Roehampton University Campus Facilities: Parkland Student Guide

Welcome to London's Parkland Campus

Moving to university is a monumental step, and finding your bearings on a new campus can feel a little overwhelming. If you are joining Roehampton University, you are in for a unique treat. Unlike the concrete campuses typical of central London, Roehampton boasts a stunning 54-acre parkland campus in Southwest London. This beautiful, green environment is home to historic buildings, modern architecture, active wildlife, and, most importantly, world-class academic and social spaces.

Understanding and locating key Roehampton University campus facilities early in your first term will save you stress, boost your academic performance, and help you integrate smoothly into university life. Whether you are searching for quiet study spaces, checking up on library hours, or trying to find the nearest computer labs, this comprehensive guide has you covered.

The Sir David Bell Library: Your Academic Headquarters

At the heart of the campus stands the Sir David Bell Library, a state-of-the-art £35 million facility that opened its doors in 2017. Housing over 350,000 books, thousands of academic journals, and upwards of 1,200 individual and collaborative study spaces, it is the ultimate hub for academic success.

The library is intentionally designed to cater to different learning preferences. It is divided into distinct zones so you can find an environment that matches your working style:

• Ground and First Floors: Designed for collaborative work, group discussions, and social learning. Here you will find bookable group study rooms equipped with screens for practicing presentations.
• Second and Third Floors: Dedicated to quiet and silent study. If you need distraction-free concentration, these floors are perfect, offering vast desks with individual power sockets and beautiful views over the campus tree canopy.

Library Hours and Access

During the standard academic term, the library operates on a 24/7 basis, ensuring that whether you are an early bird or a night owl, you have access to a secure study environment. To enter the library after hours, you must have your student ID card ready at the barriers. During holiday periods, the hours may be reduced, so it is always wise to check the official student portal before planning a late-night study marathon.

Diverse Study Spaces Across the Four Colleges

Roehampton operates on a historic collegiate system made up of four colleges: Digby Stuart, Froebel, Southlands, and Whitelands. Each college has its own unique character, history, and dedicated study spaces, meaning you are never far from a quiet spot to work between lectures.

Froebel College Study Hubs

Froebel College is famous for its historic Grove House and lakeside views. It offers a relaxed academic atmosphere. Key facilities here include:

• The Portrait Room: A beautiful, traditional study environment situated within the historic Grove House.
• The Froebel Departmental Common Rooms: Ideal for informal group discussions and catching up on reading between seminars.

Digby Stuart College

As the central hub of campus social life, Digby Stuart houses the major student unions and dining halls, but it also features excellent workspaces:

• The Hive: A vibrant, collaborative space perfect for casual group work, project planning, or checking emails over a coffee.
• The Duchesne Building: Contains several quiet study areas and seminar rooms that are often open for student use outside of scheduled lecture times.

Southlands College

Southlands College is home to the Business School and features modern, bright facilities. The main highlight is the Southlands Community Space, which offers comfortable seating, charging docks, and a relaxed environment for both individual and group study.

Whitelands College

Whitelands College is situated slightly uphill from the main campus site on Richmond Park side. Because of its location, it features self-contained facilities including the Whitelands Study Centre. This is a massive bonus for life sciences and psychology students who have the majority of their lectures on this site and want to avoid walking back to the main library.

High-Spec Computer Labs and Technical Facilities

No matter your course of study, you will need access to reliable computing facilities. Roehampton offers robust computer labs and specialized tech suites across the campus network.

General-access PC and Mac labs are distributed across all four colleges, as well as in the main library. These computers come pre-installed with essential academic software, including statistical analysis tools (SPSS), Microsoft Office 365, and research databases.

For creative, media, and science students, the university provides highly specialized facilities:

• The Grove Media Centre (Froebel College): Home to professional-grade media editing suites equipped with the full Adobe Creative Cloud, digital media studios, and cinema screening rooms.
• The Esports Arena (Southlands College): A cutting-edge facility designed for competitive gaming and digital media creation, featuring top-tier gaming rigs and streaming gear.
• Whitelands Science Labs: Modern, fully-equipped laboratories for practical work in biosciences, nutrition, and sports therapy.

Navigating Campus: Using the Campus Map

Because Roehampton is a sprawling parkland campus split across a few sites along Roehampton Lane, getting lost during your first week is almost a rite of passage. Having a digital or physical campus map on hand is highly recommended.

The campus map highlights key walking paths, accessibility routes, and the exact locations of each college's academic buildings. It also shows the route of the free campus shuttle bus, which runs regularly to connect Whitelands College with the main campus, and also provides transport links to nearby Barnes Commons and Putney stations.

Essential Student Resources and Support Services

Excellent campus facilities extend far beyond just study spaces and tech. Roehampton is highly regarded for its holistic approach to student support. Here are some critical student resources you should locate early in your university journey:

• The Nest: Located in the library, this is a dedicated, welcoming student support hub where you can get advice on housing, academic registration, finances, and emotional wellbeing.
• The Academic Achievement Team: Offers free workshops and one-on-one sessions to help you master essay writing, referencing, critical thinking, and exam preparation.
• Disability and Dyslexia Services: Ensures that students requiring specific learning adjustments or physical accessibility aids receive tailored support across all campus classrooms and exam spaces.
• The Careers and Employability Hub: Conveniently located to help you find part-time work, secure post-graduation internships, review your CV, and practice mock interviews.

Final Thoughts: Make the Most of Your Campus

Roehampton University offers a rare blend of green, peaceful natural beauty alongside cutting-edge modern facilities. Finding your favorite study corner, knowing when to utilize the 24-hour library, and knowing who to contact for technical or academic support will set a stellar foundation for your degree. Take some time during your first few weeks to walk the grounds, explore the college study hubs, and make these resources work for you!