Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester Metropolitan University

Age: 185 or 17, depending on when you start counting.

History: Started out as Manchester Mechanics' Institution. Merged with colleges of art, commerce and technology to become Manchester Poly in 1970, gobbling up a college of education and two institutions of higher education on way.

Address: Five campuses spread out across the city centre and suburbs, plus two in the Cheshire countryside.

Ambience: Young, groovy - many students pick MMU for its party-friendly atmosphere.

Vital statistics: One of the largest universities in the UK, with almost 34,200 students, of whom 24,289 are full-time undergraduates. It has one of the largest business schools in the country. University is centred on the biggest educational complex in Western Europe, including the HQ of Manchester University. It is the largest public sector provider of accountancy training in the North West.

Added value: A £300 million investment programme is now under way to develop the campus. Brilliant sports facilities. Best outdoor facilities are at Crewe and Alsager. The MMU Cheshire Consortium was included in the official London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Pre-Games Training Camp Guide as a multi-sport venue.

Easy to get into? Varies: entry requirements range from 80 to 320 UCAS points, depending on the course. MMU also takes mature students, without traditional A-levels, from access courses.

Glittering alumni: Steve Coogan, comedian;Julie Walters, actress;Mike Turner, Former-Chief Executive BAE Systems;Richard Griffiths OBE, Actor;Bernard Hill, Actor;Gethin Jones, TV Presenter; Peter Saville, Graphic Designer & Art Director co-founder of Factory Records;Marsha Thomason, Actor Lost;Terry Christian, TV and Radio Presenter;Mick Hucknall, Singer; L S Lowry, Artist;Gruff Rhys, Musician Super Furry Animals;John Thomson, Actor;Richard Woolfe, Controller for Channel Five; Jonathan Mildenhall, Vice-President, Global Marketing Strategy and Creative Communications, Coca-Cola Co.;Mark Cueto, Rugby Player, Sale Sharks and England;Gordon Taylor, Chief Executive, The Professional Footballers’ Association.

Transport links: Modern tram system. Big airport on the doorstep. Crewe and Alsager are close to rail and motorway links.

Who's the boss? Professor John Brooks, Vice-Chancellor. A big supporter of educational opportunity for all, nationally, he has been appointed to the Board of Universities UK and is Chair of the Equality Challenge Unit.

Teaching: Came 105th out of 113 for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey.

Research: Came 74th out of 113 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: Ranked 82nd out of 113 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: Much merrymaking at main All Saints students' union building, which contains two large and noisy bars and has a packed programme of club and dance nights.

How green is it? Average - finished 57th out of 126 universities graded by People & Planet for their 'Green League 2009', an assessment of environmental performance. This is an improvement on 90th place in 2007.

Any accommodation? Yes. A self-catered, bill inclusive university room averages £78 per week; catered £82.

Cheap to live there? 70 - £100 per week. Cheshire: £63 - £88.50

Sports ranking: Average - 59th out of 144 in the BUCS league.

Prospectus: 0161 247 6969; www.mmu.ac.uk

UCAS code: M40