[HDNG]INTRODUCTION:[EHDNG][PARA][BOLD]For general information about Southampton:[EBOLD] see [ULNE]University of Southampton[EULNE]. It is rumoured that soon Southampton Institute will become Southampton's 2nd university (probably called Solent University). It's certainly expanding fast in preparation and is now the largest higher education institution that still isn't a university (or part of one)[ITAL]. [EITAL]They've just acquired a new site, in readiness for a further 50% increase in space. [ITAL]The main reception is very swish, but as you journey further in, in this case, first impressions don't last.[EITAL] The other site, 9 miles away at Warsash right on the Solent coast, is half way to the towns around Portsmouth Harbour (Fareham, Gosport and Portsmouth - see [ULNE]University of Portsmouth[EULNE]).[HDNG]ATMOSPHERE:[EHDNG][PARA][ITAL]The Institute is busy and friendly, if a bit cramped (expansion in numbers up till now unmatched by facilities). Some students at the University are rumoured to be a little contemptuous of the Institute, but the latter don't give an expletive deleted. [EITAL][HDNG]WARSASH SITE:[EHDNG][PARA]This site is a 20-acre campus with about 800 undergraduates (who can all be accommodated on site) and its own pier. An old naval college was based here, overlooking the River Hamble in a [ITAL]beautiful [EITAL]landscaped setting, [ITAL]quietly [EITAL]tucked out of town. Departments of maritime study and engineering are based at this site, [ITAL]which is essentially self-contained and maintains a completely separate existence from the main site. Entertainment is lacking, and regular trips into town are needed to stave off boredom, unless you enjoy talking to old people about when they were in the navy.[EITAL][HDNG]THE CITY:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Population: 194,400 [BULL] London: 74miles [BULL] Portsmouth: 16miles[ESTAT][PARA][ITAL]Southampton used to revolve around its port, but since its basically functional reconstruction after the war, it's become a city that's there simply because a lot of people were all in the same place at the same time[EITAL]. The centre is thoroughly modern and[ITAL] great for grant-gutting sprees. [EITAL] [ITAL]But Southampton has more to recommend it than the opportunity to buy anything from a continental quilt to one of those things you put eggs in to boil them in a microwave[EITAL]. There is a small [ITAL]bohemian [EITAL]quarter with good pubs and shops, and the outlying districts are [ITAL]quaint [EITAL]and worth exploring for cream teas and antiques. The town boasts a [ITAL]very good [EITAL]music and book library, various supermarkets and a few late night shops around the student areas. The docks are being developed and are worth a look. The city contains many parks, archeological digs and 5 museums of varying size and obscurity of content. [ITAL]Rumours that this is a cultural desert are probably put around by jealous people from Bognor or snooty Londoners. They're not to be believed.[EITAL][PARA][PARA][ITAL][HDNG]TRAVEL:[EHDNG][EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Trains: [EBOLD]The nearest station to the campus (21/2 miles) is Southampton Central with services to London (1:07hrs, 2/hr), Bristol, Brighton, Birmingham, Exeter, Glasgow, Edinburgh ... the list goes on.[PARA][BOLD]Buses:[EBOLD] National Express services all over the country, including London (ú9.00, 2hrs, 8/day), Birmingham (ú14, 3:35hrs, 3/day), Bristol (ú8, 2:40hr, 1/day).[PARA][BOLD]Car:[EBOLD] The A27 splits for a brief spell into the M27 and the continuing A27 around Southampton. There's also the A31, A33, A36 and A336.[PARA][BOLD]Air:[EBOLD] Flights inland, to Europe, Ireland and the Channel Islands from Southampton Airport.[PARA][BOLD]Ferries:[EBOLD] To France, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands.[PARA][BOLD]Hitching:[EBOLD] Good prospects to London, Oxford, the Midlands and Wales from the petrol station at the end of the A33. The Union also offers a lifts board for cadging off other students.[PARA][BOLD]Local:[EBOLD] Buses are cheap and reliable, but infrequent. The last back from town to the campus leaves at 11pm. The University and Union also provide a minibus all round the city from 5pm till an hour after bars close. Local trains are regular with connections all over Hampshire and there are 7 stations around the city, but it's not the cheapest or most practical way of getting around.[PARA][BOLD]Taxis:[EBOLD] The Union is negotiating discount fares for students with some of the companies, but at the moment it's about ú4 from the centre of town to the campus.[PARA][BOLD]Bicycles:[EBOLD] Good cycling, despite a couple of big hills. Get a lock and good insurance and attach a 600 volt electric charge to the handlebars .[PARA][BOLD]Trains:[EBOLD] The nearest station is Southampton Central, 10 mins walk away.[PARA][BOLD]Warsash: [EBOLD]Many of the students based at Warsash have their own cars, [ITAL]which solves the problem of getting there, [EITAL]although the Institute does provide a free bus service 5 times a day.[ITAL] [EITAL] It is only accessible by road whether in a bus, car or on a bike.[HDNG]LIBRARIES and COMPUTERS:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Books: 120,000 [BULL] Study places: 656 [BULL] Computer workstations: 600[ESTAT][PARA]The Mountbatten Library and Design Library are on the city campus with a smaller Warsash wing of the Mountbatten Library. Also the new Collins Library (Business and Law). 100 laptop computers available for loan.[HDNG]CAREER PROSPECTS:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Careers Service [BULL] No of staff: 4full [BULL] Unemployed after 6mths (1992): 11.4%[ESTAT][HDNG]FURTHER INFO:[EHDNG][PARA]General prospectus and part time prospectus.[PARA][PARA]
