Bournemouth University

Age: 96

History: It started in the early twentieth century as Bournemouth Municipal College, but its modern history began in the early seventies with the creation of Bournemouth College of Technology. It then became the Dorset Institue of Higher Education and then Bournemouth Polytechnic. In 1992, it was finally given university status.

Address: South Coast. In Poole, Dorset, on the site of a former farm; and in Bournemouth town centre.

Ambience: A sizeable student community in a stylish seaside town. The university has a clean, modern campus with a well-resourced media school, which is home to the country's leading Centre of Excellence in Media Practice and the first University-based HD media studio in the UK.

Vital statistics: Just under 17,000 students, with around 13,000 full-time undergrads. Specialises in finding gaps in the higher education market and filling them with professionally-oriented courses. The university has niche courses in forensic archaeology and food marketing. It claims to have launched the first undergraduate programmes in financial services, taxation and revenue law, heritage conservation, marine archaeology and public relations. Professional placements feature prominently for undergraduate students, with opportunities for placements abroad. An emphasis on learning through experience. Recent investment has created new facilities, including a library and learning centre; a new centre for global perspectives and graduate employment service; a new general enquiries service called 'askBU' as well as new accommodation developments in both Bournemouth and Poole.

Added value: Good for sailing and other water sports. Has a virtual learning environment, the UK's most extensive campus-based wireless network, and excellent programmes for peer-assisted learning and community-focused ambassadors. It is home to the UK's National Centre for Computer Animation, with well-regarded courses in tourism, sports science, media production, the environment, intellectual property and forensic science. Language tuition and personal development planning workshops are available. It recently completed a multi-million pound investment in a new executive business centre, which is becoming a focal point for local businesses.

Easy to get into? Increasingly competitive. Courses ask for between 200 and 340 UCAS entry points. Five applications per place.

Glittering alumni: Lee Uren, computer animator (Attack of the Clones, Star Trek); Kevan Shorey, computer animator (Madagascar, Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third); Edwina Dunn, founder of marketing company Dunnhumby; Franziska Conrad, creator of the QuickPitch pop-up tent.

Transport links: Rail and road links to most big cities in the United Kingdom, plus ferry services to France and the Channel Islands. Don't forget Bournemouth International Airport, where you can catch planes to the Continent and Dublin.

Who's the boss? Professor John Vinney, took over as vice chancellor in September 2010.

Teaching: Came 100th out of 116 for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide.

Research: Came 68th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). The university was fourth most improved in the RAE, and eight out of its ten submissions were rated as world-leading.

Overall ranking: Came 62nd out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: Unique, following conversion of the city's old fire station into an entertainment building and student nightclub.

How green is it? Very - came joint 5th out of 138 universities graded by People & Planet for their 'Green League 2011 ', an assessment of environmental performance.

Any accommodation? BU offers seven different accommodation options, ranging between £78 and £104 per week.

Cheap to live there? Private accommodation averages £70 per week.

Sports ranking: 33rd in the BUCS league table.

Fees: £3,375 per year for undergrads starting in 2011/2012. The university plans on charging £8,200 per year for the majority of honours courses starting in 2012, with the maximum fee of £9,000 per year being charged for its flagship courses.

Bursaries: There are a number of bursaries offered by the university. Check the website for details.

Prospectus: 08456 501 501 (UK only); + 44 1202 961 916 (UK and International); www.bournemouth.ac.uk

UCAS code: B50