Bolton, University of

University of Bolton

Age: 187, if you date it from the birth of the Bolton Mechanics Institute. 6, if not.

History: Started life in 1824 as the Bolton Mechanics Institute, which eventually became Bolton College of Education. In 1982, this merged with the Bolton Institute of Technology to become the Bolton Institute of Higher Education, and after steadily improving its reputation it became the University of Bolton in 2005.

Address: Based on Deane Campus, five minutes from Bolton town centre. There is also a campus in the United Arab Emirates called the Ras Al Khaimah campus.

Ambience: The main site on Deane Campus is urban and bustling, with a £7m design studio, new student bar and a £2.5m social learning zone with a computer room that is open to students 365 days a year.

Vital statistics: One of the country's newest universities, with around 13,000 students, almost three-quarters of which are studying their first degree. It has one of the most ehtnically diverse universities, with around 13 per cent of home students coming from ethnic minorities. It also has a higher than average proportion of disabled students and is one of the leading universities for supporting students with additional needs.

Added value: The change to university status was rewarded with a 45 per cent increase in applications, according to UCAS figures. Links with industry are strong and more than 30 programmes are professionally accredited. It recently underwent a £17m refurbishment and there is a one-stop-shop student centre at the revamped Eagle buildings and a bigger textile centre with new laboratories. A £30.6m ‘wellbeing centre’ called Bolton One is under development, including an eight lane swimming pool, health and fitness facilities, physiotherapy equipment and health services offered by the local NHS. The university has close links with employers such as Alfred McAlpine, Marks and Spencer, Network Rail, the NHS and Reebok.

Easy to get into? Varies by course, but Bachelor's degrees start at 160 UCAS points (2 passes at A-level). Keen on attracting non-traditional students.

Glittering alumni: Stephen Blyth, the poet who won the Gregory Award; Peter White, former director, Coates Viyella; Josie Cichockyj, three times paralympics medallist.

Transport links: Bolton Station is half a mile away with frequent connections to Manchester, Blackpool, Wigan and Blackburn. You can access the rest of the country via Manchester. The North West’s motorway network is on the doorstep.

Who's the boss? Dr George Holmes, vice chancellor.

Teaching: 68th out of 116 for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide.

Research: 102nd out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: Came 114th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: There are pubs on every corner, plenty of bars and cafés and a cinema complex in the town. A bar, the Loft, which hosts some club nights at the students' union. Three student balls a year, plus sports balls.

How green is it? Very poor - finished 125th out of 138 universities graded by People & Planet for their 'Green League 2011', an assessment of environmental performance.

Any accommodation? There are two modern purpose-built halls of residence, the Hollins (adjacent to Chadwick Campus) and Orlando Village (10 minutes walk from Deane Campus). All rooms are self-catering and cost £70 per week for a 40 week contract.

Cheap to live there? One of the cheapest places in Britain. Average private rents are around £60 per week.

Sports ranking: 141st in the BUCS league table.

Fees: £3,375 per year for 2011/2012 entry. The university plans to charge £8,400 per year for courses commencing in September 2012.

Bursaries: The university offers a number of scholarships, including the £15,000 Vice Chancellor's Award for those showing academic excellence. For more details visit the website.

Prospectus: 01204 900 600; www.bolton.ac.uk

UCAS code: B44