An eclectic mix of clubbing and music leaves other cities "on their knees," according to a new handbook.

The Virgin 2003 Alternative Guide to British Universities, which is published next month, says there is "never a dull day" in Glasgow.

Strathclyde University's student union, with its 10 floors of bars and clubs, is singled out for particular praise.

The guide will be published next month

Describing the 2,500-capacity venue as "legendary", the guide says it has the best union club nights in Scotland.

The verdict was backed by Patrick Grady, president of the university's students association.

"It is a great city to study in and has a very vibrant cultural life that is full of opportunities," he said.

"It's all part of the undergraduate experience and in Glasgow you have the chance to meet new people in a social environment.

"There ain't no party like a Strathclyde party - it's a popular and secure environment."

Student satisfaction

Glasgow is home to almost 60,000 students attending the various colleges and universities located in the city.

The Virgin guide was written after consultation with students across the country.

It ranks the UK's universities according to a number of criteria, including the social scene, student satisfaction and graduation results.

Glasgow is to Edinburgh what New York is to Paris - it is exciting, diverse and you can have a riotous time

Virgin guide

Nottingham beat competition from Leeds and Sheffield to take top slot, with Edinburgh the top Scottish university in fourth place.

It scored 20 out of 20 for its social scene - as did Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities, while the city's Caledonian University was awarded 16 points.

Overall, the three universities were ranked 13th, 20th and 79th respectively in the UK by the guide, which praised the city for its "very cool" nightlife.

It reads: "Glasgow is to Edinburgh what New York is to Paris - it is exciting, diverse and you can have a riotous time.

"There's more entertainment and stuff going on than you can shake a stick at and never is there a dull day.

"The city's eclectic mix of clubbing and music leaves other cities on their knees."

Glasgow University was ranked 13th overall

It says that the city is the home to some of the best venues and clubs in Britain, with Archaos and The Tunnel among those coming in for praise.

"There is an exciting atmosphere in what has evolved to become a trendy, fashionable and cultural city," it adds.

There were mixed results for Scotland's other universities.

St Andrews - where Prince William has chosen to study art history - ranks 33rd, while Aberdeen and Stirling are also in the top half of the table, ranked 28th and 47th respectively.

Dundee is in 59th place, with Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University 84th, Edinburgh's Napier University 90th, Dundee's Abertay University 92nd and Paisley University occupying the second bottom slot above only Lincoln.