University College Falmouth

University College Falmouth

Age: 109

History: Created in 1902 as a private art school for little old ladies who liked to splash on canvas. Artists such as Barbara Hepworth supported its becoming a recognised art college. The College changes its name to University College Falmouth in 2005, having been granted the right to award its own degree in 2004. In April 2008, Dartington College of Arts merged with University College Falmouth.

Address: There are two campuses. The first, Woodlane, is set in the lush sub-tropical gardens of Falmouth, a seaside resort on the south coast of Cornwall. The second, Tremough, opened in 1999, is a 70-acre country estate three miles away at Penryn, and is now the multi-million-pound hub campus of the combined universities in Cornwall, shared with the university of Exeter.

Ambience: A creative community, with surfing nearby. Wonderful sea views at Falmouth from the old Fox family house on the hill, the oldest part of the college. Modern buildings put up in last 30 years in the Fox gardens, which stretch down to the sea and include art and design studios, and an interactive arts centre. The ancient township of Penryn oozes history but the modern campus at Tremough provides a friendly learning environment, with a multitude of exciting Design and Media courses.

Vital statistics: A college of art, design, media, and performance, it has around 3,500 students, more than 3,200 of whom are full-time undergraduates.

Added value: Vocational courses with plenty of practical work. Work experience placements are common, as are lectures from visiting professors and other professionals. Open plan design centre. Part of the United Kingdom Arts and Design Institutions Association.

Easy to get into? Students have an average of 220 UCAS entry points. Portfolio needed for all art and design courses.

Glittering alumni: Tacita Dean, artist shortlisted for 1999 Turner Prize; Fergus Walsh and Matthew Amroliwala, correspondents for the BBC; Jethro Macey, designer and winner of the 2009 Hidden Art annual award; Tim Shaw, winner of the £10,000 Federation of British Artists Selectors' Choice award as part of the Threadneedle Figurative Prize.

Transport links: Take the train to Truro and change there for Falmouth Town or Penryn, or go by coach.

Who's the boss? The Rector Professor Anne Carlisle, a practising artist, writer and broadcaster, and an award-winning academic, whose background is firmly established in the visual arts and creative industries.

Teaching: Scored 76 per cent for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey.

Research: In the last Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) more than three quarters of UCF's researchers gained international recognition for excellence. Particular strengths included art and design, and drama, dance and performing arts.

Nightlife: The Stannary bar on the Tremough campus lays on events including live music and club nights. Pubs and a couple of clubs Falmouth and the local arts centre for shows and films. Totnes is home to a lively pub scene, and Torquay, Exeter, Plymouth and Newquay are a short journey away.

How green is it? Not great - scored 97th out of 138 in People and Planet's 'Green League 2011', an assessment of environmental performance.

Any accommodation? Yes. University-arranged halls (some shared with Exeter University) average £120 per week. Demand is high, and those missing out on a single-occupancy room may be offered one to share with another student, for around £70 per week.

Cheap to live there? Not too bad - for local rented accommodation you can expect to pay between £60 and £85 per week.

Fees: £3,375 per year for full-time undergrads starting in 2011. The university plans on charging the maximum fee of £9,000 from 2012.

Bursaries: Available to students with low household incomes and in receipt of certain benefits.

Prospectus: 01326 213 730; www.falmouth.ac.uk

UCAS code: F33, Campus A: Tremough and Woodlane Campus B: Dartington