# # # # #UMIST, the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology, #spreads out in a 27-acre line of buildings #with Manchester University at one end and #the building of Manchester Metropolitan University and a number of other colleges all around. #UMIST and its students have both formal and informal links with these other institutions, #particularly the University of which, officially, UMIST is officially a part. #In fact, UMIST is really a faculty of the University, #but operates independently as a separate university, running all its own functions, #although a degree from UMIST does actually say University of Manchester on it. I'm glad we cleared that up. #Once upon a time, it was only possible to study sciences and engineering at UMIST, #but these days, social sciences and even arts are available, #but still it's test tubes and all that stuff which dominate. #The students are a hard working crowd, with, as often as not, #their noses in books or their faces reflected in computer screens. #With science-based courses the work regime is usually stricter, but the resources generally better. #But this doesn't mean the students don't know how to have a good time, #although they are tamer than their colleagues in other Manchester colleges (although that ain't saying much). #Students tend to wear either anoraks, or Metallica T-shirts and bum-fluff facial hair (and that's just the women). #Talking of women, less than a third of students are female. #UMIST wants to do something about such attitudes and the gender imbalance, #but, frankly, we don't blame women who are slow to apply. #However, sexism only extends to the fact that the men are unaccustomed to that strange breed -females. #A phenomenal proportion of UMIST students are sponsored - over 10% and growing and, #on average, they receive more than ú850 a year. #The Institute runs a central service which helps arrange deals. #Sponsorship can be a very cushy number. At best, it means lots of dough, paid work during vacations and a job at the end if the students want it. #At worst, it's a moral commitment to work for some crumby chemical company who gave them a few quid. #Although left wing on balance, #the Students' Union's main impact on its members is through the clubs and services it runs rather than its representative role. #It recently spent ú650,000 fancying up its facilities and now they're hot as a stolen volcano. #It has two bars in its well-used Barnes Wallis Building and runs the Bowling Green Tavern in the Renold Building. #Then there's the venue, 'The Underground', #where students get up and get down 4 times a week . #Live bands also play here, as well as LAH in the Union and the Main Bar. #Students often take their funky stuff strutting off to the neighbouring universities. #In return, their students often strut down to UMIST events. #The connection with Manchester University also helps out UMIST's sporty students, #because they're entitled to use the University's facilities. #As a result, they have some mean amenities at their disposal and boast a pulse-straining track record. #UMIST also pools its accommodation resources #with the University and is able to provide enough housing #in halls for almost all first years. #However, after that, very few live in. #Perhaps, the most unusual feature of UMIST's campus is the statue which commemorates the fact that Vimto, the soft drink, was first made on this site.
