The Carlisle campus was opened in October 1992

The Newcastle-based university says it wants to concentrate its activities in the north-east of England.

More than 600 students, together with staff and lecturers are likely to transfer to the University of Central Lancashire (Uclan).

Uclan wants to take over from August 2004 and the two organisations have started negotiations.

It has a campus of its own at Newton Rigg, near Penrith.

Professor Bob Cryan, head of Northumbria University's Carlisle campus, said the move was needed because "times had changed".

He said: "More than 98% of Northumbria University's business is on the other side of the Pennines.

"Things will not affect students here at the moment, because they will get a Northumbria degree.

"As far as new students are concerned, those enrolling next year will be given the choice of a Northumbria or Uclan degree.

Expand provision

"We have discussed the matter with staff and the preferred method is to transfer their employment to Uclan."

Norman Burrow, head of Uclan's Newton Rigg campus, said: "What we would like to do is run a city campus in Carlisle, alongside our rural campus.

"We have a successful business school, as does Northumbria, and we would like to expand that provision."

Mick Farley, executive director of Cumbria's Learning and Skills Council, added: "This will end the uncertainty which has surrounded Northumbria's intentions.

"I think it will be another step to what may eventually become a University of Cumbria."

The Northumbria campus specialises in business and management courses, which are taught in renovated 17th Century buildings.