Surrey Institute - In Depth

Founded: 1994 from amalgamation of two art colleges, both founded 1890s.

Site: Two sites, in Farnham and Epsom town centres.

How to get there: Coach service from London Victoria, train to both Epsom and Farnham from London Waterloo (50 mins), by road M3 and A331 to Farnham. For institute, bus nos 18, 19, 46, 4, 5 from Aldershot via Sandy Hill; 5-10 mins' walk from station.

Special features: Academic staff are practising artists, designers, film makers, media and crafts people. Many students win major awards, participate in festivals/trade fairs and receive external commissions.

Academic features: Unique degree in animation.

Awarding body: Surrey Institute.

Main undergraduate award: BA.

Length of courses: 3 years (5 years part-time).

Library & information services: Farnham: 50,000+ volumes, 250,000+ slides, 8,000 videos, 380 periodicals. Epsom: 29,000 volumes, 107,000 slides, 2000 videos, 100 periodicals. Annual expenditure on information provision £70 per (FTE) student. IT centres on each campus, ratio workstations to students 1:11 (200+ computers with access to library, 185 to internet). IT facilities and staff support available 10+ hours/day. New students have 1-hour course-specific library workshop and 3-hours IT workshops as part of information and academic skills module; self-guided tours of library and learning resources centre; drop-in sessions for IT skills.

Other learning facilities: TV and photographic studios.

Study abroad: Option to spend time abroad (small number of students do). Exchange links with EU universities/colleges.

Careers: Information, advice and informal placement.

Student advice & services: Visiting doctor, nurse. Counsellors, accommodation officer, chaplains, international student support officer, special needs co-ordinator, student welfare advisers.

Amenities: Equipment shop on each site.

Sporting facilities: Games hall; local sports centres in each town.

Accommodation: 50% of first years in college accommodation, 20% of all students. 430 self-catering places at Farnham, £37-£64 per week; at Epsom 50+ ensuite bedrooms, £75-£80 pw. Students live in privately owned accommodation for 2+ years: £65 pw self-catering.

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

Term time work: Institute allows term-time work for first degree students. Some work available on campus.

Financial help: Average award to students, £500. Special help to mature students and those with childcare costs. Apply for help for student loans to Registry Services and for hardship fund to Student Services.

Tuition fees: Home students £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £7752 pa.