The University of Central Lancashire (abbreviated UCLan) is a public university based in Preston, Lancashire, England. In 1992 it was granted university status by the Privy Council.

Key statistics

UCLan’s main campus is a ten minute walk from Preston city centre, with other campuses located in Lancashire and Cumbria, and an overseas one in Cyprus which opened in 2012 – the first British university in the country to do so.

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is one of the UK’s largest universities with a student and staff community approaching 38,000. Internationally UCLan 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.

Amongst the University’s programme portfolio of some 230 undergraduates and nearly 200 postgraduate courses, UCLan has been at the forefront of developing degrees in emerging disciplines such as fashion and forensic science, of which it is the largest higher education provider in the world, to more recent additions such as dentistry and now undergraduate medicine, which is being delivered in the UK’s newest Medical School.

High among UCLan’s priorities are maximising employability for students, furnishing them with relevant skills and developing course content to meet the needs of business. It offers business incubation facilities and training for students after graduation. In addition to its focus on practical skills, the university also scores highly for its research, with all 16 of its subject areas judged to be ‘world leading’ in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.

 UCLan has a thriving, vibrant atmosphere. Beyond the campus, Preston is a small and compact city, easy to navigate and with excellent transport links to the rest of the UK. On its doorstep is the picturesque countryside of the Ribble Valley, the Trough of Bowland and the Southern Lakes.

NOTABLE ALUMINI :

• Victoria Derbyshire – Broadcaster, BBC Five Live.

• Simon Kellner – former editor of the Independent.

• Richard Frediani – Programme editor of ITV’s early evening news programme and BAFTA winner.

• Carl Lygo – CEO and Head of BPP University College.

• Dr Waqar Azmi OBE – Chairman of Waterhouse Consulting Group and EU Ambassador of Intercultural Dialogue.

• Brent Sadler – award-winning, internationally recognised Journalist and former CNN Bureau Chief to the Middle East.

• Ranvir Singh – Broadcaster and news presenter on ITV’s Daybreak.

• Asif Iqbal, MBE – Public Appointment Ambassador, Equalities Office and Cabinet Office.

• Mark Gill – Director and Oscar Academy Award nominee.

English Language Requirements

• The standard English language entry requirements for undergraduate courses is IELTS 6.0. 

• The standard English language entry requirements for postgraduate courses is IELTS 6.5.

• Please refer to the university website's country pages for more detailed entry requirements.

Accommodation for International Students

• The average cost of accommodation is £93 per week, providing good value for money.

• The university helps all new students to find suitable accommodation in UCLan owned, leased or registered accommodation.

• All UCLan owned or leased accommodation is self-catering and includes free internet access. Students do not have to move out during vacations.

• International students are allocated accommodation throughout the halls, rather than being clustered together.

• All UCLan owned or leased accommodation is either on campus or on the edge of campus and close to the university. Privately owned, registered halls and houses are also on the edge of campus and not more than a mile from the university.

Lancashire (UCLan) is proud to be a partner institution in the British Council’s GREAT Scholarship scheme in India. There are six awards of 5 000 GBP each for students meeting the required criteria .

Applicants must:

• Hold an offer to study a postgraduate taught course at UCLan

• Be resident of India

• Meet the following academic conditions:

• Minimum 60% in the undergraduate study

• 70% in English subject in class XII or IELTS 6.5 bands overall (with minimum 6.0 bands in each component).

There are numerous other scholarships.Please refer university website for detail qualifications required.

Other scholarships

You can also apply for the British Government's Chevening Scholarships, and a variety of private agencies and charities for scholarships, bursaries and grants to study in the UK. For more information visit the British Council website or the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.