Winchester, University of

University of Winchester

Age: 171

History: Founded in 1840 and moved to its present site in 1862. The large BA Qualified Teacher Status programme reflects the university's roots in teacher training. It has a growing reputation in humanities, arts, social sciences, performing arts and business. Gained university status in 2005.

Address: The campus is just outside the city centre of Winchester, Hampshire.

Ambience: Ten minutes’ walk from Winchester's city centre, with views of the rolling countryside. Close-knit atmosphere. Award-winning buildings include the Martial Rose Library, West Downs Student Village and University Centre, and recent additions include a lecture theatre complex and a refurbished Masters' Lodge to create a Research and Knowledge Exchange Centre. The University Centre opened in 2007 and is a four-storey building that contains a range of social facilities, including the Students’ Union, food hall, mini-mart, bookshop and the Learning Café, which offers free networked internet access with wireless.

Vital statistics: Around 6,500 students in total, of which just over 5,000 are undergraduates. Some 68 per cent are full-time students. Runs programmes in more than 30 subject areas, such as American studies, archaeology, business, journalism , law, social work and sports studies. Introduced new courses such as modern liberal arts, sociology and vocal and choral studies in 2010.

Added value: 600 performing arts students make for a lively campus. Frequent guest speakers take part in the 'Enterprise Lectures', which were launched in 2003 with the aim of offering students, staff and members of the community the opportunity to hear first-hand from fascinating and creative people who have been successful in their field. Strong focus on the values of social justice, and this year the university is leading the Hampshire Diamond Jubilee Project 2012, a new appeal to help provide facilities for Gambian schoolchildren. In 2010, Winchester won a Purple Flag, an award recognising safe and enjoyable UK cities for a night out.

Easy to get into? You usually need around 220-300 points (A-levels/AVCE), depending on the course. Applicants from Access and BTEC welcome.

Glittering alumni: Martin Bashir, journalist; John McIntyre, reporter; Michael Rose, producer of the West End hit musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Transport links: The M3 is on the doorstep and London is 64 miles away. Very good train service to Waterloo and elsewhere, and getting to London takes one hour on the train from Winchester. Walking and cycling is best for getting about, but expect a few hills here and there. Airport links with Southampton, Heathrow and Gatwick.

Who's the boss? Professor Joy Carter, vice-chancellor, was appointed in April 2006, with a background in environmental geochemistry and health.

Teaching: 72nd out of 116 for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide.

Research: 72nd out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: 70th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: Themed events in the students’ union. Winchester groans with pubs and restaurants. Clubbers make for Southampton and Bournemouth.

How green is it? Good – came 22nd out of 142 universities graded by People and Planet for its ‘Green League 2011’.

Any accommodation? Yes. Halls are £110 to £147 per week, depending on room. Full-time undergrads who hold Winchester as their firm choice and apply before 1st August are guaranteed accommodation.

Cheap to live there? Private rents are around £65 to 70 per week.

Sports ranking: 97th in the BUCS league table.

Fees: £3,375 per year for full-time home undergrads starting in 2011. This figure will rise to £8,500 per year for entrants in 2012.

Bursaries: £400 per year for students with an annual household income of up to £25,000 in 2011. As of 2012 Winchester will be offering students fee waivers of up to £6,000 over the duration of their course, under the National Scholarship Programme.

Prospectus: 01962 827 234; www.winchester.ac.uk

UCAS code: W76