There are shops just outside the Campus, and the town centre is less than three kilometers away and easily reached by one of the regular buses. There are more than 12,000 students studying full time at the University, of whom roughly a fifth are postgraduates working for higher degrees or diplomas. The University has very strong links with many overseas countries, and has developed special relationships with a considerable number of Institutions of Higher Education in EC countries.
Every year there are students from over a hundred such countries.
The social life of students is centred on the Halls of Residence , of which there are sixteen at present, and the Students' Union . The Arts are catered for on the Campus through the Art Gallery, with its regular exhibitions organised by the Arts Council, two theatres for drama and music productions, and a Film Theatre . On the sporting side, there are good facilities for all outdoor sports and an indoor Sports Hall caters for other interests.