Thames Valley University - In Depth

Founded: 1991 as West London Poly, incorporating London College of Music, Ealing College, Queen Charlotte's College of Health Care Studies, Thames Valley College. University status 1992.

Site: 3 sites, at Ealing, Slough and Reading (Slough 17 miles from Ealing, 20 from Reading).

How to get there: A4, M4 and A40; Slough and Reading sites close to bus and rail stations; Ealing campus near rail, tube and buses. Free mini-bus between sites.

Academic features: Modular scheme gives flexibility to all degree courses: specialist and major/minor subject combinations available.

Awarding body: Thames Valley University.

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

Length of courses: 3 years; 4 years for eg sandwich courses, year abroad.

Library & information services: 270,000 volumes, 2000 periodical titles, 770 study places. Library and IT services converged: learning resource centres at both sites, total over 550 networked PCs with access to internet and TVU CD-Rom network. Ratio workstations to students 1:14; open 24 hours/day. IT support from dedicated staff members; day induction to library and information services for new students; IT skills training online. Annual expenditure on information provision, £49 per (FTE) student.

Study abroad: Language and other students may spend a period abroad. Formal exchange links with 64 universities/colleges in western Europe; franchise programmes in Poland and Bulgaria.

Careers: Information and advice service.

Student advice & services: Student services provides medical, counselling and welfare services.

Amenities: Well-equipped students' union.

Sporting facilities: State-of-the-art fitness centre at Slough, small fitness suite at Ealing.

Accommodation: New university accommodation in 2005. Accommodation service helps find local flats and lodgings 3-4 miles from campus. Many students live locally.

Living expenses budget: £6500-£8000 (excluding tuition fees) for academic year of 39 weeks recommended by university, depending on whether course is in or out of London.

Term time work: University allows term-time work for full-time students; limit of 15 hours per week. University employs students where possible (in and out of term) eg library, admin, design, telemarketing etc and university employment services helps find work locally.

Financial help: £1.2 million government funds, 752 students helped (awards £100-£3500); priority groups include single parents, care leavers, disabled students and those experiencing exceptional financial hardship. £23,000 learner support (childcare), 27 students helped. Apply for help to Finance Team, Student Services (tel 020 8231 2573, email student.services(at)tvu.ac.uk

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £6750-£7900 pa.