Winchester, University of

University of Winchester (Andrew O'Hara)

Overall ranking: 59th out of 123 in the Complete University Guide for 2015.

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: Woodland setting- a ten minute walk from Winchester's historic 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.

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

Prospectus: 01962 827 234 or flick through The Winchester Experience virtually here.

UCAS code: W76

What you need to know

Easy to get into? You usually need around 260-340 UCAS points, depending on the course. Applicants from Access and BTEC welcome. Runs programmes in more than 17 subject areas relating to 17 different departments, such as 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. Leading reputation for primary teacher training.

Vital statistics: Around 6,400 students in total of which 2,800 are mature students.

Added value: Frequent guest speakers take part in the 'Enterprise Lectures', 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. In 2010, Winchester won a Purple Flag, an award recognising safe and enjoyable UK cities for a night out. Recent additions include a lecture theatre complex in 2012. The £9.5m University Centre opened in 2007- 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. £3.5m Winchester Sports Stadium includes an Olympic standard 8-lane running track and an all-weather astro turf.

In recent years the King Alfred campus has undergone huge changes, including the £6.5 million St Alphege building, a new-state of the art learning and teaching facility. Features include 10 new lecture rooms, and a mezzanine floor with open access PC’s. The Burma Road Student Village and the new University Gym also opened in 2013.

Teaching: 20th out of 123 for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide.

Graduate prospects: 114th out of 123 with 52 per cent entering graduate level employment.

Any accommodation? Yes, a variety of choices in halls. The University offers a range of campus accommodation, both catered and self-catered at the King Alfred Campus and at West Downs. Self-catered costs are between £2,996 and £5,199 for 37 to 40 weeks, and catered accommodation on King Alfred Campus is £4,199 for a 28 week contract.

Cheap to live there? Private rents are around £65 to £75 per week.

Transport links: The M3 is on the doorstep and London is 64 miles away. Very good train service to Waterloo and elsewhere- 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.

Fees: Set at £8,500 per year for UK and EU full-time students. £10,800 for overseas students.

Bursaries: Winchester has a range of scholarships and bursaries. Find out which bursaries and fee waiver schemes you may be eligible for using the support calculator here.

The fun stuff

Nightlife: Themed events in the Students’ Union with Detention, Bop and Flirt! the most popular nights. Winchester groans with pubs and restaurants. Clubbers make for Southampton and Bournemouth.

Price of a pint: Averages £2.75 in many of Winchester's pubs.

Sporting reputation: Not particularly sporting going by the BUCS league table- 101st out of 145 at present.

Notable societies: Musicians keen to make some dollar can join Busking Society, while RAH (Rambling Around Hampshire) is a great way to stretch your legs in the beautiful South Downs.

Glittering alumni: Martin Bashir, journalist; John McIntyre, reporter; Michael Rose, producer of the West End hit musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; Steve Furst, comedy actor; Mark Johnson, horse racing announcer; Bob Taylor, former president of the Rugby Football Union; Lauren Cohan and David Prosho, actors.

Alternative prospectus: Talk to current and prospective students in Winchester's forum on The Student Room for an insight into the university experience.