Lewisham College

Lewisham College

Age: 22

History: Lewisham College was founded in 1993, and awarded its status as a Beacon college in 1999 and now has four Beacon awards.

Address: Two main sites in Lewisham, south east London, at Lewisham Way and at Deptford Church Street, four miles from the City area of London.

Ambience: Extremely urban. The college prides itself on helping to develop the whole person, not just focusing on academic study, and celebrates the diversity of its students, whatever their ethnic, cultural, and economic background.

Vital statistics: Over 13,600 students taking some 3500 vocational and academic courses. Lots of mature students; the average age of learners is 29.

Added value: The college is recognised as one of the most employer-responsive colleges in the country. In December 2007, Lewisham College was one of only three London colleges to be awarded the recently introduced Training Quality Standard from the Learning and Skills Council. The college has also received additional accreditation for vocational excellence in information and communication technologies. Facilities include computers, music stations, a theatre, a television studio, two training restaurants and a gym.

Easy to get into? Expect an interview and an audition for some courses. Due to the wide range of qualifications available, entry requirements vary and there is a course to meet most levels of expertise.

Glittering alumni: Daniel and Natasha Bedingfield, singing siblings; Bianca Jagger, human rights activist.

Transport links: Both the Lewisham Way Campus and the Deptford Campus are accessibly by car, bus, tube, train and Docklands Light Railway (DLR).

Who's the boss? Maxine Room, principal.

Teaching: In April 2006, the college received an overall grade of outstanding from Ofsted. This was the highest rating for any London college and puts it second in the entire country.

Foundation degrees: Business information technology, urban regeneration and community development, early years and music/music technology. Validated by the University of Greenwich, London South Bank University, and University of East London.

Nightlife: Around the campus there are a mix of cafés and restaurants. The Ministry of Sound is nearby, at Elephant and Castle, and the bright lights and loud noises of central London are only a bus trip away.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college.

Cheap to live there? Being south east London, relatively, in comparison with the rest of the city. Rooms in shared flats are anywhere between £75 and £120 per week.

Fees: Vary by course and qualification. HE fees range between £740 and £3,375 per year for 2011 entrants.

Bursaries: None offered by the college, but students may be able to apply via validating universities.

Prospectus: 0800 834 545; www.lewisham.ac.uk

UCAS code: L40