University of Aberdeen

Scotland's third oldest university, founded in 1495. First chair of medicine in the English-speaking world. Five Nobel prizes have been awarded for work begun or carried out at Aberdeen. Aberdeen is a vibrant, creative and ambitious city, famous for its historic charm, a thriving economy and cosmopolitan community. Voted Scotland’s safest University City. The city is big enough to give the big city feel, but small enough for you to easily find your way around and make friends. Based in the heart of one of the most beautiful regions of the UK, Aberdeen has something for everyone – our location means you can find yourself travelling from the busy city centre of Europe’s Energy Capital to awe-inspiring countryside and coastlines in no time at all. Communication and travel links are excellent: With global air, rail and road connections, Aberdeen is easily reachable from anywhere in the UK within an hour and a half. Local transport services offer a reliable and regular service throughout Aberdeen and surrounding areas.

Aberdeen has a long and distinguished research history. The University has a leading track record in pioneering discoveries which have changed the way people think, work and learn throughout the world in the fields of medicine, science and humanities. 90% of our research has been judged as being of international quality and over half of this has been classed as world leading or internationally excellent. 

Academic Strengths

As a result of an extensive review of the curriculum, since 2010 undergraduate students at Aberdeen have a more flexible degree structure which retains all the quality and depth of the traditional Scottish degree and adds further benefits. The University provides the opportunity to choose new cross-disciplinary courses focused on real world problems or sustained study in a language or business.

There are now even more opportunities to broaden your experience and skills through a wide range of optional activities overseen by the University, such as study overseas, work placements and voluntary work. The University provides over 550 first degree programmes on offer across three colleges. Students are encouraged to tailor-make their degree programme to suit their interests and ambitions, and every student has an academic adviser to provide guidance. 89% of subjects rated excellent/highly satisfactory. Scotland’s top Medical School. The University has been praised by the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education for the quality of relationships between students and staff.

More than 500 years of academic excellence. Within the three colleges of Arts and Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences and Medicine, many degree programmes have been rated either the best in Scotland or in the top ten in the UK by numerous league tables. Particular strengths lie in the university's founding disciplines of Arts and Humanities, Engineering, Medicine, Education, Divinity and Law.

The University's brand new Aquatics Centre opened to the public in May 2014. This Olympic Standard centre provides the area’s first 50m training and competition pool and separate diving pool. The facility is set to host various national and international competitions, and has already hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games Water Polo Championships. The University’s main library – The Sit Duncan Rice Library – contains over a million volumes, over 300,000 e-books and over 21,000 journals. The library also hosts a series of events, presentations and exhibitions throughout the year.

The University has one of the largest WiFi campuses in Europe.

University of Strathclyde

Established in 1796 when Professor John Anderson, one of the leading figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, left instructions in his will for 'a place of useful learning'. Received the Royal Charter in 1964. Today Strathclyde’s ambition is to be among the leading technological universities in the world. It is committed to the highest standards of teaching, research and knowledge exchange, and has a track record of making technologies and innovation applicable for the benefit of society and the environment. It is proud of its strong links with business and industry. It challenges traditional academic boundaries to solve global problems, and at the same time takes pride in its place at the heart of the city of Glasgow. It is home to students from more than 100 countries.

Although over 55%  of students come from the west of Scotland, Strathclyde welcomes students from over 140 countries. 51% male to 49% female. We have a diverse student population, with 8% (or in excess of 1,800) of our student coming from 14 ethnic groups other than 'White – Scottish'.

Located in the centre of Glasgow, one of Europe's most exciting cities, and close to Scotland's stunning scenery, including Loch Lomond. The University’s community is now together on one site, following the arrival at the city centre campus of around 350 staff and 2,000 students previously based at the Jordanhill campus in the west end of Glasgow. Their move to the £38 million Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences quarter forms part of a wider £350-million campus investment plan. City centre location close to central train and bus stations and only 20 minutes from Glasgow Airport.

  

Over 5% of the student population has a declared disability. Overall, 61% of the student population is aged 21 and over, while at Undergraduate level the equivalent proportion is 36%.  Strathclyde has a reputation for innovative, flexible learning which is relevant to students and employers. BA in Arts and Social Sciences offers a range of subjects before one or two are studied in-depth at Honours level. Students can take elective subjects outwith their discipline, including classes at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship designed to develop employable skills.

