Newport (Detailed Info)

Founded: 1975 as Gwent College, origins from 1841; became a university college of Wales University in 1996, full constituent member in 2003.

Location: 2 sites: 1 in residential area on edge of Newport; 1 in Caerlon, a picturesque town, 3 miles away.

Getting there: Regular bus, coach and rail services to Newport; by road from M4; free bus service between campuses.

Awarding body: Wales University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, BSc (Econ), BEng.

Length of courses: 3 years; 4 years (sandwich BEng).

Library & IT facilities: 185,000 volumes, 760 periodicals plus 750 electronic journals; 412 study places; networked CD-Roms, open access computer suites available.

Specialist collections: David Hum collection (books and journals on documentary photography); Primrose Hockey collection (local history); collection of 35,000 slides on art and design; 5000 video programmes on film and animation. Annual expenditure on information provision, £49 per (FTE) student. IT and library services separate. 400 computers with access to internet and thence the library (plus remote access for students at home); ratio 1:8 workstations to students. IT facilities open 24 hours/day; IT helpdesk, software support from library and information services staff and IT technicians. New students have introduction to information resources; various IT workshops, regular drop-in sessions and 1-to-1 support available.

Study abroad: Some opportunities for short periods of study in Europe. Formal exchange links with some universities/colleges in Western Europe.

Careers & Jobs: Information, advice and placement service. Employment liaison officer provides work experience or placements for undergraduates and graduates.

Student advice & services: Student health service (medical officer, 2 nurses), welfare service (2 welfare officers, access fund and childcare and disability co-ordinators), 3 counsellors - all available on each site.

Amenities: Shop on each campus; bar and recreational area on residential site at Caerleon.

Sporting facilities: Sports centre at Caerleon for all sports, many to national level; aerobics, dance and martial arts, gymnasium; fitness suite, floodlit tennis and netball courts; rugby pitch.

Accommodation: College accommodates all first year students who request it (by deadline). 660 self-catering places at £46-£47 per week (£55 en-suite). Private sector rents: £40-£45 pw self-catering (excluding bills); £40-£55 B&B; £55-£68 half-board.

Living expenses budget: No university-recommended minimum.

Term-time work: College allows term-time work for full-time students (30% believed to work). Some work available on campus (marketing, library, estates assistants, telephone operators, bar and shop work); work-link officer helps with term time and holiday work.

Financial help: £350,000 government fund/bursary fund (670 students helped). Average award £600. Special help to parents with dependent children; short-term loans available to final year students; students with disabilities. Apply for help to Student Services.