Sparsholt College Hampshire

Age: 112

History: In 1899 the country farm school for Hampshire was founded and grew up on the current site. Over the past century or so the college has developed to become one of the country's leading institutions for animal and land-based training, from introductory to degree level. In 2009 Sparsholt College became an associate college of the University of Portsmouth.

Address: A beautiful rural campus in central Hampshire, halfway between Winchester and Stockbridge.

Ambience: The original college building is in a purpose-built 1920s style and this now acts as the administration centre. Other modern buildings are spread around the parkland campus, which includes a 400-acre farm, an invaluable practical resource for students.

Vital statistics: Around 2,900 full-time students, 350 of whom are studying at HE level. There are also around 2,160 part-time enrolments. The college incorporates Andover College, a community college in North Hampshire and is partnered with four other land-based colleges to form Cultiva, the leading national provider of training, education and related services for rural and land-based industries. Courses are validated by the University of Portsmouth and the University of Winchester.

Added value: Many of the courses are hard to find elsewhere and few other institutions can claim to be so specialised in the great outdoors. Centres of Vocational Excellence for: leadership and management; game, wildlife, countryside management and fishery studies; and animal management and veterinary nursing.

Easy to get into? Not bad. A Level 3 qualification adding up to approximately 140 to 180 UCAS points is required for a foundation degree. Bachelors' degrees ask for between 240 and 280 UCAS points. Candidates are invited to viewing days to discuss their course.

Glittering alumni: Horticultural legend Charlie Dimmock; all-time cricket great Wally Hammond.

Transport links: Sophisticated bus transport system from all over Hampshire into the campus. Rail links to nearby Winchester with regular local bus into the campus.

Who's the boss? Tim Jackson, principal.

Teaching: A 2008 QAA review had 'confidence' in the college's HE provision.

Foundation degrees: Animal management and applied science; arboriculture and tree care; conservation and wildlife management; equine studies; garden design; lowland woodland management; marine ecology and conservation; sport fisheries and aquaculturel; veterinary health studies; veterinary nursing science; zoo resource management.

BSc Degrees: Animal Management, Aquaculture and Fishery Management; Conservation and Wildlife Management; Garden Design, Horticulture and Landscape Practice.

Nightlife: Most social activity takes place on campus, though Winchester and Southampton are close and accessible for a night out. The student committee organises on and off-site events, Rag Week and a summer ball.

Any accommodation? Yes - there are 400 single study bedrooms on site, with 100 being offered to HE students. Rents range from approximately £110 to £125 per week.

Cheap to live there? It depends. Rents can vary between £60 and £100 per week for a room in a shared house.

Fees: Vary by course and qualification. £3,375 per year for full-time HE courses starting in 2011. The college plans to charge between £7,500 and £8,500 per year as of 2012.

Bursaries: Students who have higher than expected costs may apply for assistance through the college's Access to Learning Fund.

Prospectus: 01962 797 280; www.sparsholt.ac.uk

UCAS code: S34