Bishop Grosseteste University

Established in 1862 as a Diocesan Training College and changed name to Bishop Grosseteste College in 1962 to mark the centenary year. Awarded University College status in the summer of 2006 and University status in December 2013, becoming Bishop Grosseteste University. Named after Bishop Robert Grosseteste, an 18th-century Bishop of Lincoln. In case you’re wondering, Grosseteste is pronounced "grohs-test", or "gross test". Based in a single site campus in the heart of historic Lincoln. All of Lincoln's major facilities are within walking distance of the University campus.Lincoln has good rail links throughout the country, along with easy access to the A1. Entry Standards

Entry requirements vary depending on the particular course chosen. The UCAS tariff points system is used for undergraduate entry, but we welcome students with a range of qualifications and make every effort to personalise each entry offer. Entry requirements for each course are available on our website   

BGU is the 2nd highest ranked university in the UK for graduate employment levels (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey, 2011–12).Specialists in Education, offering Teacher Training for over 150 years.Education, Drama and overall student satisfaction all rank highly in various university league tables. Dedicated SU team who organise events year-round, including comedians, live bands and trips in the UK and abroad. There’s something for everyone, from on-campus laser quest to fundraising for charity. Students' Union Welfare Service on hand to support students, as well as raising awareness of various student welfare issues.

 Involvement in raising money for charities both locally and nationally through RAG (Raise and Give). Wide range of established societies (ranging from poker to musicals and loads in between) as well as various sports clubs which take part in national leagues. If there is something you like doing and there isn’t a society or club for that activity, then you can easily set up your own for other people to join. As well as events and activities, the main role of the SU is representation, aiming to empower you and your fellow students and give you a voice – both within the University itself and at a national level as well.

Bath Spa University

The university traces its history back over 160 years to the original Bath School of Art and Design.

The first trainee teachers trained here over 60 years ago. Gained degree awarding powers in 1992, university title in 2005 (previously Bath Spa University College) and research degree awarding powers in 2008.

Two main campuses, Newton Park (all subjects except art and design) and Sion Hill (Bath School of Art and Design), located just outside the city of Bath, with good bus links to the city.

A new Centre for Creative Computing is being developed at Hartham Park in Corsham, near Bath (where the University’s Institute for Education will also be located). There’s also a specialist postgraduate centre in Corsham (Corsham Court), near Bath Bath is just 9 miles from Bristol, 90 minutes from London.

89% score for teaching quality in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2013. Consistently high student satisfaction scores in NSS. 'Outstanding' reputation for teacher training – PGCE courses were rated Grade 1 by Ofsted in 2011 in programmes leading to qualified teacher status in primary, secondary and further education. 22/24 was the average score for teaching excellence under the QAA scheme.

Bath Spa was designated a National Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in the creative and cultural sector. Low drop-out rate – 86% projected completion compared to 78% across the UK as a whole.

In the range 260–340 UCAS points. Alternative qualifications welcome. Bath Spa has around 30% mature students. 70% female, 30% male. Currently 5% overseas students. A drive for further internationalisation will increase this figure in the next few years. 35% over 25; 94% of young full-time entrants from state schools or colleges. Applications to places ratio approximately 7:1. Most courses are part of a flexible modular scheme, allowing students a good deal of choice. Joint degrees are a popular choice – a lot of subjects can be studied as part of a Combined Award. An active partnership exists with local FE colleges, enabling some students to study locally.

Bath Spa staff are actively engaged in research and scholarship that directly informs their teaching.

As a teaching-led university, all research activity is of direct benefit to students and is applied to what and how they're taught. In RAE 2008 all ten subject areas entered were rated 2* and above (internationally recognised), and in five areas some research was rated 4* (world-leading).

Birkbeck, University of London

Birkbeck was founded in 1823 by George Birkbeck as the Mechanics Institution, offering higher education for working Londoners. Became part of the University of London in 1920 on condition it continued to provide flexible, evening teaching. In 2007 Birkbeck took its flexible teaching provision to Stratford, east London, with a selection of courses. In July 2012 the Privy Council gave Birkbeck the power to award taught and research degrees, a recognition of the quality of the College’s teaching and research and ability to set and maintain academic standards and procedures. Birkbeck will continue to award University of London degrees for the forseeable future. In autumn 2013 Birkbeck opened University Square Stratford, a £33-m purpose-built campus in Stratford, east London.

