Caledonian Business School

Age: 37.

History: The school was formed in 1999, following the merger of Glasgow Polytechnic and Queens College.

Address: The modern campus is bang in the centre of Glasgow's bustling city centre and business community, close to all major transport networks.

Ambience: A large, energetic business school, with cutting-edge programmes geared directly towards boosting student's careers. The Saltire Centre, at the heart of the campus, has an ultra-modern wireless learning space that encourages interactive and group learning.

Vital statistics: With around 4,000 students doing first degree, postgraduate, professional and research programmes, and almost 300 staff, it's the largest business school of its kind in Scotland and the fourth largest in the UK. Recently launched Scotland's first MA in international film business.

Added value: Flexibility. Students can choose from a wide range of programmes and modes of delivery to find a course that suits their career aims and busy lifestyles. You can also attend masterclasses led by top speakers: in the past, these have included Sir Tom Farmer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, P Y Gerbeau and Dr Meredith Belbin.

Easy to get into? No. The ratio of applications to acceptances averages 4:1. A good first degree or equivalent is required for entry onto the MBA, along with at least two years of relevant work experience.

Glittering alumni: Eunice Muir, director of nursing, NHS 24; Laura Lung, marketing manager, Tiffany & Co, Taiwan; Hugh McIvor, business change manager, Benefits Agency Scotland; Mairi MacRae, head of Scottish Development International, China.

Gurus: Professor John Lennon, director of the Moffat Centre for Travel, Tourism and Business Development; Joseph Docherty of the Glasgow Centre for Retailing; Renee Reid, director of the Caledonian Family Business Centre.

International connections: Close links with institutions across Europe and the USA, so staff and student exchanges are available. The school has formal links with both the East Asia School of Business in Singapore and the Caledonian College of Engineering in Oman, while students on the Scottish course hail from more than 90 countries.

Teaching: A recent QAA review confirmed the high quality of teaching.

Student profile: The age range on the full-time MBA is 23-45; on the part-time it's 23-58.

Cost: The full-time, one year MBA (including an international study visit) is £8,820 for UK and EU students or £12,000 for internationals. The executive option (part-time) is also £8,820.

Return on investment: Better career prospects and a salary boost.

Who's the boss? Martin Togneri, former chief executive of Scottish Development International, is the director and dean of the school.

Prospectus: +44 (0)141 331 3000; www.caledonian.ac.uk/cbs; cbs@gcal.ac.uk