West Herts College

West Herts College

Age: 64

History: The origins of West Herts College can be traced back to 1947 with the foundation of Watford Technical College. Since then it has joined forces with various other local educational establishments, such as Cassio College and George Stephenson College. The present day West Herts College was founded in 1991.

Address: Four sites at Watford, Dacorum and Kings Langley.

Ambience: Fresh and modern at the Watford campus, which was finished last year. Situated two minutes' walk from the town centre, the building is based around a central square where students can socialise and relax. Other sites have their own character and unique set of facilities, with Dacorum due for the next refurbishment.

Vital statistics: In 2008-09, the college enrolled more than 11,000 students, of whom nearly three quarters were adult learners and a similar proportion were part-time. HE courses include HNDs, HNCs, foundation degrees and a PGCE, and are validated by the University of Hertfordshire.

Added value: Active in the community, providing support and specialist training for personal and professional development. The college is particularly proud of its provision in early years, business, IT, and creative industries. Foundation degree students receive a Consortium Award of £1,000 cash upfront to help make studying more affordable.

Easy to get into? Yes - keen on widening participation. Typical offer is 120 UCAS points for a foundation degree or HND.

Glittering alumni: Spice Girl Geri Halliwell; TV presenter Gail Porter.

Transport links: Watford and Hemel Hempstead have direct access to national road, rail and air links. The M25 and M1 are only a few miles from the town centres. The London-Scotland rail network runs through the towns (InterCity trains stop at Watford and go direct to Euston, which can be reached in 20 minutes) and major airports at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton are within easy reach. Watford is also connected to the underground rail network through the Metropolitan line.

Who's the boss? Gill Worgan, principal and chief executive.

Teaching: Was graded as 'outstanding' overall in a 2010 Ofsted inspection, with praise for the "high-quality of education and training", the levels of "care and support learners receive" and the college's commitment to "meeting the needs and intersts of learners" in particular.

Foundation degrees: Business (on its own or with advertising, marketing, finance, HRM, law or IT); fashion and textiles; graphic design; illustration; advanced practices in beauty therapy; early years; IT for the internet; media production; photography; performing arts; sports studies.

Nightlife: There are two main nightclubs and lots of local bars, pubs and restaurants.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college.

Cheap to live there? Nope. This is near enough to London, so expect to pay up to £100 per week for a room in a shared flat.

Fees: FE fees vary by course. Full-time undergrads starting in 2011 will pay £3,375 per year, and part-timers will pay £425 per 15-credit module. Fees for 2012 are yet to be confirmed, but will be below £6,000 per year for full-time courses.

Bursaries: The Consortium Award gives £1,000 to full-time undergrads as long as they meet attendance criteria, and part-time students get a discount of £125 at enrollment.

Prospectus: 01923 812 345; www.westherts.ac.uk

UCAS code: W40