Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Age: 137

History: Dates back to 1875, when the Edinburgh School of Cookery was founded to improve women's culinary skills and to promote better standards of health. After becoming Queen Margaret University College in the 1990s, it was awarded full university status in 2007 and changed its name to Queen Margaret University.

Address: The university moved to a new purpose-built campus on the east of Edinburgh in autumn 2007.

Ambience: The new ultra-modern campus is the first of its kind in Scotland in 40 years. Billed as an 'academic village', it's set amongst attractive landscaped spaces and high-tech buildings. There is a learning resource centre, space for 800 student residences, a students' union, indoor and outdoor sports facilities and plenty of green spaces.

Vital statistics: A brand-new university with just over 6,300 full-time students, it specialises in vocational subjects such as health sciences, social sciences, media and communication, business and enterprise, drama and creative industries and international health. Male to female ratio is around 1:3. Around 65 per cent of students come from Scotland.

Added value: The new campus offers a modern learning facility, designed in full consultation with students, meaning that learners' needs were fully taken into account.

Easy to get into? Courses ask for between 160 and 355 UCAS points. You can also gain entry via access courses at further education colleges.

Glittering alumni: Edith Bowman, TV presenter and Radio 1 DJ; Simone Lahbib, actress from Bad Girls and The Young Person's Guide to Becoming a Rock Star; Ashley Jensen, actress starring in the hit US series Ugly Betty; Kevin McKidd, star of Rome and Trainspotting; Matt Baker, former Blue Peter presenter; Sally Gray MBE, former children's TV presenter.

Transport links: Excellent. Edinburgh well served by road, rail and air. The new campus, based on the east of Edinburgh, is next to a train station - trains take six minutes to the city centre. The campus is also served by frequent bus services into Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Who's the boss? Professor Petra Wend took up the post as principal and vice-chancellor in September 2009.

Teaching: 51st out of 116 in the Complete University Guide in 2011.

Research: 114th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise in 2011.

Overall ranking: Came 84th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: Entertainment on campus includes student drama, a bar with occasional club nights, and film screenings. Plus Christmas and summer balls. With the Scottish capital on your doorstep, you shouldn't get too bored either.

How green is it? So, so – came joint 38th out of 145 universities graded by People and Planet for its 'Green League 2012'. This is an improvement of last year's ranking as 53rd.

Any accommodation? Yes. The new campus houses 800 study bedrooms in self contained flats for between three and six students each. Rent is £104 per week for a standard room, or £114 for premium.

Cheap to live there? Depends. Rooms in a shared flat ranged between £75 and £100 per week in 2011.

Sports ranking: 118th in the BUCS league table.

Fees: Scottish and EU students do not have to pay any fees. Students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales will pay £1,820.

Bursaries: £1,000 per year for up to four years is available to students who have experienced the care system. There is also the Consort Education Scholarship, covering tuition fees, for students working alongside the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Prospectus: 0131 474 0000 / www.qmu.ac.uk

UCAS code: Q25