University of Central Lancashire or UCLan is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a world-class education and an unforgettable student experience. In 1828, the University of Central Lancashire was founded in Preston as the Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge. ‘Ex solo ad solem’, or in translation, ‘From the Earth to the Sun’, has been its motto ever since – helping talented people from all walks of life to make the most of their potential.
Today the University is one of the UK’s largest with a student and staff community approaching 38,000. Internationally the University has academic partners in all regions of the globe and it is on a world stage that the first class quality of its education was first recognised. The University has an increasingly thriving campus in Cyprus delivering UCLan programmes and original research within a Central Lancashire environment and culture. In 2010, the University became the first UK modern Higher Education institution to appear in the QS World University Rankings.
Amongst its programme portfolio of some 400 undergraduate and 200+ postgraduate courses, the University has been at the forefront of developing degrees in emerging disciplines such as Fashion and Forensic Science to an evolving portfolio of Dentistry programmes to meet emerging sector needs. Undergraduate Medicine has now been added to that list, a course being delivered in one of the UK’s most modern and inclusive Medical Schools.
Top reasons to choose us
1. Guaranteed Accommodation
All new full-time students are guaranteed a room in one of our halls of residence. From the moment you arrive, our friendly Residences Team will be on hand to help you settle in. All our halls are within a few minutes’ walk of the campus, so you’ll never have to worry about being late for lectures!
2. Our graduates are in high demand
At UCLan, you’ll benefit from our close industry links with over 1,000 leading employers offering invaluable work experience opportunities. UCLan graduates emerge career-ready and they’re in high demand – more than 95%^ are in employment or further study six months after graduating.
3. Low cost living in a thriving student city
Preston is the UK’s cheapest city for students – it’s official.* It was also named the best place in the North West to live and work.** Preston has a friendly atmosphere and a thriving community of over 30,000 students. Whether you’re looking for culture, shopping, a buzzing nightlife or beautiful green spaces, we’ve got it all.
4. Outstanding Student Support
Student life can be challenging, but we’ll help you to thrive at University. We have dedicated teams to help with every aspect of student life, from study skills and exam preparation to career planning. We offer expert advice and support with financial matters, health and wellbeing, inclusive support, visas and much more.
5. A safe city to live in
Preston is regarded as a safe city for students. If you’re on campus at night then our UCLan Safety Bus can get you home safely (runs 10pm-4.30am, PR1 and PR2 areas). It’s perfect for night owls studying in our Library, which is open 24/7 during term-time. Our Campus Security team can also be contacted 24 hours a day.
6. We’re investing £200m in your campus
Our Preston Campus is undergoing a radical transformation as our £200 million Campus Masterplan takes shape, blending our fantastic facilities with new buildings, social spaces and outdoor areas. Our vision is to create a world-class campus for the benefit of the whole community.
7. Oasis Faith and Spirituality Centre
Our new Oasis Centre offers a warm welcome and friendship to people of all faiths and none. The Centre promotes respect and understanding amongst people of different faiths and beliefs. It hosts regular faith-based events along with meditation, yoga and other activities.
8. Free Sports Centre membership
Get fit and have fun with free membership of our sports facilities, giving you access to our state-of-the-art Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre and UCLan Sports Arena. Our outstanding facilities include a fully equipped gym and fitness suite, sports hall and outdoor sports pitches.
9. Learn a language for free
Learning a second language can open up amazing career opportunities all over the world. We offer all our students the chance to learn another language for free through our Worldwise Learning Centre. Take your pick from a huge number of languages including Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Korean and more.
10. A well-connected campus
Getting to our campus couldn’t be easier. We’re just a short walking distance from Preston City Centre, Preston Railway Station and Preston Bus Station. Students living in other parts of Lancashire can take advantage of great initiatives such as the SU Bus, which runs across the region, dropping off students for just £1 each way.
Location
Preston, England (UK)
Situated in the heart of the North West of England, the City of Preston is vibrant, cultural and friendly with plenty of activities and events to keep you entertained. 30,000 students live in Preston, making the city a lively, diverse and contemporary place to study. At UCLan, you’ll make friends for life, explore your potential and discover new passions. There are plenty more reasons why you’ll love living in Preston too.
The city of Preston, the home of our main Campus, is located in the heart of the North West and is a mid-sized modern city. Our Preston city campus is compact, benefitting from excellent transport links and is in close proximity to the town centre.
School & Faculty
- Art, Design and Fashion
- Business
- Community Health and Midwifery
- Dentistry
- Engineering
- Journalism, Media and Performance
- Forensic and Applied Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
- Management
- Language and Global Studies
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
- Physical Sciences and Computing
- Psychology
- Social Work, Care and Community
- Sport and Wellbeing
- Lancashire Law School
- Myerscough College (Associate School)
