Roehampton, University of

University of Roehampton

Age: Seven, in its present form.

History: The oldest of Roehampton's constituent colleges was established 170 years ago. The Roehampton Institute was created in 1975, from the merger of the four teacher training colleges. Roehampton University was established in 2004, following a four-year federation with the University of Surrey.

Address: South-west London campus. The main site has three colleges on Roehampton Lane and at the Whitelands site is 10 minutes walk away.

Ambience: Roehampton University is one of London's only campus universities. It is set in 54 acres of landscaped parkland; with Grade I listed Georgian buildings alongside new state-of-the-art lecture spaces, seminar rooms, laboratories and excellent social and sports facilities. Students belong to one of the University's four colleges, creating a close-knit, intimate environment.

Vital statistics: Around 8,200 students with around 5,400 undergrads, and a range of degrees across the arts, humanities, education and social and life sciences.

Added value: Two new student residences with self-catering en-suite study bedrooms opened late 2004, a new PE and dance block opened early in 2005 and an outdoor floodlit sports court and fitness suite opened in 2008. Rated the number one university in the UK for its research in dance and biological anthropology. Pioneering student support schemes, including Money Doctors, a financial support scheme funded by the FSA, which offers advice to students through podcasts. Students volunteer for over 30 organisations and run community programmes including MOVE, a sports-based social inclusion initiative that aims to engage and support young people into sports and education. In 2006, the university opened the Duchesne Building, an innovative space with a 150-seat lecture theatre as well as an exhibition and reception space. The building also houses Crucible, a national Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in the areas of human rights, social justice and citizenship, which has led to Roehampton conceiving the world’s first Erasmus Mundus Human Rights Practice Masters programme. The university will shortly complete Digby Stuart Square, a new brick paved open square in Digby Stuart College, which will provide direct unobstructed access between the colleges for pedestrians. A range of student facilities and services opened this year including a media lab and newsroom which are being used in particular by students on media, journalism and film courses; a central information hub for all students; and a new students’ union bar and revamped catering areas.

Easy to get into? 240 to 340 UCAS points required, depending on the course. Mature students encouraged.

Glittering alumni: Alice Beer, television presenter; Princess Alexandra of Greece; Darren Shan, author; Alison Mowbray, silver medallist in the Athens Olympics; Matt Horan, entrepreneur and inventor of Rollasole.

Transport links: Within striking distance of central London. Take the train to Barnes or tube to Putney or Hammersmith, then bus for Roehampton.

Who's the boss? Literary academic Professor Paul O'Prey, who has published several books and articles on writers of the 19th and 20th century, notably Graham Greene and Robert Graves and his circle, as well as translations of Spanish literature.

Teaching: 103rd out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Research: 66th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: Came 73rd out of 114 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: A vibrant calendar of nightly social events at the SU on campus and trips to central London, Richmond, Kingston and Hammersmith. Bars in each college and an annual ball.

How green is it? Not great – came joint 89th out of 142 universities graded by People and Planet for their 'Green League 2011'. A drop of 48 places on last year's ranking.

Any accommodation? Yes rent in halls ranges from about £93 to £120 per week. In 2009, the university launched Studentpad, an online resource for finding accommodation in the local area.

Cheap to live there? For London, yes. Private rents are around £80 to £90 per week.

Sports ranking: 89th in the BUCS league table.

Fees: £3,375 per year for full-time home undergrads starting in 2011. As of 2012, the university plans on charging £7,900 per year for most honours degrees, £8,250 for some specialist degrees and £7,500 for foundation degrees.

Bursaries: Four £3,000 sports scholarships available. Roehampton is currently reviewing its bursary scheme for 2012.

Prospectus: 020 8392 3232; www.roehampton.ac.uk

UCAS code: R48