Sunderland, University of

University of Sunderland

Age: 149, if you count from its birth as a school of science and art, 20 as a university.

History: Formed when the school of science and art merged with a technical and a teacher training college to become one of the UK's first polytechnics. Became a university in 1992.

Address: Two campuses scattered across the Tyne and Wear conurbation.

Ambience: Super keen on widening participation and attracting local students. The award-winning Sir Tom Cowie Campus, a contemporary glass, wood, and concrete affair, sits on the banks of the River Wear. Meanwhile, the first phase of the £75 million City Campus redevelopment, CitySpace, a £12m sports and social facility, opened in September 2009. The development has been named as an official Paralympic training base for the London 2012 Olympics.

Vital statistics: Around 17,000 students, including over 7,000 full-time undergrads and 2,000 postgrads.

Added value: Strong links with local industry, especially Nissan and the Software City initiative. More than 90 per cent of students find work within six months of graduation. The Sir Tom Cowie has a £20m media arts centre. National and international partners include Yahoo, BT and Sony. Glass and Ceramics students work and study at the National Glass Centre.

Easy to get into? Yes. Students come with various qualifications from A-levels to GNVQs and HNDs. Courses take anything from 80 to 260 UCAS entry points and the access scheme offers places to mature students without A-levels.

Glittering alumni: Children's writer Allan Ahlberg; 'Horrible Histories' author Terry Deary; film director Tony Scott.

Transport links: Good train links around the north-east. Coaches carry you cheaply to many destinations. Inter-campus travel on Metro Link and free Campus Bus service.

Who's the boss? Town planner Professor Peter Fidler.

Teaching: 57th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide in 2011.

Research: 95th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise in 2011.

Overall ranking: Came 89th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: Cheap and cheerful thrills of the pub and club variety in town. Campus Academy nightclub is the main SU nightspot.

How green is it? Average - came joint 96th out of 145 universities graded by People and Planet for their 'Green league 2012'.

Any accommodation? Yes, and it's cheap. Five Halls of Residences, all located within 1.5 miles of the city centre. A free campus bus service links all centres to both campuses, and there is also free parking for students with cars. The cost ranges from approximately £63 per week for a standard room, to £89.98 per week for an en-suite single study bedroom with river views.

Cheap to live there? Indeed. Expect to pay as little as £60 per week if renting privately.

Sports ranking: 104th in the BUCS league table.

Fees: As of 2012 Sunderland will be setting a three tier fee system, with courses costing £7,000, £7,800 and £8,500.

Bursaries: Up to £350 per year is available to 2011 entrants with an annual household income of up to £39,305. In 2012, the university will be taking part in the National Scholarship Scheme.1

Prospectus: 0191 515 3000; www.sunderland.ac.uk

UCAS code: S84