Gloucestershire, University of

University of Gloucestershire

Age: Ten as a university, but its origins date back to 1835.

History: Started life as the Mechanics Institutes in Cheltenham and Gloucester. A teacher training college with a Church Foundation Trust (which influences the university to this day) was set up in 1847. Formerly known as Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education, it became a university proper in 2001.

Address: Three campuses in Cheltenham and one in Gloucester. Also there is a London campus, which provides teacher training.

Ambience: Pleasant middle England. The main Park campus is as green and leafy as its name suggests, set in a conservation area with 30 acres of parkland. Francis Close Hall, which offers teacher training and more, has a mock-gothic quadrangle and clock tower. Fine art, design and media are based at Pittville and ten miles away sporty courses are housed at the modern Oxstalls campus, five minutes from the centre of Gloucester.

Vital statistics: Almost 12,000 students, including around 8,500 undergraduates and over 3,000 postgrads.

Added value: Keen on greenness, with recycling facilities on every campus. The University has Centre of Excellence status for its environmental programmes.

Easy to get into? Entry requirements range between 120 and 300 UCAS points, depending on the course. The university welcomes applications from mature students and works in partnership with local colleges. Some courses will require previous experience in the sector.

Glittering alumni: Singer Beverley Knight; rugby international Jonathan Callard; presenter Adam Buxton of Adam and Joe fame; TV gardener Chris Beardshaw.

Transport links: Free bus service between the four campuses. Good rail and road links to the likes of London, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham and Oxford.

Who's the boss? Dr Paul Hartley is vice-chancellor and chief executive.

Teaching: 49th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Research: 104th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: Came 76th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: A bar on each site, with the biggest and busiest at the Park campus. Five student balls a year. Pubs, clubs and theatres can be found locally including literature, jazz and fringe festivals.

How green is it? Very – 2nd out of 138 universities graded by People and Planet in their 'Green League 2011'.

Any accommodation? Yes, a self-catering room in halls costs between £78 and £106 per week.

Cheap to live there? You should expect to pay approximately £55 - £75 per week rent, exclusive of bills, based on four people sharing.

Sports Ranking: 39th in the BUCS league table.

Fees: £3,375 per year for full-time undergrads starting in 2011. The university plans to charge £8,250 as of September 2012.

Bursaries: The university offers a minimum support bursary of £550 for students in receipt of a full maintenance grant. There is also a one-off payment of £750 available to students who achieved three As at A-level. Attendees of partner schools and gifted sportsmen and women are also eligible for awards.

Prospectus: 0844 801 1100; www.glos.ac.uk

UCAS code: G50