Portsmouth reckons that unique, specialised and vocational courses are what hooks new students. They must be on the nose, as applications are up by 67% – more than any other university in England, and even more impressive in light of top-up trauma which has seen numbers falling off elsewhere. Developments include an expanded Business School, a new Sports Science centre, a Marine Biology lab and a school for dental sciences – a canny move considering the nation's shortage of teeth-cleaners. Currently it's offering courses in the dental hygiene line, but an upgrade to full dentistry school status could be on the cards. It's a high-tech subject taught in a replica hospital with a mixture of freaky VR/ plastic heads and local guinea pigs. As treatments are cheap/free and students on the course are eligible for certain bursaries, it's proving rampantly popular. Teaching is a mix of conventional methods and e-learning. Arts students can expect a mere hour of timetabled study a week (with a lot of self-study); Science boffins can expect around 20 hours. 30 credits are taken over three years, and allow a flexible approach to subject choice (many are plumping for languages). Final degree class is based on the 'best of three' idea: whatever's best out of the second year marks, third year marks or the overall grade is what the student walks out with.

Portsmouth has enjoyed a relatively smooth and hassle-free growth recently and is now consolidating its powers on the main Guildhall site, which provides a busy working environment for the relaxed and down-to-earth student crowd. They really do like to be beside the seaside here – summertime brings books to the beaches and students lounge around the University gardens topping up tans. Relations with locals are mild and unthreatening, helped by the fact that so many students are locals and halls aren't in residential areas.

• Population: 186,900
• City centre: 0 miles
• London: 70 miles
• Southampton: 20 miles
• High temp: 22
• Low temp: 2
• Rainfall: 66mm

Portsmouth is a compact if not pocket-sized place, easily explored on foot. The lovely, leafy seafront makes for pleasant strolling and there are shiploads of maritime marvels on display. HMS Victory, the Mary Rose, the Warrior and the Royal Marines are all intriguing and impressive titbits of Britain’s military history while Southsea House – pied á terre of Henry VIII – and Charles Dickens’s birthplace provide tickboxes on the tourist’s checklist. The millennium project, Spinnaker Tower, is also proving a popular amusement, partly due to the lift breaking down the day it launched. The beach, pier and funfair provide their quota of laughs too. Gunwharf Quays boasts over 70 factory outlets from Ralph Lauren to Levi's. Those who prefer leeks to labels will want to try the daily fruit and veg market. Although there's little eyebrow-raising architecture or stunning scenery in the city centre, the stepped and columned Guildhall – with its rideable stone lions – provides an attractive and inspiring graduation venue. Portsmouth's worked hard at building up the impression of an affluent, harbour community, but irrepressible Vicky Pollards don't stay hidden for too long. Sha' aap!

The job shop in the Union does its bit to help cash-hunters and with all the bars, ferries, shops and tourists in and around Southsea, chances of finding work are above average.

Although international students are guaranteed places and a large proportion of rooms are reserved for first years, 10% of each year's intake gets left out in the cold. Most first years are locals who live at home the first year. James Watson is the newest hall, housing 726 students in relative en suite luxury in three tower blocks, D, N and A (geddit?). Most of the halls are within ten mins of Guildhall or Langstone campus, but Langstone can be a drag because of its distance from the city centre and the main student scene. Rooms tend to be of decent quality and neutral décor – 84% are en suite – although some of the older halls, like Bateson at Langstone, are a bit poky and ugly lookin'. The most popular are Trafalgar Hall and the studio flats opposite the Guildhall buildings – these are the most modern and comfortable. Rees Hall may be the furthest away of the city centre halls but its spectacular sea views and Edwardian appearance make it a favourite for the wealthier students. Those living catered get between five and 14 meals a week (depends how much they pay) and a microwave for packaged snacks. Self-catered students share kitchens with three to eight people. All halls have laundry rooms, satellite TV lounges and games rooms. Hall reps are there to keep an eye on residents, arrange midnight feasts and other social activities and act as go-between to the University. Events for international students answer housing questions and needs. Single-sex flats are available if you ask the Housing Office nicely. Night security patrols shoot bogeymen on sight.
Car parking: Only available at the halls around Langstone – with permit