History
The University was founded in the 1960s, with Princess Alexandra as its first Chancellor. Ever since, Lancaster’s goal has been to help make higher education accessible to everyone.
Education
Lancaster provides an exceptional education in a stimulating, research-led environment. Gold-rated teaching (Teaching Excellence Framework 2023) is delivered by distinguished academics at the forefront of their fields of research. Lancaster offers a range of flexible, student-centred programmes designed to inspire and prepare you for your future.
In the prestigious global QS Stars ratings, Lancaster has been awarded 5 Stars for all categories, which include overall performance, teaching, employability, research and facilities.
Lancaster’s top 50 subjects in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2025 include: Linguistics (3rd), English Language (38th) and Literature and Marketing (48th).
Research
By choosing Lancaster, you’ll join a thriving, interdisciplinary community with research at its heart. Your education will be shaped by distinguished academics who are actively engaged in the latest developments in their fields.
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), 91% of Lancaster’s overall research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
Our work makes a real-world impact, from discovering climate extremes in the Amazon rainforest to researching how interactive games can boost online fraud awareness. We even received the nation's highest education honour, a Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education (2024-26), for the creation and development of core technology for the BBC.
Career
A degree from Lancaster opens a world of possibility for your future. All our courses are designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge to prepare you for success after graduation.
Lancaster University is among the top 30 most targeted universities by the UK’s leading graduate employers (High Fliers 2026), and our degrees are recognised by employers around the world.
You can access dedicated careers support for international students through the LAUNCH Your Career program. You'll also benefit from free lifelong careers support, meaning we're here for as long as you need us. And when you graduate, you can connect with a global alumni network of 180,000 graduates in over 190 countries.
Top reasons to study here
- Lancaster University is among the best places to study in the UK, ranked in the top 10 in the Complete University Guide 2026.
- We're joint third for Research Intensity in the Complete University Guide 2026. Students at Lancaster learn from academics who lead in their fields of research.
- Lancaster graduates benefit from access to the University's dedicated careers service for life.
Lancaster University Key Statistics & Highlights
- #157 Ranking
- 1,300 Academic Staff
- 13,510 Students
- 4,999 Students (int'l)
- 6,890 Students (female)
Lancaster University Overview
Lancaster University Scholarships
Lancaster University Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Lancaster University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Provided by university
Grant
10000 GBP
Deadline
Anytime
International Regional Scholarship - Postgraduate
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Lancaster University
Lancaster, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
Alumni Loyalty Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Lancaster University
Lancaster, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
3000 GBP
Deadline
14 Jan 2027
Undergraduate International Regional Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Lancaster University
Lancaster, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
3000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship - International
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Lancaster University
Lancaster, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
7728 GBP
Deadline
Anytime
Health and Medicine Master’s Excellence Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Lancaster University
Lancaster, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
9000 GBP
Deadline
Anytime
Science and Technology Master’s Excellence Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Lancaster University
Lancaster, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
5064 GBP
Deadline
Anytime
Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Master’s Excellence Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Lancaster University
Lancaster, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
Management School Master’s Excellence Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Lancaster University
Lancaster, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
Management School MBA Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Lancaster University
Lancaster, United Kingdom
Independent provider
Grant
250000 INR
Deadline
31 May 2026
GyanDhan Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
LIFE Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
10 Jul 2026
Chevening Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
10 Jul 2026
Chevening Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 GBP
Deadline
21 Jun 2026
GREAT Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 GBP
Deadline
30 Jul 2026
GREAT Scholarship - Royal College of Art
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
12 Apr 2026
Yayasan UEM Global Scholarship 2026
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Scholarship Scheme set up with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Lancaster University Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 2.6% United Kingdom
Top 3.1% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
157
By TopUniversities
Dropped 16 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 122 | 141 | 157 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
184
By Times Higher Education
Dropped 16 places compared to 2025
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 155 | 168 | 184 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
267
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 35 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 182 | 232 | 267 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
301
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | 301 | 301 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
At Lancaster, you’ll be surrounded by a community that’s committed to helping you thrive.
Everyone’s needs are different, so we offer a range of free, professional support services that you can access whenever you need them during your studies.
The support we offer includes:
- Specialist guidance for international students on visas, moving to the UK, and settling in
- Advice on academic, personal or financial concerns
- Pastoral, faith-based and peer support
- Specialist wellbeing, counselling or practitioner-led services
- Reasonable adjustments for disabilities or long-term health conditions
Our self-contained campus also has 24-hour security during term-time, helping you feel safe and supported while you live and learn here.
Housing services
Our comfortable accommodation provides the perfect base for campus life, with options to suit different preferences and budgets. Choose from en‑suite rooms, townhouses and flats with shared facilities, or self‑contained studios. Adapted rooms are available for students with disabilities, and we also offer family flats for students with young children.
