Holborn College

Age: 42

History: Holborn College was established in 1969 and has since developed into one of the most successful independent HE colleges in the UK. It specialises in law and business, offering a range of foundation, degree, top-up degree and postgraduate courses in association with leading UK universities. In 2005 the college became part of Kaplan Inc., one of the largest international private education providers. Wholly owned by the Washington Post Company, Kaplan provides education and training to a million students across 30 countries every year.

Address: Charlton, south east London. Expect a diverse ethnic and cultural mix, along with plenty of developments in connection with the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games. Other Kaplan locations include Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading and Southampton.

Ambience: More than 90 per cent of Holborn's students are from outside the UK and the EU, which makes for a diverse, cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Vital statistics: The college has around 1,400 students from more than 80 different countries around the world. Foundation, degree, top-up degree and postgraduate courses are accredited by the University of Wales, the University of London and Liverpool John Moores University. Students can also take additional English support and academic writing classes before beginning their studies.

Added value: Committed to the personal welfare and career prospects of students. A mentoring scheme allows second and third-year students to show new arrivals the ropes on an individual basis. Teachers have strong, friendly relations with students.

Easy to get into? Not too bad, but varies. Students need the equivalent of 120 UCAS points for the BA in accounting or 280 for business management. Entry requirements for law courses are slightly higher.

Transport links: Mainline trains from Charing Cross, Cannon Street, London Bridge and Waterloo East serve nearby Charlton and Woolwich Dockyard stations, both within walking distance. The journey into London takes about 20 minutes. Access via London Underground is by North Greenwich on the Jubilee line, which is about 10 minutes by bus from the college.

Who's the boss? Mohamed Maladwala has been the managing director since 2006. A chartered accountant by trade, he has previously held positions at the European Business School.

Teaching: Holborn is accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC). It was the first private college to win the Queen's Award for Export Acheivement.

Foundation courses: Business management and law. Students who pass are guaranteed a place on one of the undergraduate degree programmes at Holborn College.

Nightlife: The bars and clubs of New Cross and Deptford are a short bus ride away, and you can have a relaxed evening in Greenwich or Blackheath with a wide array of cafes, bars and gastro pubs. Central London's vibrant nightlife is only a short train ride away.

Accommodation: The college encourages students to seek private accommodation throughout London, but does provide a scheme that houses international students. Using this scheme, students can expect to pay £225 to £310 per week.

Cheap to live there? It's London, so not really. Although it's bound to be cheaper than the rooms offered by the college. You're looking at £100 per week for a room in a shared house.

Fees: Being a private college, these vary by course. Both full BAs offered by the college are £3,250 per year for home/EU students starting in 2011, and £4,995 for international students. Fees are not anticipated to change in 2012.

Bursaries: None offered by the college, but tuition fees are lower than standard universities.

Prospectus: Tel 020 7811 3050; www.holborncollege.ac.uk

UCAS code: H50