West London, University of (formerly Thames Valley University)

University of West London (formerly Thames Valley University)

Age: 19 or 20, depending on how you count it.

History: Previously the Polytechnic of West London, it was formed in 1991 from a merger of Ealing College London, Thames Valley College Slough, London College of Music and Queen Charlotte's College of Healthcare. It became a university in 1992. From October 2010, its official name changed to University of West London.

Address: Ealing and Brentford in West London; with some additional higher education courses offered in Reading.

Ambience: Most students are in West London, 10 miles from central London; The focus is firmly on the vocational; close links with employers and good work-related facilities, such as a kitchen showroom, fully functioning training restaurant and nursing simulation suites.

Vital statistics: Big, ethnically diverse institution (only one-third of undergrads are of white European origin) with a large number of students from the local area. 76 per cent are mature students. There are around 48,0000 students in all, many of them on evening, day release and part-time courses - making it the largest university by student population in the UK, aside from the Open University.

Added value: Paragon, at the Brentford campus, is an award-winning state of the art accommodation centre for students and opened in September 2006, offering accommodation to 839 students, a mile and a half from the Ealing campus. Rooms are served by lifts, accessible by wheelchairs and fitted to the highest standard with broadband internet access. The site offers 24-hour security with CCTV and a fully staffed office and is available to all who are studying there, including EU and international students. In addition, a credit accumulation scheme gives students recognition for the work they've already done if they take a break from studying, drop out or change course. Strong links with further education institutions across the country and several universities overseas.

Easy to get into? Yes. Committed to widening participation, with offers starting at 100 UCAS points.

Glittering alumni: An eclectic mix. Pete Townshend of The Who; John Bird, founder of the Big Issue; Freddie Mercury; Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones; members of bands Radiohead, Reef, Tricky and Bloc Party; chefs Chris Galvin and Eyck Zimmer; author Jung Chang and Russian politician Sergey Ivanov.

Transport links: Free shuttle bus connects Ealing and Brentford. Easily accessible to central London. Tube and trains from Ealing and trains from Brentford.

Who's the boss? The vice chancellor is Professor Peter John, formerly deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Plymouth. He has been published widely in academic and professional journals.

Teaching: 113th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide..

Research: 107th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: 93rd out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: One bar on the Ealing campus. Regular events at the 500-capacity Lawrence Hall including live music and comedy. Annual May Ball. Ealing is a vibrant town with numerous bars, cafés, and nightclubs. A short train ride to central London and a night bus home will sort you out for a more wild night.

How green is it? Very poor – came joint 122nd out of 142 universities graded by People and Planet for its ‘Green League 2011’, an assessment of environmental performance.

Any accommodation? A single study bedroom at Paragon costs £127 per week inclusive of all utility bills and internet connection.

Cheap to live there? Nope. Average rents for private flats are £100 per week minimum.

Sports ranking: 145th in the BUCS league table.

Fees: £3,375 per year for full-time undergrads starting in 2011. As of 2012, most courses will charge £7,500 per year.

Bursaries: Up to £1,060 per year is available via a means-tested bursary in 2011 to full-time students in receipt of a maintenance grant and with an annual family income of less than £40,000.

Prospectus: 0800 036 8888; www.uwl.ac.uk

UCAS code: W05