Marjon - In Depth

Founded: 1923, from St John's Battersea (1840) and St Mark's Chelsea (1841); moved to Plymouth in 1973.

Structural features: Church of England college, affiliated to Exeter University.

Site: 5 miles Plymouth city centre. 22 hectare site overlooking Dartmoor, Plymouth and Plymouth Sound.

How to get there: Intercity trains to Plymouth from London Paddington, Birmingham and the north; coaches from major cities and airports throughout Britain; M5 and A38 (London 4 hours by road); by air (Plymouth and Exeter airports connect with number of centres); or ferry (France and Spain). For university, local bus services.

Academic features: Modular framework for all BA courses, allowing full and part-time study. Teaching practice and community work opportunities in east London.

Awarding body: Exeter University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BEd, BSc.

Length of courses: 3 years; 3-4 years BEd.

Library & information services: Over 120,000 volumes (18,000 children's books), 1200 periodicals, plus extensive microfilm and audio-visual materials and CD-Rom. 250 study places. Separate IT service, open 24 hours/day. 400 PCs, all with internet access, 15 with access to library catalogue (ratio of workstations to students 1:6). IT support (4 technicians, 2 administrative); library and computing induction courses for new students.

Careers: Specialist careers adviser and information room.

Student advice & services: Careers office, chaplain, nurse, student welfare centre, counsellors, disability support. Christian Fellowship and study groups.

Amenities: Students Union (with bars, cafe bar and snack bar), games and TV rooms, SU shop, launderette, minibus, printing service, specialist bookshop, part-time banking service, chapel, drama theatre, coffee bar. Art centre, theatre, orchestras etc in Plymouth.

Sporting facilities: Floodlit all-weather sports arena and pitches; sports centre including sports halls, gym, fitness suite, weight training room, squash courts, climbing wall, indoor 25-metre pool. Also Dartmoor and the coast for walking, climbing, water sports.

Accommodation: Almost all first year students in accommodation arranged by college. 460 college places available (for first, final and international students): £57 per week self-catering, or in hall with additional yearly meal ticket £550. Privately owned accommodation: £45-£50 pw for self-catering, £84 pw for half-board.

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

Term-time work: College allows part-time work for full-time students. Some holiday work available in college.

Financial help: £221,000 government hardship funds, 250 students helped. Also secondary shortage subject funding. Apply for help to Student Services.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £6900-£7700 pa.