Leo Baeck College

(Leo Baeck)

History: Leo Baeck College is the direct European heir of the great rabbinical seminary, the Lehranstalt (Hochschule) fur die Wissenschaft des Judentums in Berlin (1872-1942). Formally opened in 1956, the college acquired its present name when Rabbi Dr. Leo Baeck died shortly afterwards.

Address: The north London suburb of Finchley is near a vibrant Jewish community.

Ambience: Six acres of walled grounds. College library and classrooms are located in the 18th century manor house and the department of Jewish education has its own purpose-built modern premises.

Who's the boss? Rabbi Deborah Kahn-Harris took over from Rabbi Professor Marc Saperstein in March 2011.

Prospectus: 020 8349 5600; have a look at their prospectus here.

UCAS code: Not a member of UCAS.

what you need to know

Easy to get into? Aside for its postgraduate programmes, the college puts more emphasis on knoledge or Hebrew and Judaism than on academic qualifications.

Vital statistics: There are usually around 80 students, of which nearly half are women. Primarily a centre for rabbinic studies, the college also provides degree courses for teachers of Judaism, and interfaith seminars for non-Jews. For the rabbinate there is a vocational programme as well as the academic training.

Added value: This small college is the leading institution for Progressive Judaism in Europe, and the only one in the UK.

Teaching: Its MA course in Hebrew and Jewish studies is validated by King’s College London, while its MA in Jewish Education is validated by London Metropolitan University.

Any accommodation: None on campus.

Cheap to live there? No, North London is pretty expensive. Most rents fall somewhere between £100 and £125 per week.

Transport links: The nearest London Underground station is Finchley Central, 30 minutes from central London on the Northern Line.

Fees: The Rabbinic training programme is around £7,000 per year, and the MA courses are around £4,400 per year. As a private institution the college's fees should remain unaffected by the changes in government regulations over tuition fees in 2012.

Bursaries: The college applies to trusts on behalf of students if they wish to study but are unable to because of financial restraints.

the fun stuff

Glittering alumni: Lionel Blue, radio broadcaster and Baroness Neuberger, Lib Dem member of the House of Lords.

Nightlife: If the local bowling alley holds little charm for you, the temptations of London are only a bus ride away. On campus there is a common room and a café but no bar.