Huddersfield University - In Depth

Founded: 1841; university status in 1992.

Site: Main Queensgate campus in town centre. Access: By train to Huddersfield (from Leeds or Wakefield), by road via M62, by air to Leeds/Bradford or Manchester airports. Queensgate campus within walking distance of bus and railway stations.

Academic features: Most degree courses within modular scheme.

Special features: Hosts annual Huddersfield Festival of Contemporary Music. Awarding body: Huddersfield University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, BEng, LLB, BMus, BEd, MEng.

Length of courses: 3 years; others 4 years (sandwich), 2 years BEd.

Library & information services: 400.000 volumes, 2200 periodicals, 750 study places; multiple copies of recommended books, including copies for reference use only; separate libraries for music, education, health studies. Annual expenditure on information provision, £75 per (FTE) student. Separate IT service; wide range of networked computing facilities. Ratio workstations to students 1:10 (access up to 24 hours/day in some cases). 4 points with access to library, 800 to intemet; IT support from helpdesk. Introduction to general library and specific subject staff for all new students, IT induction with follow-up sessions.

Other learning facilities: Media centre with CD-Rom and AV materials, music technology workshops.

Study abroad: 2% of students spend a period abroad. Formal exchange links with universities and colleges in Scandinavia and central Europe.

Careers: Information, advice and placement service.

Student advice & services: Counsellors, chaplain, international students' adviser, health centre, welfare officer, nursery. Residential facilities for disabled students.

Amenities: SU with bar, films, societies, etc.

Sporting facilities: University sports hall with fitness centre; playing fields and all-weather pitches. Municipal sports centre with Olympic standard facilities.

Accommodation: 1710 self-catering places (many ensuite), mainly for first years: £55-£70 per week, Sept-July. University accommodation run by private provider, Digs (see www.campusdigs.com). Plentiful private accommodation, £35-£50 pw for self-catering plus bills, £40-£55 B&B, £50-£60 for half-board.

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

Term-time work: University allows term-time work, up to maximum of 15 hours/week (estimated up to 90% first year students working). University Job Shop.

Financial help: Government funds and £800,000 university's own funds. Special help for self-financing students, those with dependants and students with disabilities; average award £1580. Apply for help to Student Finance Office.