University of Central Lancashire

University of Central Lancashire

Preston, United Kingdom

"Preston university founded in 1828, now the University of Lancashire"

Public University Comprehensive (post-92) 🌐 www.lancashire.ac.uk https://www.lancashire.ac.uk

At a Glance

Accept Rate —
Avg Salary/Yr —
Ranking #1001 (QS)
PSW VISA 2 years; 18 months from 2027
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About University of Central Lancashire

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is a public university in Preston, Lancashire, which renamed itself the University of Lancashire in 2025 after approval from the Office for Students. It traces its roots to the Institution for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, founded in 1828, which became Harris College, Preston Polytechnic and Lancashire Polytechnic before gaining university status in 1992. The main campus is in Preston city centre, with further sites in Burnley and at Westlakes in West Cumbria, and a branch campus in Pyla, Larnaca, Cyprus, opened in 2012. Teaching is split across ten schools, including Engineering and Computing, Medicine and Dentistry, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Law and Policing, and Veterinary Medicine. QS counts about 20,300 students, of whom about 6,900 (34%) are international. Recent investment includes the Engineering Innovation Centre (2019) and the Student Centre and University Square (2021), which won a RIBA North West award. It runs an international-only MBBS Medicine with Foundation Year in Preston. Preston railway station is about a 10-minute walk from campus, and Manchester and Liverpool are within easy reach.

Rankings & Recognition

#1001
QS World University Rankings 2026 Placed 1001-1200 in both the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 2027, and 1001-1200 in THE 2027.

Placed 1001-1200 in both the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 2027, and 1001-1200 in THE 2027.

Accreditations & Memberships

Universities UK Partnerships with 125 international institutions

QS 2026 Performance Breakdown

Score out of 100 across each QS evaluation pillar, with University of Central Lancashire's global standing for that metric.

Academic Reputation #
Employer Reputation #
Faculty Student Ratio #
Citations per Faculty #
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Key Facts

1828 Founded
1992 University Status
University of Lancashire (2025) Renamed
10 Schools
Pyla, Larnaca (2012) Cyprus Campus
C30 UCAS Code

Popular Programs

Computer Science Cyber Security Medicine (MBBS) International Business and Management Engineering Pharmacy

Application Details

UG Route UCAS (code C30)
PG Route Online direct application
UG Deadlines (2027) 13 Jan / 30 Jun
Medicine Interview Multiple mini interviews

Standardized Test Requirements

TestMinimum Score
IELTS (UG standard)
6.0 (5.5 each)
PTE (BSc Computer Science)
61 (59 each)
IELTS (MBBS)
6.5 (6.0 each)
TOEFL iBT (standard)
80

Study Abroad & Visa Details

Visa Approval Rate —
I-20 Processing Student visa (CAS) + IHS
Post-Study Work 2 yrs; 18 months from Jan 2027
Green Card Pathway Skilled Worker route

Financials

Application Fee N/A
Avg Scholarship GBP 2,500-3,500 (max 5,500)

Career Outcomes

96% Placement Ratio
2 years; 18 months from 2027 Post-Study Work

Where Graduates Land

Faculty & Alumni

Faculty Staff (QS) — 1,073 International Faculty — 21% (QS) Student-Staff Ratio — 14.5 (THE) —

Notable Alumni

Victoria Derbyshire Ranvir Singh Reni Eddo-Lodge Don Warrington

Campus & Location

The Preston campus runs along Fylde Road and Corporation Street, with the Student Centre (43 Fylde Road, PR1 7DP), the original 1897 Harris Building, the Engineering Innovation Centre, the Allen Building for Medicine and Dentistry, a 24/7 library and the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre. Other sites are in Burnley, Westlakes (West Cumbria) and Pyla in Cyprus.

Campus Details

Preston city campus
10 min walk to station

Campus Forecast

No forecast data added yet. Click "Edit Details" to add.

