Lancaster is one of only a handful of universities with a collegiate system which has helped to forge a strong sense of identity and loyalty, and continues to be a distinctive feature of student life at Lancaster. Students from one hundred countries make up a thriving community based around the nine colleges, creating a culturally diverse campus in a location that boasts the combination of city, coast and countryside. Lancaster's community extends far beyond the campus with research, teaching and student exchange partnerships with leading universities and institutions in 24 countries around the world. Lancaster's journey has been a remarkable one, and it is now one of the top universities in the world, with an ambitious strategic plan.