Bradford, University of

University of Bradford

Age: 45

History: Has its roots in several 19th-century institutes for training textile workers. Was Bradford College of Technology until 1966, when it was awarded university charter. First chancellor was the then prime minister Harold Wilson, today its chancellor is Imran Khan, politician and legendary cricketer.

Address: Brontë country, west Yorkshire. Main campus in town; school of management is three miles away.

Ambience: University is in the heart of the former Victorian textile capital, mostly modern buildings stretching into the sky. £200m of investment is being splurged on Bradford's compact centre and the countryside is a ten minute drive away. The university is currently undergoing at £70m redevelopment, including new sports facilities, laboratories and teaching accommodation.

Vital statistics: 71 per cent of students come from Yorkshire, more than half (57 per cent) are from an ethnic minority and almost a third are mature students. More than 140 undergraduate degrees and 80 postgraduate degrees. A full range of subjects but health sciences, engineering, informatics, life sciences, peace studies and management are particularly strong. There are over 10,400 undergraduates, and over 4,500 postgraduates.

Added value: Links with industry are reflected in the sandwich courses on offer. High graduate employment rate. The university prides itself upon its links with local, national and international companies. 2011's students will be the first to use new accommodation, and the brand-new Student Central, which includes social and study spaces, bars and venues and the Students’ Union.There is now free internet access in all university-owned halls of residence and over 80 wireless hotspots on campus, including in the new atrium, a meeting space for community activities which is home to 'The Hub', a new student services area. Arts, Culture and Entertainment courses are offered (including BA Live Arts and Performance) and there is an on-campus theatre, music centre and art gallery.

Easy to get into? Yes and no. Optometry asks for 340 UCAS entry points but there are also plenty of foundation degrees, which usually ask for less than 200. Those from non-traditional backgrounds are welcomed. Will consider wide range of qualifications and/or experience for entry. Four applications per place, on average.

Glittering alumni: Labour MPs David Hinchliffe and Steve McCabe; Baroness Taylor; poet John Hegley; Sir Tony O'Reilly; writer Jon McGregor; mobile phone entrepreneur Mohamed Ibrahim.

Transport links: Road and rail interchange within walking distance. Handy for the M62 and the M1, and 20 minutes from Leeds-Bradford airport.

Who's the boss? Human geographer and environmentalist Professor Mark Cleary.

Teaching: 74th out of 116 for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide.

Research: 57th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: Came 73rd out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: Curry house heaven. Various cheap drinking holes in the thriving "West End". Bars and club nights at the union.

How green is it? Excellent – came joint 14th out of 138 universities graded by People & Planet for their 'Green League 2011’, an assessment of environmental performance.

Any accommodation? Yes, a new £40m halls of residence opens in September 2011. Standard rent is £85 per week, en suite is £93. A £6 weekly utility charge also applies.

Cheap to live there? Oh yes. Rumoured to be cheapest university in the country, with some rooms in the private sector averaging just £35 per week. Most rooms go between £50 and £55 per week, however.

Sports ranking: 93rd in the BUCS league.

Fees: £3,375 per year for full-time undergrads starting in September 2011. The university plans to charge the maximum £9,000 per year as of September 2012.

Bursaries: Eligible students can apply for a bursary of up to £500 per year, and there are a number of scholarships available. See the website for details.

Prospectus: 0800 073 1225; www.bradford.ac.uk

UCAS code: B56