Wimbledon School of Art (Detailed Info)

Founded: 1890.

Location: Main site and annexe in Wimbledon, south west London.

Getting there: Train (from Waterloo or King's Cross) or tube (District Line) to Wimbledon station; Northern Line to South Wimbledon; Tramlink to Dundonald Road; buses (163, 164, 152) to Nelson Hospital.

Academic features: Degrees in fine art (painting, sculpture & graphic media), theatre design for performance, set design for stage & screen, costume design & costume interpretation, technical arts & special effects; all include mandatory history of art and contextual studies. Normally students must have completed Foundation course; selection is by interview.

Special features: Programme of visiting lectures by professional artists and designers. Also artists and designers of international standing in residence for 7 weeks/term. Awarding body: Surrey University.

Main undergraduate award: BA.

Length of courses: Most 3 years.

Library & IT facilities: 29,000 books, 100 periodicals, 50 study places. Annual expenditure on information provision, £29 per (FTE) student. IT and library services converged. Ratio 1:30 workstations to students; 4 computers with access to library catalogue, 27 to internet. Purpose built IT centre, access 10 hours/weekdays; 3 support staff. New students have induction to both library and IT centre; sessions on dissertation skills.

Other learning facilities: Slide collection, video tapes. CD-Rom databases.

Study abroad: Erasmus exchange programmes with colleges in other European countries, opportunities for exchange in USA, Australia.

Careers & Jobs: Departmental and specialist advice service.

Amenities: SU with common rooms, shop, canteen, etc; workshop theatre.

Student advice & services: Trained counsellor, welfare officer, support for students with disabilities and for international students, all in single centre; information held on all other services.

Accommodation: 35 hostel rooms for first year students; extensive network of private landlords and family stays. Most students live in privately owned accommodation, £70-100 per week self-catering. 37% of first degree students live at home.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £7000 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by School.

Term time work: School allows term-time work for full-time students (50%+ believed to work). Some work available on campus.

Financial help: £45,000 government funds for home students.