UHI (University of the Highlands and Islands)

UHI (University of the Highlands and Islands)

Age: 11

History: The idea of a university covering the Scottish Highlands and Islands began in 1653; UHI was designated as a higher education institution in April 2001. It achieved taught-degree awarding powers in August 2008 and now awards its own undergraduate and postgraduate taught degrees. Formerly known as the UHI Millenium Institute, it became simply UHI in February 2011.

Address: Many. UHI is made up of a partnership of colleges and research institutions spread across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, including Moray and Perthshire.

Ambience: Depends on where you choose to study. Inverness and Perth are rapidly developing and increasingly cosmopolitan cities. Other colleges are located in more rural communities.

Vital statistics: Around 8,100 students study with UHI. The affiliated institutions include further and higher education colleges, specialist colleges and specialist research centres. All teaching is in English apart from at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI, a specialist Gaelic-medium college on the Isle of Skye.

Added value: £75m has been invested in technology and facilities. An information network of more than 50 learning centres enables students in more remote parts to access university-level courses online or by video conference. UHI is the only higher education institution based in the Highlands and Islands.

Easy to get into? Because it is committed to widening participation, entry requirements are flexible and vary depending on the course. Work experience is taken into account as equally as academic qualifications.

Glittering alumni: None as yet, but give it time.

Transport links: Trains to Inverness from London take about eight hours. Flights from Luton, Gatwick and Heathrow.

Who's the boss? James Fraser has been principal since October 2009.

Teaching: Ina 2007 institutional review, QAA expressed confidence in UHI's 'current, and likely future, management of the academic standards of its awards and the quality of the student learning experience it provides'.

Research: Research submitted in the areas of earth systems and environmental sciences, archaeology and Celtic studies was deemed to be of a 'quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour'.

Nightlife: Varied. Could be the pubs and clubs of Inverness and Perth, or a more cultural, yet just as lively, community-based experience in smaller colleges.

Any accommodation? Only at a few of the centres. Best to check the university's accommodation page for specific details.

Cheap to live there? Varies. Shared houses in the towns range from £80 to £150 per week and more rural spots vary accordingly.

Sports ranking: 130th in the BUCS league table.

Fees: £1,820 per year if you're from England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Fees are paid by the SAAS if you're from Scotland or a non-UK EU country. Fees aren't expected to rise above the rate of inflation for 2012 entry.

Bursaries: The university has a number of funds that students can apply to for financial assistance. Visit the website for more details.

Prospectus: 0845 272 3600; www.uhi.ac.uk

UCAS code: H49