Stranmillis University College, Belfast

Stranmillis University College, Belfast

Age: 89

History: Founded in 1922, after the partition of Ireland, to provide state-funded teacher education in the North. Became a university college in 1999.

Address: Leafy south Belfast in Country Life's "perfect Victorian suburb".

Ambience: Divine purpose-built campus in a conservation area, occupying an enclosed site of 46 acres of woodland rich in wildlife. Main building is Strawberry Hill Gothic. Close by is Stranmillis village, home of the acclaimed Lyric Players Theatre.

Vital statistics: Small, friendly college, welcoming 1,300 students from diverse backgrounds. Specialises in teacher education but also offers other degrees including early childhood studies, health and leisure studies and a range of part-time masters' courses.

Added value: Academically integrated with Queen's University, so graduates obtain a Queen's degree. High graduate employment rate. Exchange partnerships with institutions in Europe, USA and South Africa.

Easy to get into? Not particularly. For teacher education, you need AAB at A-level; for early childhood studies BBB at A-level, and health and leisure studies, BCC at A-level.

Glittering alumni: Award-winning Irish playwright Graham Reid; politician Ken Maginnis; rugby player Willie Anderson, Jonathan Bell, Gaelic footballer Stephen O'Neill, Irish international hockey player Bridget McKeever.

Transport links: An hour by air from London and 90 minutes from most other large cities.

Who's the boss? Dr Anne Heaslett, who took over from Prof. Richard McMinn in August 2007.

Teaching: 74 per cent of students said they were satisfied with teaching in the most recent Nationl Student Survey.

Nightlife: Students' union is called Scholars after a famous rugby team which produced ace players. The 'Golden Mile' with bars and nightclubs is a short walk - or stagger - from halls.

Any accommodation? Yes - it will cost you around £95 per week for a standard catered room in halls, or £135 for en-suite.

Cheap to live there? Yes. Private rents are available from £55 per week.

Fees: £3,375 per year for full-time UK/EU undergrads starting in 2011. A decision on 2012 fees is still being negotiated by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Bursaries: Up to £1,100 per year as a means-tested bursary for full-time students in receipt of a maintenance allowance and with an annual household income of up to £24,204 in 2011. A limited number of free places in halls are available to students who fulfill certain criteria.

Prospectus: 028 9038 1271; www.stran.ac.uk

UCAS code: S79