University of Central Lancashire
Employability Rate
95%
Upcoming Intake
Sep 2025
Tution Fee
Starts from 16,500 GBP
English Requirement
IELTS, TOEFL
Rated TEF Silver
Highlights
The University of Central Lancashire is one of the top 20 biggest universities in the UK. Based in Preston, it dates back to the wonderfully-named Institution for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, founded in 1828. It grew to become the Harris Art College in the 20th Century before becoming a polytechnic and finally gaining university status in 1992.
Almost 25,000 students come to UCLan every year and it has campuses in Burnley, Cumbria and Cyprus. 5,500 of those students are international students from more than 120 countries around the world. The University of Central Lancashire has a 5-star rating for facilities according to UCLan.
The range of accommodation options at UCLan is expansive, allowing students to live according to their preferences. The halls of residence options all include WiFi, laundrette, on-site residential staff, a Courtyard, a 24/7 garden and adapted rooms. To encourage eco-friendly habits among students, cycle storage space and routes are included. Homestay options enable students to live with a local family to improve their English language skills, often with a meal plan. These should be arranged separately from the university.
The Library is open 24/7, with bookable study rooms, e-books and journals, access to PCS and laptops, plus volumes of books on different subject matters.
The sports facilities are comprehensive, with cardio training machines, rowing apparatus, indoor tennis courts, dance and fitness studios, spin bikes, squash courts and more. There is also an outdoor athletics track, football and rugby pitches, tennis courts and more.
The campus is filled with 38,000+ people from over 100 countries, making UCLan culturally diverse and inclusive. There are more than 70 societies to join, including the chess club, the environmental society, the French society, and various sports teams. The Student Union lounge provides spaces for socialising and opportunities to become a student ambassador to help others and improve their CV.
Campuses
The main campus for UCLan is situated in Preston, with other campuses located in Burnley and Westlakes. Preston is located an hour away from Manchester, within the county of Lancashire. St George's shopping centre is also nearby to the university, with plenty of food options to enjoy eating out at. There is also an outdoor market selling a range of food and other items, the Harris museum and even a cat cafe! Students are never short of places to socialise in Preston.
Ranking
by QS
951-1000
by THE
1001–1200
by GUARDIAN
106
FAQs
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston is known to offer a range of scholarships for international students. UCLan provides various opportunities for financial support, including the International Bursary, which offers a reduction in tuition fees. Additionally, high-achieving international students may be eligible to apply for the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship. UCLan has also been known to offer country-specific scholarships, tailored to students from particular regions or nations. For those with particular sports talents, the university offers Sports Scholarships that offer financial aid and additional benefits. Research-focused students pursuing programs such as PhDs or MRes may find opportunities for financial support through research scholarships.