Lancaster University was founded in 1964 and now has over 100,000 alumni. The university is set among 560 acres of parkland and is situated around three miles away from the city of Lancaster, in the northwest of England.
It’s close to major cities like Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds and has good train connections to other parts of the UK, including London and Edinburgh, as well as having good links to the west coast of England.
Despite being a relatively new university, Lancaster is committed to research, as well as teaching, with a particular focus on environmental research. This has led to it achieving a good reputation among UK universities.
There’s one main campus at Lancaster, the Bailrigg campus, which is used by students and the local community alike. The campus houses the Lancaster Arts centre, which is home to a theatre, art gallery and concert series, as well as a large library, sports facilities and amenities, like shops, a post office, supermarkets and a hairdresser.
The city of Lancaster has attractions including a characterful canal, castle, museums, theatres and a good live music scene, as well as a handful of bars and nightclubs.
Notable alumni include Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in the Lord of the Rings, Top Gear’s James May and Ralph Ineson, i.e. Finchy from the Office.
Courses and lecturers
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Lancaster University offers more than 280 undergraduate courses across a range of degree subjects, most of which can only be studied on a full-time basis.
Typically, undergraduate degrees at Lancaster take three years to study, but several courses include placement years, study abroad options or an integrated master’s year. These courses usually take four or five years to complete. Most degrees include optional modules, as well as core modules, meaning you can study the degree areas you’re most interested in.
For example, a computer science BSc takes three years and leads to an undergraduate honours degree, whereas, a computer science MSci includes a fourth year as well as an industry placement.
It's also possible to combine two or three subjects within an undergraduate degree in what’s called a combined honours degree. For example, it’s fairly common to study a humanities course, like history, alongside a language, such as French or Spanish.
Entry requirements
Lancaster University makes offers based on actual grades and usually asks for three full A-levels (or equivalent). Some courses also require certain GCSE grades. As well as A-levels, other qualifications are accepted, including BTEC qualifications, Cambridge Pre-U qualifications, the International Baccalaureate and Scottish and Advanced Highers.
All A-level subjects are accepted but applicants should be sure to check the exact entry requirements of the course they’re applying for, as some subjects may be compulsory. These can be found on the university’s website. For example, for most engineering courses applicants need an A in maths and a physical science.
As an example, to study an engineering, science or maths-based degree at Lancaster, you’ll likely need A-levels (or the equivalent) of AAA–ABB, while subjects in the humanities and the arts will require A-levels (or equivalent) of AAB–ABB. Similar grades are required for business and economics degrees.
It should be noted that entry requirements can change so you should always confirm these with the university before applying.
Accommodation & facilities
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With almost 7,000 student beds, there’s plenty of accommodation to choose from at Lancaster, with a wide range of options to suit different preferences and budgets.
Most university accommodation is on campus and this is where the majority of first- year students choose to live. The collegiate setup on campus means it’s easy to meet other students and be surrounded by everything you need.
There are eight undergraduate colleges to choose from, all creating their own communities and housing between 500 and 800 students each. Applicants can pick their accommodation preferences, including choosing between en-suite and shared bathroom set-ups.
The colleges are social and study areas as well, with regular events and activities, like quizzes, live performances and cooking classes, taking place.
First-year undergraduate students are guaranteed a room on campus, as long as Lancaster is their firm choice university, the offer has been accepted and the application for accommodation is made before the deadline.
Accommodation rent includes utility bills like heating, electricity and internet, as well as contents insurance. Prices range from around £97 to £206 per week.
If campus living isn’t for you, or you miss the deadline and can’t be placed, you can find a list of off-campus university-approved properties on the uni’s website.
Lancaster University has a Careers Service that organises events and helps provide work experience through its work experience and placement programme. Career planning and employability workshops are also put on for students to help develop important career skills.
The Careers Service has an extensive website with helpful information and resources, such as the Careers Library which holds careers information, guides, helpsheets, videos, practice tests and more.
Students can get help with writing CVs, cover letters and job applications and can access information on employers, some of which Lancaster University actively works with. Students can also benefit from interview preparation help, including having access to an interview training simulator.
Certain academic faculties have developed links with external organisations, for example, the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts (LICA) has strong links with organisations in the creative sectors, which help students collaborate with individuals and organisations outside the university. Additionally, the Psychology Employability Programme offers psychology students the chance to gain relevant work experience in the field.
Scholarships and funding
Lancaster University has various scholarship and bursary funding programmes available to students who meet specific criteria. Since 2020, the university has provided funding to over 3,900 students from over 40 different countries.
An example of one of the scholarships available is the Lancaster Scholarship which provides £2,000 to eligible UK students in their first year. Eligibility criteria includes achieving AAA at A-level (or equivalent) and at least five GCSE grades of A/7 or above. Applicants must also make Lancaster their firm choice university to receive this scholarship.
Also, the Lancaster Sanctuary Scholarship offers funding of up to £5,000 a year for living costs and a 100% discount on tuition fees (until the student can apply for support from Student Finance England) for students who are seeking asylum in the UK.
Faculty scholarships are also awarded directly through specific faculties and departments and are usually based on academic performance. The number of these scholarships offered varies each year.
Additionally, the Lancaster Bursary offers students £1,000 a year if they come from households with a total yearly income of less than £30,000.
Full details of the scholarships and bursaries available, as well as their eligibility criteria, can be found on the university’s website.
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As well as a wide range of courses, studying at Lancaster University offers you loads of opportunities to boost your CV thanks to the careers department. You might even have the chance to do a work placement or sandwich year during your degree.
As well as providing you with opportunities to develop academically and professionally, you'll have a wide range of clubs and societies to join. You'll be able to pick up a new hobby and make loads of new friends by joining some of the clubs and societies on offer at Lancaster University.
What can you do with a degree from Lancaster University?
The world is your oyster! Of course, the exact options open to you will depend on which subject you choose to study. Employers often look to hire graduates, so you can be sure that your degree will give you a wider range of employment opportunities.
No matter what degree you choose, however, you'll have option of going on to further study. If you want to keep studying, your undergraduate degree will enable you to go on to a master's degree or even a PhD.
What accommodation does Lancaster University offer?
If you opt to live in uni halls, you'll benefit from free WiFi and all-inclusive rent. Rent for uni halls also includes security and maintenance, so you can be sure you'll be well-looked after. There are several accessible rooms available, which are adapted for disabled students.
Halls also have communal areas such as kitchen facilities where you can meet your flatmates over a cup of tea. You'll also have access to dining facilities where you can share a meal with other students in your accommodation.