30,846 discussions, 145 guides
Thames Valley University
30,846 discussions, 145 guides
Thames Valley University
Thames Valley University
St Mary's Rd
Ealing
London
W5 5RF
Tel:+44 (0)208 579 5000
A second site is in Slough.
1992
Tube Radio
Tube Radio and the society that runs it generates a great deal of interest at Thames Valley. It broadcasts on a month-long FM licence once a year from the Ealing campus. The music policy reflects the taste of the students and even when not broadcasting the station and its activities are popular.
The Undergrad
This is a magazine published around four or five times a year. It's outsourced to Peach, an organisation that produces several student publications. Despite this it's pretty easy for students to get involved and they are encouraged to write reviews and articles. The magazine looks good with its glossy cover.
There's been plenty of renovation going on at Thames Valley of late. The refectory at Ealing is one example. The hospitality schools from both sites are merging and will be located at Ealing.
JK - Jamiroquai
Freddie Mercury - Queen
Pete Townshend - The Who
Ron Wood - Rolling Stones
Who'd have thought it!
There's just one bar, located in the main students' union building in Ealing. The Studio is a relatively cosmopolitan bar open during the day. There's usually a 12 o'clock licence but this is extended for special functions. Dancing and associated debauchery goes on in the Lawrence Hall, which forms part of the same building. The bar is usually much quieter on Fridays as there's no teaching but Tuesdays and Wednesdays are always busy. At the Slough site there's just a small cafeteria with pool for a brief diversion from study.
The SU at Thames Valley has to contend with everything that London has to offer and the fact that the vast majority of its students are either locals, mature or both. This can be a big barrier to social success. Despite this they run functions every night of the week.
Mon - Jam night. A showcase night for Thames Valley's homegrown DJ talent. The university might not have a stunning reputation but its DJ's should. Certainly some names to watch here, and a great place to come if you dabble with the decks yourself. Tue - Live Music Wed - Sports night. Sports clubs come to celebrate or comiserate. Plenty of drinking and top notch cheese. Thu - Hip Hop, Drum and Bass, R&B. Fri - Mostly dance and its various derivatives.
These nights are subject to change but as a basic rule all music tastes are catered for.
A big May ball every year which normally takes over a posh hotel or river cruiser. It's not huge (usually 2-300 people) but seems to fulfil the party needs of graduating third years.
Martial Arts societies are all strong as are Asian and Afro-Caribbean societies. The fact that TVU has no dominant ethnic group probably has something to do with this. The Law society is also popular. In sporting terms Football tends to do pretty well.
There is no university accommodation at either site but there is a good housing service run by the university. The best areas to look around the Ealing site are Ealing itself, Greenford and Hayes. For the Slough site you will have to live anywhere in or near Slough. Slough is the worst place in the world.
Coming to the (partial) rescue of Slough are a couple of decent chain pubs and a big screen cinema. Ealing on the other hand is top notch for entertainment. The area itself is just about London but has its own identity and a stack of great pubs and clubs and a great late night scene. If this isn't enough for you then the Central, Piccadilly and District underground lines are within walking distance. The places to look out for are Bar Barracuda, The Priory, The Boulevard and any of the many chain pubs nearby. For the discerning gentleman in search of titillation LA Confidential provides lap dancing which is great, someone told us.
Parking is readily available for students, it has to be with the number of people who travel in to both of TVU's sites. £2.50 per day is the charge and it's free after 5pm.
There's a Barclays cash machine in the main SU building and plenty of other flavours of bank nearby.
All buildings are adapted for wheelchair access and there is an electronic campus for distance learning. The university's speacial needs coordinator is quick to rectify any problems.
There's a newsagent-style shop in the main SU but nothing more comprehensive. The local area provides adequately though.
A branch of Waterstones can be found on the main campus. they are given booklists so should always have what you need in stock.
There's a great gym at Slough with stacks of good equipment and a smaller one at Ealing. Pitches for field sports are in Argyle Road, around 15-20 mins away.
Having no accommodation and thus no students living in explains the lack of transport policy. There is a recommended taxi firm for the Ealing site. An inter-site minibus takes people to Ealing from Slough and goes back empty one would hope.
Ealing has plenty of parks and greenery, being the leafy suburb that it is and Ealing Common is nearby. In Slough there are 2.6 square metres of grass somewhere along Church Road. In the Spring there are frequently 7-9 dasies.
A library, or Learning Resource Centre, can be found at each site. There don't seem to be any complaints.
There will be a good number of the latest machines available 24hrs at Ealing for 2001-2002. Slough has some machines and some fairly good opening hours. As with most institutions queues do tend to develop near dissertation time.
Nurses and a visiting doctor add to a measly 2 counsellors to give a pretty poor welfare provision for the number of students.
