City University - In Depth

Founded: 1894 as Northampton Institute; university status in 1966.

Site: Islington, close to City of London.

Access: Angel, Farringdon or Barbican underground stations.

Academic features: Many courses include optional 1-year professional placement and lead to exemptions from professional exams. All courses offer introduction to IT, development of communication skills and opportunities for learning languages; major individual project in final year.

Awarding body: City University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, BEng, LLB, BMus. MEng.

Length of courses: 3-4 years: others 4-5 years eg MEng.

Library & information services: Extended library with 350,000 volumes, 100,000 volumes of periodicals, 900 study places; 4 branch libraries at Bunhill Row and nursing/radiography centres. Annual expenditure on information provision, £97 per (FTE) student. Separate IT service, access 24 hours 6/7 days/week (IT support all hours). 900 points with internet access plus others in halls of residence (ratio 1:14 workstations to students). IT skills courses on all supported software.

Careers: Information, advice and placement service, and student employment service.

Student advice & services: University health centre, counselling service and chaplaincy; all students have a personal tutor.

Amenities: Bookshop on site; SU recreational facilities, including bars, shops and concert venue. Sporting facilities: Saddlers sports centre (including fitness centre and sauna); squash courts; playing fields in north London.

Accommodation: All first years housed who are from outside Greater London who apply in time (15% of all undergraduates). 1080 places available (440 for first years): 320 catered places at £93 per week, term time only, and 360 self-catering places at £83, Sept-June contracts; plus 400 self-catering places, mostly postgraduate. Most students live in privately owned accommodation for 2 years: rents £75-£85 pw for self-catering (plus bills); good range and supply locally.

Living expenses budget: No university-recommended minimum. Term-time work: Student employment service helps students find part-time jobs.

Financial help: Total available £270,000 government funds, £212,000 university's own funds (322 students helped, average award £753). Special help for students living in private accommodation. Apply for help to Accommodation & Welfare Service.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £7400 pa (classroom), £8000-£9600 (science/business).