University of Lancashire

The University of Lancashire, known until 2025 as the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), traces its origins to the Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge founded in Preston in 1828. After periods as Preston Polytechnic and Lancashire Polytechnic, it was granted university status in 1992. The change to its current name was approved by the Office for Students in December 2024 and completed across the institution during 2025.

The main campus is in the centre of Preston, with further UK campuses in Burnley and at Westlakes in West Cumbria, together with an overseas campus in Cyprus. With around 24,000 students, it is one of the larger universities in the UK. Its academic portfolio is broad and strongly vocational, with notable provision in medicine and dentistry, nursing and health, forensic and applied sciences, engineering including motorsport, and business. The university has a long history in journalism education and was among the first institutions to offer undergraduate journalism degrees in the UK.

Information for International Students

The University of Lancashire has a sizeable international community, with more than 5,500 international students from over 120 countries across its campuses. The university works with an extensive network of partner institutions and regional officers, and provides guidance for applicants on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and Student visa process.

The standard English language requirement is IELTS 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5 for undergraduate study and for most postgraduate courses, although some postgraduate programmes require 6.5 with no component below 6.0. The university's own Language Academy runs pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes programmes lasting from six to 30 weeks, and pre-sessional study with certain approved external providers is also accepted.

Students who do not yet meet academic or language entry requirements can take an international foundation year delivered by OnCampus UK North, a partner based on the Preston campus, with progression to degrees in business, humanities, engineering, life sciences and medicine. A room in halls on campus is guaranteed for all new full-time students at the Preston campus.