Teesside University - In Depth

Founded: 1970 as Teesside Polytechnic (from Constantine College founded in 1930). University status in 1992.

Site: One main site near Middlesbrough town centre.

How to get there: Bus and railway stations nearby; by road A19 and A66 (1 mile from Middlesborough); Durham Tees Valley Airport.

Academic features: New courses in animation, digital forensics, product design, cinema studies, design marketing, health psychology, sports management, and web design.

Awarding body: Teesside University.

Main undergraduate awards: Foundation degree, BA, BSc, BEng, LLB.

Length of courses: 2 years (FD); 3 years (first degrees); 4 years sandwich.

Library & information services: Learning resource centre (LRC): 345,000 books and journals, 1300+ study places, video/DVD machines, etc. Access to online information off-campus. Annual expenditure on information provision, £79 per (FTE) student. 1720 computer workstations across the campus with internet access; ratio 1:7 workstations to students. LRC facilities open 80 hours/week. Information skills training available for new students.

Study abroad: Students can study abroad for up to one year in Europe or US, as integral part of some courses.

Careers: Information, advice and guidance on careers, vacancies, jobs and further courses. Resources include magazines, videos, employer and occupational files.

Student advice & services: Advice on student health, student finance, disabilities and international student matters; accommodation and counselling services, chaplains. Residential facilities for disabled. 66-place nursery (enquire when applying).

Amenities: Projection-based auditoriums with virtual reality facilities; digital TV studio. Job Centre, bookshop, TV and film archive, sport and recreation facilities. SU bar, cafe, club venue, shop, advice centre, clubs and societies, cinema.

Sporting facilities: New sports centre includes 500 spectator sports hall, squash courts, sports & exercise labs, temperature-controlled environmental chamber, floodlit artificial pitch. Second centre with sports hall, gym, sauna. Also playing fields.

Accommodation: All first years guaranteed university accommodation, on campus or in easy walking distance. 1260 places in university-owned or managed halls, houses and flats, 37-38 week contracts at £33-£57 per week (all have networked internet access). Limited residential facilities available for the disabled. Students live in privately owned accommodation leased to the university at £28-£36 pw for self-catering.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £5000 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term time work: Job Centre, run by SU, helps find part-time work. Term time work available on campus in SU, library & information services.

Financial help: £900,000 access to learning funds; awards of £50-£3500. Special help for student parents, students with disabilities and mature students. Apply to Student Funding Team.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £7000 pa (classroom), £8000 (lab-based).