Harper Adams University is ready for its largest intake of freshers

About 700 first-year students are expected to arrive at the university near Newport this month – the largest number in the site's 114-year history.

The total could still rise, with places remaining available for applicants looking to start their studies in 2015.

"Harper Adams has come a long way since the doors first opened in 1901," said university director Lorraine Westwood.

"Indeed, Shropshire's first university covers a much wider range of subjects, with the likes of business studies, food science, mechanical engineering and veterinary studies having joined the more traditional agriculture and land management -based courses.

"As our offering has broadened, so too has the University's appeal – we now have more students joining us from urban areas and many from overseas, all confident that their degree course will put them on the path to a successful career, as proven by our solid 96 per cent and above graduate employability record, the most consistent in the sector.

"But far from turning our backs on agriculture, the subject suite we are best known for is also growing – attracting 25 per cent more students over the last five years."

Most The majority of new students will move into accommodation on the university campus when they arrive at the end of the month. Two new Halls of Residence have been built this summer, in a project that also saw the creation of a multi-sports area.

Following enrolment, the Students' Union, led by new president Sandy Graham, will run a week of social events from the end of the month.

"There will be activities in the main bar and the neighbouring Welly Inn pub every night between September 30 and October 9," the 22-year-old, who graduates this month, said.

"We are aiming to cater for a range of tastes but full details will not be revealed until the students arrive. All they know so far, if they are following us on social media, is that the theme for the week is the Apocalypse – but I promise you, it's going to be an amazing week, including a very special first for Harper Adams."

On September 22, the university will be opening its doors to prospective new students as it holds its first autumn open day of 2015.