South Leicestershire College

South Leicestershire College

Age: 41

History: Formerly Wigston College of Further Education, the college changed its name in 2001.

Address: The main campus is in South Wigston, in the southern outskirts of Leicester, where a new campus opened in September 2010. There are also three further campuses across Leicester, The King Power Stadium (home of Leicester City FC), Freemen's Common and Belgrave.

Ambience: A modern building with welcoming staff and a diverse, yet inclusive, environment. Located in friendly suburban Wigston, close to Leicester city centre.

Vital statistics: FE college that has close links with local employers. The college offers over 8,000 learners a diverse range of vocational curriculum. Courses offered in accounting, basic skills, business studies, complementary therapies, computing, health and social care, humanities, management & professional programmes, sport and teacher training. The college’s HE provision is directly funded through HEFCE and is run in partnership with the University of Northampton.

Added value: State-of-the-art and eco-friendly campus in South Wigston, features a construction workshop, gym, library, therapies suite, and nursery. The Martin Johnson Centre for Leadership and Management (opened by the world cup-winning England rugby captain whose name it bears) is aimed at individuals and businesses looking to gain qualifications from professional bodies. It has achieved Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) status in supervisory management. The college’s Belgrave campus has a Media Centre of Excellence in television and film which opened in January 2008. This centre is where most of the media programmes at the college are run, and it is also the home to ITV Central News' Leicester studio, EAVA FM community radio and Ice Media Corporation. The college is part of Leicester University's college and university liaison network.

Easy to get into? Applications are individually considered on a range of appropriate criteria and work-related experience and are particularly welcome from mature students.

Glittering alumni: Two members of indie band The Heroes, who have appeared at Glastonbury.

Transport links: South Wigston rail station is a 20-minute walk away, with trains running to Hinckley and Leicester. There are frequent buses to and from Leicester and travel subsidies are available to students living more than three miles away.

Who's the boss? Jim Aleander, principal.

Teaching: At the most recent Ofsted inspection, the college was graded as 'satisfactory' overall. The college also achieved Beacon status in 2008. Achieved Beacon status in 2008.

Higher education courses: Foundation degree in leadership and management; HND/HNC in business; HND/HNC in advanced practice in working with children and families; PGCE/Certificate in education. The college also offers a range of higher level management qualifications in marketing, personnel and development, purchasing and supply and credit management. All higher level courses are part-time.

Nightlife: Leicester nightlife has improved vastly in recent years, with an ever-growing number of bars and clubs. The High Cross entertainment complex was completed in 2008, providing shops, a cinema and al fresco dining. An array of good Indian restaurants, and every autumn there is a huge Diwali celebration that's reputedly the biggest outside India.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college, but most students live at home anyway.

Cheap to live there? Not bad. A room in a shared flat will set you back around £70 per week.

Fees: Vary widely by course. HE courses range from £700 to £1,050 in 2011. Contact the college directly for fees for specific courses.

Bursaries: None offered by the college.

Prospectus: 0116 264 3555; www.slcollege.ac.uk

UCAS code: S48