THOUSANDS more students hope to come to Huddersfield.

The University of Huddersfield has seen a rise in the number of applications - up by 22.6% on last year's figures.

And Star Trek star Patrick Stewart could be the one responsible.

This time last year, the university had 14,442 applications from hopeful students vying for just 4,000 undergraduate places.

This year, it has 17,707 - 22.6% more.

The numbers follow a national trend shown in application figures released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Nationally, the number of students applying to start university in September is 8.2% higher than last year.

This year, there are 486,915 applicants compared to last year's total of 450,147.

University spokesman Phil Williams said Huddersfield was bucking a national trend of decline in applications for some subject areas.

He said: "For instance, business studies nationally has had fewer students interested in applying, but our applications are up by 6%.

"Subjects that remain popular here are design areas, media, and the humanities subjects. Science is always strong for us, such as chemistry and transport and logistics.

"One unusual course we offer is podiatry and that is always popular as not many places offer it."

Mr Williams said that although there was a national increase in applications, Huddersfield University's intensive advertising campaign last autumn has also helped boost numbers.

He said: "The TV campaign we did with the chancellor, Patrick Stewart, was very successful.

"We have got a lot of 17 and 18 year olds but we have also got a lot of mature students applying.

"It is a good mix. We seem to be doing very well but the proof of the pudding will be in September because by then we will know how many students are actually coming."

Mr Williams said there had been an increase in the number of students applying for places this year but deferring their study until next year.

This reflects a national trend and has been put down to the fact that students taking a gap year will be eligible to pay this year's prices when they start in 2006 - instead of the increased tuition fees which will be brought in next year.

In Huddersfield, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan are all key overseas recruitment areas.

More students are now opting for degree courses and foundation degrees, rather than higher national diplomas.