Laban - In Depth

Founded: 1945 (in Manchester; moved to south east London 1975).

Site: Award-winning, state-of-the-art building in Deptford, south east London.

How to get there: DLR Cutty Sark station 5 rains' walk; also Greenwich or Deptford mainline or DLR stations (trains from Charing Cross, London Bridge, Lewisham or Bank stations); many bus routes.

Academic features: In addition to degree courses, offers diploma and postgraduate (MA, MSc, PhD, MPhil) courses eg, community dance studies, teaching and notating dance, dance science, choreography, scenography (dance).

Special features: Visiting artists as teachers and performers. Annual international Easter and summer schools; study year abroad scheme for US students. EFL taught.

Awarding body: City University.

Main undergraduate award: BA.

Length of courses: 3 years.

Library & information services: Large dance collection (130,000 items) comprising books, scores, theses, publications, videos. including the Laban Collection, Peter Williams, Peter Brinson and Shirley Wynne archives; internet resource guide; 75 study places. 26 computers, ratio 1:14 workstations to students. IT facilities open 11 hours/weekdays (4 hours Saturdays); induction tours for all students, supplemented by focused sessions. Also access to City University library and IT facilities.

Other learning facilities: 13 dance studios, 300 seat theatre, dance health facilities, plates studio, production and wardrobe department. Careers: Information and advice.

Employment: Dance performers, choreographers, teachers, directors, community dance workers, arts administration and management.

Student advice & services: Physiotherapist, osteopath, remedial masseur, counsellors. Access to buildings for the disabled.

Amenities: In-house publications: Dance Theatre Journal, Labanlink and Discourses in Dance.

Accommodation: No college accommodation. Students live in privately owned accommodation for whole course; rents approx £80 per week self-catering. Few first degree students live at home.

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

Term-time work: Centre allows term-time work for full-time students, to limit of 3 hours per day (99% believed to work). Some work occasionally available on campus. Financial help: Small interest-free loans available for short term.

Tuition fees: Home and EU students pay up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005).