Norwich University College of the Arts

Norwich University College of the Arts

Age: 166

History: Origins go back to 1845, when the Norwich School of Design was founded by followers of the Norwich School of Painters. Has had degree provision since 1965. Merged with Great Yarmouth College of Art to form the Norfolk Institute of Art and Design in 1989, and in 1991 it became an associate college of Anglia Polytechnic. In November 2007, it was granted degree-awarding power and was renamed Norwich University College of Arts.

Address: Centre of Norwich. A unique campus of several buildings, ranging from medieval to modern.

Ambience: Great location in the heart of the city centre, overlooking the River Wensum. Norwich is the arts and cultural capital of the east of England, and fosters a warm and welcoming attitude to its student population and a positive attitude to arts and culture.

Vital statistics: A dynamic, modern and creative community with around 1,500 full-time students. Offers foundation degrees, BA degrees and MAs as well as research degrees.

Added value: You get the gallery thrown in, a hotbed of contemporary art. The university college also hosts the biannual EASTinternational, which brings a range of international artists to work and exhibit in Norwich. Research degrees are offered in partnership with the University of the Arts, London.

Easy to get into? The key thing for getting a place is a strong portfolio. Almost all applicants are interviewed. A minimum of four GCSE passes at grade C or above, as well as two A-level passes, adding up to 240 UCAS points. National Diploma and GNVQ Level 3 courses are also recognised entry qualifications.

Glittering alumni: Glenn Brown, Turner Prize nominee; Keith Chapman, creator of Bob the Builder; Tim Stoner, Becks Futures winner.

Transport links: Norwich is less than two hours from London and an hour from Cambridge. There are regular trains to and from the Midlands and the North. Norwich International Airport has daily flights to the UK and Europe, including regular flights to the global hub of Amsterdam Schiphol. Stansted Airport is accessible by road and public transport.

Who's the boss? Professor John Last, who brings 25 years experience of art and design higher education and was previously at the Arts University College Bournemouth.

Teaching: In the 2010 National Student Survey, the university college scored 77 per cent for student satisfaction.

Research: 35 per cent of NUCA’s submitted research was confirmed to be ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the Research Assessment Exercise submission, with a further 50 per cent ‘internationally significant’. Current designated areas of research activity include contemporary art, design and media practice, animation, sound design, and art and design interpretation and curatorship.

Nightlife: Student bar is a fabulous room with a stage at one end and huge timber beams and ceiling. Otherwise, students frequent Norwich's 365 pubs and clubs.

Any accommodation? Yes. Costs start at £85 per week (inclusive of bills) for a study bedroom in halls, going up to £104 per week.

Cheap to live there? Not bad. Only £70 tp £80 per week for a privately rented room.

Fees; £3,375 per year for full-time undergrads starting in 2011. The university college plans on charging £8,500 per year as of 2012.

Bursaries: A means-tested, non-repayable grant of up to £820 per year is available to eligible students in receipt of a full maintenance grant.

Prospectus: 01603 610 561; www.nuca.ac.uk

UCAS code: N39