Central Lancashire University - In Depth

Founded: 1973 as Preston Poly; university status in 1992.

Site: City centre campus in Preston; Cumbria Campuses (Penrith and Carlisle).

How to get there: National coach and rail services and close to M6. For university, 10 minute walk from rail and bus stations; junction 31 from M6 south, junction 32 from north onto M55 then onto A6, then follow signs to university.

Academic features: Courses include fashion promotion, agriculture and forestry, performing arts, journalism. Modular credit accumulation and transfer scheme throughout.

Awarding body: Central Lancashire University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, BEng.

Length of courses: 3 years; 4 years, sandwich.

Library & information services: 600.000 volumes in total, 3300 journals, 1100 study places: restricted loan collection; slide library, video and audio cassettes. Specialist collections: Preston Incorporated Law Society Library; collection of illustrated books and local history. Annual expenditure on information provision, £52 per (FTE) student. IT service converged with library, access 14 hours/day. 1000 PCs with access to library and internet (ratio 1:16 workstations to students) including 335 bookable PCs across campus. IT support from helpdesk, by telephone or email (always 2 staff available). Basic induction, video and audio guide to library and information services; courses available on basic IT skills (eg word, internet).

Study abroad: Approx 80 pa spend a period abroad as part of course. Exchange programmes in USA, China, Australia, Mexico and formal exchange links with 120+ european universities and colleges; opportunities for work placements overseas.

Careers: Information officer; advice and placement service.

Student advice & services: One-stop information shop offers academic and careers advice, personal counselling, support for students with disabilities and/or learning difficulties, international students and students in hardship (distributes grants and loans). Health centre offers GP service (6 doctors, 2 nurses). Multi-faith centre with representatives of most of major world faiths (+ Muslim prayer room). Pre-school centre for 70 children.

Amenities: Arts centre. observatories, bookshop, students' union with shops and bank, conference facilities. catering service. Shopping centres, cinemas and theatre in town.

Sporting facilities: Sports centre with human performance laboratory, outdoor/indoor multi-sport complex (membership £50 pa). Preston Sports Arena. Lake District and Yorkshire Dales for outdoor pursuits.

Accommodation: 50% of first years in university accommodation. 1700 self-catering places available: from £1150 pa for shared room in university house, £1943 pa for single room in halls, £2266 pa (£2525 pa ensuite) in cluster flat; all 37 week contracts Sept-June. Students live in privately owned accommodation for 2 years: £39-£50 per week self-catering (+ fuel).

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £6500 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term-time work: University allows term-time work for full-time first degree students (30% believed to work); work available in library and SU. Campus Job Shop (The Bridge).

Financial help: Total available £1.3 million government hardship grant, 1140 students helped (awards of £100-£3500, average £1100). Special help for travel, childcare, accommodation. Bursaries for students in severe hardship - final years, single parents etc. Loans made available when loan cheques are late. Apply for help to Hardship Fund Office, Student Services.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £6950 pa.