Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College - In Depth

Founded: 1893, from High Wycombe School of Science and Art. Site: 3 campuses, 2 in High Wycombe (1 near town centre; 1 at Wellesbourne on outskirts) and 1 in Chalfont St Giles (12 miles away).

How to get there: All sites well served by roads and railways: about 40 mins from London. Chalfont also on London underground.

Academic features: Courses in music management, 3-dimensional design, airline & airport management, policing.

Awarding body: Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College.

Main undergraduate awards: BA. BSc.

Length of courses: 3 years (full-time), 4 years (sandwich).

Library & information services: 2 learning resource centres at Chalfont and High Wycombe plus subject-specific library at Wellesbourne. 113,000 volumes, multi-media services, 2000 periodicals, 500 study places. Annual expenditure on information provision, £70 per (FTE) student. Separate IT service: 180 computer points with access to library and internet. IT support (computer support department); induction and information skills workshops.

Study abroad: Many courses offer international exchanges with partner institutions (including to Europe through Socrates/Erasmus scheme).

Careers: Information, workshops, vocational guidance and careers management.

Student advice & services: Doctor, dentist, FPA, solicitor, chaplain, disabilities adviser.

Amenities: SU bars on all sites.

Sporting facilities: Sports halls, gyms, playing fields, local sports centres.

Accommodation: 60% of first years at High Wycombe in college accommodation, 90% at Chalfont. 1200 self-catering places available, £45-£75 per week. Most students live in privately owned accommodation for 2+ years: rents £50-£60 pw for self-catering. Accommodation office has lists. 30% of first degree students live at home.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £5000-£6000 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by college.

Term-time work: Students allowed term-time work (45% believed to work). Some work available on campus in SU bars, offices and casual summer work eg decorating, office work, catering. SU runs a Jobshop to help find off-campus work.

Financial help: Total available £400,000 government funds (including mature students' bursaries), 930 helped, average £500-£750 awarded; £45,000 own funds, 102 students helped.

Special help: international students, those with children, self-financing, mature students - higher priority to final/penultimate year; own funds also for those not eligible for access fund: 485 students helped. Some money assigned before the start of the course to non-standard entry students. Apply for help to Student Services (High Wycombe Campus).

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £6400-£7100 pa.