Product Description

The Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities first hit the stands in 1996 and has become a classic of its kind. It was conceived to give vent to the student voice, and The Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities unrivalled nightlife and city guides made plain that there's more to university choice than academia. Reviewers were surprised to find this wasn't the only aspect of student life covered, however. Virgin's was the first Guide to include independent, course-by-course teaching assessments, the first to show which universities serve which job markets best, and, with student grants cut, and the advent of tuition fees and student loans, The Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities turned its searching light on every aspect of uni life in terms of value - not only rents and cost of living, but A Level requirements measured in terms of what you get: teaching quality, student satisfaction and where your course will lead.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #738954 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 496 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
If you want a great social life as well as a decent degree, then pack your bags and set off for Sheffield. According to The Virgin 2001 Alternative Guide to British Universities, Sheffield not only tops the table with 20/20 for its social scene, it also provides world-class teaching and excellent facilities. Leeds, Manchester then Edinburgh follow.

This guide's trump card is that it is written by students for students. Alongside fact boxes containing straightforward stats such as when the university was founded, male/female ratios (vital), what grades you need to get in, etc., is a far more interesting box headed up "What It's Really Like". This contains the low-down on freshers week ratings, risk of violence, union bar prices, to name a few, and is based on student interviews and questionnaires.

Students also write the main "View From The Ground" sections, which give an overview of the university's surroundings, its academic and student profile, its sporting facilities and, perhaps the most eagerly devoured, an assessment of the "scene", ie how many 70s clubs are in the immediate vicinity and where to go for industrial strength curries.

One final table makes for arresting reading. Next to its subject requirements, the guide publishes Government inspectors' subject assessments, so you can see which university departments demand excellent grades yet fail to match them with excellent teaching. After all, if you have to take out a huge student loan you might as well get some value for your money! --Amanda Cameron

Daily Telegraph
This guide offers racy but reliable profiles that focus as much on the way of life as academic considerations.

TES
'the best bar none'

Customer Reviews

A decent addition to decision-aiding University literature
This book offers an alternative guide to all British institutions of higher education for prospective students, combining official information with the views of students completing courses at each institution. The survey covers every area of student life including official facts, accommodation, health, city life, low and high workload courses and union life.

The Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities first hit the stands in 1996 and has become a classic of its kind. It was conceived to give vent to the student voice, and The Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities unrivalled nightlife and city guides made plain that there's more to university choice than academia. Reviewers were surprised to find this wasn't the only aspect of student life covered, however. Virgin's was the first Guide to include independent, course-by-course teaching assessments, the first to show which universities serve which job markets best, and, with student grants cut, and the advent of tuition fees and student loans. The Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities turned its searching light on every aspect of uni life in terms of value - not only rents and cost of living, but A Level requirements measured in terms of what you get: teaching quality, student satisfaction and where your course will lead.

What really differs it from other guides is its varied sources of information, including from many of the students themselves. Obviously being independent, it is valuably impartial and unlike the majority of guides it does not dwell on leauge tables and the grandeur of Oxbridge for too long.
With reference to myself, it confirmed my decison of which Universities to apply to, and will hpefully have prepared me well for student life at my eventual choice of university.
There is nothing radical or revoloutionary in here, so if you already have similar books like The Times Good Universtity Guide then I would't say it is neccesary to own this. However standing alone, it is probably the best guide out there and a worthwhile read for any prospective student.

Long time fan
I dont agree with the other reviewer. Despite its flaws this is the most user friendly, relevant and truthful guide to university applications as far as I am concerned. I have three sons, one through uni, one at uni and the other coming up to applications time and all have said how valuable and accurate the book was. My youngest son's college also recommend it highly and it seems to me to do the job it sets out to do..to give you the facts but more important to give the reader real feel for the university itself.

Great Guide for Students
If you want to read this book you probably already have some kind of idea which Universities you want to go to, this book will give you all the 'real' information you want to know. Such as the night life and the expense of living in that area. This book is great if you already know all the entry requirements from prospectuses but want to make that final decision.