The School of Management, University of Surrey

Age: The University of Surrey has been providing management programmes for around 40 years and MBAs for 16.

History: Formed from Surrey European Management School and the School of Management Studies for the Service Sector.

Address: Set in a beautiful campus in Guildford, 40 minutes from London by train and convenient for both Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Ambience: Set on a hillside leading up to Guildford Cathedral, the striking modern buildings are surrounded by landscaped grounds, trees and a lake. A vibrant, close-knit community with students from more than 130 countries.

Vital statistics: The school has a global reputation in the sectors of hospitality, tourism and retail management, and the functional areas of entrepreneurship, marketing, technology management and human resource management. It's the only business school in the UK to be accredited by AMBA, the AACSB and UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization). The school offers MBAs with specialisms in hospitality, retail and tourism.

Added value: The focus is on case studies provided by external business contacts and computer-based simulation.

Easy to get into? A first degree or equivalent, and a minimum of three years' professional work experience (with some managerial responsibilities) are required. Those without a degree but with six years' managerial work experience or more may be eligible through the mature entry.

Glittering alumni: Robert Earl, co-founder of Planet Hollywood; Alan Parker, chief executive of Whitbread; Kit Chapman, founder of Brazz restaurants.

Gurus: All Surrey MBA modules are led by a professor, ensuring a renowned and respected academic leader for all areas.

International connections: An optional study visit for MBA students to another leading overseas business school. The Surrey MBA is available by distance learning in Greece, Germany, Barbados and Mauritius, and the school has exchange arrangements with universities in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and the USA. Staff and students arrive from all corners of the globe, adding to a rich diversity of knowledge and experience. The Surrey International Institute has recently been launched in China. It is believed that this is only the second project of this kind involving a UK university that has received Chinese government approval.

Teaching: Received an "excellent" rating in the most recent Teaching Quality Assessment audit.

Student profile: 70 per cent of MBA participants are international students and a third are female. Average ages: executive MBA is 34; full-time is 30.

Cost: The MBA is £15,950, but bursaries of £3,000 are available for outstanding applicants.

Return on investment: Promotion or other career boost, and often an increased salary.

Who's the boss? Professor Bob O'Keefe.

Prospectus: +44 (0)1483 686345; www.som.surrey.ac.uk; somadmissions@surrey.ac.uk