Newport, University of Wales

University of Wales, Newport

Age: 17

History: Roots date from 1841 when Newport Mechanics Institute was born. Monmouthshire Training College was founded in 1914 with both Monmouthshire College of Technology and Newport College of Art being founded in 1958. They were all bundled together into Gwent College of Higher Education in 1975, which joined the University of Wales in 1996. Gained full university status in 2003.

Address: Newport (in south-east Wales, not to be confused with Newport, Isle of Wight; Newport, Shropshire; or Newport, Rhode Island).

Ambience: Currently based on two main campuses - one in the city centre and the other in Caerleon, on the outskirts of town, which has great views of the Usk Valley. A friendly buzz, particularly at the Caerleon campus. Newport has a compact centre which has been regenerated in recent years. Heading out to the country, the Brecon Beacons aren't far away.

Vital statistics: Just over half of the 8,500 students are studying part-time, so the university is a prominent feature in the local community. As of January 2007, applications had risen by 91 per cent in the last four years, and further expansion is on the horizon. The new campus in the city centre opened in early 2011. The school of art, media and design has a top reputation - celebrated film director Ken Russell is a visiting tutor. Newport is home to the International Film School of Wales.

Added value: Top sports facilities. Innovative courses. Newport has a long association with film-making and students often win awards at major film festivals worldwide. The new city centre campus marks the start of an intended £50m redevelopment of the whole university.

Easy to get into? Courses ask for between 220 and 280 entry points, and the university's policy is to admit students on the basis of their potential.

Glittering alumni: Wales' richest man, billionaire industrialist Terry Matthews; Justin Kerrigan, writer and director of cult film Human Traffic, and Asif Kapadia, writer/director of double BAFTA-winning film, The Warrior.

Transport links: Handy for the M4 - two hours' drive from London. Direct train links to London, the Midlands and North of England. Or hop on a plane at Cardiff or Bristol airports. Free coach service between the campuses.

Who's the boss? Dr Peter Noyes, who held various posts in higher education such as research associate and Dean of school before joining Newport in 1996.

Teaching: 65th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide in 2011.

Research: 50th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise in 2011.

Overall ranking: Came 105th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: Small but busy bar on campus with a packed events calendar. Live music venue. Highlight of year is the Freshers Ball and May Ball.

How green is it? Improving - ranked 33rd out of 145 universities in People and Planet's Green League 2012. A big improvement on last year which was at 94.

Any accommodation? Yes. A standard room will set you back £79.80 per week, or an en-suite room is £92.20 per week.

Cheap to live there? Yes. Expect private sector rents to be roughly £65 per week, before bills.

Sports ranking: 100th in the BUCS league table.

Fees: There are two levels of fees for full-time undergrad students starting in 2012, depending on course: £8,250 and £9,000. The Welsh government has announced that it will subsidise Welsh and EU students, meaning degrees will remain at £3,375 a year for them.

Bursaries: A means-tested Newport Bursary for students in receipt of a maintenance allowance. There are also a number of scholarships offered. For more information visit the website.

Prospectus: 01633 432 432; www.newport.ac.uk

UCAS code: N37