Keele University

Overall ranking: 45th out of 124 in the Complete University Guide for 2014.

History: It began as the University College of North Staffordshire in 1949 and received full university status in 1962. A school of medicine recently opened at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

Address: Square mile of parkland situated near Stoke and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Ambience: Green campus, miles away from it all. Mostly modern blocks but one 19th-century building, Keele Hall, lends grace to the 60s effect.

Who's the boss? Professor Nick Foskett took up the position of vice-chancellor in August 2010, following his departure from his previous job as dean of the faculty of law, arts and social sciences at the University of Southampton.

Prospectus: 01782 732 005 or order one online here.

UCAS code: K12

What you need to know

Easy to get into? Degree courses ask for between BCC and AAB at A-level or equivalent, depending on the subject.

Vital statistics: There are around 7,500 undergrads and over 2,000. Pioneered the dual honours course, whereby students take two principal subjects and can take further modules in a third. Ninety per cent of all students do dual honours, studying two subjects to degree level.

Added value: Plenty of refurbishments have been going on across the campus to improve it for new students. Almost every student gets the chance to spend a semester abroad. The university boasts a whopping 50 acres of sport facilities, including playing fields, eight tennis courts, six squash courts, two sports halls and state-of-the-art fitness centre. On-campus facilities include restaurants and cafés, a supermarket, bookshop, newsagent and bank, as well as several GPs and an NHS dentist.

Teaching: 19th out of 124 in the Complete University Guide..

Research: 51st out of 124 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Graduate prospects: 18th out of 124 with 76.3 per cent finding graduate level employment.

Any accommodation? An incredible 3,200 rooms on campus, costing between £2,641.80 for 37 weeks in a basic room and £6,550.95 for 51 weeks in a premier en-suite. Both self-catering and catered options are available.

Cheap to live there? Far cheaper than average, with private sector rents of around £65 to £70 per week.

Transport links: No train or coach station at Keele, so you have to catch trains and coaches at nearby Stoke or Crewe. Local buses run between campus and surrounding towns every 15 minutes. Good for cars because of proximity of M6.

Fees: £9,000 for new full-time home and EU undergrads. International students pay more depending on the course of study, with lab-based subjects costing more.

Bursaries: The Keele Bursary offers £1,000 per year to all full-time undergrads who come from a household with an income of less than £25,000. There are additional £500, £1,000 and £2,000 academic excellence scholarships. Keele partakes in the National Scholarship Programme award scheme to assist those in need of financial support.

The fun stuff

Nightlife: Recent acts to play the students' union include Example, Razorlight, The Enemy, Pigeon Detectives, The Hoosiers, The Twang, We Are Scientists, The Courteeners, Taio Cruz and Mr Hudson. Four bars on site as well as four club nights a week and the Paramount Comedy Club. A hedonistic six balls a year.

Price of a pint: Averages at £2.50 in the local area, with cheaper drinks deals to be found in chain bars and the union.

Sporting reputation: Could be worse, at 76th in the BUCS 2012/13 league table of 148 universities and colleges.

Notable societies: The Come Dine With Me club sees members host small groups at their houses or halls for a three course meal. Snapshot for aspiring photographers. Gentlemanly Pursuits for the 'enjoyment of the finer things in life', namely music, wine, liquor and great company. KUBE radio station, plus quidditch and paintballing.

Glittering alumni: Leading barrister Michael Mansfield QC; Lord Melchett, aristocrat eco-warrior and researcher into cannabis addiction; award-winning novelist Marina Lewycka; Jem Finer, founding member of The Pogues and co-writer of festive classic 'Fairytale of New York'; Alun Michael MP, former first minister for Wales.

Alternative prospectus: Check into Keels University's forum on The Student Room to chat with current and prospective students and ask all your questions.