Harper Adams University College - In Depth

Founded: 1901.

Site: Single campus for all teaching, living accommodation and recreation, surrounded by college farm.

How to get there: By train (Telford station 15 mins by taxi); by road (M54 from the south, M6 and A519 from the north); by air (Birmingham airport 45 mins drive, Manchester airport 1 hour).

Academic features: Modular system for most courses allows a range of options. All degree courses are sandwich courses.

Awarding body: Harper Adams.

Main undergraduate award: BSc.

Length of courses: 4 years sandwich.

Library & information services: Learning resources centre. 48,000 volumes, 1000 periodicals. Links with university libraries on joint courses. IT and library services converged. Annual expenditure on information provision, £131 per (FTE) student. Ratio 1:5 workstations to students; 150 with access to internet. Most IT facilities open 13 hours/weekday (10 hours weekends) but one open-access room open 24 hours. IT support from 5 full-time, 2 part-time staff; initial introduction to library and information services; further application training and on-going information skills programmes.

Other learning facilities: Covered soil working area, specialised laboratories, glasshouse complex, mixed commercial farm, purpose-built computer centre.

Study abroad: 5% of students spend a period abroad. Formal exchange links with colleges in Turkey. Greece and many EU countries.

Careers: Information, advice and placement service.

Student advice & services: Regular surgeries held at college.

Amenities: 2 common rooms, SU bars, bookshop, cafeteria, stage and auditorium, hall for dances etc.

Sporting facilities: Multi-gym, squash and tennis courts. swimming pool, sports hall, sports fields, including floodlit rugby pitch - all on campus.

Accommodation: All new students in college accommodation, 40% of all students. 450 places available (180 ensuite): 420 full-board places from £86-£103 per week and 30 self-catering places at £50 plus bills, term time only. Students live in privately owned accommodation for 2 years: rents £40-£60 pw for self-catering, £50-£60 B&B or half-board. Very few live at home.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £140 per week (excluding tuition fees) recommended by college.

Term-time work: College helps find industrial placements only; holiday jobs posted.

Financial help: Total available £60,000 government funds, 60 students helped.

Special help: mature students, self-financing, those with children; 50% available to students prior to starting course. Scholarships, prizes awarded on a competitive basis; also means-tested bursaries.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £6500 pa.