Pearson College

History: Pearson College is part of the Pearson family, the owner of the Financial Times and Penguin. The college began delivering its first course, the BSc (Hons) in business and enterprise in September 2012.

Address: Sites on the Strand in London and at the Salford Quays in Manchester.

Ambience: Pearson College’s London premises puts students at the heart of Britain’s capital. Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden are within easy walking distance, with plenty of places to eat and drink. In addition, a wealth of iconic cultural landmarks sit close by such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye.

In Manchester, students can study at the college’s premises in Salford Quays on the doorstep of the vibrant Media City. There is a wide array of cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as the world famous Lowry Theatre.

Who's the boss? Roxanne Stockwell is principal of Pearson Colleg and managing director of Higher Education Awards Pearson UK. She originally qualified as a lawyer at the University of Sydney and joined from BPP University College.

Prospectus: 0203 441 1303, request it online here and follow @Pearson_College.

UCAS code: P34

Easy to get into? Usually - vows to consider applications by students from all backgrounds and experiences, so long as they can demonstrate ability and a passion for the subject. The average offer is 320 UCAS points (ABB) and grade C or above at GCSE (or equivalent) in English and maths - if you don’t have 320 points you can take the Pearson College admission test. Mature students welcomed with or without standard qualifications.

Vital statistics: Pearson College degrees are designed by Pearson and a team of top companies including BT, Cisco and Sony Pictures.

Added value: Pearson College has been set up to design, develop and deliver higher education awards in the UK. The focus is on embedding employer engagement in all of our programmes and by combining academic rigor with a sophisticated understanding of the modern business environment, enhancing the employability of graduates. Business students are guaranteed a six-week internship and company-based mentor.

Teaching: The Pearson Business and Enterprise Programme is validated by Royal Holloway and Bedford New College (final honours level) and Pearson (first two levels). Royal Holloway is responsible for the academic standards and quality of the degree and for conferring the final award. Pearson is an awarding body in its own right and the first two levels of the programme are validated by them. On completion of the programme, students become alumni of both Royal Holloway and Pearson and graduate with a BSc (Hons) business and enterprise degree from Royal Holloway and Bedford New College (RHBNC).

Any accommodation? None provided directly by the college but halls to suit everyone have been picked as accommodation providers.

Cheap to live there? Living costs in London and Manchester vary considerably depending on the area in which you choose to live. Pearson College has links with accommodation providers in both cities - rooms in London cost from £175.91 per week while in Manchester you can expect to pay from £106 per week.

Transport links: The nearest tube stops are Charing Cross Station (on the Northern, Bakerloo lines) or Covent Garden Station (on the Piccadilly line). Both are approximately five minutes walk to 80 Strand. Charing Cross and Waterloo are within walking distance of the office, though tube links make other train stations easy to connect from.

In Manchester, the Met 2, 9 and 69 bus services run frequently close to our Manchester campus. The nearest tram stop is Salford Quays. There are direct trams (in the direction of Eccles) from Manchester Piccadilly train station to Salford Quays, making your journey to the college easy. Both the National Express and Megabus operate in London and Manchester alongside many other coach services.

Fees: The three-year programme is £6,500 per year while the four-year part-time programme is £4,875. Top-up courses last a year and cost £6,500 for new students and £3,750 for those continuing at the college.

Bursaries: Pearson College offers an excellent scholarship scheme to help students who meet the criteria. In addition to government support and scholarship programmes, it also offers a payment plan for students to help spread the cost of tuition fees. A hardship fund is on hand to support students who may find themselves in need of additional support during their studies.

Nightlife: There is no limit on the nightlife available in both London and Manchester. There is something for all tastes. Both cities boast not only some amazing nightclubs and bars but also world-renowned theatres and comedy clubs. In London, the Southbank Centre is a ten-minute walk, while the West End and Soho are just as close in the other direction. In Manchester, you'll be on the doorstep of Media City, close to the famous Lowry Theatre.

Sporting reputation: Does not compete in the BUCS league. There are, however, plenty of sporting opportunities on offer with the students' association. Nearby gyms offer discounts for college students.

Glittering alumni: None as yet but give them time.