Strathclyde, University of

Overall ranking: Came 41st out of 123 in the Complete University Guide for 2015.

History: The University of Strathclyde began in 1796 when John Anderson, professor of natural philosophy at Glasgow University, left instructions in his will for "a place of useful learning" - a university open to everyone.

Address: Two campuses: John Anderson, in the trendy Merchant City area in Glasgow's city centre; and Jordanhill, four miles away in the West End.

Ambience: Offers courses which are relevant to industry and commerce and there's a strong social scene. City centre campus is urban and mainly modern and there are landscaped gardens on the site of the former Rottenrow hospital. Jordanhill is parkland, lovely in summer and great for sport.

Who's the boss? Professor Jim McDonald, who was knighted in 2012, is principal and vice-chancellor.

Prospectus: 0141 548 2762 or visit the website here.

UCAS code: S78

What you need to know

Easy to get into? Not particularly. Entry requirements are given in grades rather than UCAS tariff points, with many courses, such as business and economics, asking for AAA at A-level or AAAA at Scottish Highers. The university is keen on widening access and adult returner students are encouraged to apply.

Vital statistics: Nearly 20,000 students from over 100 countries. Around 80% of undergraduates live on or near campus.

Added value: Investing £350m into its campus over a decade, the university's strong partnerships with business and industry are expected to offer £1.4bn to the Scottish and global economy in that time. The £36m Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences building, officially opened in 2011, and an £89m Technology & Innovation Centre is due to open later in 2014. They are also offering Massive, Open, Online Courses (MOOCs), available free to learners around the world, in partnership with FutureLearn. In recognition of the university's success in business, Strathclyde was named Entrepreneurial University of the Year in the 2013 Times Higher Education Awards. Every student can take classes in entrepreneurship, covering business start-up and development. Most departments offer at least one study abroad option. The university has its own student employment service to help them make ends meet. They have a good relationship with industry for science, engineering and business students.

Teaching: Came 98th out of 123 in the Complete University Guide.

Graduate prospects: 30th out of 123 with 73.6 per cent finding graduate level employment.

Any accommodation? Yes, prices range from £86 for a basic room in a shared flat to £125 a week for an ensuite room. Accommodation, mainly in flats, is offered in nine on-campus and five off-campus halls of residence. Students who live 25 miles from the city centre are eligible to apply for University accommodation. The university aims to guarantee student accommodation for all first-years, provided they satisfy the conditions and apply by 1 September.

Cheap to live there? Yep. Average private rents locally are around £80 per week.

Transport links: City centre campus served by nearby train, subway and bus stations. Jordanhill served by bus and trains and there is a shuttle bus between the city centre campus and Jordanhill eight times a day. 20-minute drive to the airport.

Fees: Scottish and EU students do not have to pay any fees. Students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales will pay £9,000 per year. The cost will be capped at £27,000 for a four-year bachelor honours degree, though.

Bursaries: A number of scholarships are available to new undergraduates based on various criteria. See the list here for more details.

The fun stuff

Nightlife: Glasgow's nightlife and club scene is legendary and Strathclyde is right in the thick of it.

Sporting reputation: Pretty sporty- 57th out of 145 universities and colleges in the BUCS 2013/14 league table. Sports centre with badminton and squash courts, a gym and a swimming pool, plus acres of playing fields.

Glittering alumni: Elish Angiolini QC, Scotland's Lord Advocate; John Logie Baird, inventor of the television; James Boyle, chief of the Scottish Arts Council; writers Andrew O'Hagan and Denise Mina; Craig Brown, former Scotland football manager; Tom Hunter, entrepreneur.