Clearing Profile: Brighton University

AGE 12

HISTORY

Became Brighton Polytechnic through a merger of colleges of technology, art and teacher training. Gained university status in 1992.

ADDRESS

Three sites in Brighton. Main one is at Moulsecoombe, two miles from Brighton centre. Other sites at Grand Parade opposite the Royal Pavilion, and Falmer. A fourth campus is at Eastbourne 26 miles away.

Not to be confused with Sussex University, also in Falmer. (There is a new joint Brighton and Sussex Medical School.)

AMBIENCE

The new city (of Brighton and Hove) is in a coastal setting with historic architecture, including The Lanes, narrow streets between the Royal Pavilion and the seafront on the site of the fishing village from which Brighton developed. Good on culture with thriving theatres, art and music scene. Good public transport - both train and bus - is available between sites. Cycling is a popular means of transport. Take your bike, save money and keep fit.

VITAL STATISTICS

21,129 students. Full-time 65 per cent, part-time 35 per cent.

PLUS POINTS

Ninety per cent of first degree graduates were in employment or training after six months. Completion rate is 90 per cent. Entertainment is not too expensive and with the beach and so much going on in the town it's easy to have a good time cheaply. Part-time jobs are in good supply, mainly in the town's pubs and restaurants.

GLITTERING ALUMNI

Rachel Whiteread and Keith Tyson, Turner Prize winners; Debra Shipley, MP; Jo Whiley, TV presenter; Cliff Wright, illustrator of the Harry Potter books; Kate Allenby, Olympic pentathlete.

TRANSPORT LINKS

Rail station is a few minutes' walk from Grand Parade site. Regular train service from London and other services via Eastbourne and Portsmouth. Gatwick airport is 30 minutes away. Road means the dreaded M25 (then M23).

TEACHING

Good. In inspections all subjects received scores of 20 and above out of a possible 24. Philosophy came top with 24, followed by pharmacology and pharmacy 23. Art and design, librarianship and information management, mathematics, statistics and operational research, and nursing all gained 22.

RESEARCH

In the 2001 research assessment art and design, biomedical sciences and European studies received grade 5; computer science and sports-related subjects 4, business studies, maths and physics 3a, civil engineering, education, general engineering, geography, library and information management, studies allied to medicine, social policy 3b; nursing 2.

NIGHTLIFE

Lots of clubs offer student nights and pubs have happy hours. The Union offers the best value Saturday night entertainment at £3 for entry plus beer at £1.50 a pint.

CHEAP TO LIVE IN?

Average price of university rooms is £68. In the private sector you'll pay £66. Improve your chances of finding what you want at house-hunting days. For £25 you can stay overnight in halls, socialise and receive assistance in finding accommodation. Dates: 25/26 August, 1/2, 8/9, 15/16 September. Book on 01273 642860 or e-mail accommodation@brighton.ac.uk.

There is no university-owned accommodation in Eastbourne.

PROSPECTUS

01273 600900, www.brighton.ac.uk/audience/app/prospectus.htm

CLEARING

Details are not yet available but for information, the university advertised a large number of courses at the beginning of Clearing last year including: accountancy, architecture, art, building, business, chemistry, computing, engineering, English, geography, history, languages, law, maths, media studies, pharmacy, planning, psychology, sports science and tourism.

Clearing Hotline: 0870 6071 700.

Clearing Open Days: Saturday 21, Sunday 22 and Monday 23 August.