Accommodation on campus is located within the colleges, creating a ready-made community around your living space. You’ll be close to friendly faces and college events, while still having a private place to call your own. We guarantee on-campus accommodation for all new full-time undergraduates who choose Lancaster as their firm choice and apply by the deadline.
Library services
The library is open 24 hours a day during term-time. It has an impressive collection of physical and digital resources, alongside a range of technology‑enabled study spaces. Dedicated teams are available to support your learning.
In the 2025 National Student Survey, Lancaster received a 93.9% positivity score for library resources, reflecting the high level of student satisfaction.
ICT services
Expect total connectivity with a high-speed Wi-Fi network across campus. You’ll find learning labs you can access at any time, meaning you’re never far from a computer or a printer. You can also access IT support for a range of technical issues.
Medical services
The campus has its own medical practice and pharmacy. There are also natural healthcare practitioners based in the Chaplaincy Centre.
Campus life
Lancaster University is situated on 578 acres of beautiful parkland campus. It’s home to teaching and learning facilities, study areas, living spaces, cafes, bars, restaurants, green space, and much more. The student-friendly city of Lancaster is just a short bus or bike journey away from campus.
Lancaster is one of only a handful of UK universities with a collegiate system, which consists of eight undergraduate colleges and one for postgraduates. Every student belongs to a college – they are inclusive and diverse communities that will help you settle in, form long-lasting friendships, get involved in social events, and access a range of support.
Sports facilities
There are indoor and outdoor fitness facilities for everyone at Lancaster, including:
100-station fitness suite
Competition-standard strength and conditioning room
25-metre indoor swimming pool
8-metre climbing wall
Studios for fitness classes
Courts, pitches and multi-use game areas
2.6-mile Woodland Walk
- Eleven-station Trim Trail
Student clubs
Clubs and societies are a great way to try a new hobby, meet people with shared interests, take a break from your studies, and develop valuable skills. Lancaster offers over 200 to choose from, including sports clubs, media societies, academic subject-based clubs, groups for cultures and faiths, and so much more. You can even start your own!
Accreditation
Many of Lancaster’s degrees are accredited by prestigious awarding bodies. Examples include:
- Lancaster University Management School is triple accredited by AASCB, EQUIS and AMBA
- Lancaster’s biomedical sciences degree courses are accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)
- Lancaster’s engineering degree courses are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
- Lancaster’s chemistry degree course with an industrial placement is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Lancaster University Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
United Kingdom Country
Lancaster City
Lancaster University Student Reviews & Awards
4.2
Based on 72 reviews
- 5 Star 28 Reviews
- 4 Star 34 Reviews
- 3 Star 7 Reviews
- 2 Star 2 Reviews
- 1 Star 1 Review
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.3
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.2
- Student Diversity 4.6
- Career Development 4.2
Lancaster is welcoming & safe
I am satisfied with my experience in this uni in general. As a newcomer with no previous experience in living alone, I was anxious at the beginning when I first arrived, but the student ambassadors were extremely friendly and helpful. That night when I reached my accommodation, I was struggling to get my suitcase upstairs as there was no lift in the building, but thankfully, there were two neighbours who kindly reached out and helped me. After being at Lancaster uni for almost 10 months, I found that the teachers are also supportive of students and eager to help. In terms of the living situation, there are two shops here (Spar and Central) if you want to get some basic groceries. The options are limited though I think, so I would suggest taking the bus to town if you want to get more fresh food. There are also restaurants here if you are not in the mood for cooking.
Good choice if you are also working
Lancaster University consistently stands out as an institution that not only values academic excellence but also understands the needs of the modern student. I've observed firsthand how they support part-time workers, allowing them to integrate work commitments without compromising their educational pursuits. Their curricula are designed with a holistic approach; there's a noticeable emphasis on creating a harmonious balance between academics, work, and personal development. For many students today, part-time work isn't just a choice; it's a necessity. Lancaster University's commendable efforts to accommodate and support these students make a significant difference in their academic journey. The courses are thoughtfully scheduled, providing flexibility that's crucial for part-time workers. Moreover, it isn't just about work-life balance. Lancaster ensures that its academic content remains rigorous and engaging, so students receive a quality education regardless of their work commitments. By fostering an environment that champions adaptability and inclusivity, Lancaster University sets a benchmark for higher education institutions worldwide. Whether you're a student looking to gain work experience or someone trying to fund their studies, Lancaster promises a robust academic experience seamlessly blended with real-world practicalities.
Brilliant University
Lancaster is a brilliant University, with a great linguistics department. The staff are friendly and approachable, and amazing researchers. Also a great place if you prefer smaller cities and nature. There's a good selection of pubs, but if you like clubbing there's only 3 options.
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
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Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
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Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?
