Lincoln, University of

University of Lincoln

Age: 20, if you start from when it gained university status.

History: Started off in 1861 as the Hull School of Art. Merged with other colleges in 1976 to become Hull College of Higher Education. Became Humberside Poly which then gained university status in 1992. Renamed the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside when it set up the campus in Lincoln. Known as the University of Lincoln since it moved its main campus there in 2001.

Address: Two campuses in Lincoln and one in the village of Nettleham just outside the city. There are also campuses in Hull and Holbeach. Lincoln campuses house business and law, media, humanities and computing, health, life and social sciences, architecture, and art and design. The Rinseholme Park campus in Nettleham is home to the university's agriculture, animal-related and biological science courses. Hull city centre campus is home to around 500 students of health and social care. The Holbeach campus is the National Food Manufacturing Centre.

Ambience: Five campuses give a wide choice of places to live and study. A mix of 21st century architecture and old buildings like the cathedral are set in the friendly and safe city of Lincoln, where students can enjoy everything within walking distance. The majority of students study at the Brayford campus, with others enjoying the historic setting of the Cathedral campus and the countryside at Riseholme. Specialist facilities at Holbeach and a vibrant campus in Hull mean that students can choose a campus to suit their individual needs.

Vital statistics: The university has been through big changes in a short time, with big investment in new facilities. It now has over 10,000 students on campus, with around 8,400 full-time undergrads.

Added value: Emphasis on combining traditional academic values with bold moves in the development of the student working environment. Engineering students can enjoy a brand new building at the Brayford Pool campus, built in partnership with Siemens. The university recently accrued and refurbished the former news offices and print works of the Lincolnshire Echo, transforming them into a dedicated centre for the business and law school. M&S chief Sir Stuart Rose opened the £3.5m National Food Manufacturing Centre in March 09.

Easy to get into? For both media production and psychology you'll need 300 UCAS points, forensic science 240, law 300 and graphic design 240.

Glittering alumni: Honoraries include Michael Parkinson and fashion designer Antonio Berardi.

Transport links: Lincoln has regular train services to London, Birmingham, Newcastle and more. The A1 is nearby and linked to Lincoln via the A46.

Who's the boss? Dr Mary Stuart took over in November 2009, moving from Kingston.

Teaching: 42nd out of 116 in the Complete University Guide

Research: 88th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: Came 53rd out of 116 in the Complete University Guide. A jump of 15 places on last year.

Nightlife: Lincoln's nightlife improves year on year, the influx of 3,500 new undergraduates breathing new life into the social scene. The Engine Shed, the university's student's union, is now Lincoln's biggest multi-purpose entertainment venue, providing space for nearly 2,000 students on any given night and recently won a Best Bar None award. Entertainment ranges from well-known bands such as Embrace, Kasabian, and Dizzee Rascal, to club nights, comedy festivals and formal balls.

How green is it? So, so – 47th out of 138 universities graded by People and Planet for their 'Green League 2012'.

Any accommodation? Yes. En-suite rooms in the campus-based student village cost around £104 per week, or standard rooms are around £93. There are also university halls of residence based off campus.

Cheap to live there? Oh yes. Private rent in a shared house is between £50 and £65 per week, with bills on top.

Sports Ranking: 61st in the BUCS league table.

Fees: £9,000 per year for full-time home undergrads starting in September 2012.

Bursaries: A means-tested bursary of £500 per year is available to eligible full-time undergrads. The Blackburn Bursary is available to students who have been in local authority care within the five years prior to starting their course. Scholarships for engineering students and outstanding sportsmen and women are also up for grabs.

Prospectus: 01522 886 644; www.lincoln.ac.uk

UCAS code: L39