- Libraries:
- Located just off Chancery Lane, the LSE library contains some 4,000,000 books and includes study places for some 1340 people. Any student studying Economics at a London University will have been to this Mecca of academic wealth during their dissertation research (ed. a few days before the deadline in my case!), so count yourself luck to have it on your doorstep LSE. Opening hours are very accommodating and on line resources are better here than many other libraries. The University of London's Senate House library at Russell Square is also there for LSE student, as well as, for that matter, any other library affiliated to the University of London.
As the BLPES is rather poky and damp, Sir Norman Foster has designed a brand spanking new library.
Then there's the Shaw Library, for alternative library goers who would rather go to a library to eat, smoke and gossip while they read their newspaper - how refreshing!
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- Computing:
- There is some 24 hour access to computer facilities (about 570 workstations. Online data resources, unique to LSE, are amongst the most comprehensive available. Computers in the more recent halls of residence can be linked to the School network. However computer facilities in the halls of residence are limited and demand exceeds supply (excuse the irony), Bankside Hall is the best bet for those who want to chat on the internet all night.
Training courses are available, advanced research and teaching applications are provided.
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- Sports:
- On site: multigym, circuit room, fitness centre (NEW), 3 squash courts, badminton court and snooker table. Out of town, at Berrylands the schools owns 25 acres, including playingfields, tennis courts, croquet lawn and pavillion with bar and restaurant. Berrylands is 40 minutes on the train.
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- Disabled Students:
- As one would imagine, being in central London means that the School's buildings are stacked high. Accordingly there are plenty of lifts for disabled students but modification is needed in the form of more ramps to enable access to the lifts! There is a Disabled Support Officer, a Society for the Enlightenment of Able-Bodied Students, a Disabled Students' Fund. On the academic side, there are braille and recording facilities.
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- Student Welfare:
- The Students Union runs an Advice Centre. This employs three staff that each have several years experience in the field of welfare. They can provide legal information on consumer, housing, employment, immigration and disability rights.
The Centre also provides a free counselling service, publishes a housing list for all looking for private accomodation, and afternoon drop-in sessions for quick queries.
The LSE Health Centre has four doctors with whom you should register on arrival. There is a counselling service and contraception clinic both of which are free of charge. Appointments can be made to see an osteopath but you will have to pay for this. The resident dentist, will charge you at the going NHS rate, unless in the unlikely event that you are under 19 when it is free.
The LSE Students Union website also provides advice for many different situations. Student Community Action is another port of call for Students and consists of volunteer students working both within and outside the School's Campus.
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- Parking:
- Don't bother. Some halls of residence have parking spaces but only the wealthiest students will be able to afford the parking ticket bill of parking elsewhere. Top tip: a recent test case brought by Marina Vine, established that the clampers must be able to prove that the driver must have seen the "cars will be clamped" sign - years of court battles will ensue, though, if you want to recover your declamping fee!
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- University Shops:
- The Union Shop, occupies two levels of the Union building and boasts food, sweets, stationery, clothing, and souvenirs. Sports equipment can be rented out and there is a new music stand - student prices apply of course.
Thanks to the recent refurbishment, a new copy shop has been built - for copying, laminating and binding. Prices are, I believe very reasonable.
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- University Bookshops:
- Interested economics students come from far and wide to browse the shelves of the Economist's Bookshop, the poor sods can't find their recommended texts anywhere else (without waiting for a fortnight for them to be imported from America) - so count yourself lucky. Being in Central London means access to books isn't really a problem anyway.
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- Banking:
- No specifically dedicated branch but there are holes in the wall all over the place. The choice is yours!
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- Transport Policy:
- On yer bike! Everything you could possibly want is within a stone's throw distance (unless you're Welsh), so just put one leg in front of the other or whistle.
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- Green Areas:
- Lincoln's Inn Fields, overlooked by the chambers of the nation's high-browed barristers is the nearest, if a bit small, green space. There are a few tennis courts as well if you fancy a knockaround during the summer months. You're looking at a long journey if you need to find open expanse, the LSE is cramped, even a bit poky to those used to the big outdoors but you come to the LSE for lively atmosphere not peace and quiet!
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