The University of Salford is just a mile and a half from Manchester city centre's endless bars, clubs, shops, and fabulous galleries and museums. There are more than 20,000 students and the university is renowned for its friendly atmosphere. Courses are created with future careers in mind and there are some interesting options to choose from. There are plans to revitalise the campus with new student accommodation, a new arts building, and more green spaces. In 2011, the university joined six national BBC departments and ITV at MediaCityUK - the new powerhouse of digital and broadcast innovation at Salford Quays. The university's digital learning, teaching and research base gives students an opportunity to work with media professionals using the very latest technology. Guest lecturers include former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr and comedian Peter Kay. Accommodation Weekly costs start at £79 per week, among the lowest in the country. University and university-partner accommodation is offered to most first years. Facilities The leisure centre is open seven days a week and boasts a 25-metre swimming pool, a sauna and spa, four refurbished gyms, a climbing wall and a multi-use sports hall with basketball, netball and badminton courts and a five aside football pitch. Four library sites, including a state of the art facility at MediaCityUK, provide access to more than 500,000 books, 30,000 e-journals and 320,000 e-books. More than 200 laptops are available for loan within libraries and more than 800 PCs are provided throughout the Wi-Fi-enabled university campus. Transport The campus is less than a mile and a half from Manchester city centre. It has excellent transport links with Salford Crescent railway station on campus and a regular bus service. Manchester international airport is under 20 minutes' drive away. The university provides a free bus service around campus, and from autumn 2011 there will be a free bus service to MediaCityUK.