Lancaster University: what it's really like

Looking for a picturesque university with a community feel? Lancaster could be the place for you!

Lancaster at a glance:

Tai Rosemin, Student Recruitment Assistant and alumnus from Lancaster University, explains what student life at Lancaster is like.

What is Lancaster University?

Lancaster University is nestled in the town of Lancaster, in the north west of England. It's by the seaside town of Morecambe, and a half-hour drive from the beautiful Lake District.

The uni offers degrees in management, medicine, engineering, law, architecture, and fine art. It prides itself on research-led teaching, with many of its academics being experts in their field. Its flexible study approach also means first year students can study another subject - a ‘minor’ - alongside their main degree course.

Why apply to Lancaster?

Lancaster offers flexible degree options, so you can tailor your learning to your preferences. It's also among the best in the country for student experience and graduate prospects. So your expectations for learning, enjoyment, and post-uni success should all be met!

Its collegiate system means students are in eight smaller colleges, which creates a home-away-from-home feel. It's super welcoming for students who may be moving to the UK for the first time.

Who isn’t the right fit for Lancaster?

As well-connected as the uni is to major cities like London and Liverpool, Lancaster is a small, close-knit community. It's also a campus uni, which gives a different feel from the hustle and bustle of city unis. So it’s important to think about what kind is best suited to you before applying.

What’s the location like?

Lancaster has roughly 16,000 students from 142 countries.

It's based on a 560-acre parkland site, giving it a rural feel. There’s a 2.6 mile woodland walk surrounding the campus, and lots of sport options for your free time, with an eight-line swimming pool and a climbing wall.

The university’s colleges each have a different identity, with inter-college activities popular throughout the community. Being part of a college also means students can easily get support through their college advisor team.

For fans of arts and culture, there’s the Nuffield Theatre on campus with visiting shows, or the Dukes Theatre in town nearby.
 

What facilities does Lancaster have to offer?

Lancaster University is a ‘self-contained’ campus, with a supermarket, restaurants, beauty salon, pharmacy, and prayer rooms.

It also has state-of-the-art learning facilities, inclduing a £41m health innovation centre. In addition, there have been extensions to the library and management school, with new lecture theatres being built.

Lancaster has been awarded Pure Gym’s Sportiest University, with no less than 81 sport societies! Spaces include tennis and netball courts, rugby and football pitches, and 16 badminton courts.
 

What is the accommodation like?

Lancaster’s accommodation has won Best Student Halls eight times since 2010 in the National Student Housing Awards. There's a wide range to choose from, with two thirds offering en suite bedrooms.

Students can live in a shared town house or flat-style buildings, and there's a catered option in some of the colleges too.
 

How does Lancaster meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?

The uni offers an inclusive learning and support plan, where reasonable adjustments can be made to support your studies. This is in addition to the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), which can offer funding for specific equipment to support your learning.

International students can access the learning support review, which allows the uni to assess their needs and put suitable support in place.
 

Want to explore more UK universities? Remember, Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.