Farnborough College - In Depth

Founded: 1957, originally as training wing of former Royal Aircraft Establishment.

Site: Farnborough.

How to get there: Easy reach of London; Farnborough campus on A325, close to M3 (junctions 4 and 4A); short walk to railway station. Good local bus service.

Academic features: Wide range of courses (A-levels, vocational and professional courses, HNDs, Foundation degrees, first degrees, Masters' degrees).

Special features: Maintains close links with industry, commerce and local community.

Awarding body: Surrey University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc.

Length of courses: 3 or 4 years.

Library & information services: 50.000 books and periodicals, CD-Rom information network, 300 study places. Dialog and JANET offered on line. Annual expenditure on information provision, £45 per (FTE) student. Library and computing services converged. Access to IT facilities 13 hours/ day in term time; IT staff support. Induction to library and information services for new students.

Other learning facilities: Language and science laboratories, engineering workshops, 3 wind tunnels, fitness suites, TV and radio stations.

Study abroad: A few students spend a period abroad.

Careers: Information, advice and placement service.

Student advice & services: Counselling service, occupational health unit, student finance adviser, accommodation officer, learning support unit. Kindergarten on weekdays throughout the year.

Amenities: SU arranges live bands, discos, theatre, films, charity and fund-raising events.

Sporting facilities: Good health and fitness suite. Local recreation centre has indoor sports facilities (10 minutes' walk).

Accommodation: Help with finding local accommodation: Approx £50-£60 per week self-catering.

Living expenses budget: No college-recommended minimum.

Term-time work: College allows term-time work for full-time students (approximately 80% believed to work). Some work available on campus eg cleaning, admin during summer; also college recruitment officer helps students get work off campus.

Financial help: Total available £96,000 government funds.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £5000+ pa.