CUG ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2024
5,725
AVERAGE
Undergraduate students
Source: HESA, 2019 (note: only applies to undergraduate records)
74 %
Full-time
26%
Part-time
41 %
School leavers
59%
Mature students
75 %
Undergraduate
25%
Postgraduate
Is there the option to study abroad at this uni?
Overview
The University of Cumbria was formed in 2007 after the merger of three teaching institutions. Since then, the uni has continued to grow into what it is now – a campus uni with five sites.
The uni has two campuses in Carlisle and one in each of the Lake District, London and Lancaster. The Lake District Campus, in Ambleside, is the only UK university campus that’s located on a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to students who study science and environmental courses.
In Carlisle, one campus sits next to Hadrian’s Wall and one near the train station. The Lancaster campus is a short walk away from Lancaster’s city centre, while in London there are great transport links which allow students to easily get about the capital.
All campuses are unique and friendly, having their own things to do and enjoy. In Carlisle and the Lake District, for example, you’ll have great access to amazing outdoor adventure opportunities, while in London you’ll be in the heart of one of the most exciting cities in the world.
An active student community is present throughout the uni and students can join all sorts of clubs and societies, as well as make the most of services such as the counselling and wellbeing teams.
Courses and lecturers
3.9Course rating
3.9Course content rating
3.9Lecturers and Teaching quality rating
At the University of Cumbria there’s a wide range of degrees to choose from, across subject areas like health, sports, social work, teaching, business, law, science and the arts. If you’re based in Carlisle or the Lake District, the local landscape and community often become part of your classroom, as a hands-on approach to learning is taken.
Most courses are only available to study on-campus on a full-time basis, however, a few can be done either online or through distance learning. For example, you could do the Education Studies BA top-up course over one year via distance learning.
Typically, full-time undergraduate degrees at Cumbria take three years to study, but a number of 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 topics you’re most interested in.
Entry requirements
The University of Cumbria accepts various qualifications like A-levels, T-levels and BTECs.
Some courses will state that you need to have achieved a certain grade in a specific subject. For example, to study biomedical sciences you’ll need a C or above in A-level biology (or equivalent qualification).
Sometimes you may be expected to meet additional criteria as well, for example, going to an interview or submitting a portfolio. You can find each course’s specific entry requirements online on the uni’s course search pages, but below we’ve given you an idea of the kind of grades you’ll need to study certain subjects as well.
To study an accounting, finance or business degree or a communication & media degree, for example, you’ll likely be asked for A-levels ranging from BBB–DE (or equivalent qualification). For health & medicine degrees, you’ll need ABB–DE (or equivalent qualification).
The courses that ask for lower qualifications often include a foundation year before first year.
It should be noted that entry requirements can change so you should always confirm these with the university before applying.
Accommodation & facilities
3.4Halls rating
3.6Facilities rating
The University of Cumbria has a range of campus accommodation that is suitable for various budgets and preferences. Applicants who make Cumbria their first-choice uni, and who meet the eligibility criteria and apply by the deadline, are guaranteed a place in university halls.
Contracts run for either 40 or 42 weeks, depending on your course of study, e.g., students doing a course within the Institutes of Health or Education will have a 42-week accommodation contract, while those in the Institute of the Arts will have a contract that runs for 40 weeks. Rent prices range from around £80 to £125 per week for self-catered residences, making accommodation costs relatively low.
There are over 600 beds across the uni’s campuses with around 250 more in Carlisle through the uni’s nominated partner, Denton Holme Student Village. You’ll also be able to find plenty of independent housing in Lancaster, Carlisle and Ambleside if university accommodation isn’t for you.
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I started the BA Photography course in 2018 and finished in 2022. I found the modules interesting, and we had a good...
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The University of Cumbria has a dedicated careers service that offers students support in many ways during their time at uni and for three years after graduation. The My Career Enriched hub gives access to lots of resources, including an online jobs board, access to one-to-one careers appointments, mock interviews and CV feedback. This support can help improve your job prospects.
You’ll also be able to improve your job prospects by accessing courses, webinars and events through Career Ahead, giving you the opportunity to meet local and national employers from various sectors. This will allow you to learn more about different industries, as well as to start growing your professional network.
Through your course you may also be able to do a placement year or internship. This will allow you to apply the new skills and knowledge you’ve learned to a real work environment. Placements also look good on your CV and often lead to employment after graduation. There’s a dedicated placement unit at Cumbria that’s there to provide support to students who are on placement.
Scholarships and funding
The University of Cumbria offers a range of grants, scholarships and bursaries to help support low-income students. This extra funding is to help students who meet the relevant criteria pay for their studies and living costs. Scholarships and bursaries don’t need to be paid back.
The Cumbria Bursary, for example, is a financial support package for first-year ‘home’ students with a total household income of less than £25,000 per year. The bursary is worth either £1,000 or £500 per year of academic study.
There are also Partnership Progression Scholarships available. These are worth £500 for the first year of study for UK undergraduate students who went to certain colleges.
You may also qualify for a scholarship if you’re enrolling onto a PGCE programme or an NHS undergraduate course, like nursing, midwifery or physiotherapy.
You can find out about all the scholarships and bursaries available, as well as their eligibility criteria, by visiting the uni’s online funding pages.
Campuses
University of Cumbria
Registered Office
Fusehill Street
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA1 2HH
United Kingdom Nearest train station: Carlisle 0.3 miles away
You'll be shocked by the number of clubs and societies on offer at University of Cumbria. There's something for everyone! As well as being able to pick different clubs and societies, most courses let you choose modules at different points through your degree.
As well as personalising your course through optional modules, you may have the chance to do a work placement during your studies. Developing your professional skills through work placements is a great way to add to your CV and boost your employability.
What can you do with a degree from University of Cumbria?
If you want a job you love (and who doesn't?), getting a job in a field you're passionate about is a great place to start. By studying a subject you really enjoy, you'll be qualified for a range of jobs relating to that subject, which you'll hopefully love.
For those who aren't ready to give up on education after an undergraduate degree, you'll have the opportunity to progress to postgraduate study such as a master's or even a PhD.
What accommodation does University of Cumbria offer?
University of Cumbria's accommodation is designed to be as straightforward and stress-free as possible. All your bills are included in your rent, you'll have free WiFi and your rent also includes security and maintenance.
You'll have access to communal areas like kitchen and dining facilities, where you can socialise with other students you're living with. Disabled students will find several rooms adapted in accessible halls to suit a range of access requirements.