Warwick University - In Depth

Founded: 1965.

Structural features: Leicester Warwick Medical School (LWMS) run jointly with Leicester University.

Site: Single, landscaped campus, 2% miles south west of Coventry city centre.

How to get there: To Coventry by rail (1X hours from London Euston, 11 mins from Birmingham International Airport), by coach (2/ hrs from London), by road (close to M1, M6, M40, M42). Frequent buses to campus from Coventry and Leamington Spa (both journeys 25 mins); students can get reduced bus pass, up to £72 a term.

Special features: 4-year accelerated medical course (MBChB) for graduates. University provides adult and continuing education courses locally and validates an open access scheme; range of part-time degrees by day and/or evening study. Many visiting professors. Arts and music centres; string quartet in residence. Successful science park; business school; close links with industry and local community.

Awarding body: Warwick University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, LLB, BEng, MBChB, MChem, MEng, MMath, MMathStat. MPhys, MMORSE.

Length of courses: 3 years; 4 years (incl languages, u/g Masters').

Library & information services: 1 main library; in total about 1 million volumes, 11,000 periodicals (6000 electronic); 1977 study places; short-term loan period for books in heaviest demand.

Specialist collections: Modern records centre; BP archive centre. Annual expenditure on information provision, £131 per (FTE) student. Separate IT service. Ratio workstations to students 1:9 plus further facilities in halls of residence; many students have own computers. 1000+ machines with access to library and internet. IT facilities open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week; comprehensive technical and advisory support. Induction courses on library and information services for all new students (reinforcing the transition towards independent learning); IT skills courses and training suites.

Other learning facilities: Language centre, computing centre.

Study abroad: 5% of students spend a period abroad. Formal exchange links and Erasmus partnerships with 150+ universities in Europe and the Americas, many open to non-language specialists.

Careers: Careers library, individual counselling, sponsorship officer, employers' recruitment visits.

Student advice & services: Doctors, dentists, opticians, psychiatrist, chaplains, law centre (in school of law). 5 student counsellors and personal/residential tutor system. 47-place nursery.

Amenities: Restaurants, fast food outlets, coffee bars and bars on campus. Modern SU building, student newspaper, travel and insurance offices: refectory; university arts centre (theatres, concert hall, music centre, cinema, art gallery, sculpture trail, bookshop, restaurant and bars); banks, hair salon, print shop, post office, large supermarket on campus. Close to Coventry (swimming pool, theatre, museums and galleries), Leamington, Warwick and Stratford (RSC).

Sporting facilities: Extensive playing fields, sports pavilion, tennis courts, dri-play floodlit area, running track, trim track, 2 sports centres (two 25m pools, squash courts, well-equipped fitness room, gymnasia, aerobics studios, indoor climbing centre).

Accommodation: All first years who apply in time are in university accommodation, 50+% of all first degree students. 5800 places in halls on campus, 2000 places off campus. Rents £52-£86 per week self-catering (£93 with dining scheme), 30- or 39-week contracts. Almost all university accommodation has internet access. 50+% of final year students return to campus (decided by ballot). Most 2nd and 3rd years students live in self-catering places in university-managed properties (in Coventry, Kenilworth and Leamington Spa) or privately rented accommodation, £46 pw plus running costs.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £6000 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term time work: University advises limit of 10-15 hours pw term-time work. University-run temps agency. Work available on campus in eg admin, SU, arts centre, conferences.

Financial help: Total available £600,000 government funds and opportunity bursaries; special help to those suffering financial hardship, mature students, single parents, disabled students. Own fund provides limited, short-term aid to international students who experience financial hardship. Some scholarships intended for particular groups eg students from families with low incomes, musicians, available prior to starting course.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £7950 (classroom), £10,350 (lab-based), £9900-£18,825 (medical).