The University of Connecticut (UConn) was founded as an agricultural school in 1881 by brothers Charles and Augustus Storrs.

More than 130 years later and UConn is one of the top public universities in America, which ranks within the top 20 overall, according to the US News & World Report.

UConn is organised across 14 schools and colleges that between them offer over 100 degree programmes to more than 30,000 students, around 7,000 of which are post-graduate.

The university also lays claim to five campuses throughout Connecticut. Its main one is in the town of Storrs, with others situated in both urban and coastal locations: its historic Avery Point campus, home to its marine sciences, maritime studies and oceanography programmes, is bounded on three sides by water.

UConn prides itself on having a diverse community, a culture of innovation, a tradition of coaching winning athletes and a thriving academic spirit.

It is home to five on-campus theaters, including the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, and three museums, including The William Benton Museum of Art – Connecticut’s State Art Museum.

UConn’s commitment to the fine arts is long-established. The university has an exclusive educational partnership with the Metropolitan Opera and is one of only two colleges nationwide that offer a degree in puppetry.

It also has considerable heritage, with 47 buildings listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Among them is the golden-domed, Wilbur Cross building – a former library and one of the most iconic features on campus.

Away from campus, the university offers an extensive study abroad scheme with 250 programmes offered in 65 countries across six continents.

UConn’s award-winning athletics teams have the husky as their mascot. Jonathan the Husky, as he is named, leads university parades, travels to sporting events around the country and makes regular media appearances.