As home to the University of Central Lancashire, Preston has a thriving student nightlife. We've highlighted the best and worst venues for those mad nights - and days - out with your mates…

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Pubs around the university's main campus are generally very cheap and student friendly - although avoid the Plungington area which is very much dominated by the locals.

Popular haunts include the Adelphi and Roper Hall, which are both Scream pubs; if you don't have a Yellow Card, buy one (they cost £1) otherwise you'll be paying much more for your drinks. Roper Hall is also open upstairs until 2am on most nights although there is usually a small entry fee. The Adelphi occasionally has local bands and DJs on into the night in their function room.

On Fylde Road both The Ship and The Guild (formerly the Hogshead) attract students both day and night. Summer days prove particularly popular at The Guild as students sit in its large beer garden and watch the world go by. The Ship serves good food and often has offers on cocktails.

For cheap drinks you can't really beat The Variety, which can be an unfortunate distraction from all that coursework since it's situated across the road from the library on Adelphi Street. Despite its 'old man pub feel' double spirits and mixer are permanently cheap (£1.75 at time of publication) and you won't pay more than £2 a pint.

Student Union bar Source has a very 'Hollyoaks' feel to it but doesn't live up to students unions' reputations for serving ridiculously cheap drinks; you will find similar or cheaper prices elsewhere.

The best dance club near the university is Solid, which is off Friargate on Great Shaw Street. It hosts the popular Green on a Saturday night which plays funky, uplifting house. Entry is £5-£6.

The Mill, on Aqueduct Street, is an alternative club hosting rock on a Friday and indie on a Saturday. Entry is £3-£4. It is also a popular venue for live music for local bands and hosted the likes of Ash, Snow Patrol, Embrace and Kasabian after its reopening in 2002. In the early 90s it hosted Pulp, The Verve and Oasis.

Round town...

The Grey Friar is a JD Wetherspoons situated at the bottom of Friargate, which is a perfect stopping point on your way into town. It usually packed but it's excellent value for money. Across the ring-road are Mood and Bar Censsa, which both have modern interiors and play cheesy music. Mood also has a dancefloor and has drinks offers for holders of the 'Rude' card, which is free.

Also nearby is The Assembly - a bar which has huge two floors. The bottom floor has a dancefloor and often a live DJ playing all your favourite party tunes. The top floor has funky interiors with several American pool tables and cushioned walls. It also boasts the largest big-screen in Preston, meaning that it's the busiest venue for the football.

Usual suspects Yates' and Squares are just two of the many bars on Fishergate, which is the main street in the centre of Preston. Café Manyana is open late and has a dancefloor on a lower floor underneath the main bar.

Off Fishergate trendy bars such as Voodoo Lounge, Loft, Browns and Hush are great if you fancy dressing up smart but drinks are generally quite expensive.

Club-wise...

The main student nights are Monday and Wednesday at Squires and Tokyo Joes respectively. Squires hosts 'The Big Cheese' and gets absolutely packed. However the adjoining Quinceys is quieter and plays alternative music - from Metallica to the Scissor Sisters, there is something to suit everyone's taste. Entry is £4 with NUS and bottled beer is usually on offer. The massive Tokyo Joes, probably the most notorious club in Preston, plays most pop music on the main dancefloor and has a separate smaller R'n'B room. Entry is as much as £5 and although there are some drinks discounted, it'll still take you an age to get served at the bar.

Tuesday nights are popular with alternative music fans as The Warehouse hosts their student night, although it is equally popular with students at weekends. It has three floors to suit your taste; Friday nights offer Radar (up-and-coming bands), Indie and Rock and Saturdays play rock, indie and new wave/punk. Drinks are pub prices and the entry fee ranges between £3 and £4.50.

The views expressed on this page are those of the contributor and the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the BBC.