SAE Institute

SAE Institute

Age: 25

History: The first SAE Institute was founded in 1976 in Sydney, Australia, and was the first institute anywhere in the world to offer practical audio education. In 1985 SAE London was established and today there are over 46 branches worldwide, with four in the UK (London, Oxford, Liverpool and Glasgow).

Address: The London branch is situated in trendy Dalston, east London; Liverpool's is on The Strand; the Glasgow centre is on Portland Street, Kinning Park; Oxford's is in Littlemore Park, next to the hospital.

Ambience: State-of-the-art recording facilities and computer suites are combined with expert inside knowledge of the industry to provide a highly professional outlet for students' creative energies.

Vital statistics: Around 450 students in the UK study courses in audio, multimedia, film making and interactive entertainment

Added value: All centres have professional-standard recording studios. As the studios aren't used for commercial purposes, students can use them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Glasgow and London have digital film equipment, including professional camera and lighting equipment and dedicated editing workstations. Students following the degree course also have the opportunity to spend their second year in Byron Bay in Australia, a surfer's paradise. The London centre has a specialist divison, Qantm College, offering courses in games design and development, 3D animation, web design and web development.

Easy to get into? For degree courses a minimum of two A-levels (160 UCAS points) is required. See their website for more detailed information.

Glittering alumni: Graduates have worked with big names in the music business. Nigel Godrich has worked with Radiohead, Beck and Paul McCartney, while Valgeir Cigurdsson has worked with Bjork and Sigur Ros. Other graduates have worked with Metallica, Kylie, Destiny's Child and The View, among others.

Transport links: All four UK institutes are centrally located in major cities, so there's no trouble getting there or getting away.

Who's the boss? Dr Thomas Misner, the engineer and producer who founded the institution in 1976 in Australia.

Teaching: As a private institution, there's no QAA assessment of the teaching at SAE. The number of successful graduates seems to suggest that SAE is living up to its international reputation, though.

Nightlife: Wild parties to be found left, right and cetnre in London, Liverpool and Glasgow, while Oxford offers a slightly more relaxed vibe.

Any accommodation? None provided by SAE, but they do produce information to help their students find somewhere.

Cheap to live there? Depends. London is pricey and so is Oxford. Liverpool and Glasgow are slightly cheaper.

Fees: The college does not publish its fees. Students are asked to contact SAE directly for details.

Bursaries: There is a possibility some funding may be available. Contact directly for details.

Prospectus: 020 7923 9159; www.saeuk.com

UCAS code: S05