University of Central Lancashire

Founded in 1828 as the Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge, The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) now has a staff and student community approaching 38,000 and 180,000 alumni. The University offers over 200 postgraduate courses – both taught and research – in a range of subjects. We also have a community of around 20,000 students from over 120 countries, including 5,000 postgraduate students and 700 research students.

Offering a world-class research environment, UCLan has a wide range of taught and research degree courses, taught by the University's highly qualified and dedicated members of staff.

You can study full or part-time on the majority of the taught degrees, as well as learning remotely via distance learning – an ideal way if you are looking to balance studying with a full-time job or family life.

Lecturers at the University have been recognised for their work and were recently awarded a silver quality award in the first national Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment.

The City of Preston

Based in the North West of England, Preston is a vibrant, cultural and friendly place, as well as a popular student city, with the railway station just a 10-minute walk through the city centre.

Close to the coast, the city offers plenty of attractions, including two shopping centres, art galleries, museums, cinema, coffee shops and restaurants. For those who enjoy a night out, there are also many bars, clubs and pubs around the city.

Preston is also one of the most networked cities in the country, located a short distance from the coastline, Lake District, Manchester, Liverpool and several international airports.

Facilities

• 24-hour library (term-time) with over 700 computers.
• On-site sports centre complete with a fitness suite and sports halls.
• Dental clinic and pharmacy.
• New social spaces - bright, modern areas packed with comfy sofas and study spaces.
• The University has recently completed a £200 million investment of the Preston Campus with a new Student Centre and University Square, bringing together student support and enhancing the student journey. This also includes our Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC), home to our Engineering courses and helping to shape industry in the North West.

Future career prospects

The University is Lancashire’s largest provider of graduate-level qualifications. Combining academic excellence with real-world learning, they offer rewarding courses which will give you the skills, knowledge and self-confidence required to achieve your potential and set yourself on course for a better future.

You will benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, close industry links and opportunities to gain vital work experience by participating in placements and live projects. There are also frequent opportunities to attend networking events and connect with top employers.

If you’re interested in establishing your own start-up company you can access expert business advice, mentoring and incubation facilities through the University’s Propeller service, which will help you to transform your ideas into reality. The University has been ranked first in the north of England and fifth overall for the number of start-up businesses it supports, having given formal business and enterprise to more than 850 businesses over a six year period (Tide, 2021).

All students have access to the services at UCLan Careers, including CV writing, interview preparation, careers events and workshops. There is also the opportunity to book a one-to-one appointment with a careers advisor as well as finding the latest job listings on the university's website.

What's more, UCLan has impressive industry links with over 1000 employers, providing plenty of work experience opportunities for students. Find out more about our graduates.

Research

Many of the University’s academic community are recognised as distinguished experts in their fields. They’ve been involved in world-leading, life-changing research in collaboration with major international organisations, including the World Health Organization, European Space Agency and NASA – to name a few.

Research, innovation and knowledge exchange are at the heart of much of the University’s work. As a result, academics are engaged in research which is leading to breakthrough discoveries, deepening our knowledge of the world around us and transforming lives in every corner of the globe - from capturing the first ever image of a black hole and unveiling the mystery of ancient artifacts, to improving maternity care in developing nations and revolutionising stroke patient care in India.

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a government assessment of research in higher education institutions. In the most recent REF assessment (2021), an impressive 66 percent of the University’s research outputs were recognised as ‘world-leading’ or ‘excellent’.

There are opportunities for you to undertake research degrees at master’s and doctorate level, either full-time or part-time. These are ideal if you’re aspiring to pursue an academic career, contribute to the advancement of human knowledge and make a positive difference to the world. You’ll be part of a vibrant research community and get all the support you need to undertake independent research and work towards getting your research published in the future.

English language support

We offer an English Language Support Service to help assist with the language needs of International and European students. There is a range of opportunities to improve both academic and general English with taught year-long modules starting in September, and regular one-to-one tutorials and workshops throughout the year.

As well as this, the UCLan TESOL team (Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages) offers General English classes supported by trainee teachers under supervision, which are available to members of the public as well as students.

IELTS requirements vary course to course and by country, and can easily be checked on our website.

Fees and Funding

Fees vary according to the course – you can find out more on our website.

Scholarships and bursaries specifically for postgraduate students are available from the University, and you may also be eligible to apply for the Government’s Postgraduate Loan Scheme.

You will also benefit from studying with the lowest cost of living in the UK – according to the Times 23 we’re the most affordable university in the UK.

Accommodation

UCLan offers accommodation places in University-owned and leased halls of residence. This includes a wide variety of en-suite and shared bathroom facilities within fully self-catered halls, mainly with shared kitchen and communal areas. Rooms are furnished and include fuel, water bills and internet access. The Student Accommodation can help with any queries and there’s always security on site.

Events

To find out more about the University we are offering a range of online events and chats.

How to apply

For further details on how to apply to UCLan, visit our website.