Part of the University of London central London precinct in Bloomsbury, London (WC1). Served by excellent bus, tube and rail links; Stratford courses are taught at the University Square Stratford campus (a few minutes' walk from Stratford Station). The main central London campus is surrounded by world-class research sources and specialist library collections, including the British Museum, the British Library and Senate House library. London is the economic and cultural capital of the UK. Students apply direct to the College for the four-year evening taught part-time course, and go through UCAS for three-year evening taught full-time courses. Over 21 year olds are assessed individually.

Under 21 year olds need to meet normal university entry requirements. Visit the website for more details. 

A total student population of 18,744 broken down by 12,826 (UG), 5,918 PG Taught and Research.

Majority of students are working professionals who attend classes in the evenings. Students can form professional networks, and share professional experience of the subject being studied.

Diverse, cosmopolitan, non-traditional student body, 49% men, 51% women, with 94% of undergraduates mature students, average age 35. 23% of students achieve firsts, 44% achieve 2:1 and 29% achieve 2:2.

Seventy-two part-time (four-year), evening taught undergraduate degrees; more than 200 postgraduate programmes (available both part-time and full-time, mostly in the evenings). Forty-nine full-time (three-year), evening taught undergraduate programmes.

Some courses are also offered in Stratford, east London.

University of Westminster

The University of Westminster was names with Privy Council approval in 1992. It was established in London's Regent Street in 1838 as the original Polytechnic, focussing on innovation and scientific discovery. It was re-launched by philanthropist Quintin Hogg in 1882 and in 1970 was renamed the Polytechnic of Central London (known as PCL).Three of the University's four campuses are based in central London, with excellent transport links. The leafy Harrow Campus is served by tube, rail and bus links. From Northwick Park tube station, Baker Street is around a 20-minute journey. Our average entry tariff is 300 points. For some subject areas specific A-levels are necessary. Applicants with vocational qualifications, the International Baccalaureate, or international school leaving certificates are welcomed. For studio-based subjects, applicants are asked to provide a portfolio in support of their application, or take part in an interview. 

On average, there were six applicants to every full-time, first-degree place at Westminster last year.

Last academic year, the Faculty of Media, Arts and Design was overall the most popular on average with 7.3 applications for each place. The most popular course in this Faculty had more than 28 applications for each place (undergraduate Fashion Design). The second most popular course was undergraduate Architecture with 26 applications for each place. The overall average for the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment was 6.8. Full- and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses, short and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses and foundation degrees.

Westminster was ranked 70th out of 106 in the most recent research assessment. In RAE 2008, media and communications research has been rated the best in the UK, art, and architecture research groups were all assessed as world leading. It was also recognised internationally for research in areas such as law, life sciences and the environment, computing, business, and planning. Many of the courses have a strong work-related focus, and these skills are included in many degrees. Media, Architecture, Languages and Subjects allied to Medicine, Psychology, Electronic Engineering, Construction and Surveying, English. Westminster offers the largest range of languages of any British university. Shaping the future of professional life, with a strong work-related focus, and transferable skills.

When you join the University you will have access to all four of our libraries – two have 24-hour opening throughout the academic year. Check online for opening hours and locations. Your home library holds the collection of resources that supports your course as well as other general resources. You will have an Academic Liaison Librarian who has special responsibility for your area of study and who works closely with your lecturers to ensure that recommended materials are available.

You will have access to the University's library collection online via Library Search which allows you to find information in both print and electronic formats, reserve items, extend loans and more. Our collection includes over 30,000 e-journals, 20,000 e-books, and 230 databases. The Harrow Campus also features music and television studios, and radio production facilities. As well as getting help and advice from library counter staff in person or over the phone, you will also be able to use the online 'Ask-a-Librarian' service. IT services – there are more than 3,500 Microsoft PCs, Sun workstations and Apple Macs across the University for you to use. We provide general applications and word processing packages as well as a wide range of specialist software for your area of study.

You will be given a University email account, which is delivered by Google. You can use the PCs in the University's computer suites for supervised training sessions, research, completing assignments, group work, online learning as well as general internet access. You can also borrow a laptop from the library counter. Wireless access is available everywhere on all campuses. Information on your course is available as an app for your phone. Blackboard is our virtual learning environment which provides you with resources and information to support your course modules. You can also access Blackboard with your mobile device.

