Hull, University of

University of Hull

Age: 85

History: Founded in 1927, following a donation from local philanthropist Thomas Robinson Ferens. George VI, then the Duke of York, laid the foundation stone in 1928.

Address: Cottingham Road, Hull. There are two campuses: one on the north-western edge of Hull, and the other in Scarborough. A new medical school, HYMS, was opened in 2003, in partnership with the University of York.

Ambience: A redbrick university, its leafy campus is cosy and friendly. With a buyers' market for student accommodation, Hull is a resurgent city on the Humber Estuary, surrounded by unspoilt countryside. The Scarborough campus is based near the centre of this vibrant coastal town.

Vital statistics: A total student population across the Hull and Scarborough campuses nearing 20,000. Approximately 2,515 people work at the university, with 1,026 of these being academic staff.

Added value: Has a reputation for good teaching and groundbreaking research. Innovative social work training unit won the Queen's Anniversary Prize for higher and further education. American studies, sciences, geography, history, politics and international studies, drama and the digital arts also have good reputations.

Easy to get into? Varies. 180 to 390 UCAS entry points required, depending on the course. Five applications per place, on average.

Glittering alumni: Anthony Minghella, director of Cold Mountain; John McCarthy, journalist and former Beirut hostage; Lord Roy Hattersley; former deputy PM John Prescott; poet Roger McGogh; BBC Radio 4 presenter Jenni Murray; Philip Larkin, former Poet Laureate, was the university's Llbrarian for 30 years.

Transport links: Good access to the M62 leading to the A1 or M1. Eight trains a day to and from London King's Cross direct; otherwise change at Doncaster.

Who's the boss? Professor Calie Pistorius has been the vice-chancellor since 2009. Fellow of a number of societies, including the Royal Society of South Africa and the South African Academy of Engineering, he has more than 100 academic publications to his name.

Teaching: Ranked 18th out of 116 in the 2011 Complete University Guide.

Research: Placed 56th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: Came 56 out of 116 in the 2012 Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: There's a £3.2m nightclub on the Hull Campus, entirely funded by the students' union. Hull clubs cater for tastes from hard house to trance, indie and cheesy pop.

How green is it? Not great - came joint 75th out of 145 universities graded by People and Planet for their Green League 2012 assessment of environmental performance.

Any accommodation? Yes – a large selection at both campuses. Fees for catered rooms on the Hull campus range from £80 to £150 per week, while self-catered accommodation will cost between £60 and £120. Catered residency in Scarborough costs from £120 to £150 weekly, with self-catered living setting you back between £70 and £90.

Cheap to live there? Hull is very cost-effective. It's a buyer's market for student housing for those looking to share after the first year, with local rent averaging £50 to £60 per person per week.

Sports ranking: Placed 73rd in the BUCS league.

Fees: The university will charge home and EU undergraduates the maximum tuition fee of £9,000 as of 2012, for almost all courses. Overseas students will be expected to pay higher fees, which vary depending on the field of study.

Bursaries: There is a wide range of scholarships and bursaries available, offering financial support in the form of fee waivers and awards.

Prospectus: 0870 126 2000; www.hull.ac.uk

UCAS code: H72