De Montfort University (Detailed Info)

Founded: 1969 as Leicester Poly; university status in 1992.

Location: 2 centres: DMU Leicester (3 sites near city centre on the west and east of the town) and DMU Bedford (2 sites).

Getting there: Leicester easily accessible by rail and coach, campus approx 20 min walk from bus and train stations; close to M1 (junctions 21/22). Bedford on coach and mainline train network (40 rains to Kings Cross on Thameslink); on A6 and close to A1 and M1; good local buses and cyclists well catered for.

Academic features: Modular courses available in all disciplines. Wide range of first year courses available at franchise centres around the country. Policy of encouraging mature students.

Awarding body: De Montfort University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, BEd, BEng, MPharm, LLB.

Length of courses: 3 years; others 4 years (sandwich), 5 years (extended).

Library & IT facilities: Network of information centres (libraries, bookshops, communication facilities and resources), access often through electronic links. Library on each campus plus computers, internet, CD-Roms, videos, study areas, audio material and video conferencing. Annual expenditure on information provision, £78 per (FTE) student.

Specialist collections: National Art Slide Library (Leicester); Hockcliffe collection of children's literature (Bedford).

Study abroad: Formal exchange links with european universities and colleges, available to wide range of students.

Careers & Jobs: Information, advice and placement service at each site. Strong links with textile, fashion and engineering industries.

Student advice & services: Counselling, student health service, chaplaincy, legal information service at Leicester.

Amenities: Bookshop, exhibition hall, SU, health centre at Leicester; day nursery at Bedford.

Sporting facilities: Excellent sporting facilities at Bedford, good elsewhere.

Accommodation: In Leicester, 100% of first years requesting it are in university-managed accommodation (priority to international students, those with medical and other special circumstances): 2300 self-catering places, £70-£75 per week, contracts Sept-June. Most students live in privately owned accommodation for 2nd and 3rd years, rents £45-£50 pw plus bills. In Bedford, all students in university accommodation.

Living expenses budget: No university-recommended minimum.

Term-time work: University allows term-time work, to a limit of 12 hours a week (45% believed to work). No work available on campus but work bank to help find jobs off campus.

Financial help: Total available £1.6 million access to learning funds; 1500 students helped. Special help to those with high costs eg childcare costs, health/disability costs or high travel/accommodation costs. Apply for help to Student Services.