St Mary's College - In Depth

Founded: 1850 as a Roman Catholic college; moved to present site 1925.

Structural features: Accredited college of Surrey University.

Site: Single site including 18th-century Gothic house (built by Horace Walpole) just outside Twickenham town centre.

How to get there: Bus and train (Strawberry Hill station).

Awarding body: Surrey University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, BA(ITT).

Length of courses: 3 years; others 4 years.

Library & information services: 150,000 volumes, 700 periodicals, 274 study places, reference copies of course books. Annual expenditure on information provision, £58 per (FTE) student. Library and IT services converged. 154 workstations with access to library and internet, open 21 hours/day (ratio workstations to students of 15:1). IT support staff 8 hours/weekdays; induction tours for new students on library and information services and skills workshops; also specialist IT and computer driving licence workshops.

Other learning facilities: TV, drama studios, CCTV, computer centre, theatre, radio suite, learning resources centre.

Study abroad: Some students can exchange through Erasmus scheme.

Careers: Information and advice on site through London University careers service.

Student advice & services: Medical centre, 2 nurses, visiting doctors; student services, counsellors, personal tutors, chaplains, wardens.

Amenities: Student union, campus bookshop, launderette, refectory, sandwich shop open to resident and non-resident students.

Sporting facilities: Gymnasium, dance studio, exercise physiology laboratory, sports hall, sport rehabilitation clinic, playing fields in Teddington.

Accommodation: 75% of first years (and all international students) in college accommodation, 25% of all students. 550+ places available: half-board up to £110 per week (includes 9 meals pw), self-catering up to £80 pw, term time only. Students live in privately owned accommodation for 2 years: £70-£80 pw self-catering.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £155 pw (excluding tuition fees) recommended by College.

Term time work: College allows term-time work for full-time students; much part-time work available locally, some on campus in bar, library and registry.

Financial help: £140.000 government funds (average award £300).

Special help: single parents, mature students, those with special needs, childcare for part-time students. Apply for help to Student Finance Officer.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees if publicly funded (eg if eligible for a student loan) in 2005. Otherwise all students (home and international) pay £5925-£6930 pa.