Xaverian College...what a fantastic place…read more This is where I actually became who I am today. I know that sounds silly but this college is fantastic. I learnt more here in two years than I did in five years at high school. The teachers here really bring you out of yourself, they actually care about the students, not just about the grades. I'm still in touch with most of my tutors now, they care what I've been up to since I left and always get in touch to congratulate me on anything I achieve. The range of subjects is vast and the campus keeps getting bigger and better. It's much different to most other colleges as the buildings are spread right out although not too far so you can still walk to all of them comfortably. It's so different to school, everyone is treated as an adult and it was such a good grounding before university, I don't think I'd have been half as prepared for uni if it wasn't for Xaverian.

Firstly, it's spelt 'Aquinas'. Secondly, I've been attending for six months now, and I've been…read moreenjoying all of it. The staff are all friendly, the lessons are great and very well taught, add to that a plethora of extra curricular stuff like sports, College Magazine, Creative Writing, and even an Anime club. The only real big problem with the college is 'Ethics', which is both annoying and pointless, and whats worse is it's an enforced part of the curriculum. Aquinas College, in 2009 surpassed all other local colleges, including the non-state schools, and came out #1 in Stockport. It has close links with several European colleges and regularly partakes in exchanges, currently hosting the Romanian exchange (as of 5/2/09). Several trips are also part of the curriculum, including trips to Rome for Classics, Poland for History and India, for the colleges India project, of which a massive fundraising scheme has been held each year for the past 10 years. Opportunities are also present with talks from several institutions including Journalism talks from the BBC. The latest Ofsted report described Aquinas as 'an outstanding college'. The adjective 'outstanding' was found to occur 26 times in the finished report. The report praised the friendly and positive environment for students to learn in. It was also touched upon that the use of IT was well applied to keep students engaged. Furthermore: Teachers and support staff work very well together to provide outstanding guidance and support. The college's response to education and social inclusion is outstanding. A broad curriculum meets the needs of students very well. Alternative pathways are available for students not yet ready to study at advanced level and the college works hard to engage students who may otherwise not participate in further education. Extensive enrichment activities and voluntary work enhances students'skills. The Every Child Matters themes are embedded in all aspects of college life. A list of Key strengths was drawn up: - Inclusive college - High success rates on many courses - Very good value added on A2 - Excellent individual support for students - Productive partnerships - Outstanding governance - Outstanding range of courses and enrichment activities. Ofsted also criticized the present building as being too cramped for the current demand for students. In response, a new college is currently being constructed, with the old one being demolished upon completion. Additional reading: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4016399.stm - Hundreds que for places at college http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominic_Monaghan - Aquinas alumni http://www.aquinas.ac.uk/ - Aquinas website

i currently attend the Manchester college's new campus on great ducie street and id just like to…read moresay that its not worth going. the art and design tutors are a full on joke, the pickout students and make them feel bad about all thier work. Mental health isnt a priority for them and they need to learn to communcate not only with thier srudents but with staff aswell as i feel there is no clear communication. i come to college and sit doing nothing because non of the tutors can actually agree anythng.

I have attended Manchester College of Arts and Technology on day release for the last two years…read more Part of the Openshaw campus has been rebuilt so is still new. It is a great college, and the building is impressive. It is a modern design and has water features outside, between the old and new building. Inside the new building are classrooms, the canteen and the East City Manchester Library aswell as a large computer room. It also houses the Motor Vehicle department. It is well decorated and well looked after. It has great facilitys, food is good at the canteen and having a library in the college is great. The old part of the building houses classrooms and another cafe. The food here is also good. Overall it is a great college

