Liverpool, University of

University of Liverpool

Age: 130

History: One of the first civic universities, Liverpool's history dates back to 1881 and the establishment of University College Liverpool which then opened the following year teaching a mere 45 students. Its iconic Victoria Building - which is still at the heart of the campus today - inspired the term 'redbrick university'. The college attracted the pioneers of the time including Professor Oliver Lodge who made the world's first public radio transmission in 1894 and demonstrated the first use of the x-ray for surgical purposes two years later. The University of Liverpool received its Charter in 1903 and quickly established itself as a world-leader in research - over the next 100 years nine Nobel Laureates would pass through its doors. Its global reputation for teaching and research has continued to the present day.

Address: Ten minutes from city centre, with a veterinary teaching campus out on the Wirral.

Ambience: European Capital of Culture for 2008. Birthplace of Gladstone and The Beatles, Liverpool was once a bustling port where merchants made their fortunes from the empire. Grand Victorian houses remain alongside plenty of history and culture; Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, Walker and Tate Galleries. The university has a new headquarters - the Foundation Building - which houses a one-stop-shop for student services, including fee payment, help with administrative issues, advice and support.

Vital statistics: The original red-brick university. Spread over 100 acres, which is big for an urban campus. Lively and friendly, it is one of the big civics, with almost 19,000 undergraduates and churns out a high proportion of professionals: doctors, dentists, vets, lawyers, architects, town planners and engineers.

Added value: Noted for Irish studies, Latin American studies, tropical medicine, veterinary science and a number of newer courses including graduate entry medicine, avionic systems with pilot studies and wireless communications and 3G technologies. The university is involved in a wide variety of high-profile research and business support projects and has more than 400 industry partners. For every £1m of output in the university, a further £500,000 is generated in industries across the north-west of the UK.

Easy to get into? Between 240 and 390 UCAS entry points required, depending on the course. Those with non-traditional qualifications or experience are also encouraged to apply.

Glittering alumni: Writer Clive Barker; Peter Kilfoyle, Labour MP; Phil Redmond, creator of Grange Hill and Brookside; Jon Snow of Channel 4 News; Patricia Routledge of Keeping Up Appearances.

Transport links: Good for trains and coaches. Not brilliant for cyclists? Motorways on the doorstep. John Lennon Airport is expanding and you can get cheap flights with Easyjet.

Who's the boss? Prof Sir Howard Newby is the Vice-Chancellor

Teaching: 79th out of 116 for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide.

Research: 37th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: Came 30th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: City groans with pubs, clubs and café-bars. There is also a multitude of cinemas and theatres. The university campus alone has ten bars, two theatres and several concert venues, including Mountford Hall with a 1,500 capacity.

How green is it? Poor – came 119ht out of 138 universities graded by People and Planet for their 'Green League 2011'.

Any accommodation? Yes. Rents range from around £84 to £130 per week depending on the type of room allocated.

Cheap to live there? Extremely. Rents in the private sector are around £65 per week.

Sports Ranking: 32nd in the BUCS league table.

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

Bursaries: Students paying full tuition fees who have an annual household income of less than £25,000 are entitled to the Liverpool Bursary of £1,400 per year. There are also a number of scholarships available, dependent on specific criteria. See the website for further details.

Prospectus: 0151 794 5928; www.liv.ac.uk