Birkbeck, University of London

Birbeck, University of London

Age: 188

History: Founded as the London Mechanics Institution for "self-improvement and self-help" in 1823. Became the Birkbeck Literary and Scientific Institution and then Birkbeck College in 1907. Snaffled up by London University back in 1920 but remains an independent institution.

Address: Bloomsbury, London's academic hub.

Ambience: Studious. Strong academic and research reputation and students are there to work. Main building is a 50s redbrick block which has undergone a £18.5m campus consolidation project resulting in a 45 per cent increase in teaching and research accommodation.

Vital statistics: Almost all undergraduate degrees are part-time evening courses, but it's increasingly known for a range of postgraduate courses and quality research. Pioneer of early online courses. Because undergraduates study part-time, they can still earn a crust during the day, meaning it's popular with students who want to avoid racking up debt. Student bursaries are available. Classes usually held between 6pm and 9pm. Mature students make up 97 per cent of the undergrad population. Undergraduate degrees take four years instead of three.

Added value: Evening nursery. State-of-the-art library, computer facilities and students union all stay open late and at weekends. Special study skills classes for students returning to education after a break. Some Birkbeck courses have been made available in Stratford, east London. A nine-storey, glass-fronted extension now houses the integrated library facilities in one location for its 350,000 books and 12,000 electronic journal titles, as well as a suite of four lecture theatres, six laboratories and teaching rooms. The new My Birkbeck Student Centre brings together all student support services, from help in choosing courses and submitting applications to information about financial support and study skills A new, award-winning cinema housed in the school of film and visual media. History of art is in Virginia Woolf's old house. University of London Union next door to Birkbeck’s main building, containing sport and social facilities.

Easy to get into? Conventional entry requirements don't apply for over-21s, as the university makes its own assessment of your ability. Under-21s will need to meet standard entry criteria. Pre-degree certificates and diplomas and short courses are available, as are higher education courses.

Glittering alumni: Labour MP Denis MacShane; BBC's head of global news Richard Sambrook; former punk turned ambient popster, Jah Wobble; Ramsay Macdonald, first Labour Prime Minister; Annie Besant, Victorian social campaigner, Alan Davey MP; Alan Davey, CE of the Arts Council; Kitty Ussher, former economic secretary to the Treasury.

Transport links: Ace. Surrounded by Tube stations.

Who's the boss? Master is genetics Prof. David Latchman. Previously professor of human genetics at UCL, he gained his BA, MA and PhD from Queen's College Cambridge.

Teaching: Birkbeck has recently undergone a QAA institutional audit and achieved 'broad confidence', the highest rating. Top teaching ranking in the 2005 National Student Satisfaction Survey and in 2006 the quality of teaching was given a shining 4.3 out of 5. Ranked number one for student satisfaction in London in 2008 survey.

Research: Ranked in top 25 per cent of UK multi-faculty HEIs in the 2008 research assessment exercise. Several schools rated in top five nationally: earth sciences; psychology; Iberian and Latin American studies and history of art, film and visual media.

Nightlife: Good location, close to ULU, a well-known music venue. Within walking distance of Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Street and Covent Garden. The bars restaurants and clubs of Soho and Chinatown are just down the road, and Theatreland is practically on the doorstep.

How green is it? Not great, it came 103rd out of 138 universities in People and Planet's Green League 2011 - an assessment of environmental performance.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college, but students can apply to University of London Accommodation Office (ULAO).

Cheap to live there? London is not cheap, though the majority of students are based there already.

Fees: As most courses are taken over four years, fees are slightly cheaper, with most undergraduate courses being £2,736 per year for those starting their first year in 2011. Full-time students pay the standard rate of £3,375 per year for 2011/2012. Fees have not been decided for those starting from 2012, but are expected to be between £6,000 and £9,000 per year.

Bursaries: There are a number of subject-specific bursaries available through the university. Visit the website for more details.

Prospectus: 0845 601 0174; www.bbk.ac.uk

UCAS code: B24.