Manchester Met University (Detailed Info)

Founded: 1970 as Manchester Poly, incorporating various colleges of art, technology, commerce and education. University status in 1992.

Location: Main site, All Saints Campus, close to city centre; also Didsbury site (6 miles away), Hollings (3 miles), Elizabeth Gaskell (2 miles) and 2 campuses at MMU Cheshire (40 miles south).

Getting there: Manchester well-connected by coach and rail (to Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria stations; 2 hrs 40 mins from London), by road (M6/M56, M61, M62, M67), and by air to Manchester International Airport (10 miles south of city centre). Regular bus service to Didsbury, Hollings and Elizabeth Gaskell sites. Good rail service between Crewe and Manchester.

Awarding body: Manchester Metropolitan University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BEd, BSc, BEng, LLB, FdA, FdEng, FdSc.

Length of courses: 3 years; 4 years (sandwich); up to 7 years (part-time).

Library & IT facilities: 7 libraries, 862,000 volumes, 6000 periodicals, 3400 study places. Annual expenditure on information provision, £80 pelr (FTE) student. Extensive computing facility. Specialist collections include book design, children's literature 1870-1930, local collection.

Study abroad: 200 pa students spend a period abroad. Exchange links with universities in many European countries, USA, Canada, Australia (many open to non-language specialists; some providing an additional foreign qualification).

Student advice & services: Counsellors, chaplains, learning support advisers (study skills, disability, and educational advice). Student volunteering service. Branch surgery All Saints. Nursery shared with Manchester University. Legal advice from solicitors via SU. Accommodation for disabled students.

Careers & Jobs: 2 information centres, web-based material; individual guidance and advice, including specialist support for students with health and disability issues.

Amenities: Horniman Theatre, art galleries and studios. SU building including bar, restaurant, shop and games room.

Sporting facilities: Include gymnasia, sports halls, fitness rooms, 5-a-side pitches, tennis and squash courts, weight training and swimming pools at Alsager and Manchester (which includes an athletics centre). Playing fields at Hough End and at MMU Cheshire; track and field athletics.

Accommodation: 85% of first year students in halls of residence, 15% returning students (higher proportion at MMU Cheshire). 3400 places available (2900 for first years): 900 full-board places at £80 per week, 2500 self-catering places at £50-£80 pw, term time only. Some students live in privately owned accommodation for whole course: rents £40-£65 pw for self-catering, £55-£65 for B&B, £70-£80 half-board and weekend meals.

Living expenses budget: No university-recommended minimum.

Financial help: Total available £1.4m government funds (average award £800).