Writtle College - In Depth

Founded: 1893.

Site: Single campus on edge of Writtle village.

How to get there: Regular service from London to Chelmsford by rail (40 mins) and coach; just off A414, close to A12 and M11; Stansted airport half an hour drive. Regular bus service to college from Chelmsford (2 miles).

Academic features: Modular courses; flexible learning methods. Optional industrial placement on all courses.

Awarding body: Essex University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, FdA, FdSc.

Length of courses: 3 years; Foundation degrees 2 years.

Library & information services: 50,000 volumes, 500 periodicals, 100 study places. Separate IT services. Annual expenditure on information provision, £52 per (FTE) student. Ratio of 1:6 workstations to students; 250 computers with access to library and internet. Access to IT facilities 14 hours/weekdays (11+ at weekends); IT helpdesk 11 hours/weekday. 2-day induction to library and information services including tour; courses for all students on eg word-processing, spreadsheets.

Other learning facilities: 220 hectare estate including agricultural production units; separate fruit farm, commercial glass unit, equestrian centre, equine stud unit, small animal unit, amenity landscape centre, farm shop, garden centre, computer-aided design centre, computer suites, science centre, interior design & floristry centre.

Study abroad: 4% of students spend a period abroad. Formal exchange links with 6 European colleges and institutions in Canada, USA, Australia, Poland, Nigeria, Nepal and Japan.

Careers: Information, advice and placement service. Student advice & services: Counselling service, chaplains, learning support unit, subsidised childcare nursery.

Amenities: Recreation centre. Social centre with bar and disco. Adequate parking and motor bike storage space.

Sports: Sports hall, squash, tennis, fitness centre, college playing fields.

Accommodation: Majority of first years who apply are in college halls on campus. 400 places, from £78 per week (shared) to £96 pw (single ensuite) including meal allowance; contracts term-time only. Students live in privately owned accommodation for 2 years: £40-£50 pw self-catering, £50-£60 B&B, £60-£70 half board. 43% of first degree students live at home.

Living expenses budget: No college-recommended minimum.

Term time work: College allows term-time work for full-time students (50% believed to work). Some work available on campus in farms and bars, in and out of term time; also industrial placement officer helps find work off campus.