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Lancaster University

Lancaster, United Kingdom • Founded 1964 • QS 2027 #164

Updated Sep 2026 · Source: lancaster.ac.uk

Overview

Acronyms: LU
Founded: 1964
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #164 Times Higher Education 2026 #184 = ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #301-400 CWTS Leiden 2025 #225 SCImago 2026 #501
Motto: Patet omnibus veritas
Colours: Quaker gray and red
Lancaster University institutional building
1 / 4

Lancaster University is a research university based in the historic city of Lancaster, United Kingdom.

It enrols around 29,000 students from more than 130 countries, with about a third of that population studying for Lancaster degrees at overseas locations, through partnerships in countries including China, Germany, Ghana, Indonesia and Malaysia. Teaching and research are organised into four faculties, covering subjects from health and medicine to management and science.

Student community life is built around a residential college system that gives students a sense of belonging from the moment they arrive. The university's research feeds into policy areas such as marine conservation, sustainable energy, end-of-life care and financial standards, working with parliamentarians and policymakers internationally.

Campus facilities include a library, sports centre and conference facilities.

Location & Contact

Lancaster University's campus location, postal address, and admissions contact channels are below.

Address: University House, Bailrigg
Postal Code: LA1 4YW
Phone: +44 (1524) 65201
Fax: +44 (1524) 593 907
Social Media:

Academic Details

Enrolment, faculty headcount, and accreditation data for Lancaster University are listed below.

Academic Year: 2024/25
Recognition: Privy Council
Total Students: 18,620
Female Students: 9,015
Academic Staff Range: 1,000-1,499
Campus Setting: Rural
Memberships & Networks
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) N8 Research Partnership Universities UK

Academic Structures

Below is how Lancaster University is organised academically — the schools, faculties, and units.

Unit 4 items
  • Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Health and Medicine
  • Faculty of Management
  • Faculty of Science and Technology

Programs Offered

Lancaster University's programme list, with search and degree-level grouping.

444 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom

Honours Degree 328 programmes

Showing 10 of 328.

Master of Business Administration 2 programmes

Executive Master of Business Administration MBA
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Business Administration MBA
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master's Degree 59 programmes

Accounting and Financial Management MSc
Accounting

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Artificial Intelligence MSc
AI & Machine Learning

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Behavioural Science Skills MSc
Natural Sciences

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Business Analytics MSc
Data Science & Analytics

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Chemistry MSc by Research
Chemistry

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Communication Systems MSc by Research
Communication Studies

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 59.

Doctorate 46 programmes

E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning (by thesis and coursework) PhD

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 46.

Professional Doctorate 1 programme

Postgraduate Certificate 5 programmes

Data Science PgCert
Data Science & Analytics

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Healthcare Leadership PGCert

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Medical Education PgCert
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Professional Practice PgCert

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma 3 programmes

Corpus Linguistics (Online) PgDip
Linguistics & Language Studies · Online

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Defence and Security PGDip

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Scholarships in United Kingdom

Funding routes available to students in the United Kingdom are listed below.

