The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is a leading modern university with thriving campuses in Preston, Burnley, Westlakes (Cumbria) and Cyprus.
Founded in 1828 as the Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge, UCLan now has a staff and student community approaching 38,000 and 180,000 alumni. The University offers over 200 postgraduate courses – both taught and research – in a range of subjects. What's more, UCLan is ranked in the top 6% of universities in the world (CWUR 2019/20), while 16 subject areas across the university have been assessed as 'world leading'. We also have a community of around 20,000 students from over 120 countries, including 5,000 postgraduate students and 700 research students.
Based in the North West of England, Preston is a vibrant, cultural and friendly place, as well as a popular student city, with the railway station just a 10-minute walk through the city centre. Close to the coast, the city offers plenty of attractions, including two shopping centres, art galleries, museums, cinema, coffee shops and restaurants. Preston is also one of the most networked cities in the country, located a short distance from the coastline, Lake District, Manchester, Liverpool and several international airports.
Postgraduate study
The university has over 200 postgraduate taught programmes across all Schools and there are opportunities in all Schools to complete supervised research at doctoral and master’s level. Research degrees can be studied full-time or part-time. Almost 50% of the research submitted to the Research Excellence Framework 2014 was classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Fees range from £4,300 to £6,700 a year depending on the course. Scholarships and bursaries specifically for postgraduates are available from the University.
Offering a world-class research environment, UCLan has a wide range of taught and research degree courses, taught by the University's highly qualified and dedicated members of staff.
There is the option to study full or part-time on the majority of the taught degrees, as well as learning completely remote via distance learning – an ideal way for students who are looking to balance studying with a full-time job or family life.
Lecturers at the University have been recognised for their work and were recently awarded a silver quality award in the first national Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment.
Research
We have identified significant areas of research strength, ambitions and expertise and have developed six UCLan Research Themes, producing high quality international and world-leading research.
To drive our research we have launched two UCLan Research Institutes and 11 UCLan Research Centres.
Our UCLan Research Institutes bring together powerful research strands from across the University into a critical mass capable of extensive transdisciplinary work, well placed to respond to urgent and profound questions, and to enhance and enable globally relevant research.
Our UCLan Research Centres are valuable vehicles through which we grow and develop our research activity in diverse areas, providing the environment for researchers and organisations or individuals who can contribute to, and benefit from, the impact of the research.
Our Graduate Research School offers a dedicated resource and focus for postgraduate research students who are the future of our research endeavours.
Over the last decade, UCLan has consistently increased its international research capacity as demonstrated by the improvement in results in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2014). All sixteen subject areas in which UCLan’s research was assessed were judged to contain ‘world-leading’ elements.
At UCLan we offer a wide range of postgraduate research-based degrees which are ideal if you are aspiring to pursue an academic career, contribute to the advancement of human knowledge and make a positive difference to the world.
Many of our academic staff are active researchers whose work is leading to new discoveries and making a positive impact on people’s lives all over the world.
Facilities
24-hour library (term-time) with over 700 computers.
On-site sports centre complete with a fitness suite and sports halls.
Dental clinic and pharmacy.
New social spaces - bright, modern areas packed with comfy sofas, table tennis, pool tables, beanbags and study spaces.
The university is mid-way through a £200 million investment of the Preston Campus. Featuring a brand new £35 million Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) and a £60 million Student Centre (due to complete 2021), bringing together student support and enhancing the student journey.
All students have access to the services at UCLan Careers, including CV writing, interview preparation, careers events and workshops. There is also the opportunity to book a one-to-one appointment with a careers advisor as well as finding the latest job listings on the university's website.
What's more, UCLan has impressive industry links with over 100 employers, providing plenty of work experience opportunities for students.