You get can help and support with IT issues face-to-face at our drop-in centres, which are located at each campus, or over the phone, or online through our FixIT Centre. The Harrow Campus features music and television studios, radio production facilities, photographic studios, and multimedia newsrooms. Our Cavendish Campus offers extensive computer suites and laboratories. Life Sciences students will beable to use the latest hi-tech laboratories and equipment at our Cavendish Campus. Our Marylebone Campus is home to our exclusive Bloomberg Suite – offering business students first-hand experience of the world's financial markets.

University of the West of Scotland

Founded in 1897 to offer vocational courses, the university began offering degree studies in the early 1900s and matured to university status in 1992.

On 1 August 2007 the university merged with Bell College.

Name change to University of the West of Scotland 2007.

Location and Transport

There are four campuses at Ayr, Dumfries, Hamilton and Paisley.

Paisley campus is 1.5 km (1 mile) from Glasgow Airport and 10 minutes by train from the centre of Glasgow. Hamilton is also a 10-minute train journey from Glasgow.

Ayr campus is 40 minutes from Glasgow by car or train. Dumfries campus is reached by bus from Dumfries centre.

Entry Standards

Business-, social science-, and arts-based courses require a minimum of four Highers (including English) or three A Levels, or equivalent.

Science- and engineering-based courses generally require a minimum of four Highers (including at least two sciences) or three A Levels, or equivalent.

Computing and Engineering courses generally require a minimum of three Highers or two A levels, or equivalent.

Primary Education requires highest grades with ABBB at Higher or BBC at A Level.

Visit the website for more information on entry standards and courses.

Student Mix

The merged institution has over 15,000 students, of which approximately 35% are part-time students.

Over 1,100 international students.

A significant number of students enter the university at advanced level with a range of appropriate college qualifications.

Course Flexibility

Strong career focus. Courses designed with industry input.

As part of their degree, students can spend up to a year on paid placements with companies such as Volkswagen and the BBC.

Field work and project work with companies is incorporated into a number of degrees.

The University of Winchester

History

Founded in 1840.

Based on an Anglican Foundation.

First began as a teacher training school to provide training of elementary schoolmasters within the Winchester Diocese.

Location and Transport

One hour away from London Waterloo.

Winchester is in the county of Hampshire, within a wooded setting overlooking the South Downs.

The campus is within easy walking distance of the historic cathedral city centre of Winchester.

Entry Standards

Entry requirements vary depending on the programme of study. Full details can be found on the online prospectus or by downloading a copy of the undergraduate prospectus.

Student Mix

Total student population of around 6,500.

Male : female ratio 30:70.

7% of students international (non-EU).

Less than 5% of students taken through Clearing.

Course Flexibility

The majority of programmes can be studied full-time and part-time.

A range of programmes is available, including many Combined Honours programmes.

Students are encouraged to tailor-make their degree programme according to the available modules to suit their interests and ambitions and every student is assigned a personal tutor.

Teaching Standards

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) institutional audit concluded 'broad confidence' (the highest level of confidence possible within an audit) in the quality of academic awards and student experience.

Particularly high student satisfaction for American Studies, Childhood, Youth and Community Studies, Creative Writing, Choreography and Dance, Education Studies, Event Management, ITT and Journalism.

Leading reputation for primary teacher training. In 2010 Ofsted recognised Winchester's provision as 'Outstanding'.

Research Standards

All full-time staff are engaged in research and they ensure that it informs and enhances all teaching.

Winchester has a diverse, dynamic and supportive research community.

A Research and Knowledge Exchange Centre provides the focus of all research activity at the university.

In the 2008 RAE (Research Assessment Exercise), 75% of the university's research submitted was considered internationally recognised, with some research achieving the highest grade possible (4*) and a rating of 'quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour'. History performed particularly strongly in the RAE, with 90% of research submitted considered internationally recognised.

REF 2014 – Research Excellence Framework  Research has been submitted in two-thirds of all possible subject areas in the REF 2014. Approximately half of academic staff.

University of Wolverhampton

Over the last few years the desire to understand the animal world has increased dramatically. Animal behaviour is now a rapidly growing field and many prior understandings of the behaviour, characteristics and communication of animals are being rewritten. The big question, how and why do animals behave the way they do, is far from being comprehensively answered, but the emergence of a new generation of animal behaviourists is helping to begin the answering of this and other questions.

