Stephenson College

Stephenson College

Age: Six, it moved to a new, state-of-the-art campus in 2005.

History: Originally a mining college, but has diversified over time and now offers a wide range of courses.

Address: The main site is on Thornborough Road in Coalville, north west Leicestershire. There are also smaller community centres around the region, and a new training centre in Nottingham.

Ambience: A medium-sized, friendly further education college. Award-winning new building with hi-tech facilities and industry standard workshops, a health and fitness suite, a hair salon and beauty treatment rooms.

Vital statistics: 12,500 students taking a wide range of courses. Offers full time and part time courses, apprenticeships and other work-based learning programmes. Higher education is offered through foundation degrees, HNC/Ds and professional courses. University level courses are validated by Nottingham Trent University, the University of Derby and the University of Bradford. The college is also a Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) in motor vehicle and construction training.

Added value: The college has excellent links with employers and currently works with Volvo, The Lovell Partnership, Taylor Woodrow, Biffa Waste Management and hundreds of local companies. Was awarded an EMskills quality mark for employer engagement and support.

Easy to get into? The college welcomes applications from everyone - but there are entry requirements on many courses.

Glittering alumni: None as yet.

Transport links: Located in East Midlands, the college has excellent rail, motorway (MI/M42) and road links and is close to East Midlands Airport. The college runs a mini-bus service and free transport is available for students.

Who's the boss? Nigel Leigh is college principal and chief executive.

Teaching: Recent Ofsted Inspection praised good teaching and learning, guidance and support, and reported success rates above national averages. A recent Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) assessment commended the college for its standards in higher education

Foundation degrees: Business; construction management; children and young people's services; dementia studies.

Nightlife: College is located close to Coalville town centre, home of the Emporium 'Passion' club, a mecca for dance music fans. Leicester, Nottingham and Derby are also within easy reach.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college.

Cheap to live there? Relatively.Rooms go for around £60 to £70 per week, but most students live at home so this isn't usually an issue.

Prospectus: 01530 836 136; www.stephensoncoll.ac.uk

UCAS code: S69