasting, skin the chorizo and cut the meat into thin slices – 5mm is about right. Put the chicken thighs on a board and carefully slash each one 2 or 3 times with a knife. Season all over with black pepper. Mix the paprika and oregano together and set aside.

3

Take the roasting tin out of the oven, scatter the chorizo over the veg and turn everything a couple of times. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables and chorizo and sprinkle with the paprika and oregano.

Season with a little salt and return to the oven for 20 minutes.

4

Take the tin out of the oven. Holding one corner carefully with an oven cloth, lift the tin a little so all the juices run to the opposite end, then spoon and drizzle the juices back over the chicken. Tuck the pepper strips loosely around the chicken and vegetables.

5

Turn the oven up to 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas 7. Put the tin back in the oven for another 20 minutes or until the peppers are just softened and the chicken is golden and crisp. As you eat, squeeze the garlic out of the skins and enjoy the deliciously soft and fragrant flesh. Just don’t kiss anyone afterwards!

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FLUFFY BANANA PANCAKES

175g self-raising flour ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional) 2 large egg whites 1 tbsp caster sugar 225ml semi-skimmed milk 1 ripe, medium banana 1 tsp sunflower oil, for frying 200g mixed fresh berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, redcurrants and strawberries 4 tsp agave nectar, honey or golden syrup

PREP TIME: 10 minutes

1

COOK TIME: 12 minutes

Sift the flour, baking powder and cinnamon, if using, into a large bowl. Whisk the egg whites in a separate bowl until stiff but not dry and whisk in the caster sugar.

2

Stir the milk slowly and gradually into the flour mixture, then beat hard with a metal whisk to get rid of any lumps. Peel the banana, cut it in half lengthways, then into thin slices. Stir the banana slices into the pancake batter.

3

Fold a quarter of the whisked egg whites into the pancake batter with a large metal spoon until evenly combined, then very gently fold in the rest. You want to try to keep as much air in the pancakes as possible, so they are light and fluffy when you cook them.

4

Brush a large non-stick frying pan with a little oil and place it over a medium-high heat. Add 4 large spoonfuls of the pancake batter to the pan, spacing them well apart.

5

Cook the pancakes for 1½ –2 minutes on one side, until the surface looks almost dry and you can see small air bubbles rising to the surface. Flip the pancakes over and cook on the other side for another 2 minutes until they’re puffed up and lightly browned.

6

Pop the pancakes on to a plate and keep them warm while you cook the rest in the same way. Serve the hot pancakes with lots of fresh berries and just a dribble of agave syrup, honey or golden syrup.

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HAIRY BIKERS

MAKES: 12

MILKROUND CONTENTS LOVE YOUR PART–TIME JOB...

EVEN THE TRULY AWFUL ONES The part-time job is a rite of passage, an introduction to the world of work often with limited responsibility and maximum menial tasks. But whether you love or hate them, they are always useful to have on your CV. Working alongside your studies portrays many valuable attributes that graduate employers are looking for in potential candidates.

You will have to prioritise your workload to ensure you attend all your lectures and get your assignments in on time, no matter how many late shifts you’ve had to work at the pub that week, displaying tremendous amounts of personal organisation.

MILKROUND

You will have demonstrated your responsible side by handling other people’s money and ensuring customer service is consistently up to scratch, regardless of how stressed you are with Uni work, or how hard you celebrated your essay score the night before.

You’ll have had to work in a team, understand instructions from a senior member of staff and work independently to get your tasks done. Whether it’s working on a till, making coffee or packing vegetables, it’s all relevant!

As long as you know how to use your time in temporary roles as examples in interviews and job applications, you can easily turn those eight hours a week

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spent waiting tables at the local hotel into “a flexible working opportunity to refine your communication and customer service skills, which offered experience of self-motivation (forcing yourself to go to work) and problem-solving (how to keep that nuisance regular customer happy every single week without losing your temper)”. It’s all a matter of how you word it.

No matter what job you do, you’re sure to come away with some memorable moments and stories – whether they’re good or bad!