The study and interpretation of the natural behaviour of animals is a fascinating subject and those who choose to study animal behaviour are concerned with understanding the causes, functions and evolution of behaviour. There is an increasing need for humans to take an element of responsibility towards animals and their welfare. Not just for domestic pets but for wild animals, who are having to adapt to new environments as a result of climate change and the effects that this is having on the natural habitats of some wild animals.

On a more domestic level, there is a greater awareness among the general public of issues involved with the welfare of companion, performance and farm animals. Animals that are bred for food, animals that we keep as pets and those that are kept in zoos and aquariums, horses that are used in horseracing and animals that are used in films are all looked after by people with a good scientific knowledge of animal behaviour.

University of Worcester

History

Originally founded in 1946 as a Teacher Training College.

Degree-awarding powers held since 1996.

Granted full university status in 2005.

Location and Transport

Worcester is 51.5 km (32 miles) south west of Birmingham and is easily accessible by air, rail and the M5 motorway network.

The University is located centrally, just a short walk from the train and bus stations. The St John's Campus is a 15 minute walk/5 minute drive/10 minute bus journey from Worcester city centre, while the City campus is right in the heart of the city, close to both train and bus stations.

Worcester has two train stations – Foregate Street and Shrub Hill. National Express operate eight buses a day to Worcester.

Entry Standards

Find out about entry requirements at Worcester online.

Student Mix

66% of students are female.

61% of students are mature (21 years old and over).

27% of students study on a part-time basis.

Applications to places ratio 5:1.

Course Flexibility

Joint and major minor degree courses are widely available.

All single honours students have opportunities to take free choice modules in other subjects.

There are opportunities to mix full-time and part-time study.

A change to the curriculum in 2013 allows more opportunity for course-related employability skills training and activities.

Teaching Standards

The university's mission is to provide high quality, inclusive, education.

Student satisfaction levels are high.

The university performs well in all external quality assessments.

Research Standards

All academic staff are expected to engage in advanced scholarship and research.

The University has a number of well-regarded research centres, including the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Centre, and the Association for Dementia Studies.

Other particularly strong subjects include health sciences, including Psychology, Biological Sciences, English, and History.

Academic Strengths

Teacher Education, Early Years, Sport and Exercise Science, including disability sport, Psychology, Nursing and Midwifery, Biology, History, Heritage and Archaeology Studies, and Management and Leadership

University of Leicester

History

Founded in 1921 and gained its Royal Charter in 1957, Leicester is one of Britain's older universities.

The university site was given to create a living memorial for those who gave their lives during World War One.

Location and Transport

Leicester is in the heart of England, close to the M1 and M69 motorways. The railway station is close to the campus.

Entry Standards

Typical offers range from AAA (Medicine, Law) to BBB with most departments requiring around AAB/ABB.

Get more information about entry requirements at Leicester online.

Student Mix

Full-time undergraduate students (2011–12), male 49%, female 51%.

Full-time undergraduate students (2011–12), UK/EU 83%, international 17%.

Full-time undergraduate students (2011–12), under 21 86%, over 21 14%.

School type 89% state, 11% independent.

Just over seven applicants to each place. Approximately 17,000 applicants applied for 2,350 places in 2010.

Leicester is an inclusive university; it meets its widening participation benchmarks for recruitment from state schools and lower socio-economic groups.

Teaching Standards

The quality of teaching is very high and since the launch of the National Student Survey in 2005, Leicester has consistently featured amongst the top-10 universities in England for student satisfaction.

Leicester has one of the strongest student completion rates – 91% of our students leave the sector with an award according to government performance indicators.

Research Standards

The research conducted by the University has the strongest impact of any Midlands university measured by citations per academic. Citation levels place Leicester amongst the top 1% of universities in the world and are the 7th highest in the UK.

Leicester’s Quality Related research funding (QR) is the 19th highest of Britain’s 120 universities.

Leicester has one of the highest proportions of staff who are research active in the UK, with approximately 93% of staff submitted for the national 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. Of these, Leicester has 87% of research activity deemed by the RAE to be producing internationally significant research.

Leicester is home to the department with greatest concentration of world class research of any department of any discipline in the UK – in our Department of Museum Studies.

