Hereford College of Arts

Age: More than 150 - the college was established in the 1850s.

History: The college was first established in the centre of Hereford in the 1850s, as a small art school meeting local needs. Since then it has grown and diversified, opening its doors to a wide range of students both locally, regionally and internationally.

Address: Half a mile from the centre of the city of Hereford, in the West Midlands, right on the Welsh border, between Bristol, Birmingham and Cardiff.

Ambience: One of an increasingly rare breed - a specialist art college, offering practice-based creative courses. It's an informal, friendly place where students have plenty of contact with staff.

Vital statistics: 400 undergraduate students. A range of short courses, FE courses, foundation degrees, BA (Hons) degrees and BA (Hons) top-ups. The college specialises in crafts, media and performing arts. Undergraduates can now study digital media (graphic and media design, film and animation) and performing arts (drama, dance and music). Degrees are validated by the University of Wales.

Added value: The college is now the only specialist art and design college in the heart of England. Many tutors are also active practitioners and students and staff exhibit nationally. For studio-based courses, the majority of students have their own individual workspace.

Easy to get into? Not very. Potential art students must have a portfolio, and drama and dance students are given an audition. All applicants are interviewed.

Glittering alumni: Plenty of successful and practising artists, but none widely known outside the art world.

Transport links: The college is within walking distance from the rail and bus stations. Birmingham is an hour away, London three hours, and Bristol and Cardiff are within easy reach.

Who's the boss? Richard Heatly, principal.

Teaching: A November 2003 Ofsted inspection identified teaching as one of its key strengths. Foundation level art and design was rated 'outstanding' and media, graphic design and photography rated 'good'. No curriculum area was rated worse than satisfactory.

Foundation degrees: Creative art practice and commercial photography.

Nightlife: Hereford's geographical isolation has led to an original and lively scene developing, especially for music and comedy. Fans both of alternative and of dance music find plenty to do. This diverse yet focused nightlife is generally appreciated by art students looking for something out of the ordinary - similarly, Hay Literature Festival and 'The Big Chill' Festival take place within easy reach of the city.

Any accommodation? No halls of residence, but their accommodation officer should help you get settled somewhere.

Cheap to live there? Not too bad. £70 to £80 per week for a room in a shared house.

Fees: £3,375 for full-time HE students starting in 2011. Prices for FE courses vary and many students are exempt from fees. The college plans to charge £8,000 per year for HE courses as of 2012.

Bursaries: In 2011, every new full-time HE student will receive a £568 bursary in their first year, and £222 the following year. On top of this, there is a means-tested bursary of £395 for students in receipt of the full higher education maintenance grant.

Prospectus: 01432 273 359; www.hca.ac.uk

UCAS code: H18