Edinburgh College of Art

Age: 251

History: Although Edinburgh College of Art traces its roots back to 1729, it was founded as the Drawing Academy in 1760. In 1821, it became the Edinburgh School of Arts, changing its name 30 years later to the Watt Institution and School of Arts. Edinburgh College of Art was founded in 1907.

Address: Main building is situated on Lauriston Place overlooking Edinburgh Castle, with new facility Evolution House on West Port near the Grassmarket.

Ambience: A great mix of traditional and contemporary. Close to almost everything - cinemas, shops, libraries, galleries, clubs and restaurants. Main building is a glorious piece of neo-classicism, situated in the centre of the city’s Old Town with great views of the castle.

Vital statistics: With small specialist institution status, the college is one of the largest and oldest art schools in Europe, and the oldest Drawing Academy in Great Britain with around 1,600 students, with students coming from over 60 countries around the world to study. The majority of teaching staff are practising artists, designers and architects. Offers an array of courses from painting, sculpture, photography, jewellery, fashion, film and animation to architecture and landscape architecture.

Added value: Degrees are currently validated and awarded by the University of Edinburgh and the two instituitions will fully merge in August 2011, allowing students to study a wider range of subjects. Many opportunities for international exchange.

Easy to get into? Usually at least 240 UCAS entry points needed for the BA (Hons) degrees in art or design, and three Bs at A-level (or four Bs at Scottish Highers) for most honours degrees. Primary emphasis is on portfolio. Some exceptional students may be admitted on the basis of their portfolios even if they do not have the requisite academic qualifications. All BAs are four years in length and progression to the second year depends on successfully passing the first.

Glittering alumni: John Maxwell, Anne Redpath, Elizabeth Blackadder and Eduardo Paolozzi: all foremost Scottish artists; Sir Basil Spence, architect.

Transport links: Edinburgh is easy to reach by air, road and rail. Public transport is good.

Who's the boss? Professor Ian Howard, painter and printmaker, artist of international standing, Royal Scottish Academician and winner of the Chicago Prize 2000, is principal, but is due to stand down in August 2011.

Teaching: Awarded the top 'broad confidence' category by the QAA in Scotland for the 2010 institutional review, with standards still considered high by the year-on review in January 2011.

Research: The Edinburgh School of Architecture, which combines researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh College of Art, came top for Scotland in research in architecture and landscape architecture in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Nightlife: A vibrant student and arts scene in Edinburgh. The College has its own nightspot and music venue, the Wee Red Bar. Annual Festivals include the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June and Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Art Festival in August.

Any accommodation? As of August 2011 new students will be entitled to live in University of Edinburgh accommodation. Catered halls go for between £120 and £226 per week, and self-catering ranges between £81 and £101 per week for a home.

Cheap to live there? Not really. Average cost of a single room in a private flat is about £90 per week.

Fees: Scottish and EU students do not have to pay any fees. Students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales are charged a standard Scottish tuition fee, which for 2011/2012 is £1,820 per year. Fees for 2012/2013 are yet to be decided, but it is expected they will rise by the rate of inflation.

Bursaries: None offered by the college.

Prospectus: 0131 221 6027; www.eca.ac.uk

UCAS code: E58