Hertfordshire University (Detailed Info)

Founded: 1952; Hatfield Poly until university status in 1992.

Location: Twin campuses (Hatfield College Lane, and new Hatfield de Havilland) 20 miles north of London; campuses 1 km apart, linked by paths, cycle routes and continuous shuttle bus. Law school at St Albans.

Getting there: Hatfield at Junction 3, A1 (M); St. Albans campus near A414. All fairly near railway stations with regular fast (20 mins) services from London.

Academic features: Most courses on modular structure; high proportion are sandwich courses. Many joint Honours and combined programmes available.

Awarding body: Hertfordshire University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BEd, BEng, MEng, MPhys. BSc, LLB.

Length of courses: 3 years: 4 years (sandwich); 4-5 years (extended degrees); 2 years (accelerated LLB).

Library & information services (LIS): 500,000 volumes, over 10,000 journal titles; networked online information services on and off-campus, including StudyNet virtual learning environment. Annual expenditure on information provision, £91 per (FTE) student. Integrated computing, library and media services open 24/7. Learning resources centres with 2900 study spaces with 1500 computer workstations (all with internet access) and wireless network for use of personal laptops; ratio workstations to students 1:8. Induction to LIS for all new students; expert advice and support (on-campus helpdesks, telephone helpline, online help guides and drop-in skills sessions).

Other learning facilities: Field centre, observatory, audiovisual aids service, sports science laboratories, multi-media centre.

Study abroad: Formal exchange links with 70 universities and colleges across Europe, north America & Australia.

Careers & Jobs: Advisory and placement service; recruitment fair.

Student advice & services: Specialist help in addition to personal tutorial system. General medical and nursing facilities, professional counsellors, chaplaincy, day nursery, disabled student officer, financial and legal advisory services. Some residential accommodation on each campus for disabled students.

Amenities: SU buildings; music and drama centres.

Sporting facilities: Sports village at de Havilland campus has 100-station health & fitness centre, 12 badminton court sports hall, 8-lane swimming pool, exercise studio, 12-metre climbing wall, squash courts, 4-lane indoor cricket hall, 3 astroturf pitches, 3 grass football and 1 rugby pitches. Over 30 sporting clubs.

Accommodation: 100% of first years who apply and meet university criteria are in university residences: all self-catering at £50-£85 per week, contracts Sept-June. Lodgings locally £75 pw full-board, self-catering £60pw.

Living expenses budget: No university-recommended minimum.

Term-time work: University allows term-time work for full-time students (80% believed to work). Some work available on campus in bars, offices, sports coaches, grounds staff, library, catering etc (own students employed wherever possible); also UHSU employment office helps find work off-campus.

Financial help: Government funds of £841,000.

Special help: single parents, low-income families, plus students in severe hardship due to exceptional circumstances (demand for funds always exceeds supply).