City College Birmingham

City College Birmingham

Age: 14

History: Handsworth College and East Birmingham College merged in 1998 to become City College Birmingham.

Address: The college has four main sites across Birmingham, the Fordrough Campus, Handsworth Campus, Ladywood Skills Campus and Tyseley Campus, and the two women's centres, Golden Hillock Campus, Saltley Campus. There are also a number of local centres and community partners that allow students to study closer to home.

Ambience: The latest edition to City College Birmingham is the state-of-the-art Fordrough Campus in Bordesley Green, a vocational centre that provides a wide range of curriculum to meet the needs of the local community.

Vital statistics: The college serves some 12,000 students and employs over 550 staff. A culturally diverse student population with 65 per cent from minority ethnic groups. Over 1,000 courses at varying levels, from GCSEs to foundation degrees.

Added value: The college has invested in several multi-million-pound academies, including the West Skills Academy, which opened in 2007. The latest addition is the Fordrough Campus, which opened in 2009 and has five learning zones, a hair and beauty salon, enterprise zone, fitness studio, multi-purpose hall, support learning facilities, a large cafeteria and a student common room.

Easy to get into? Different courses have different entry point requirements – check the website or prospectus for details.

Transport links: All campuses are easily accessible by bus, and in some cases by train.

Who's the boss? Mike Hopkins is the new principal and chief executive.

Teaching: All of the full-time courses at the college lead to national qualifications that are recognised by universities, employers and other professional bodies. Students have access to fully equipped IT rooms, libraries, workshops and sports facilities.

Foundation degrees: Islamic studies (part-time) and software development.

Higher National Diplomas: Business, fashion, and computing and systems development.

Nightlife: Birmingham is big enough to cater for just about every taste, with plentiful pubs and curry houses, a thriving club scene and acclaimed concert venues.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college.

Cheap to live there? Private places are between £70 and £95 per week, excluding bills.

Fees: Foundation degree and HND students pay £1,310 per year for 2011/2012. .

Bursaries: None offered by the college, but students are encouraged to to visit the Student Finance England website to find out what help is available.

Prospectus: 08450 501 144; www.citycol.ac.uk

UCAS code: C62