Birmingham, University of

University of Birmingham

Age: 111

History: Past identities included Mason Science College and the Queen's Medical College.

Address: Edgbaston, three miles from the centre of Brum.

Ambience: An oasis of green space and red brick amid the bustle of England's second biggest city. Set in 250 acres of parkland, the main campus is largely self-contained with lawns, trees and a lake. Also an 80-acre site in Selly Oak, around a mile from the main campus. The city has distractions for all tastes, with the Bullring and Mailbox shopping centres, clusters of curry houses and, culture-wise, the Birmingham Rep Theatre, Town Hall and Symphony Hall, National Indoor Arena, International Convention Centre and National Exhibition Centre.

Vital statistics: Good academic record. Part of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. One of the bigger universities, with around 18,000 undergrads. 2.5m books in the library, including a rare book collection, and good IT provision with wireless facilities on campus.

Added value: Super-sporty student body: Birmingham has remained in the top three in BUCS, the inter-university leagues, for over 15 years. Extensive facilities include a swimming pool, athletics field, five pitches, climbing wall, gym and martial arts centre.

Easy to get into? Pretty tough. The university doesn't use the UCAS points system, but top grades are expected. Law asks for AAA/A*AB

Glittering alumni: Two prime ministers – Stanley Baldwin (Conservative) and Neville Chamberlain (Conservative); presenters Chris Tarrant, Ben Sheppard and Philippa Forrester; MPs Hilary Armstrong (Labour) and Ann Widdecombe (Conservative); writer David Lodge; comedienne Victoria Wood; Desmond Morris of The Naked Ape fame and comedian Chris Addison.

Transport links: Good road, rail and air links. Plenty of local buses and the only UK university to have a railway station on campus.

Who's the boss? Vice-chancellor is Professor David Eastwood, formerly chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

Teaching: Came 35th out of 116 for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide.

Research: Came 24th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise. Rated highly in primary care, cancer studies, psychology, sport and exercise science, music, physics, mechanical engineering, law and European studies.

Overall ranking: Came 22nd out of 114 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: Jumping. Excellent clubs in the city. On campus: a strong student drama scene, club nights and a variety of drinking holes, plus The Hub at Shackleton Hall.

How green is it? Came 73th out of 138 universities graded by People & Planet for their 'Green League 2011', an assessment of environmental performance. Has vowed to reduced carbon emissions by 10 per cent over the next five years.

Any accommodation? Yes, no less than seven different options to choose from, with a wide-range of options. Self-catered starts at £77 per week, with catered reaching £162 per week.

Cheap to live there? Average rents locally are £75 per week.

Sports ranking: 2nd in the BUCS league table.

Fees: £3,375 per year for 2011/2012 entry. The university plans to charge the maximum £9,000 per year as of 2012.

Bursaries: There are a number of excellence-based and subject-specific scholarships and bursaries available. Visit the website for more details.

Prospectus: 0121 414 6331; www.bham.ac.uk

UCAS code: B32