Middlesex University - In Depth

Founded: 1973 as Middlesex Poly, incorporating various colleges of technology, education, speech & drama, art, dance and health. University status 1992.

Site: Campuses at Trent Park, Tottenham, Archway, Cat Hill, Enfield, Hendon and 4 hospital locations - all in north and north west London.

How to get there: All campuses served by tube, bus or train.

Academic features: Courses include publishing & media, veterinary nursing, herbal medicine & traditional Chinese medicine, jazz, journalism, computer networks. Research centres include performing arts. modern European philosophy, higher education, enterprise & economic development, flood hazard, electronic arts, criminology, work based learning.

Awarding body: Middlesex University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc.

Length of courses: 3 years (full-time), 4 years (sandwich), part-time 5-7 years.

Library & information services: 4 main learning resource centres, 4 hospital libraries. Total of 750,000 volumes, 3000 periodicals (paper and electronic), 2500 study places, 28,000 audio and video tapes, 2200 CDs, course books for reference; at Trent Park 7000 CDs and tapes, 10,000 music scores; at Cat Hill 225,000 slides and illustrations.

Specialist collections: Runnymede Trust library and archive, Black Theatre Forum archive, Bernie Grant collection, Lesbian & Gay Newspaper archive, collections of eg comics, fashion items; further collections in the Museum of Domestic Design & Architecture. Annual expenditure on information provision, £66 per (FTE) student. Library, AV and IT services converged. Ratio 1:6 workstations to students; some 3000 computers with access to internet; IT facilities open up to 14 hours/day; IT support on each campus (approx 50 staff), for enquiries, documentation and workshops. Induction to library and information services for new students, workshops for all levels.

Other learning facilities: 3 TV studios, 5 computer centres, 3 language centres.

Study abroad: Most disciplines can be studied partly at an institution abroad, sometimes gaining an additional overseas qualification. Many work placements in Europe.

Student advice & services: Counsellors, advice staff; 3 nurseries, half-term playschemes. English language support team includes dyslexia and numeracy support.

Careers: Information centres; careers and employer fair; career development module; individual interviews with careers advisers.

Amenities: Bookshops at Enfield, Hendon and Trent Park. Museum of Domestic Design & Architecture (MoDA) at Cat Hill. Sporting facilities: Sports halls and fitness centres at 4 major campuses; Burroughs Club at Hendon campus has large fitness centre, health suite, real tennis and outdoor tennis courts; swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), indoor tennis dome. Outdoor sports pitches, use of 3 astroturf pitches (at Southgate Hockey Club - Trent Park campus).

Accommodation: 75% of first years who wish it are in university accommodation. 2100 self-catering places (60+% ensuite) £68-£82 per week. Priority to first years and international students. Privately rented accommodation, £65-£80 pw plus bills. 40% of first degree students live at home.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £7000 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term-time work: University allows term-time work for full-time students (60% believed to work). Some jobs on campus (catering, library, offices etc); careers service helps find work off campus.

Financial help: Total available £1.3 million government funds, 1000 students helped (average £1100 awarded). Special consideration to single parents or students with dependants and students with special needs. Apply for help to Academic Registry. Also scholarships (academic, sporting or community excellence), £500-£1000 pa.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £8000-£8400 pa.