The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) was founded in 1828 as the ‘Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge’, becoming a university in 1992. Centred in Preston, UCLan has further campuses at Westlakes in West Cumbria (nuclear and energy-related research programmes), Burnley and Cyprus. UClan’s international community of staff and students is close to 38,000.
Excellent road and rail links. Being just 50 minutes away from Manchester and Liverpool, the University is also only a little over 2 hours from London by train. On the doorstep of the Lake District, the city of Preston is surrounded by beautiful countryside but is also in easy reach of the coast, with Blackpool a short bus journey away. The city is served by an excellent local bus network with several services stopping frequently at University locations. Preston and South Ribble benefit from over 50km of traffic-free cycle paths and the 20mph zones around the campus mean that it is safer to cycle on the campus roads too. There are bike racks across campus. Average entry offer ranges from BCC to ABB – see the UCLan website for more details about entry requirements for specific courses. Foundation courses are available as access routes to all courses. UCLan welcomes all adult learners and will take into consideration your previous skills and experience instead of the normal entry requirements.
Over 500 undergraduate courses and over 200 taught postgraduate programmes. Electives are used to broaden the curriculum and offer you greater choice. Opportunities for part-time and distance learning. An increasing number of courses offered as evening classes. Opportunities to study part of your course at UCLan Cyprus or at partner organisations in countries such as China, the Middle East or the USA. All undergraduates have the opportunity to study a foreign language (including Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Russian) in addition to their main studies. Staff will help you source structured work experience placements in the UK and abroad, from the University’s great links with employers including household names such as Sony, BAe Systems and Apple as well as literally thousands of smaller companies.
In addition to UCLan’s roster of world-leading and internationally-acclaimed research staff, the University will give you access to professionally-qualified practitioners with industry experience. UCLan academics are regularly recognised with prestigious national teaching fellowships by the Higher Education Academy. A total of 18 subject areas are ranked in the top 20 nationally (2013 National Student Survey). UCLan was the only UK University to be newly admitted to the QS World University Rankings in 2010. The University holds four QS stars out of a possible five by the compilers of the QS World University Rankings for 'demonstrating excellence in both teaching and research' and for providing 'an excellent environment for students and faculty'. Within the sub-areas, UCLan has the maximum of five stars for teaching, infrastructure, internationalisation and engagement. Plus, the University has the subject area of Law included in the World Top 200. UCLan has consistently performed well in subject reviews and institutional audits undertaken by the Quality Assurance Agency and is recognised in particular for its 'strategic, thorough and effective institutional approach to quality enhancement' (2008 QAA Institutional Audit).
UCLan prides itself on conducting world-leading research with real world impact. UCLan researchers are undertaking research across a wide range of disciplines, with talented teams and fantastic facilities, working to solve the big research questions. For example: UCLan’s nurse-led stroke research unit – the only one of its kind in the UK - advises the Department of Health. UCLan works closely with NASA and benefits from two observatories in Britain and a share in the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) project – the largest single dish telescope in the Southern Hemisphere.
UCLan is one of the only UK universities to incorporate 3D technology into its games development and teaching through a unique industry partnership with the Stereoscopic 3D group at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. UCLan has 85 professors, over 600 research or knowledge transfer-active members of staff, and 700 research students. The University consistently invests in its international research centres which include the UK's first International Centre for Sign Language and Deaf Studies; and a nanotechnology research base in China's Shenzhen Virtual University Park.
It has achieved global recognition from its peers, with 11 areas of research judged as ‘world-leading’ and a further seven areas graded as ‘Internationally Excellent’ in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008).
UCLan’s Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme is one of the largest in the UK and draws students from across the arts, sciences, health and business disciplines to work on a huge range of research projects for a period of up to 10 weeks. This initiative enhances a variety of academic and employability skills, leading to some students presenting at the Houses of Parliament and having articles published in journals. The UCLan Undergraduate Research Society funds conference visits and organises special events for students.