Uxbridge College

Uxbridge College

Age: 45

History: Opened in June 1966, with just two departments - engineering and commerce, and general studies. The college expanded and in 1988 part of its work was moved to the former Townfield School in Hayes, which became the Hayes Community Campus. In 1992 franchised HE courses were introduced, and an association was established with the University of Westminster.

Address: The Park Road Uxbridge campus is just a short distance from Uxbridge town centre. The Hayes campus off Coldharbour Road is five miles outside Uxbridge, close to the centre of Hayes and the railway station.

Ambience: Modern. In recent years the college has invested heavily in its buildings and infrastructure. The Uxbridge campus’ urban setting provides the ideal environment for its mix of industrial, business and academic learning, while the Hayes campus focuses on vocational skills.

Vital statistics: The only further education college in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Around 10,000 full-time and part-time students, of which 159 are on higher education courses. Adult learners can study for HNDs, HNCs and teacher training qualifications.

Added value: A £6m sports development was recently opened, and includes a national standard basketball court with a full-size score board and 7.4m ceiling, and two outdoor multi-games areas. A £5m IT and media block is due to open in September 2011, housing mac labs and computer suites, soundproofed audio and film studios, media control rooms, green screen studios for CGI and 3D filming, graphic art studios, high-speed computers for game development and a Cisco training suite. The college was recognised as one of the first 18 New Technology Institutes in the country, and offers a 'new age' approach to computing, engineering and robotics, including a dedicated Cisco networking area. Learning centres on both campuses with links to the British Library. Achieved Beacon status for providing outstanding education and training in 2010.

Easy to get into? Yes - keen on widening participation.

Glittering alumni: None as yet.

Transport links: There is a tube stop at Uxbridge (Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines) and plenty of bus links. Hayes, which is also served by a rail link, is a further five minutes from Uxbridge and both are within easy reach of Harrow and Slough.

Who's the boss? Laraine Smith OBE, principal.

Teaching: An outstanding Ofsted report in 2008, with five of the six inspection areas graded outstanding and the sixth good. Success rates, equality of opportunity, educational and social inclusion and IT were all rated outstanding. Teaching in English language was deemed ‘inspirational’ by inspectors.

Foundation degrees: None at the moment, just HNDs, HNCs.and teacher training.

Nightlife: Uxbridge has a good collection of venues, and the centre of London is not far away.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college.

Cheap to live there? Outer-London prices – although anywhere near London is bound to be expensive, and rents may be as much as £100 per week.

Fees: FE fees vary by course, and most under-19s are exempt. For HE courses starting in 2011, full-time fees are £1,400 per year, and part-time are £840 per year. Courses delivered by partner HE institutions may be different, and applicant are encouraged to contact the college for full details. Fees as of 2012 are yet to be confirmed.

Bursaries: The college will be making a range of bursaries available to higher education students. Details available on application.

Prospectus: 01895 853 333; www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk

UCAS code: U95