Leeds, University of

University of Leeds

Age: 105

History: The University of Leeds traces its roots back to the foundation of the Leeds School of Medicine in 1831 and the Yorkshire College of Science in 1874. In 1904, it was awarded a charter by Edward VII.

Address: The campus is a ten minute walk from the city centre.

Ambience: The university buildings are an eclectic mixture of Victorian and modern, with state-of-the-art learning and teaching facilities next to the impressive landmark buildings of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Rich in history, with a diverse economy, thriving cultural scene and cosmopolitan atmosphere, Leeds is the UK's second financial and legal centre.

Vital statistics: A top civic redbrick and one of the giants of the higher education system. Leeds is one of the largest universities in the UK and the leafy campus is home to over 33,000 students, of whom around 25,000 are undergraduates.

Added value: The sheer size of the place means there are entertainment, sports and academic opportunities aplenty. It calls itself an 'international university', with more than 600 institutions worldwide and around 5,000 international students. By 2015 the university will have spent £194m on new buildings and refurbishment.

Easy to get into? Courses ask for between 280 and 360 UCAS entry points.

Glittering alumni: Jack Straw, former cabinet minister; Nicholas Witchell, BBC reporter; Alistair McGowan, impressionist; Alan Yentob and Mark Byford, BBC honchos; Steve Bell and Kipper Williams, cartoonists; Wole Soyinka, the first African writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature; Paul Dacre, editor of the Daily Mail; Piers Sellers, NASA astronaut.

Transport links: London is two hours 20 minutes away by train. There are good services to Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Newcastle.

Who's the boss? Professor Michael Arthur, vice-chancellor, a world renowned liver specialist. He joined Leeds six years ago.

Teaching: 75th out of 116 for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide.

Research: 16th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: Came 32nd out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: Thriving and cultural; Leeds is the clubbing capital of the North and a must stop for top bands - The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Kaiser Chiefs, Arctic Monkeys, Editors and Klaxons have all played at the university's refectory

How green is it? Not good – came 101st out of 138 universities ranked by People and Planet for their 'Green League 2011' - a big slip after being graded 25th last year.

Any accommodation? The university has an impressive range of accommodation from modern, purpose built apartments to converted mansion houses. Rooms go for between £99 to £162 per week for catered or £74 to £123 for self-catering.

Cheap to live there? Very affordable. Private rents are around £70 per week.

Sports Ranking: 17th in the BUCS league table.

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

Bursaries: A bursary of up to £1,540 per year is available to full-time home undergrads who are in receipt of a maintenance grant and have a residual income of less than £3,660.

Prospectus: 0113 343 2336; www.leeds.ac.uk

UCAS code: L23