Robert Gordon University - In Depth

Founded: 1750, Robert Gordon Institute became a university in 1992.

Site: 2 Aberdeen campuses - one in city centre and one in Garthdee.

How to get there: Fast coach services from Edinburgh, Glasgow and all major cities to Aberdeen; rail services north and south; by road, A90 from south, A96 from north. City centre campus a short walk from rail and coach stations; free shuttle bus between sites.

Awarding body: Robert Gordon University. Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, BEng, MEng.

Length of courses: 3 years (ordinary), 4 years (hons); 5 years (sandwich hons).

Library & information services: 250,000 volumes in total, 1600 periodicals, 1200 study places. Library and IT service converged. Ratio 1:8 workstations to students, 200 points with access to library, 700 points with access to internet, open 12 hours per day. Helpdesk support available. New students have library tour in first week plus compulsory IT course. Annual expenditure on information provision, £78 per (FTE) student.

Study abroad: 3% of students spend a period abroad. Number of formal EU exchange links (all open to non-specialists) and with Oregon State University and Illinois Institute of Technology.

Careers: Information and advice service.

Student advice & services: Student finance and administration dept, accommodation office, student counsellors, careers officers, english language tutor, chaplaincy, medical advisory service, nursery, disabled student adviser.

Amenities: SA with bars, games room, shop.

Sporting facilities: New sports centre.

Accommodation: 35% of first years in university accommodation (35% of first year degree students live at home). 1250 self-catering places, £64-£75 per week, 35 week leases. Accommodation service gives help finding private accommodation; rents £55-£70 pw self-catering or B&B.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £4500 for the academic year (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term-time work: University allows term-time work for full-time students (high percentage believed to work). Some work available on campus as janitors, porters, ground staff; university Jobshop.

Financial help: £398,000 government funds, 580 students helped (awards range from £100-£2000).

Special help: students with high accommodation costs, mature students with childcare costs, final year, self-financing, personal or medical costs etc. Apply for help to Student Finance, Blackfriars Building, Blackfriars Street, Aberdeen.

Tuition fees: Scottish and EU students pay no fees during course; other UK home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £7600 pa (classroom), £9200 (lab/studio).