Brighton, University of

University of Brighton

Age: 19, if you count its years as a university, or 152, if you start from its origins as the School of Art.

History: First incarnation was the above. Then it became a technical college. Then it was reincarnated as colleges of art, education and technology. Then it was a poly; and, finally, the University of Brighton.

Address: Based on three campuses in Brighton (Grand Parade, Falmer, Moulsecoomb), one in Eastbourne and one in Hastings. It's worth checking where your course will be based, as the atmosphere can vary. Also runs courses in several other areas in the region, including the new Plumpton College.

Ambience: Cool, creative, cosmopolitan and chilled-out. The student-friendly seaside town has a world-famous social life with clubs, pubs, restaurants, cinemas, bathing and, of course, there's the beach. Eastbourne is lively and friendly. Campuses in Brighton and Eastbourne are separated by spectacular coastal scenery and the South Downs.

Vital statistics: Strong tradition of vocational and professional courses: quirkier offerings include sport journalism, and viticulture and oenology. As the British university closest to the continent, it has many courses with a strong European focus. Huge student body: around 17,000 full-time undergrads plus 5,700 part-timers, 3,600 postgrads and almost 400 research students.

Added value: Excellent sports facilities, and a new £7.6m sports centre opened in 2010. There's a new culinary arts studio and a Centre of Excellence in design and creativity, along with Sussex University. £100m has been pumped into building projects, facilitating a radio station, flight simulator and real-time trading room.The new £23m Huxley building at the Moulsecoomb site opened for use in 2010 and houses the majority of the university's work in pharmacy and biosciences.

Easy to get into? Varies: minimum requirements for undergrad degrees are two A-level passes, but courses ask for between 180 and 360 UCAS entry points. Operates a flexible admissions policy where applications are considered on merit.

Glittering alumni: Helen Chadwick, artist; Jo Whiley, Radio 1 presenter; Norman Cook, AKA Fatboy Slim; Keith Tyson and Rachel Whitehead, Turner Prize winners.

Transport links: Good train, boat and road links. London is less than an hour by train, while Eastbourne is an hour and a half away. Gatwick Airport and Newhaven cross-channel ferry port are nearby. Great bus service, or bring your bike.

Who's the boss? The vice chancellor is Professor Julian Crampton, a molecular biologist specialising in tropical medicine, particularly the treatment of malaria and venomous snake and spider bites. He joined Brighton from the University of Liverpool in 2005.

Teaching: Came 61st out of 116 for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide.

Research: Came 54th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: Came 68th out of 114 in Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: Legendary clubbing scene in town. On campus, there are some small students' union bars and a couple of balls a year.

How green is it? Good - came 21st out of 138 universities graded by People & Planet for their 'Green League 2011', an assessment of environmental performance.

Any accommodation? Yes. A wide range of options are available, catered and self-catered, ranging from £80 to £166 per week.

Cheap to live there? Not too bad for the south east: around £80 per week to rent a room.

Sports ranking: 40th in the BUCS league table.

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

Bursaries: Bursaries and scholarships are available to eligible students, including a sports scholarship for elite, talented or disabled atheletes. Check the website for details.

Prospectus: 01273 644 644; www.brighton.ac.uk

UCAS code: B72