About us
The University of Central Lancashire is the international, multi-campus university tracing its roots back to 1828 and leading the way in modern learning today.
We’ve spent £200 million on transforming our Preston Campus to give it a world-class makeover. This includes a stunning brand-new Student Centre and University Square at the heart of campus, social spaces and a whole lot more.
Our new £60m Student Centre brings all the advice and support teams under one roof, providing second-to-none support. It’s a stunning space designed to support every step of the student journey. The University Square is an exciting hub of activity, a focal point for community events and an iconic gateway linking together the city and the University.
Whoever you are, wherever you are in life, there’s always a way.
Where opportunity creates success.
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Timestamp |
Visual |
0:01 | We are |
0:02 | the University of Central Lancashire |
0:06 | the international, multi-campus university |
0:10 | Westlakes ... Preston ... Burnley |
0:13 | Cyprus |
0:15 | [image of map showing global connected world] |
0:19 | 2020 [Year scrolls back to 1828] |
0:21 | Our roots go back to 1828 |
0:23 | and we believe |
0:25 | in the spirit |
0:28 | of opportunity for all |
0:31 | Today we're leading the way |
0:35 | in modern learning |
0:38 | because |
0:41 | we believe |
0:43 | in helping people |
0:45 | to seize every opportunity |
0:49 | to flourish |
0.50 | in education |
0:52 | at work |
0:54 | and for life |
0:57 | With our universal second to none support |
1:00 | whatever your goal |
1:02 | together we'll make it happen |
1:06 | we're innovative by nature |
1:10 | Offering more choices |
1:12 | Creating more possibilities |
1:15 | Combining academic excellence |
1:16 | and real world teaching |
1:20 | We give our people the skills |
1:23 | and experience that industry needs |
1:27 | That's why our talented graduates |
1:29 | are in such high demand across the world. |
1:33 | Whoever you are |
1:34 | Wherever you are in life |
1:37 | There's always a way |
1:40 | Where opportunity creates success |
1:43 | University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) |
Leading the way in modern learning
Today we’re one of the UK’s largest universities with a staff and student community approaching 38,000. Our employment-focused course portfolio with over 350 undergraduate programmes, nearly 200+ postgraduate courses and rich array of CPD courses means we offer you the skills and experience that industry needs.
Our graduates
We’ve always believed in helping people to seize every opportunity to flourish in education, at work and for life. Through the combination of academic excellence and real-world teaching, we inspire people to transform their lives by seizing opportunities and achieving things they never thought possible.
Our graduates achieve outstanding results and are highly employable. Over 68% of our students graduate with a First or 2:1 (OfS 2023). Discover what our talented graduates are doing now.
A global university
Our community is made up of students from more than 100 countries around the world. And we are partnered with 123 institutions across the globe making us a truly international University.
We are ranked in the top 7% of universities worldwide (Center for World University Rankings 2023).
Sustainability
The University has refreshed its Strategic Plan to further recognise that sustaining and enhancing the wellbeing of people, places and the planet are amongst the most important challenges we face today.
Multi-campus university
We started life in Preston and have since grown the number of our UK campuses. As well as Preston, we are also based in Burnley (East Lancashire) and Westlakes (West Cumbria). We were honoured to establish the first British university in Cyprus in 2012 having been granted an academic license by the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture.
Our ambitious Campus Masterplan vision is to create an attractive and inviting, world-class campus compatible with our status as one of the UK’s largest universities. A core principle of our plan is to integrate our campus seamlessly with the rest of the city, benefitting current and future generations of students, staff, visitors and the wider community.
Our research
On the world stage, our research teams work collaboratively with major international organisations, from the United Nations and the World Health Organisation to the European Space Agency and NASA. Whether it’s helping to produce the world’s first photograph of a Black Hole, advising the Government on the potential fire risks to those living in high rise tower block, or supporting the wellbeing of those living with dementia, our researchers are delivering accessible and impactful research that is relevant to society.
Connecting with business
Our University is Lancashire’s largest provider of graduate level qualifications and we have established links with global businesses, police constabularies, NHS trusts and more than 1,000 regional enterprises across a variety of sectors.
Proud of our roots
In 1828 the University of Central Lancashire was founded as the Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge. Our motto ‘Ex solo ad solem’ means ‘from the earth to the sun’; and remains an important part of who we are today. We help people from all walks of life to achieve their potential.
Investing in your future
Our Preston Campus has recently undergone a radical transformation as a result of our £200m masterplan project. Our vision is to create a world-class campus for the benefit of students, staff and the surrounding community.
Our brand-new Student Centre which opened in 2021, looks out over our new University Square. The University Square is an exciting hub of activity, a focal point for community events and an iconic gateway linking together the city and the University.
Our new £35m Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC), which opened in 2019, has become a hive of innovation, bringing together University researchers, industry experts, local businesses and students in a spirit of collaboration and discovery.
The new development of our innovative four-storey Veterinary School is now underway. Located on our Preston Campus, the 45,000 square feet Veterinary School will be the first of its kind in Lancashire and 11th in the UK.
Values and initiatives
Our values reflect who we are as a university and what we stand for. They define the things that are most important to us and nurture our sense of shared purpose. Supporting our values and initiatives are a number of networks, creating positive change throughout our university, for our students, colleagues and the wider communities.
We’re proud of our mission and we take it seriously. Since being founded as the Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge in 1828, our educational ethos has brought life-changing learning to local people, this remains at the heart of our mission.
Our institution motto ‘Ex solo ad solem’ translates to ‘From the Earth to the Sun’. It means helping talented people from all walks of life to make the most of their potential. We create positive change in our students, staff, business partners and wider communities, enabling them to develop their full potential by providing excellent higher education, innovation and research.
We are a proud civic anchor too, committed to adding social value and playing our role in the economic prosperity of the places in which we are based; sourcing products and services locally, boosting jobs and economic growth.
We pride ourselves on universally supporting our people, being actively liberating, inherently innovative and proudly spirited to face whatever life throws at us. These values are woven into the fabric of who we are and will always be.
The University of Central Lancashire is committed to supporting people in crisis and conflict. We work closely with the Council for at-risk Academics (Cara) and are proud to be part of the Cara Scholars at Risk UK Universities Network.
Cara provides urgent help to academics in immediate danger and those forced into exile. In partnership universities, Cara offers practical and financial help, and assistance to reach a place of safety. This support makes it possible for academics at risk to connect, 在流亡的时期, with colleagues within the wider academic and scientific communities, facilitating collaboration, enhancing skills and ending isolation, so that, when the moment comes, they are equipped to go back and help re-build their societies. In addition, we support our academic community in undertaking postgraduate study through fully funded places - this year (21/22) we funded 2 places.
The University of Central Lancashire offers sanctuary to those academics who are at risk in their own countries, and as part of the Cara Fellowship programme provides financial support, fee waivers and other support for Cara beneficiaries. Fellowships help academics in danger to escape to a safe place where they can continue their work.
For more information, please visit the Cara website or contact the Vice Chancellor’s Office.
Our people
The University comprises six academic faculties that are supported by our professional services that contribute to the effective running of the University.
University Board of Governors
The University Board is the governing body of the University of Central Lancashire and its business is conducted in accordance with the Instrument and Articles of Government.
Companies and trusts
Information regarding the University of Central Lancashire's companies and trusts.