The University of Central Lancashire is a large modern university in Preston, north-west England, with a new campus core opened in 2021. It is best known for business, computing, engineering, health, pharmacy and media, with placements and a large international community. Choose it for an applied degree at some of the lowest fees and living costs in England.
Preston, United Kingdom
Official website: uclan.ac.uk
#951
GBP 200 million masterplan with a new student centre opened in 2021
Preston is among the cheapest UK cities for students
Students from over 100 countries
£15,000 – £18,000
International students, undergraduate and taught Master's
£9,000 – £11,500
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on uclan.ac.uk before you apply.
MSc Computing
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MSc Data Science
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MSc Cyber Security
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MSc Project Management
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MPharm Pharmacy
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
One of the largest universities in the UK by enrolment, with around 38,000 students.
New campus core — a student centre and public square opened in 2021.
Pharmacy and medicine — a medical school and one of the north-west's main pharmacy schools.
Preston — a compact city with the Lake District and Manchester each under an hour away.
Engineering and computing graduates join BAE Systems' Lancashire sites and the north-west's manufacturers.
Business graduates go into management and finance roles in Manchester and Preston.
Pharmacy and health graduates enter NHS trusts across Lancashire and the north-west.
Media graduates work at MediaCityUK and regional broadcasters.
Undergrad
14 Jan 2027
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Rolling
The campus is a compact city-centre site with the new student centre, library and most teaching buildings within a five-minute walk of each other and the railway station.
Preston is a small city with very low rent, a large student population and fast trains to Manchester in 45 minutes and the Lake District in an hour.
CAS from the University of Central Lancashire
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
English test at B2 level or above
TB test certificate, if required
Immigration Health Surcharge payment
Valid passport with blank pages
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS with an equal-consideration deadline of 14 January 2027 for September 2027 entry; medicine closes on 15 October 2026. Taught Master's courses accept applications on a rolling basis, with most closing in July for September and November for January.
September is the main intake for all undergraduate and postgraduate courses. UCLan also runs a January intake for many taught Master's programmes, including computing, data science, the MBA, cyber security and project management. Check the course page for which intakes are open.
You need a Student route visa. UCLan issues your CAS once you accept an unconditional offer and pay the deposit. Apply online up to six months before your course starts, showing proof of funds, and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge with the application.
Computing, data science, the MBA, cyber security and project management are the most applied-for programmes. Most Master's courses ask for a 2:2 or above and IELTS 6.5 with no band below 5.5. Undergraduate offers typically range from BBB to CCC, with pharmacy requiring ABB.
Yes. UCLan offers international scholarships that reduce tuition for undergraduate and Master's applicants, including awards for students from India and South Asia, usually assessed automatically from your application. Check the university's scholarships page for the current amounts and any separate application steps.
