UNIVERSITY of Central Lancashire, Preston.

UNIVERSITY MESSAGE: We promote access to excellence, enabling students to develop their potential. We value and practise equality of opportunity, transparency and tolerance.

We strive for excellence in all we do: locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

We work in partnership with business, the community and other educators, and we encourage and promote research, innovation and creativity

Our ethos is to widen participation, offer equal opportunities and access to education for all.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS? Overall the university has 26,613 students, 24,334 of whom are in Higher Education.

WHERE DO THEY COME FROM? Roughly 60 per cent of the university's students come from Lancashire and Cumbria, with 75 per cent from the North West in general, 3.5 per cent from other EU countries and three per cent from overseas.

STAR STUDENTS? Former Wigan and international rugby league player Joe Lydon. Soap stars winner Ruth Abrams, who is joining the new Emmerdale TV family -- Ruth was the first student to graduate earlier this year with a BA Honours in Performing Arts.

SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT? It's the fastest growing university in the North West, with a high rate of employment among its graduates.

The university is proud to have a green and environmental campus, and many of its courses have been rated excellent by the Quality Assurance Agency.

Its students have been voted the best looking by the Red Mole website and Feel regularly features in the dance music press.

OUT AND ABOUT? Opened by Princess Anne on April 13 last year, Preston Sports Arena caters for the sporting needs of the public, the students and the staff. Partly funded by a National Lottery grant, the arena encompasses a 1.5km cycling track, grass and artificial pitches, an athletics track; hockey pitches, tennis and netball courts and can cater for more than 15 different sports and recreational activities.