NESCOT (North East Surrey College of Technology)

History: The college was founded as Ewell Technical College in October 1953, with the aim of providing education in vocational and technical subjects. Ewell transformed into NESCOT in 1975.

Address: The main campus is in Ewell, near Epsom in Surrey.

Ambience: The college offers a spacious campus environment set in Green Belt countryside two miles from the centre of Epsom and about 14 miles from London. Plentiful free parking is available. Ewell East railway station on the London Victoria to Horsham line is a five minute walk away.

Who’s the boss? College principal Sunaina Mann became the first Asian female principal in the UK when she was appointed in 2005.

Prospectus: 020 8394 3038 or visit the website here.

UCAS code: N49

What you need to know

Easy to get into? Varies by course. Most HNDs and HNCs ask for 160 UCAS points, foundation degrees require 200 and honours degrees range between 240 and 260. Some level 4 programmes require previous qualifications in that area.

Foundation degrees: Early years; photo imaging; sports therapy.

Vital statistics: More than 8,000 students, the majority of them part-time. There are approximately 300 full-time higher education students and around 300 part-timers. Higher education courses are offered up to postgraduate level and are validated by Kingston University, the University of Surrey and the University of Kent.

Added value: Industry standard media suite with facilities for professional music and visual production, a performing arts centre with studios and two in-house theatres, beauty studios for hands-on teaching, an osteopathic clinic and an excellent Learning Resource Centre. 25 per cent of higher education graduates leave with a first class degree.

Teaching: In 2010, Ofsted rated Nescot as outstanding for leadership, management, capacity to Improve, care and support for students, tutorials, enrichment, safeguarding and financial management.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college but they can help you find a place to stay.

Cheap to live there? Last year it typically cost £80 per week for a room plus bills.

Transport links: The main campus is about 30 minutes train ride from London Victoria and is around 20 miles from both London Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

Fees: Depends on the level of study undertaken, but prices range from £4,800 to £6,000 per year.

Bursaries: None offered by the college.

The fun stuff

Nightlife: Occasional band nights on campus. A variety of pubs, clubs and bars in surrounding towns such as Epsom, Sutton and Kingston. Central London is only 30 minutes away by train.

Sporting facilities: Five football pitches, rugby pitches, a fitness suite, a hard court area and a sports hall.

Glittering alumni: David Bellamy, botanist and television presenter; Matt James, star of Channel 4 series The City Gardener; Richard Blackwood, comedian and TV presenter.