Student Life & Housing

Housing

Housing: Derwent Douglas and Ribble economy rooms GBP 87/week Ribble premium GBP 101/week Pendle from GBP 123/week Roeburn en-suite GBP 129/week Whitendale Bills included about 2 200 hall places

Dining

Dining: Cafe 1828 (Student Centre) Atrium Cafe and Stop Gap Pizza Co (Students' Union) Foster Coffee Square and Refectory Harrington Kitchen

Health & Wellness

Health: Student Medical Centre and Pharmacy in the Foster Building Student Support and Wellbeing in the Student Centre Oasis Faith and Spirituality Centre

Activities & Clubs

Activities: Students' Union with Opportunities Centre and Pulse Media Team Lancashire (35+ sports clubs) Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre (GBP 99/year) Sports Arena with free shuttle

Diversity & Demographics

Total Students (QS) 20,307
International Students (QS) 6,856
International Share (THE) 33%
Undergraduate (QS) 79.4%

Cost Deep-Dive

BSc Computer Science (intl) approx. GBP 18,750 / year
MSc Cyber Security (intl) approx. GBP 19,250
Placement Year (BSc CS) approx. GBP 2,625
Economy Hall Room GBP 87 / week
Sports Centre Membership GBP 99 / year

Intakes & Deadlines

Undergraduate degrees start in September through UCAS (institution code C30); for September 2027 the university lists general undergraduate deadlines of 13 January and 30 June, with some courses closing earlier. Many taught master's programmes, such as MSc Cyber Security and MSc International Business and Management, start in September and January. The MBBS Medicine with Foundation Year (A101) is open to international students only.

Scholarships at University of Central Lancashire

2 scholarships available

View All 2

These are general eligibility guidelines. Always confirm exact requirements with the university's admissions office or your Sukhada counsellor.

Academic Requirements

Undergraduate e.g. BSc Computer Science: 104-112 UCAS points (approx. CCC); IELTS 6.0 (5.5 each)
Postgraduate e.g. MSc Cyber Security: 2:2 in a suitable subject; IELTS 6.0 (5.5 each)

English Proficiency

IELTS (UG standard)

6.0 (5.5 each)

PTE (BSc Computer Science)

61 (59 each)

IELTS (MBBS)

6.5 (6.0 each)

TOEFL iBT (standard)

80

Required Documents

UCAS application with personal statement and reference (UG) Online PG application (PGT) Transcripts and degree certificate IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or free University E-TELL test result Transferable skills form for MBBS interview Portfolio for art, design and media courses Passport and TB test certificate (listed countries)

Application Process

1
Choose a course
Check the Lancashire course page for UCAS points, IELTS and whether it runs at Preston, Burnley or Cyprus.
2
Apply
Undergraduates apply through UCAS (code C30) by 13 January or 30 June; postgraduates apply online direct for September or January.
3
English test
Submit IELTS, PTE or TOEFL, or book the free first attempt of the university's online E-TELL test.
4
Interview if needed
MBBS applicants complete a transferable skills form and in-person or online multiple mini interviews.
5
CAS and visa
Meet the offer conditions and payment terms to receive the CAS, then apply for the Student visa and pay the IHS.
6
Settle in Preston
Book a hall such as Roeburn or Pendle and enrol at the Student Centre on Fylde Road.

Campus & Location

The Preston campus runs along Fylde Road and Corporation Street, with the Student Centre (43 Fylde Road, PR1 7DP), the original 1897 Harris Building, the Engineering Innovation Centre, the Allen Building for Medicine and Dentistry, a 24/7 library and the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre. Other sites are in Burnley, Westlakes (West Cumbria) and Pyla in Cyprus.

5 of 5 courses
Bachelor's 2
University of Central Lancashire
📍 Preston
Bachelor's courses, Full-time
Study language: English
Duration: 3 years
Apply now! Next intake
Application open
Deadline UCAS deadline (UG); rolling (PG)
University of Central Lancashire
📍 Preston
Bachelor's courses, Full-time
Study language: English
Duration: 6 years
Apply now! Next intake
Application open
Deadline UCAS deadline (UG); rolling (PG)
Master's 3
University of Central Lancashire
📍 Preston
Master's courses, Full-time
Study language: English
Duration: 1 year
Apply now! Next intake
Application open
Deadline UCAS deadline (UG); rolling (PG)
University of Central Lancashire
📍 Preston
Master's courses, Full-time
Study language: English
Duration: 1 year
Apply now! Next intake
Application open
Deadline UCAS deadline (UG); rolling (PG)
University of Central Lancashire
📍 Preston
Master's courses, Full-time
Study language: English
Duration: N/A
Apply now! Next intake
Application open
Deadline UCAS deadline (UG); rolling (PG)

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