DNA genetic fingerprinting was discovered here and over 90% of academic staff are research active.

Academic Strengths

Strengths stretch across the four colleges: Arts, Humanities & Law; Science & Engineering; Social Science & Medicine; Biological Science & Psychology.

World-class reputation for work in Cardiovascular Medicine, Physics and Space Science, Economics, Engineering, Law, English, Historical Studies, Archaeology, Mathematics, Genetics, and across the biological sciences.

Ulster University

History

Ulster University, located in Northern Ireland, was founded in 1984 by Royal Charter.

The University can trace its roots back to 1845 when Magee College was established in Derry~Londonderry and, 1849 when the School of Art and Design was inaugurated in Belfast.

Location and Transport

The University has four campuses: Coleraine, Belfast, Jordanstown (seven miles outside Belfast) and the Magee campus in Derry~Londonderry. 

All campuses are served by excellent bus and train networks.

There are regular ferry services to Scotland and England, and Northern Ireland's three regional airports serve many GB and international destinations.

Entry Standards

Entry standards vary by course at Ulster.

The online prospectus contains full details of entry requirements at Ulster.

Our fees are £3,685 for Northern Ireland and EU students and £6,000 for GB students for full-time undergraduate courses (2014–15 entry).

There is no cap or limit on the number of GB or international students which the University is permitted to admit (except in the Allied Health Professions and social work).

Ulster University's Talented Athlete Entry Scheme is designed to assist talented athletes in gaining access to a quality education whilst attaining success at the highest level in their chosen sport. 

Student Mix

We are the largest university on the island of Ireland

We are in the top 20 UK universities for UCAS applications, receiving around 35,000 applications each year to our undergraduate courses. 

We currently welcome more than 25,000 students from over 90 countries and our 140,000 alumni come from 121 countries.

We are in the top 10 of UK Universities in providing access to students from all economic backgrounds.

The University has over 3,500 international students from 90 different countries.

58% of Ulster University’s students are female, 42% male.

Additionally, there are approximately 5,000 students currently studying for Ulster-accredited qualifications at other institutions or via distance learning.

Each campus has a distinct character and while some courses are offered at more than one campus, there is a degree of specialisation across the campuses. Belfast concentrates on art and design, architecture and hospitality; Jordanstown concentrates on business and management, the built environment, computing and engineering, health and sport sciences, and social sciences; Coleraine is focused on Pharmacy, Environmental and Life Sciences, humanities, modern languages and tourism management; whilst at Magee there is a concentration on creative and performing arts, nursing and social work, computing, business and management, and social sciences.

University of Leeds

Leeds traces its roots as far back as 1831. Awarded a charter by Edward VII in 1904, Leeds is now one of the largest universities in the UK. Located at the centre of the UK and enjoying excellent transport links, Leeds is well connected to the rest of the UK by affordable, frequent and extensive coach and rail services. You can reach London in around two hours and Edinburgh is just three hours away by train. Leeds Bradford Airport provides regular flights to major international destinations. The University of Leeds is shaped by its values of academic excellence, community, professionalism, integrity and inclusiveness. Its admissions policy aims to provide fair and equal access to those who have the potential to succeed on their chosen course.

Full details of the entry requirements for each of the University's courses are available on its website.

In 2012 the average entry UCAS tariff score was 424. The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), a measure of research quality in universities, identified 61% of the University’s research as world-leading or internationally excellent and a further 33% as 'recognised internationally'. Leeds comes eighth in the country for 'research power' – a measure of quality and volume. Electrical and electronic engineering produced the best results in the country, with social work and social policy, English, Italian, geography and nursing also highly rated. More than half its schools are ranked in the top ten in the country.

In 2012–13, the University secured 615 new research awards totalling £146m. Leeds is part of the Worldwide Universities Network, which brings together 18 research-intensive universities to collaborate on research, postgraduate degree programmes and continuing professional development.

Leeds’ research strengths are in areas such as energy, climate and geo hazards, water, transport systems, biomedical engineering, advanced electronic devices, condensed matter physics and medical technologies. The University has implemented a dynamic Sector Hub approach to working with the wider world, creating interdisciplinary centres of excellence which form a gateway to the University’s expertise across 14 identified areas of strength.

