Central Lancashire University - Student View

Known by the students as UCLan, it's a modern, well-developed university with a 175-year heritage. It's large, with over 32,000 students, and one of the cheapest places to be a student. City Campus is about 5 minutes' walk from Preston centre, and satellite Cumbria Campuses are about 70 miles away in the scenic Lake District.

City campus newly-built with fabulous facilities - a development mirrored in Preston, England's newest city. University library open until 2am (and plans for 24 hour opening), with loads of PCs, numerous study rooms and an internet cafe.

Sports facilities include a gym and sports centre; also prestigious Preston Sports Arena has everything on one site just 10 minutes from the campus. Also a new sports centre in Cumbria and lots of facilities for outdoor pursuits.

Good transport in the area (though not needed often as most students live within 10 minutes' walk); SU runs free, nightly, safety buses, leaving the Union every 15 minutes from 6pm to 2.30am. It also operates a scheme with a local taxi firm, so if you need to get home and haven't any money, you can leave your NUS card with the driver and pay the Union for your cab ride when you collect it.

Plentiful jobs in the area; most students use the Bridge Employment Agency at the SU. University student services or Union's advice centre both give advice on budgeting and managing your finance; hardship funds are available if your financial situation demands. Trendy courses include forensic science, games design, new music and media; or, for the adventurous, ecotourism and environmental management (field trips to Kenya), and motor sports (you can construct and race your own formula Ford vehicles).

It is well-known for forestry, journalism, forensic science, and fire safety engineering. Successful exchange programme; many students spend time in eg America, Australia or Europe. Many also spend time in industry, either on short-term placement or for a year (on four-year sandwich degrees). Assessment tends to be a mixture of course work and examinations; also presentations, producing exhibition work (especially on art and design courses) or providing laboratory logs.

All courses are modular, so usually straightforward to change course within a general subject area (obviously depending on availability of places); always get academic advice from a course tutor or from student services.

Students come from all over the country, and many international students from partner institutions around the world. There are also many mature students; all students catered for. Drop-out rates improving; university investing in improving the student experience and increasing retention rates - eg preparatory summer schools, student mentoring projects, more structured induction programme and advice centre for new students.

SU is the focal point for entertainments and services on campus. It has bars, a venue, food outlets, shops, an advice centre, an employment agency and over 75 sports clubs and societies. All tastes catered for, so no matter what you are into, you can find it there!

Good quality housing readily available, usually close to campus and prices are below national average. Range from traditional university-owned halls and cluster flats (some with ensuite facilities) to terraced houses shared with other students. University has strict quality and safety standards in all accommodation on its register.

Preston has a varied social scene, catering for everyone. Bars and clubs range from alternative rock and thrash to trendy cocktail bars and cheesy student nights - almost always student offers and friendly atmosphere; multi-screen cinemas, bowling and huge choice of restaurants. Also meetings of sports teams and societies, SU events such as the hugely popular Comedy Club (which attracts top acts), the Quiz and Sunday film club.