University Name:
See all universitiesUCLan
UCAS Code: C30
Location: North-west England Show on Map
Site: Main campus at Preston; partner colleges.
A modern university; a member of the million+ group of universities.
Student Population
| Total Students: | 32,426 |
| Undergraduates: | 85% |
| Postgraduates: | 15% |
| FE Students: | 0% |
Undergraduates
| Total undergraduates: | 27,723 |
| Male: | 43% |
| Female: | 57% |
| Full Time: | 64% |
| Mature on Entry: | 52% |
| UK Students: | 91% |
| State school entry: | 99% |
Teaching Staff
988 full-time, 237 part-time.
Broad study areas
Business; cultural, legal & social studies; sciences; art, design & technology; health.
Freshers
| Admission Information: | AS-levels accepted in combination with 2+ A-levels or equivalent. |
| Points on Entry (Mean): | 260 |
| Drop Out Rate: | 12% |
| Accommodation: | All first years guaranteed accommodation. |
Institution
| Founded: | 1973 as Preston Poly; university status in 1992. |
| Site: | City centre campus in Preston, plus campuses in Burnley and Cumbria. Also partner colleges and outdoor sports centre in North Wales. |
| How to get there: | National coach and rail services and close to M6. For university, 10 minute walk from rail and bus stations; junction 31 from M6 south, junction 32 from north onto M55 then onto A6, then follow signs to university. |
Student services & facilities
| Student advice & services: | Integrated student services including academic and careers advice, personal counselling, disability support, financial guidance. Health centre (including GPs, sports injuries, family planning). Multi-faith centre with representatives of most of major world faiths; Muslim prayer room. Pre-school centre for 70 children (6 months to 5 years). |
| Amenities: | Arts centre, observatories, bookshop, students' union with shops and bank, conference facilities, catering service. Shopping centres, cinemas and theatre in town. |
| Sporting facilities: | New (2011) sports centre with range of sporting facilities; outdoor/indoor multi-sport complex (membership £90 pa). UCLan Sports Arena, Lake District and Yorkshire Dales for outdoor pursuits. |
| Accommodation: | All first years guaranteed a place in university owned or registered accommodation. 2000 self-catering places in flats for first year students: £83 per week (up to £93 pw ensuite), all 42-week contracts Sept–June. Most students live in privately-owned accommodation for 2+ years, ranging from places in large halls to shared houses, rents £50–£80 pw. |
Study opportunities & careers
| Library & information services: | Library & information services: 3 libraries across the campuses: 400,000 books, 3000 journals, 150,000 e-books, 36,000 e-journals; 1300 study places (group and individual); learning zone; slide collection, audio-visual collection. Special collections include Sport England Collection, illustrated books, local history and the Livesey and Wainwright collections. Access all year round, 24/7 in term time; self-service issue and return using latest RFID technology. Also access to all Lancashire county libraries. Information provision, £115 pa spent for each student (FTE). IT, library, learning development and technician services converged. 30 Macs and 700 PCs in library, with access to library resources and internet; 200 laptops for loan and use in library. UCLan Iphone apps and wireless access throughout library. Tours of the library, induction sessions, basic and advanced information literacy skills training, web and paper-based support materials. Dedicated library and IT support, including roving helpers, and from support desk, or by telephone or email. Other learning resources: 2000 PCs and wireless access across the campus, access to 250+ applications, ability to work remotely off campus anywhere in the world. Reading lists available electronically. |
| Study abroad: | Approx 80 pa spend a period abroad as part of their course. Exchange programmes in USA, China, Australia, Mexico and formal exchange links with 120+ European universities and colleges; opportunities for work placements overseas. |
| Careers: | Specialist careers information and advice for current students and graduates, including employability modules and business start-up advice. |
Money
| Living expenses budget: | Minimum budget of £6500 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university. |
| Term-time work: | University allows term-time work for full-time first-degree students (30% believed to work); work available in library and SU. Campus Job Shop (The Bridge). |
| Financial help: | 20 sports scholarships worth £4000 over 3 years. Also access to learning fund for home students in financial difficulties; priority groups include students with dependants, those with disabilities and final-year students. Loans for those in unexpected difficulties. Apply for help to Student Services. |
| University tuition fees: | Home students pay £9000 pa for first degrees. International students pay £9450 (classroom based), £10,450 (lab-based). |
Courses
Academic features:
Courses include fashion promotion, performing arts, journalism. Modular credit accumulation and transfer scheme throughout.
Awarding body:
University of Central Lancashire
Main undergraduate awards:
BA, BSc, BEng
Length of courses:
3 years; 4 years, sandwich.