Pearson College

Pearson College is part of the Pearson family. Pearson was established in 1844, is now the world’s leading Education Company, and is home to leading brands like the Financial Times. In fact, Pearson’s publishing heritage extends back to the 1700’s and the publication of the first English dictionary by Samuel Johnson. Pearson College offers a suite of business degrees including International Business Management, and the option to study a particular speciality, including law, finance, marketing or enterprise. You’ll study at 80 Strand, Pearson’s corporate offices, which are a stone’s throw from the bustle of Covent Garden and the West End.Pearson College is really easy to get to; their offices are located in the heart of London on the iconic Strand. They are close to Waterloo, Holborn, Embankment and Covent Garden tube stations and on a number of different bus routes. There is also cycle parking available at 80 Strand.

Pearson College guarantees to consider applications on individual merits. Average offer: between 280 and 320 UCAS points dependent on the programme. Please see the Pearson College website for further information. Applications are welcomed from mature students with non-standard qualifications and/or work experience. Students must be fully competent in English and if English is not their first language Pearson College may require an English test to be taken.

Pearson College works with leading universities including Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, part of the University of London, and Ashridge Business School to validate their degrees.

As a FTSE 100 company with a network of blue chip industry relationships, Pearson has an inherent understanding of the modern business environment and employer needs and is uniquely placed to develop and deliver degrees at the interface of academic and applied learning. Both industry and leading academics have a central role in the design and development of the curriculum, which is designed to give students sound academic theory and knowledge, but also a robust grasp of how to apply this in the modern business environment. 

The University of Edinburgh

The University was established by a Royal Charter granted by James VI in 1582. For more than 400 years the University has played host to scientists, philosophers and politicians who have shaped the modern world. Fellow graduates signed the United States’ Declaration of Independence, founded Ivy League universities, brought modern medicine to China, post-colonial government to Africa, and wrote some of the world’s most widely read books.  Edinburgh, the inspiring capital of Scotland, is a historic, cosmopolitan and cultured city that offers a unique living and learning experience. It has been voted favourite UK City for 13 consecutive years. Edinburgh regularly receives high satisfaction ratings for safety and security in the International Student Barometer survey.

Excellent road, rail and air transport links make Edinburgh accessible from all major cities in the UK and beyond. Typically the undergraduate degree programmes take four years, the first two years offering more general, flexible study.

This gives an opportunity to study courses outside of the main subject area for most of our degrees. In many cases this gives the flexibility to delay the final choice of Honours subjects.

Most programmes in science and engineering subjects offer advanced entry into 2nd years for students who are particularly focussed on a specialised degree. Advanced entry can provide less flexibility and often carries a higher set of grade requirements or a more specific subject requirement.

Plymouth University

One of the UK's largest universities, with history dating back to 1862. Later became a polytechnic and received university status in 1992. Plymouth is the first modern university to set up its own medical and dental school – the Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry – and is a partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall. Awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2012 in respect of its marine and maritime work. The first university in the world to receive a Social Enterprise Mark in recognition of its sustainability. Campus just a short stroll from the buzzing city centre, with shops, restaurants and nightlife, the scenic seafront and historic Barbican. 

Nationally acclaimed for teaching excellence. Sixteen national teaching fellows as awarded by the Higher Education Academy, one of the highest number in the sector. Fifteen subject areas ranked excellent or equivalent in independent assessments by the Quality Assurance Agency. Widely acknowledged as having one of the best research performances amongst the modern universities. Plymouth has a national and international research profile. In the Research Assessment Exercise 2008, 80% of the research was judged as being of international repute, and 18 of the 25 areas submitted were judged to have world-leading research. The university submitted nearly 400 staff to RAE 2008 – a 70% increase on the RAE 2001 submission. Research Fortnight named the university as one of the top 50 research institutions and 'most improved' since the last RAE.

Rugged Dartmoor and some of the best beaches in the UK are within easy travelling distance. Rail station is just a five-minute walk from the campus, with services to London, South Wales, the Midlands, the North of England and Scotland. There are regular coach services from most major cities to Plymouth, which is easily reached from the M5 motorway and the A38 Expressway via Exeter. It is about a three-and-a-half-hour journey from London to Plymouth. Plymouth University’s Academic Partnerships provides a network of colleges throughout the South West, offering degree opportunities for people in locations close to home across Devon, Cornwall and the Channel Islands.