Carshalton College

Age: 56

History: The college was opened in October 1954 as Carshalton Technical Institute, offering courses in areas as diverse as engineering to "women's subjects". It was originally constructed to teach around 800 students, but today it's a modern vocational institution.

Address: Situated in the village of Carshalton, Surrey, close to Sutton and Croydon.

Ambience: Best of both worlds. The college maintains a peaceful, rural atmosphere, with its buildings surrounded by ponds, but it's only a couple of miles from the busy urban centres of Sutton and Croydon.

Vital statistics: Medium-sized further education college with 7,000 students, 60 per cent of whom are over the age of 19. Two-thirds study part-time. Strong on vocational courses and work-based learning. New developments in 2004 included a new Learning Resource Centre and a new £2m Care Academy, which houses classroom facilities together with the college nursery. A new building for students with learning difficulties and disabilities opened earlier this year, specialising in foundation skills and supported learning. A new power and gas teaching centre has also recently opened.

Added value: One of the largest providers of apprenticeships in the south east. A brand new £4.3m health and fitness complex opened in September 2010 and includes a swimming pool, luxury steam room, sports hall, 80 station Pulse Fitness Suite, dance studios and common room. Over £150,000 has been invested in new bespoke facilities for students on BTEC Diplomas and apprenticeships in carpentry and plumbing. Opened in December 2010 these workshops are designed to replicate industry working environments with predetermined work areas including toilets, basins and baths with full drainage and waste systems

Easy to get into? A wide variety of qualifications meets the needs of learners at various levels. Most higher education courses ask for at least one A-level and a previous qualification in that area.

Transport links: Good for buses and rail. One-minute walk to Carshalton train station, whilst buses from Sutton, Croydon and Morden stop outside the college. From Morden you can get the tube into London.

Who's the boss? Dr David Watkins is the principal, who can justly claim to be a veteran of the FE circuit, as he has been involved at all levels since 1972.

Teaching: There are a range of flexible study options to fit around work and family life and continuous support from tutors to help develop study skills and succeed. The courses are accredited through strong partnerships with a number of higher education establishments and the College has a successful 80% completion rate. The college is a Matrix award winner for advice and guidance to learners.

Foundation degrees: Engineering in electrotechnical industries.

Nightlife: Quiet in Carshalton, so students tend to head to the busy nightspots in Sutton, Croydon and Kingston.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college.

Cheap to live there? Not too bad for the south east. A room in a shared flat will set you back around £100 per week.

Fees: Varies widely between courses and levels, and 16-18-year-olds are exempt. Full-time higher education courses cost just over £1,000 per year for 2011/2012. There will be no change to fees for under-19s in 2012. Higher education fees will rise slightly.

Prospectus: 020 8544 4444; www.carshalton.ac.uk

UCAS code: C24