Chelsea College of Art - In Depth

Founded: 1891, later incorporating art departments of Regent Street Polytechnic and Hammersmith College of Arts and Crafts.

Structural features: Constituent college of Arts University London (previously London Institute).

Site: Single site on Millbank (from 2005), opposite Tate Britain.

How to get there: Pimlico tube station and buses along Millbank.

Largest fields of study: Painting. sculpture, fine art media, textile design, interior & spatial design, design communication.

Awarding body: Arts University London.

Main undergraduate award: BA.

Length of courses: 3 years; part-time or mixed mode 4-5 years.

Library & information services: Single new library: 70,000 volumes, 300 periodicals, also exhibition catalogues, slide collection (120,000 images). Annual expenditure on information provision, £73 per (FTE) student.

Special collections: afro-american art, afro-caribbean british art and asian british art.

Careers: Information and advice.

Employment: Strong tradition of freelance work in fine art, industrial employment in design. Student advice & services: Student services officer.

Amenities: Shops for students' materials on 3 sites.

Accommodation: 20% of first years in college accommodation, 10% of all students: range from £62-£115 per week. Students live in privately owned accommodation for 2+ years. 10+% of first degree students live at home.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £800 a month (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term-time work: College allows term-time work for full-time students; 20% believed to work. Job vacancies bulletin issued by university.

Hardship fund: Access to learning fund.

Tuition fees: Home students £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £9500 pa.