The University of East Anglia is preparing to mark its 50th anniversary with a celebratory festival this weekend.

The university, based in the Earlham area of Norwich, saw its first cohort of students arrive in 1963 and half a century later is continuing to expand.

Just last week the UEA achieved its highest-ever position in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2014, rising to 17th place.

The university was previously 28th in the Times table, and 32nd in the Sunday Times table, with the newspapers publishing a combined league table for the first time this year.

The EDP and Norwich Evening News will be publishing a series of articles about the UEA later this week, looking at the impact it has had on Norfolk in the last 50 years, how much the UEA benefits the people of Norfolk and at plans for its future expansion.

In 2010 a Norwich Research Park study estimated the UEA generated around £420million for the local economy. With the UEA Sportspark facilities and the Nick Rayns LCR music venue both based at the UEA, the university has become an increasingly important part of Norwich life.

The LCR has hosted big names bands through the years such as The Jam, U2, The Killers and Coldplay.

- Now we want to hear about your favourite memories of the UEA. Email your memories of your time on campus to reporter David Freezer, including what subject you studied and between which years, to david.freezer@archant.co.uk

You can also send a photo of yourself from your university days and the best stories could be included in our coverage of the UEA's 50th anniversary.

- View a photo gallery of the UEA through the years by clicking on this link.