Anne Byrne takes a look at the facts and figures behind the University of Ulster's success

Origins: in 1865, Martha Magee funded the opening of a Presbyterian College in Derry. In 1907, the College of Art and Design was opened in Belfast. In 1968, the New University of Ulster, incorporating Magee College, opened at Coleraine. In 1971, Ulster College opened at Jordanstown. During the 1970s, the college became a polytechnic. In 1984, the University of Ulster replaced both the New University of Ulster and the Ulster Polytechnic.

Vice-chancellor and president: Professor Gerry McKenna

Provost: Professor Jim Allen

Student stats: 21,200 students, full and part-time. A further 3,800 students are enrolled on 100 approved courses in affiliated institutions.

Faculties: arts, business and management, engineering and built environment, informatics, life and health sciences, social sciences.

Campuses: Magee in Derry, Coleraine, Jordanstown and Belfast. Employs 3,500 people, annual turnover in excess of £120 million sterling.

Social inclusion: 38 per cent of undergraduates who entered UU between 1998 and 2000 came from working-class backgrounds, compared to a average in Britain and Northern Ireland of 16 per cent.

Research: UU gained two 5* ratings (the highest possible rating) in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise. The awards were for biomedical sciences and Celtic and Irish studies. The college improved its ratings in 17 of 28 units of assessment.

Teaching: UU has consistently obtained high results in the UK Quality Assurance Assessments, with some units gaining the maximum score of 24.