University of Cumbria

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.