Herefordshire College of Technology

Age: 60

History: Like many further education colleges, its roots were based on helping to develop practical skills sought by employers: it was the first college in the UK to undertake the training of farriers.

Address: Hereford City is home to about 55,000 people with the famous River Wye running through it. The county is an area of outstanding natural beauty and one of the most sparsely populated in England. The Tourist Board regards it as one of England's best-kept secrets.

Ambience: Near the centre of a small but vibrant city, the campus is shared with Hereford Sixth Form College and Herefordshire College of Art. An impressive £32m refurbishment was recently completed, transforming the campus and providing state-of-the art facilities. There's provision for work-based learning and both short and recreational courses are laid on across the county.

Vital statistics: The college has around 7,000 students, making it the largest education and training organisation in the county. HCT offers courses ranging from beauty therapy and blacksmithing to animal care and outdoor pursuits at a range of levels. Almost 70 per cent of students going into full-time employment found jobs directly related to their college course.

Added value: A good and improving college, according to Ofsted. The Holme Lacy campus, a few miles down the road, has numerous specialist facilities including a purpose-built rural crafts centre. HE qualifications are offered in conjunction with the University fo Worcester, the University of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire College of Arts.

Easy to get into? Courses are offered at a range of levels, and entry requirements vary accordingly.

Transport links: The Hereford campus is just a few minutes' walk from the city centre, where the main bus and rail station are situated. The Holme Lacy campus is a 10 minute drive from Hereford.

Who's the boss? Ian Peake, principal and chief executive.

Teaching: HCT’s most recent Ofsted inspection resulted in a very complimentary report. Inspectors concluded that HCT was a good and improving college with good student achievements and standards. QAA recently classified the college's HE courses outstanding, and many areas of good practice were identified.

Foundation Degrees: Counselling, learning support, management and leadership and ICT.

Nightlife: Clubs, pubs, cinemas, theatres and a leisure centre, all in the city centre.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college, but they do have an accommodation office to help students find a place to stay.

Cheap to live there? Yes: it's between £70 and £80 per week for a room in a shared flat.

Fees: Vary depending on course and qualification. FE fees for students over 19 are around £525 - students younger than this are exempt. HE fees are set by validating institutions, so most are £3,375 for full-time undergrads starting in 2011 (with the exception of the foundation degree in ICT, which is £1,370). 2012 fees depend on plans by partner universities - the University of Worcester plans on charging £8,100 per year and the University of Gloucestershire is proposing £8,250.

Bursaries: Bursaries should be available via partner instiutions.

Prospectus: 0800 032 1986; www.hct.ac.uk