We’ve collected some of our part-time job highlights and horror stories; even Milkrounders had to start somewhere…

HIGHLIGHTS AND HORROR STORIES Nicole Cross - Account Manager My best part-time job was working at Waitrose whilst I was still at school. I had lots of fun working on the checkouts and got to meet and get to know some regular customers, which was sweet.

A bonus was being part of John Lewis, so we were entitled to discounts and benefits.

Joe Simpson - ATS Client Services Manager The best job I ever had was working in

the café-bar at the Broadway Cinema in Nottingham when I was 18: good mates, good music and a good atmosphere. I ended up ploughing a fair amount of my wages back in to the bar. There was also the bonus of getting to see free films at what is still my favourite cinema.

packing meat in a giant fridge warehouse.

It was about 0 degrees all day so I wore about three pairs of joggers, three t-shirts, two hoodies, a hat, gloves and scarf! To make it even worse, it was mid-August so I’d be boiling hot within seconds of leaving the fridge!

The worst job I ever had (and there have been a few) was probably working at a well-known clothing chain when I was 16. I genuinely couldn’t stand it and spent most of my time hiding in the storeroom putting the sizing cubes on the hangers.

I’ve had jobs that sound worse, but that was the only one I truly hated.

Best part-time job: I worked behind the bar of my local pub for a year or so. I’d socialise with mates in there all the time and have lock-ins after most shifts. It was also a Thai restaurant, so I’d get a free Thai meal in my break during every shift!

Working in the kids’ department of John Lewis. I loved it as I could dress the babies as dollies sometimes!

The worst part-time job was as my dad’s PA during the school holidays. He sometimes forgot I was only 15/16, and the pressure whilst speaking to his clients was immense. On the flip side, I always had in mind my pocket money.

Susannah Campbell – Campus Promotions Manager The best part-time job that I had has to be my role as a cheerleader and dance instructor. It really did not feel like I was working as I had to teach young children a routine and then watch as they struggled and enjoyed understanding how to move their bodies. We then got to perform these routines in front of their parents, which I think must be the highlight as I could see how proud both parent and child are of their accomplishments. Not feeling like a job is the reason why this was the best part time job to have!

George Bateman – Account Manager

I worked as a chirpy checkout gal for almost five years throughout school until I went to Uni in Sheffield. I loved the camaraderie with the nice customers and had to grit my teeth through the not-sonice ones that stand there and watch you pack all their heavy tins and crates!

From there, I used to spend every summer in my home town of Rugby trying frantically to pay off my student overdraft with agency warehouse work. This consisted of everything you can imagine – checking thousands of Filofaxes in one day to make sure they had no scratches on them, packing blood donor parcels (paper cutes galore – imagine the irony) and even packing boxes of car manuals (…and putting slits in pittas, haha)!

Anything random you can think of, I did it and the one thing that always remained a constant bug bear was TEA BREAKS! If someone dared to take five minutes longer, there was always hell to pay.

It did teach me a lot about my career now, including a strong work ethic and fairness. I always maintain I wouldn’t ask anyone to do something I wouldn’t do myself (which by the looks of it, isn’t a lot).

Worst part-time job: I spent three weeks

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MILKROUND

Millie Bentham – Account Manager

Laura Smith – Candidate Marketing Manager

Life made simple for students.

Glide makes bills simple for students living in shared households.

We provide gas, electricity, water, telephone, broadband and TV licences. You choose which services you want and we give each housemate a single monthly bill, split equally, so everyone pays the same.

Simply go to glide.uk.com to see how we can make your life simple.

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STUDENT GUIDE HOW TOHOW GET YOUR TO GET DEPOSIT YOUR DEPOSIT BACK BACK FOR COPING WITH FLATMATES

Landlords, in general, are often much too keen to hold on to a deposit, and this seems to be even more the case when it comes to student accommodation. Most contracts will require a property to be returned in the same state as when it was rented out, so that it can be rented out again. The deposit is meant to cover the cost of any damage to the property, which could be anything from stained carpets to broken beds.

A deposit shouldn’t be used to pay for wear and tear; i.e. the effect of the property being occupied.

