Heythrop College (University of London)

Age: 397, or 41 as Heythrop College, University of London

History: Founded in 1614 at Louvain in Belgium in order to train young English Jesuits for the clergy and relocated to the relative safety of Stonyhurst, Lancashire in the eighteenth century. In 1926, the college moved to Heythrop in Oxfordshire, a name it was to keep despite relocating to London and becoming part of London University in 1970.

Address: In the heart of swanky Kensington, on a charming square just behind Kensington High Street. The grounds behind the college form a mini-campus that is a green oasis in the heart of London. The square itself is historic, with buildings dating from the early eighteenth century and containing the former homes of William Thackeray, Edward Burne Jones and John Stuart Mill.

Ambience: Heythrop is a small, friendly college. It is open to students of all faiths or those with no religious affiliation. The size of the college and the tutorial system allow students to build strong working relationships with staff.

Vital statistics: Specialises in theology and philosophy, combined with psychology. There are more than 800 students studying for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and 30 research students. There are around the same number of undergraduates as postgraduates.

Added value: Heythrop houses the Library of the Jesuit Province, a national treasure. The best library in the country for theology and one of the best for philosophy, its contents range from unique pre-19th century imprints to the very latest publications in the field. Its membership of the University of London means that all students can also use Senate House Library. As well as the Heythrop Students Union, students are automatically members of the University of London Union, and can use its social and sports facilities across the city.

Easy to get into? Between 280 and 320 UCAS points for all undergrad programmes, except for the BA in philosophy, which asks for a minimum of 300 points.

Glittering alumni: Victorian poet Gerard Manley Hopkins; philosopher Bernard Lonergan, Freddie Copleston, the great historian of philosophy and theologian Gerard J Hughes.

Transport links: Nearest tube is High Street Kensington, and there are regular bus services to and from Kensington High Street.

Who's the boss? Dr John McDade, a Jesuit Priest who studied modern languages at Oxford back in his undergraduate days.

Teaching: 77 per cent of students questioned by last year's National Student Survey said they were satisfied with teaching at the college.

Nightlife: Second to none. Students have access to the University of London's bars and ULU venue, but Kensington itself is an affluent area with more than its fair share of clubs, bars and restaurants. The Albert Hall is just 15 minutes away, and the bright lights of the West End are also within walking distance, offering bars, theatres and clubs galore.

Any accommodation? Yes. The College now has its own hall of residence in leafy gardens on the Kensington site, costing £6,250 for the year for a catered room. However, students are not permitted to stay in their rooms during the Christmas holidays. Places are also available in the University of London intercollegiate halls.

Cheap to live there? Being London, naturally it isn't. Average rents locally are £120 per week. College accommodation is comparable to others in central London but there is a big saving on travel costs.

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

Bursaries: The college plans to make bursaries available to students studying Bachelor's degrees in Abrahamic religions, study or religion and theology as of 2012. It will also be participating in the National Scholarship Programme.

Prospectus: 020 7795 6600; www.heythrop.ac.uk

UCAS code: H48