30,846 discussions, 145 guides
Wye College (Imperial College)
30,846 discussions, 145 guides
Wye College (Imperial College)
Wye College
University of London
Wye
Kent
TN25 5AH
Tel: +44 (0)1233 813 320
1894
There is no real regular student publication, but Freshers are given Wye Life detailing all that goes on a Wye. There is also an annual gossip magazine Odds, which informs those unlikely few who don't already know, who doing who! It can be quite comical
Rebecca Stevens - First UK woman to climb Everest
Sir Roy Griffiths - Author
There are two bars in the Student Union. Both the main SU bar and the Wheelroom are open everyday from 7-11pm. The Wheelroom tends to be more popular. When bored of the Union, most students head into Ashford. And when bored of Ashford students head for Canterbury which is a little more awake but not much. There are more students there because of the University of Kent and Canterbury Christs College
Although Wye is not bursting with things to do, both the SU and local bars are laid back and friendly. This isn't a place for the socially demanding though.
It is worth noting that Wye is now merely a department of Imperial college rather than an institution in its own right. This doesn't really seem to have affected the social life of the college at all and things are really no different.
The Union has a Friday night disco. There are also occasional club nights in the Sports Hall and in the summer months there are parties in the college grounds.
Wye students are big on Balls, with over five a year, including Freshers, Christmas, Valentines and the Summer Ball. The Summer Ball lasts 12 hours and has live acts. In the summer, after the end of exams, there is Cricket Week in which plenty of drinking, and other stuff, takes place.
Due to the number of students at Wye there are not that many societies. However, the ones that do exist tend to be like American fraternities, with exclusive membership and parties. On the good side, though, Wye's societies tend not to be as selective as US frats.
The riding club have had a few successes. Although the college may not win many sporting tournaments, their sports teams generally do well.
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Univeristy accommodation is available in two areas. The first are the College Residences, which have that aire of Oxbridge, overlooking grassy quadrangles. These rooms are also close to the Student Union, academic departments, and other facilties.
Students also live at Withersdane and the other associated halls of residence. Dunstan Skilbeck Hall has numerous quality en-suite rooms, and there are some limited sports facilties nearby including tennis courts. The only problem with these Halls is that you have to walk 10 minutes to college for lectures and meals. Some are self-catered though.
The college is situated in rural Kent, and perhaps rightly specialises in enviornmental and science subjects. The nearest village is Wye, with a population that must double when the students are in session. The nearest town is Ashford with a population of around 15,000.
It has to be said that the college is in beautiful surroundings and that the student body is really friendly; everyone seems to know everyone else. Visitors are initially welcomed by an entire bar turning in silence when they enter, but are then embraced readily. The college certainly has a Oxbridge feel to it with a high number of private school students and student rooms overlooking grassy quads.
It must be said that Wye is not the centre of the social universe. However, a progression takes place. When students get bored of college, they head for Wye. When they tire of Wye, they head for Ashford, then Canterbury, then London. Most students have cars so getting to the cinema in either Ashford or Canterbury isn't a problem. It must also be said that designated drivers are popular!! Local public transportation is alright, with regular trains into London, but they don't run late.
In and around the local area there are cinemas, numerous pubs, a few clubs and a new shopping mall has just been built in Ashford. Canterbury and London also offer a more exciting night for these country students.
Ample and free.
There are banks in Ashford and the SU cashes cheques.
Wheelchair access and other facilities are poor. Cases are dealt with induvidually. There is some disabled accommodtion, but not much.
There is a small SU shop selling stationery, snacks etc. There is also a post office in Wye...unless it has been closed down recently by the Government.
The nearest bookshop is in Ashford, or even Canterbury. Some departments will take orders for course texts and get them in.
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For a college so small they have quite varied and extensive sports facilities. Withersdane, where the Halls are, has rugby, football, hockey, cricket and lacrosse pitches. There is also a leisure centre nearby, a reservoir for water sports and the new shopping mall in Ashford has bowling.
Public transport in and around the local area is alright. The trains into London are frequent, but do not return late at night, which makes it impractical for clubbing. Buses from campus to Ashford, but stop at 8pm. Cars are pretty much required!
Everywhere...it is rural Kent!
There is one library on campus based in the Kemp Centre. It has excellent facilities considering the number of students, with over 35,000 books, 200 study places and around 150 computers.
150 computers with free internet and e-mail access.
The welfare service isn't too good, but then again you can't expect much with so few students. The college is in a Catch 22 situation. If they had good welfare facilities, they would sit empty most of the year. As it is now, with 1 nurse and 1 counsellor, providing that the entire college does not come down with a bout of depression at the same time, the staff will be able to point students in right direction for more help.
