Leeds Metropolitan University - In Depth
Founded: 1970 as Leeds Poly, from amalgamation of various 19th-century colleges. University status in 1992.
Site: 3 campuses: Civic Quarter Campus, in city centre; Headingley Campus, 100-acre site 3 miles to the north west; Harrogate Campus, 14 miles to north.
How to get there: Leeds very accessible by road (Ml and M62), by national coach services, by rail (2 hours from London Kings Cross), and by air (Leeds/Bradford airport 8 miles from city centre; Manchester airport just over 1 hour). Civic Quarter Campus in walking distance of train and bus/coach stations; frequent bus services link campuses.
Academic features: Focus on applied learning.
Awarding body: Leeds Metropolitan University.
Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, BEng, FdA, FdSc, LLB.
Length of courses: Usually 3 years full-time; 4 years sandwich; up to 6-year part-time.
Library & information services: Integrated library, computing and media facilities on all campuses; 365,000+ volumes, approx 11,900 periodical subscriptions; extensive access to media and electronic resources; 2000+ study places. Ratio workstations to students 1:5, networked with access to electronic information, email and internet. IT facilities open 24 hrs during the week in termtime (until 11 pm at weekends). Off-campus support available via the web. IT staff support from help desks; IT skills taught within students' courses. Induction to library and information services for all new students including making best use of electronic and print information sources. Annual expenditure on information provision, £54 per (FTE) student.
Other learning facilities: Language laboratories, audiovisual resources, special needs support area, off-site library services for distance learners.
Study abroad: Opportunity to study or undertake work placements abroad on many courses. Formal exchange links with universities and colleges in western Europe, USA and beyond.
Careers: Information, advice and placement service.
Student advice & services: Helpzones for student queries at all campuses: disability support team (with dyslexia specialist and technical help); student counselling service; financial adviser; international students adviser; childcare services including play scheme and creche; 2 health centres, staffed by nurses; multi-faith chaplaincy with Islamic prayer facilities at Civic Quarter Campus. Also SU advice service.
Amenities: Shops, cybercafe, coffee lounge, refectories on both campuses, cashpoints, repro services, bars, The Met club venue.
Sporting facilities: Excellent Carnegie sports centre at Headingley (for PE and sports courses, students and public use), with floodlit synthetic pitches, 5-a-side pitch, athletics track, 2 large sports halls, gymnasia, swimming pool, dance studio, fitness & weights rooms, squash courts and indoor climbing wall. Regional tennis and gymnastics centre. Fitness facilities at Civic Quarter Campus and 2 main halls.
Accommodation: 60% of first years housed in university-owned accommodation. 2250 places for students new to Leeds, £50-£75 (ensuite) per week self-catering, 41-51 week contract. Some students live in privately owned accommodation for whole course (plentiful and cheap): £47 pw self-catering in shared house, £65-£80 for full-board in lodgings. Help through Unipol Student Homes (www.unipol.leeds.ac.uk).
Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £6425 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.
Term-time work: University recommends limit of 15 hours' work a week for full-time student. Some jobs available on campus; university Jobshop helps find work on or off campus.
Financial help: Total available £1.12 million government access funds; 1800 students helped. Priorities: childcare, commuting costs, mature students, students with disabilities, finalists. Also 125 bursaries (£1000) for new students. Apply for help to Financial Support & Advice Team, Student Services.
Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay up to £7322-£8778 pa.
