Birmingham City University (BCU) is a forward-looking university of approximately 25,000 students, spread across eight campuses around the city, making it one of the largest and liveliest universities in the county. The university has a reputation for widening participation and working with local communities. It welcomes a broad mix of cultures and nationalities, and over half of its students come from the city or the surrounding area. BCU's courses have a strong focus on preparing students for the world of work, with many offering the option of a four-year sandwich mode, where a full year is spent in industry gaining valuable work experience. The university has a well-established reputation for delivering in-company training and development programmes, working with some of the country's leading employers. It also has its own pioneering student employment agency, OpportUNIty – offering student jobs on campus. Accommodation Applicants are guaranteed a room in halls of residence for their first year, provided they have accepted an offer on a full-time course, do not live in Birmingham and apply by the start of the autumn term. This does not apply to students who apply through Clearing. For other applicants, accommodation is subject to availability. Most halls are self-catering, and 2015-16 prices range from £96.50 to £128.50 a week. Facilities The Seacole building at City South campus houses state-of-the-art learning equipment, such as virtual hospital wards, simulation dummies and a mock operating theatre. There is an £8m sports centre comprising a sports hall and an 80-station fitness suite at the City North campus in Perry Barr. The university is mid-way through a £260m investment programme to revamp its campuses. A state-of-the-art £62m building for design and media students opened in 2013 at the city centre campus. Construction is now under way to provide a new building to house business, law, social science and English courses, as well as new library, IT and student support facilities. Additional teaching accommodation at the city centre and city south campuses, and a new home for its Conservatoire, are also on their way. Transport Birmingham is easy to get to by road or rail.