Bolton has enjoyed a large rise in applications in recent years, and has undertaken a multimillion-pound development programme to match. Beginning with the completion of the £2.5m social learning zone, student union and 24/7 computing facilities, the campus transformation has continued apace. A further £10m has been spent to create top-specification arts, media and technologies facilities and Bolton One, a £31m health, leisure and research centre managed by the university, Bolton council and NHS Bolton has opened on campus. Sports and leisure facilities include a new sports hall, 50ft climbing wall, 25-metre swimming pool, dance studio and gym. Of the 13,000 or so students, about a third are from the north-west. Perhaps it's not surprising they haven't strayed too far. Bolton itself is one of the largest towns in the country and there's a rich cultural heritage and plenty to do - not to mention the fact that Manchester is just a short hop away for some real big-city life. Accommodation The university owns and manages two purpose-built halls of residence, Orlando and The Hollins, which provide 700 single study bedrooms. Places are offered on a self-catering basis. Both halls are close to the town centre. Accommodation is guaranteed for all new students to the university that have applied through Ucas and accepted the University of Bolton as their firm choice subject to submitting a completed Halls application on or before 31st July, 2015. Weekly price of £78.50 for a 39-week contract in halls of residence, which includes gas, electric and water bills, internet, £5,000-worth of personal contents insurance and free car parking. Facilities A new business school, which include law courts, opened in March 2013, following a year of investment in building services and facilities. And a new tech zone offers a mix of PCs and iMacs, plus 60 self-service laptops. The library is open six days a week with late-night and holiday opening times, and there is 24-hour access to computing facilities for all students. Transport Bolton train and bus station is half a mile away with frequent connections to Manchester. The free metro-shuttle that runs around Bolton town centre also stops at the university. The motorway network is also on the doorstep.