In my first article I looked at Durham University being close to Leicester in the league tables, which made for an interesting comparison.听 | "Not completely different to Leicester, Southampton University students experience mud too!" | | Amy Ford |
In this article I will be comparing Southampton University with Leicester University... Geography Obviously, the main difference between Leicester and Southampton is the geography - with Leicester being one of the most land-locked cities in Britain it is doubtful whether students here do much surfing!听 However, Southampton University is positioned near the coast and many students spend their weekends surfing and sailing.听 One of the students I asked from Southampton told me he owns a boat and often sails to the Isle of Wight when he has time off:听 "It's half an hour to a beach which isn't muddy!"听 Not completely different to Leicester then, Southampton University students experience mud too! Nightlife: Students' Union The Students' Union at Leicester University has won awards for its services and facilities as voted for by the students, there are many great nights that take place in the Union building, not just those organised by the Union itself but also nights organised by different bodies.听
 | | University of Southampton |
Recently at the Students' Union, Formation Records hosted Form Finesse, a drum and bass/hip hop night that was very popular.听 Southampton University boasts two Union buildings, which have a club but also a cinema.听 The difference between these two unions is the relationship each has with the National Union of Students or the NUS.听 Southampton refused to affiliate itself with the NUS in May 2002 calling it "bureaucratic" and, "not good value for money", Southampton is one of four universities in the country who have distanced themselves from the NUS.听 Leicester University regard the NUS as an asset to its Students' Union, praising its victories for the student population of the country.听 These victories include the freedom from paying council tax for all students and more recently the campaign to exonerate students from prescription charges.听 Aaron Porter, vice鈥損resident at the University of Leicester Students' Union and finance and services sabbatical said, "NUS is an important campaigning organisation that has the representation of students at the core. "I'd say that our affiliation with NUS is incredibly important to us as a student-led organisation." It seems the relationship between the NUS and Leicester University will continue. Famous Scientists
 | | Alec Jeffreys |
Leicester University's most famous scientist is Sir Alec Jeffreys who discovered genetic fingerprinting in 1985, in 2006 he was nominated for the Morgan Stanley Greatest Briton award, and won in the category of Science and Innovation.听 He can still be found teaching at Leicester University.听 Southampton on the other hand is the home of David Payne FRS CBE who is director of the Optoelectronics Research Centre.听 He invented the optical amplifier, which is basically what makes fibre optic cables work. Southampton is among the top ten universities for engineering, one student I spoke to was on a scholarship with the MOD and said his department, "aids the students in their study."听 The engineering department at Leicester is also good but to me the most interesting thing about this department is its building, designed by James Stirling it is supposed to look like a ship and is one of the most famous buildings in the country. | 
