NESCOT (North East Surrey College of Technology)

NESCOT (North East Surrey College of Technology)

Age: 59, or 37 in its current form.

History: The college was founded as Ewell Technical College in October 1953, with the aim of providing education in vocational and technical subjects. Ewell transformed into NESCOT in 1975.

Address: The main campus is in Ewell, near Epsom in Surrey.

Ambience: The college offers a spacious campus environment set in Green Belt countryside two miles from the centre of Epsom and about 14 miles from London. Plentiful free parking is available. Ewell East railway station, on the London Victoria to Horsham line, is around five minutes walk away.

Vital statistics: More than 8,000 students, the majority of them part-time. There are approximately 300 full-time higher education students and around 300 part-timers. Higher education courses are offered up to postgraduate level and are validated by Kingston University, the University of Surrey and the University of Kent.

Added value: Industry standard media suite with facilities for professional music and visual production, a performing arts centre with studios and two in-house theatres, beauty studios for hands-on teaching, an osteopathic clinic and an excellent Learning Resource Centre. 25 per cent of higher education graduates leave with a first class degree.

Easy to get into? Varies by course. Most HNDs and HNCs ask for 160 UCAS points, foundation degrees require 200 and honours degrees range between 240 and 260. Some level 4 programmes require previous qualifications in that area.

Glittering alumni: David Bellamy, botanist and television presenter; Matt James, star of Channel 4 series The City Gardener; Richard Blackwood, comedian and TV presenter.

Transport links: The main campus is about 30 minutes train ride from London Victoria and is around 20 miles from both London Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

Who’s the boss? Sunaina Mann, the College Principal, became the first Asian female principal in the UK when she was appointed in 2005.

Teaching: In 2010, Ofsted rated Nescot as outstanding for leadership, management, capacity to Improve, care and support for students, tutorials, enrichment, safeguarding and financial management.

Foundation degrees: Early years; photo imaging; sports therapy.

Nightlife: Occasional band nights on campus. A variety of pubs, clubs and bars in surrounding towns such as Epsom, Sutton and Kingston. Central London is only 30 minutes away by train.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college, but they can help you find a place to stay.

Cheap to live there? Last year it typically cost £75 per week for a room plus bills.

Fees: £6,000 per year for full-time students on HE programmes starting in 2012. Foundation degrees are £5,500 for one year.

Bursaries: None offered by the college.

Prospectus: 020 8394 3038; www.nescot.ac.uk

UCAS code: N49