Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester Metropolitan's modern facilities (Manchester Metropolitan University)

Overall ranking: Ranked 73rd out of 126 in the Complete University Guide for 2016.

History: Started out as Manchester Mechanics' Institution. Merged with colleges of art, commerce and technology to become Manchester Poly in 1970, gobbling up a college of education and two institutions of higher education on the way.

Address: Three campuses in Manchester, soon to be one by September 2014, plus one in Cheshire on the edge of Crewe.

Ambience: Young, groovy- many students pick MMU for its party-friendly atmosphere.

Who's the boss? Professor John Brooks, vice-chancellor. A big supporter of national educational opportunities for all, he has served on the Board of Universities UK and is a former chair of the Equality Challenge Unit.

Prospectus: 0161 247 6969 or order one online here.

UCAS code: M40

What you need to know

Easy to get into? Varies: UCAS tariff points required for full-time undergraduate honours degree range from 240 points to 360 points. MMU also takes mature students without traditional A-levels from access courses.

Vital statistics: One of the largest universities in the UK, with around 33,000 students, of whom approximately 27,000 are undergraduates. 12,000 are mature students, 3,500 are from abroad and there are more than 4,000 staff members. It has one of the largest business schools in the country. University is centred on the biggest educational complex in Western Europe, including the HQ of Manchester University. It is the largest public sector provider of accountancy training in the North West.

Added value: Brilliant sports facilities. Best outdoor facilities are at Crewe and Alsager. The MMU Cheshire Consortium was included in the official London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Pre-Games Training Camp Guide as a multi-sport venue. A ten-year £350 million investment programme has provided new teaching and learning facilities as the university undergoes the largest physical change to its estate since its foundation. A new £139million Birley Campus (which forms part of the single Manchester Campus) will be home to the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care from September. It will provide teaching for over 6,000 students, and provide environmentally sustainable townhouses for accommodation. Other developments to come in September 2014 are a new £10m Students' Union, boasting a restaurant, advice centre, quiet spaces and a venue room.

Teaching: Came 95th out of 126 in the Complete University Guide.

Graduate prospects: 85th out of 126 with 60 per cent finding graduate level employment.

Any accommodation? Yes, Manchester Met boasts 4,355 rooms across the Manchester and Cheshire campuses, with 61% en suite. Nine halls of residence, along with the new Birtley Campus Residences Townhouses, which will house 967 students. Rents in Manchester range from £89 to £125 per week, and in Cheshire from £77 to £87.

Cheap to live there? Quite. A room in a shared flat in Manchester costs roughly between £75 and £82 per week.

Transport links: Modern tram system. Big airport on the doorstep. Crewe and Alsager are close to rail and motorway links.

Fees: All undergraduate degree courses in 2014/15 will cost £9,000 per year.

Bursaries: Generous. UK undergrads paying full fees with a household income of £25,000 a year or less will receive £3,000 in their first year, going down to £1,000 and £500 and the following years. They also offer a non-income assessed Academic Achievement Bursary of £1,500 spread-out over three years for new students paying full fees who attain AAB or ABB at A-level or equivalent.

The fun stuff

Nightlife: Much merrymaking at the main Students' Union, which contains two large, noisy bars and boasts a packed programme of club and dance nights. As for the city itself, Manchester's nightlife surely needs no introduction.

Price of a pint: £3 on average across Manchester but don't fret- there are many student nights, both in the city and on campus, offering great drinks deals.

Sporting reputation: Could be worse- 34th in the BUCS league.

Notable societies: Cocktails and Mocktails is popular with drinkers and non-drinkers alike. You can try alls sorts here, from ultimate frisbee and ice hockey to pole dancing and skydiving. Plenty of arty societies too.

Glittering alumni: Steve Coogan, comedian; Julie Walters, actress; Mike Turner, former chief executive BAE Systems; Richard Griffiths OBE, actor; Bernard Hill, actor; Gethin Jones, TV presenter; Peter Saville, graphic designer, art director and co-founder of Factory Records; Marsha Thomason, actor, Lost; Terry Christian, TV and radio presenter; Mick Hucknall, singer; L S Lowry, artist; Gruff Rhys, musician, Super Furry Animals; John Thomson, actor; Richard Woolfe, former controller for Channel Five; Mark Cueto, rugby player, Sale Sharks and England; Gordon Taylor, chief executive, the Professional Footballers’ Association; Roberto Martinez, football manager.

Alternative prospectus: See how current and former students rate their university experience at Manchester Metropolitan on What Uni? here. The truth outs about courses, lecturers, accommodation, city life and eye candy!