University of Central Lancashire
Preston, United Kingdom
"Preston university founded in 1828, now the University of Lancashire"
At a Glance
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
Placed 1001-1200 in both the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 2027, and 1001-1200 in THE 2027.
Accreditations & Memberships
QS 2026 Performance Breakdown
Score out of 100 across each QS evaluation pillar, with University of Central Lancashire's global standing for that metric.
Key Facts
Popular Programs
Application Details
Standardized Test Requirements
| Test | Minimum 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
Financials
Career Outcomes
Where Graduates Land
Faculty & Alumni
Notable Alumni
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
Campus Forecast
No forecast data added yet. Click "Edit Details" to add.
Student Life & Housing
Housing
Dining
Health & Wellness
Activities & Clubs
Diversity & Demographics
Cost Deep-Dive
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
Country Specific Bursary (2025/26)
Academic Requirements
English Proficiency
IELTS (UG standard)
6.0 (5.5 each)PTE (BSc Computer Science)
IELTS (MBBS)
6.5 (6.0 each)TOEFL iBT (standard)
Required Documents
Application Process
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.
Enquire Now
Fill in your details to enquire about University of Central Lancashire