However, there are unfortunately some landlords out there who either don’t understand the basic concept of the damage deposit, or who are determined to squeeze as much money out of you as they can. So, how do you make sure that you get your deposit back when you move out?

CHOOSE A DECENT LANDLORD IN THE FIRST PLACE

WHEN YOU RENT THE PROPERTY

Ok, so this is quite difficult to judge, but if they’re telling you there’s no need for an inventory, written tenancy agreement or initial inspection, avoid like the plague – and if they have no idea about protecting your deposit, then rent with someone else.

It might seem a waste of time to go around and note every crack or scuff mark, but this document is proof of preexisting damage when you moved in and which the landlord cannot try to keep any of your deposit to pay for.

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) forces landlords to protect their tenants’ deposits with one of the three authorised schemes.

Landlords must tell their tenants within 30 days of moving in, with which scheme the deposit has been registered.

Take photos too

You can also look out for the AFS Unipol Code symbol. This is an accreditation system that shows a landlord is a competent and professional manager and that their properties are being properly handled.

Seems a little over the top? Well it won’t when your landlord is attempting to keep your entire deposit to replace a carpet that the previous tenants stained and you need proof that you didn’t cause the damage. Focus on particular problem areas, like flooring, bathroom furnishings and any furniture damage – and use a digital camera so the images are time and date stamped.

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STUDENT GUIDE

Do the inventory

Don’t be a party house

Check the contract

Yes, it’s tempting to install a massive sound system and be the popular kids on the block. However, the more parties you have, the more likely you are to end up getting precisely none of your deposit back thanks to damage like cigarette burns on the carpet, smashed furniture and those broken banisters when everyone decided to sledge down the stairs in their sleeping bags at 4am.

Were you supposed to keep the windows clean? Was there a requirement to mow the lawn? Before you leave, make sure that you have covered any ‘tenant obligations’ in the contract that might allow the landlord to try and charge you for them.

Clean

You don’t have to take this lying down.

Often, a politely-worded email pointing out that either they are trying to charge you for what is actually fair wear and tear, or attaching those photos showing the carpets were already damaged, will be enough to put a stop to deposit shenanigans. If not, remember that your landlord was required by law to register your deposit through the TDS. You can use the Tenancy Dispute Service to resolve matters – you (and the landlord) will need to submit evidence to support your case and then an independent adjudicator will make a ruling.

It might seem obvious, but if you don’t maintain some basic standards of cleanliness throughout the year, no amount of scrubbing before you move out will get the property back to the condition it was in when you moved in.

WHEN YOU MOVE OUT Get the camera out again It’s amazing what kind of ‘damage’ can occur between you moving out and the landlord suddenly deciding to withhold half your deposit. Before you leave, take pictures of all the beautifully maintained – and clean - rooms, floors, windows, furniture and furnishings to show exactly what kind of a state you left them in.

STUDENT GUIDE

Fix it yourself There are small items of damage you can deal with yourself before moving out and avoid being presented with a huge bill. Paint over any adhesive marks on the walls, fill in any holes made by hooks or drawing pins and carry out repairs to curtains or fabric furniture. If these small jobs are left to the landlord, the cost to you will be much higher.

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If the landlord tries to hold on to your deposit

LONDON STUDENT ACCOMMODATION SPRING MEWS

GLASSYARD BUILDING

VAUXHALL

STOCKWELL

FOR 2014

All Rooms En Suite Private Gym & Swimming Pool 24 Hour Security Great Social Spaces 30Mb Broadband All Bills Included

BRAND NEW

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Stylish En Suite Studios All with Small Double Beds Amazing Social Spaces WiFi Included Just Minutes from the Tube On Site Management Team

Text “Student” to 88010 for info

Call us on 07557 644 460

Call us on 0203 697 2013

springmews@freshstudentliving.co.uk

stockwell@freshstudentliving.co.uk

freshstudentliving.co.uk London Advert 343x265-ad 2013.indd 1

FRESH STUDENT

LIVING

For more information and to book online visit

14/11/2013 16:57