Main subjects offered:
- Accountancy
- Acting
- Advertising
- Animation
- Archaeology
- Architectural Design
- Architectural Technology
- Architecture
- Art
- Asian Studies
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Biochemistry
- Biological Chemistry
- Biology
- Biomedical Science
- Broadcasting
- Building Studies
- Building Surveying
- Business Administration
- Business Economics
- Business Studies
- Ceramics
- Chemistry
- Chinese
- Communication Studies
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Technology
- Computing
- Construction
- Counselling
- Creative/Performance Writing
- Criminal Justice
- Criminology
- Cultural Studies
- Deaf Studies
- Dentistry
- Drama
- E-business
- Economics
- Education
- Electronic Engineering
- Electronics
- English
- English as a Foreign Language
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Events Management
- Fashion
- Film Studies
- Finance
- Financial Services
- Fire Safety Engineering
- Forensic Science
- French
- Furniture Design
- Geography
- German
- Graphic Design
- Health
- History
- Hospitality Management
- Human Rights
- Illustration
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
- Interactive Games Production
- Interactive Multimedia
- Interior Design
- International Business
- International Relations
- Internet Technology
- Japanese
- Journalism
- Law
- Leisure Management
- Leisure Studies
- Linguistics
- Management
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Media Studies
- Media Technology
- Midwifery
- Molecular Biology
- Motor Sport Engineering
- Multimedia
- Music
- Music Technology
- Music Theatre
- Neuroscience
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Performance Arts
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Photography
- Physics
- Physiology
- Physiotherapy
- Policing
- Politics
- Product Design
- Production Engineering
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Public Relations
- Quantity Surveying
- Religious Studies
- Retail Management
- Social Administration
- Social History
- Social Policy
- Social Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Software Engineering
- Spanish
- Sports Sciences
- Sports Studies
- Surveying
- Sustainable Development
- Textiles
- Theatre Studies
- Three-Dimensional Design
- Tourism
- TV Studies
- Virtual Design
- Visual Arts
- Web Development/Design
- Youth & Community Work
Student view
Reni Eddo-Lodge (English Literature), Student Union President
Living
What's it like as a place to live? Moving to Preston from a big city, I found that everywhere I needed to be was within walking distance. It's great for the purse strings.
How's the student accommodation? Depending on how much you're willing to spend, first year accommodation ranges from the basic amenities to that little bit extra. I lived in basic university accommodation in my first year and didn't have any complaints − we had cleaners in regularly and the accommodation office dealt with any broken appliances swiftly. As with all sorts of living spaces, it's what you make of it that counts − you could be living in ensuite room with plush sofas in the common room but have flatmates that don't clean up after themselves and argue all the time, or in a basic flat with no television but have flatmates who are clean and polite!
What's the student population like? We're got a diverse student population here at UCLan. The northerner/southerner rivalry provides a bit of banter in first year but there's never any harm meant. We've also got an awful lot of EU and international students as well as mature and part time students. My advice to all 18−22-year-olds starting university would be to interact with different kinds of students as much as possible − friendships with international and mature students during my time at UCLan definitely enriched my experience.
How do students and locals get on? Things have been fraught in the past, but we're working on community and council relations.
Studying
What's it like as a place to study? Students have the option of studying part-time or full-time. We've got good studying facilities, with a large library that had a makeover a couple of years ago with computers and macs.
What are the teaching staff like? The teaching staff on my course were very supportive, but I can only speak of my own course experience!
Socialising
What are student societies like? The student union is home to a large number of societies, ranging from politics and religion to first aid and circus skills. I used to chair a society before I took up office as President − it's hard graft but ultimately rewarding, especially if you work with the union to hold events.
What's a typical night out? Student nights out are usually best on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, with a variety of music depending on which club you go to. There are also cocktail bars with student specials, and plenty of pubs.
And how much does it cost? I've always managed a good night out with £20 in my pocket. Spend sensibly!
How can you get home safely? There are lots of reasonably-priced taxi services in Preston. The students' union also runs a take-me-home scheme with a local taxi company that provides safe travel for students that have run out of cash on a night out. You exchange your library card for a ride home, and then you pay your taxi fare at the student union reception the when you can afford to, and get your library card back.
Money
Is it an expensive place to live? The student loan lasts the term as long as you budget! Accommodation prices are very reasonable
Average price of a pint? £2.50.
And the price of a takeaway? £4.
What's the part-time work situation? The student union has a job shop that advertises part time job vacancies, both in the student union and in local businesses. The union hires plenty of student staff, with hours and jobs that are tailored to fit around your course.
Summary
What's the best feature about the place? It's Britain's newest city, and there's plenty to do in the city and its surrounding areas. We're really close to Liverpool and Manchester too.
And the worst? It rains an awful lot!
And to sum it all up? A friendly place with a course for everyone.
Past Students
Joe Lydon (rugby league international).
More info?
Contact the President on 01772 894865 or check out the website www.uclansu.co.uk
Open days
16th June 2012
Open day at Preston. Register online.
Contact
Address:
University of Central Lancashire
Preston
PR1 2HE
Tel:
01772 201201
Email:
Website:
Student enquiries:
Admissions office.
Application:
UCAS
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