Choosing a university is about more than gaining a degree. It is about finding a place that recognises your potential, supports your growth, and challenges you to achieve more than you thought possible. At the University of Lancashire (formerly the University of Central Lancashire), we have been doing exactly that for nearly two centuries.
From our historic beginnings in 1828 to today’s thriving multi-campus community, we embody the best of British higher education, tradition and credibility combined with innovation and a genuine commitment to student success. At the University of Lancashire, students experience practical learning in a welcoming environment. With campuses in Preston, Burnley and Cumbria, and over 120 international partnerships, our reach is truly global. We are proud to be ranked in the top 7% of universities worldwide (CWUR 2024) and awarded 5 QS Stars (Excellent) for employability and inclusiveness (QS Stars, due for renewal 2025).
We believe in helping people seize every opportunity to flourish, in education, at work, and in life. That is why we have invested £200 million in our modern Preston campus, including a new Student Centre and University Square, and why our courses combine academic excellence with practical, career-focused learning. With more than 500 programmes across Arts and Media, Business, Engineering and Computing, Health, Social Work and Sport, Law and Policing, Medicine and Dentistry, Nursing and Midwifery, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Psychology and Humanities, and Veterinary Medicine, you can choose a pathway that inspires you while gaining the skills employers need. 72% of our research is internationally excellent or world leading. (Rated 3* or 4* in REF 2021), and our graduates are in demand worldwide.
We know that success is built on support as much as on study. We are recognised for award-winning mental health and wellbeing support, ranking third nationally (HUMEN 2022), and ranked 6th in the UK for affordable student accommodation (StudentCrowd, 2025). Our on-campus accommodation starts from just £87 per week, almost half the national average, (CUG, 2024), making it easier to focus on your goals. Our teams are here to guide you through every step, from visas and wellbeing to CV writing, job fairs, and interview preparation.
Life at Lancashire is full of opportunities to belong. You can join over 100 clubs and societies, volunteer, develop leadership skills, or enjoy our outstanding sports facilities, from the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre to our international-standard Sports Arena. Whether you are on placement in Cumbria’s National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine, building prototypes in our Engineering Innovation Centre, simulating police disaster management in our Hydra Minerva Suite, or showcasing your creativity in industry-standard studios, you will gain practical experience while being supported by experts who care.
British education has a reputation for rigour, tradition and global recognition. At the University of Lancashire, we honour that heritage, while leading change, igniting curiosity, widening opportunity, and preparing you for a world that needs your ideas and skills.
New name, same global university
That’s how we do it in Lancashire.
