Today sees the publication of The Times’ Good University Guide 2005. Warwick is up three places to take fifth place after seeing a rise in entry standards, library and computer spending, facilities spending, the number of firsts and upper class seconds awarded and graduate destinations.

Warwick University celebrated the achievements of Open Studies students at a special award ceremony on Saturday 18 October.

During the summer school, I took part in the engineering course. Our project was to design a Light Rail Transit System (LRTS) to run between the University of Warwick and Coventry City Centre. There were many things we needed to think about: route; vehicle designs and colours; the service times; and the costs.

NAGTY @ Warwick is a three week summer school, run in conjunction with the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth. Running from 21 July to 8 August, the summer school gives Gifted and Talented students the opportunity to study in a University environment, specialising in a chosen academic area.

Many of us have fond and vivid memories of last year’s summer school programmes and the University is gearing up for it again. Teams of people have been working hard in preparation and will continue to work to ensure the smooth running of the events.

The successes and achievements of students on the Warwick Skills Certificate programme were celebrated at a presentation on Monday 23 June. 18 of the successful students were presented with their certificates at the event.

This year's Student Union Sabbatical Officers have agreed to go "Back to School" as part of new outreach programme being run in partnership with the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office.

A new centre to support professional development in teaching essential skills has been opened at Warwick University by Ivan Lewis, Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Adult Learning and Skills.