New College Nottingham

Age: 12

History: Formed by three mergers between four FE colleges in Nottingham.

Address: Five main campuses in Nottingham plus a number of smaller centres. Locations include the historic Lace Market district of the city, as well as the academic district.

Ambience: All the benefits of a large college, with individual campuses offering a warm welcome to students.

Vital statistics: Over 18,000 students, of whom 6,000 are studying full-time. Offers a broad range of vocational and academic courses from pre-entry to university-level, with more than 900 students studying Higher Education programmes including HNCs, HNDs, foundation and top-up degrees, and teacher training (PGCE/Cert Ed).

Added value: Facilities include a commercial training restaurant, training and commercial hair and beauty salons, performing arts theatres, music recording studios and rehearsal rooms. Strong industry links with employers enable the college to provide work placements for students.

Easy to get into? Entry requirements vary by course, but typically those applying for HE courses will need at least between 120 and 240 UCAS points.

Glittering alumni: James Morrison, singer; Robert Lindsay, actor; Richard Beckinsale, actor; John Bird, satirist; Su Pollard, comedian; Kim Vithana, actor.

Transport links: The campuses are well-served by the city's excellent public transport system. A free minibus service links the main campuses in the city centre. Trains to London take one hour and 40 minutes. East Midlands International Airport is 10 miles away. The tram system in Nottingham stops at the end of the street from the city centre campus.

Who's the boss? Geoff Hall has been principal since 2004.

Teaching: The high standards of university-level courses have been consistently recognised by the QAA. In 2008 an Ofsted inspection found most areas to be ‘good’, and ‘Train to Gain’ success rates, community and employer engagement, and financial management to be ‘outstanding’.

Foundation Degrees: Design; fashion; fashion interpretation and practice; broadcast media; multimedia; business management; law; building services engineering; construction management; early years study; hospitality management; tourism management; supporting teaching and learning in school; teaching and learning; music and sonic arts; theatre arts.

Nightlife: With a wide choice of bars, clubs, live music venues and restaurants, Nottingham has a reputation for its lively nightlife, heightened by the large number of students. The active students' union organises a wide range of social activities.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college.

Cheap to live there? About average. Room rents start at about £60 per week, rising to £80 depending on the location, size and the facilities available.

Fees: £2,670 per year for full-time HE courses starting in 2011. Fees for 2012 are yet to be decided.

Bursary: The college offers a special support bursary for students who meet certain criteria. The amount awarded depends on personal circumstances.

Prospectus: 0115 9100 100; www.ncn.ac.uk

UCAS code: N30