London Metropolitan University

Age: Nine

History: London Met was created in August 2002 by the merger of London Guildhall University and the University of North London. Together they boast more than 150 years experience in higher education.

Address: Two well-placed campuses. One in the heart of the city, close to Liverpool Street and the financial district. Another in trendy north London, near the shops and bars of Highbury and Islington.

Ambience: Intensely urban. Theuniversity's buildings are a combination of Victorian and contemporary, including the award-winning RIBA Graduate Centre, designed by Daniel Libeskind.

Vital statistics: Over 26,000 students, including around 7,300 international students from 200 different nationalities. 58 per cent of students are female and 42 per cent male. 44 per cent are from ethnic minority backgrounds and 44 per cent are over 25 on entry.

Added value: A £30 million state-of-the-art science centre, featuring a ‘super lab’ and excellent sports and fitness facilities. London Metropolitan Business School is located in the heart of the city and is one of the largest for this area of study in the UK. The top post-1992 university for international and EU students.

Easy to get into? The university considers work experience, enthusiasm and commitment alongside academic qualifications and a wide variety of non-UK qualifications.

Glittering alumni: TV and radio personalities Zoë Ball and Jamie Theakston; comedian Vic Reeves; film producer Lord Puttnam; director Mike Leigh; newsreader Martyn Lewis; artist Tracey Emin; and shadow lord chancellor and justice secretary Sadiq Khan.

Transport links: Both campuses are within easy striking distance of central London and are well located for tubes, buses and trains.

Who's the boss? Professor Malcolm Gillies, vice-chancellor.

Teaching: 115th out of 116 for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide.

Research: 97th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: 115th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: London offers an unrivalled range of attractions and activities and the University’s award winning Rocket Complex and Hub offer some of the most high profile student nights in London.

How green is it? Not good – joint 111th out of 138 universities graded by People and Planet for their 'Green League 2011'.

Any accommodation? Access to 30 different halls of residence with approved organisations, all within easy reach of the both campuses. Prices range from £115 to £230 per week depending on specific amenities including en-suite bedrooms, gymnasium and laundry facilities.

Cheap to live there? It's London, so it's going to be pricey. Expect anything from £100 per week upward.

Sports Ranking: 58th in the BUCS league table.

Fees: £3,375 per year for full-time home undergrads starting in 2011. From 2012, fees for home students will range between £4,500 and £9,000. The average will be £6,850 with most fees falling between £6,100 and £7,600.

Bursaries: A basic bursary of £469 per year is available to students in receipt of a full maintenance grant.

Prospectus: 020 7133 4200; www.londonmet.ac.uk

UCAS code: L68