[HDNG]INTRODUCTION:[EHDNG][PARA][BULL] Formerly Preston Polytechnic, Lancashire Polytechnic[EBOLD][PARA]Preston on the River Ribble is the 2nd largest town in Lancashire and the county's administrative capital. It's bigger than Lancaster, the county town, but not as big as Blackpool, which illuminates England's north-west coast. Preston is old (although the centre's been redeveloped) [ITAL]and attractive [EITAL]with parks stuffed between some [ITAL]interesting [EITAL]buildings and churches. The University is almost in the very middle of Preston on a 38-acre campus in 2 main blocks of buildings encompassing a variety of modern styles (mostly red bricks, concrete and glass, [ITAL]smart but about as remarkable as a chip shop in Benidorm[EITAL]) with paved squares and a few outpost buildings. In the midst of the campus, there are a few noteworthy features, such as the Arts Centre - a converted church - and the SU Building, a [ITAL]stumpy [EITAL]russet place with odd angles and a light pyramid on top. There's a [ITAL]strange fish tank-like [EITAL]structure [ITAL]jutting out[EITAL] at the front of the main building.[HDNG]ATMOSPHERE:[EHDNG][PARA][ITAL]Full of youthful hustle and useful bustle, with a very work-orientated tone set by the large number of mature students. The students claim that the place grows on you, but takes some getting used to. Most courses include a sandwich year, working for industry in a course-related field. Climatically speaking, Preston's wet.[EITAL][PARA][PARA][ITAL][HDNG]TOWN:[EHDNG][EITAL][PARA][ITAL][STAT][BULL] Population: 147,109 [BULL] London: 202miles [BULL] Blackpool: 15miles [BULL] Manchester: 25miles[ESTAT][EITAL][PARA]Granada TV awarded Preston the [ITAL]staggering [EITAL]accolade of being the '[ITAL]best and cheapest shopping centre in Britain with a marvellous mixture of modern and old style shops and an excellent market hall[EITAL]'. And who are we to argue? [ITAL] It is true that the cost of living in Preston is low and the quality of life high.[EITAL] Its long history goes further back than its boom time as a cotton town during the Industrial Revolution. It's been redeveloped in recent years, particularly the centre and the docks. Preston has 6 museums, [ITAL]the least uninteresting being the exhibitions of local relevance at the Harris Museum.[EITAL][HDNG]TRAVEL:[EHDNG][PARA][BOLD]Trains:[EBOLD] Preston Station, 1/2.mile from the campus, runs direct trains to London (2:40hrs, 1/hr), Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds and Manchester.[PARA][BOLD]Coaches:[EBOLD] National Express services to, among other places, London (ú18, 5hrs, 7/day), Liverpool (ú4.25, 55mins, 3/day), Manchester (ú2.85, 55mins, 8/day).[PARA][BOLD]Car:[EBOLD] Preston is on the A6, A49, A59 and A677, and just off the M6, M55 and M61.[PARA][BOLD]Hitching:[EBOLD][ITAL] These main roads are the wheels on the hitcher's skateboard. Easy routes to London, Manchester or Glasgow.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Local:[EBOLD] Local bus services are cheap (most trips 45p), comprehensive and regular and keep students on the move. Discounted Rambler tickets (anywhere in town, ú5.20/week) are available.[PARA][BOLD]Taxis:[EBOLD] [ITAL]Cheap enough even for students, occasionally.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Bicycles:[EBOLD] [ITAL]There's many a hump and bump in Preston and there's rain and poor bike parking facilities. Nevertheless, bikes are popular for getting round the campus. [EITAL][PARA][PARA][ITAL][HDNG]NOS and REQUIREMENTS:[EHDNG][EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Social Studies[EBOLD] 494 14pts[BOLD][PARA]Design/Tech[EBOLD] 982 10pts[BOLD][PARA]Health[EBOLD] 189 14pts[BOLD][PARA]Science[EBOLD] 634 6pts[HDNG]LIBRARIES and COMPUTERS:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Books: 300,000 [BULL] Periodicals: 1,700 [BULL] Study places: 700 [BULL] Computer workstations: 1,000[ESTAT][PARA]The library, centrally placed on campus, is one of the most modern buildings (built in 1979) and has, as well as books, 100,000 audio-visual items.[HDNG]CAREER PROSPECTS:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Careers Service [BULL] No of staff: 2full/1part[ESTAT][HDNG]FAMOUS ALUMNI:[EHDNG][PARA]Joe Lydon (rugby league); Phil MacIntyre (pop promoter).[HDNG]FURTHER INFO:[EHDNG][PARA]Prospectuses for undergrads, part-timers and postgrads. The SU produces a [ITAL]handy [EITAL]Finance and Housing Guide.[PARA][PARA]