As you might have guessed from my Salford review, I'm something of a Salford University fan. And…read morewhile Manchester Metropolitan is still a great university, there's one word that comes to mind when I think about it. 'Fragmented'. I could be completely wrong, after all, it was a post-grad course I did here and they tend to be sectioned off somewhat from the rest of the crowd... hang on, I tell a lie. One of my best friends is currently doing her Masters at Salford and she feels part of the machine, so it goes to show, there can be differences. The fact that Manchester Met has so many campuses has a great deal to do with it, I think. The main campus is set across Oxford Road, which as we all know is one of Manchester's main party streets. Bars, clubs, pubs aplenty are dotted along the street, so your student accommodation would only be a stone's throw from someone being sick via too much sambuca. Depending on what kind of student you are, this can be a good thing or a bad thing. But there's more. While Oxford Road has a sense of community, some students are chucked far, far away on a campus entitled Crewe and Alsager. Have you ever passed Crewe on a train from Manchester to God-knows-where? I have. Many times. It takes a very long time. And I visited the Crewe campus. There is NOTHING there. Similarly campuses are scattered around Didsbury as well as other parts of Manchester... perhaps I feel like I've been spoiled with Salford and the fact that everything's within walking distance - in fact I know I have. I do admire Man Met's student union building, as it even has a rock club in it, and the Humanities department has a great mix of teachers. I adored my supervisors during my Masters, they were fabulous. However one of my best friends did make the mistake about talking about Man Met's 'not so great reputation' (the rumour that they'll let anyone in regardless of grades) on The Weakest Link, to which Anne Robinson raised an eyebrow and the Man Met head honchos chastised him greatly. So my conclusion would be, don't get drawn in by its central location and party atmosphere. Go there because you like the tutors and find a course that suits you. If you do, you have the potential to make good use of Manchester's student Mecca. Enjoy! (Just don't get stuck in Crewe, for the love of God. Unless you're into suburbs and trumpets.)

mmu = mickey mouse university…read more the happiest place on earth! This area includes All Saints, The New Business School, Hollings Faculty, Mabel Tylecote, School of Art and Geoffrey Manton to name a few. On the other side of Oxford road are delicious cheap takeouts and easy-going cheap pubs. Lovely place to go for a pint when you have had enough of seminars and lectures.

5 stars for amazing facilities! I'm part of the first years to go through Birley on my pgce and te…read morefacilities are just 2nd to none! I can only speak for the music department, but we've had first play on everything from state of the art jamhubs, ukulele classes, African drumming with brand new djembes- not to mention the large work stations with new touch screen computers! The tutors are fantastic and are always on hand for advice and a shoulder to cry on when lessons go wrong! The cafe is fab if a little expensive, the canteen serves amazing street food, soups, main meals, breakfasts, sandwiches, drinks and cakes! Though the one downside to it is that it's too small! Every lunchtime there is a crush to pay and choose food- only bad point!

Wow I was quite surprised at this campus. It is modern and contemporary with friendly students and…read morestaff. Have to drop one star off from being amazing because it is situated in God knows where. One of the best university building in Manchester in my opinion.

I would just like to say that I am grateful to Oldham Sixth Form for allowing my daughter to resit…read moreher A Levels there. Her tutors have been supportive and helpful which has rebuilt her trust in the educational system and her confidence after being let down so badly by Hyde Clarendon Sixth Form College. I would like to say thank you to all her tutors in assisting my daughter in getting the grades that she deserved.

The school has improved a lot over the past 5 years. exam…read moregrades are improving all the time. Even I was a bit worried about sending my 2 children there. this year my son will be sitting his gcse and hopefully he will prove I made the right decision. The quality of the students from the school are excellent!

Open University is definitely the way to go to avoid lots of student debt. Plus a degree doesn't…read morehave to take any longer than in a brick institute as long as you're prepared to put the work in. Many people will be eligible for help with fees etc. Although it is mainly distance learning there are on many courses the option of face to face tutorials which are great. I'd suggest setting up a 'study group' with other people on your course so that you can contact each other for help and support although the tutors are always on the other end of the phone line if you need them! Lots of different courses available so there is usually something that will interest you!