Alumni Loyalty Scholarship
University funded · International students · Partial Tuition
A 10% tuition fee discount for Lancaster University graduates starting a postgraduate taught, MRes or Master's by research programme.
Cambridge Trust International Scholarship
Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined · Covers Living
Covers tuition fees at the international rate, an annual maintenance stipend, and support towards the student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge, for postgraduate (and some undergraduate) study at Cambridge; there is no separate application form.
Cowrie Foundation Scholarship
Foundation funded · Renewable · 8,000 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living
A full tuition fee waiver plus an £8,000 per year maintenance stipend for a UK undergraduate of Black African or Caribbean heritage from a socio-economically underrepresented background.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined
Funds full-time or part-time PhD study, the one-year MLitt, or (with some exceptions) other one-year postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge; fee and stipend amounts are set through the University's own student-funding process rather than published on the eligibility page.
Lancaster Bursary
University funded · Renewable · 1,000 GBP per year · Living Stipend · Covers Living
A £1,000 bursary paid in two instalments each year of study to home undergraduates whose assessed household income is under £35,000.
LUMS MBA Excellence Scholarship
University funded · International students · Partial Tuition
A 50% tuition fee reduction for up to 10 Full-time MBA applicants at Lancaster University Management School who show academic excellence, professional achievement and leadership potential.
Management School Progression Scholarship
University funded · International students · Partial Tuition
A 10% tuition fee reduction for applicants with a 2:2 undergraduate classification progressing to a postgraduate taught programme at Lancaster University Management School.
Master's Excellence Scholarship
University funded · International students · Partial Tuition
A 15% tuition fee reduction (worth up to £4,635) for postgraduate taught applicants who hold a 1st or 2:1 undergraduate degree.
Master's Scholarship for Black British Students
University funded · 9,000 GBP per total · Combined · Covers Living
Funded by the Lancaster University Opportunity Fund, this award provides a full tuition fee waiver plus a £9,000 living costs stipend to two high-achieving Black students progressing to postgraduate taught study.
Postgraduate India Scholarship
University funded · International students · 10,000 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
A £10,000 tuition fee reduction for postgraduate taught applicants who are Indian nationals or permanently resident in India.
Postgraduate International Early Acceptance Scholarship
University funded · International students · 2,000 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
A £2,000 tuition fee reduction for international postgraduate taught applicants who accept their offer before the advertised early-acceptance deadline.
Postgraduate International Regional Scholarship
University funded · International students · 10,000 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
A £10,000 tuition fee reduction for postgraduate taught applicants from one of twelve underrepresented countries.
Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 20,400 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living, Travel
Covers University of Oxford course and college fees, an annual stipend of £20,400 (£1,700 a month, 2025-26 rate), the Oxford application fee, student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs, two economy flights to and from the UK, and a settling-in allowance.
Undergraduate EU Scholarship
University funded · International students · Renewable · 3,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £3,000 tuition fee reduction paid in each year of study to undergraduate applicants from the European Union or EEA (including Switzerland).
Undergraduate Home Excellence Scholarship
University funded · Renewable · 1,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £1,000 award paid each year for up to three years (£3,000 total) to high-achieving home undergraduate applicants who make Lancaster their firm UCAS choice.
Undergraduate India Scholarship
University funded · International students · Renewable · 3,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £3,000 tuition fee reduction paid in each year of study to undergraduate applicants who are Indian nationals or permanently resident in India.
Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship
University funded · International students · Renewable · 3,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £3,000 tuition fee reduction paid in each year of study to high-achieving international undergraduate applicants who make Lancaster their firm UCAS choice.
Undergraduate International Regional Scholarship
University funded · International students · Renewable · 3,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £3,000 tuition fee reduction paid in each year of study to undergraduate applicants from one of twelve underrepresented countries.
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 18,622 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living
Covers 100% of course fees and a living-cost grant (at least £18,622 a year through the St Antony's College partnership) for the full period of fee liability, plus participation in a tailored leadership programme.

How to apply to Lancaster University

A five-step path through the application process at Lancaster University.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Lancaster University runs 444 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Before applying to Lancaster University, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for United Kingdom.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Lancaster University's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.

  4. 4
    Apply through UCAS or direct entry

    Route your application through UCAS (ucas.com) for undergraduate entry to Lancaster University. For postgraduate entry, apply directly through Lancaster University's own admissions portal at www.lancaster.ac.uk.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (1524) 65201. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lancaster University

Quick reference for Lancaster University: founding, control type, and recognition status.

When did Lancaster University open?

Lancaster University traces its founding to 1964 (approximately 62 years ago).

What city is Lancaster University in?

Lancaster University operates from Lancaster, United Kingdom.

Is Lancaster University public or private?

Lancaster University is a public institution.

How big is Lancaster University's student body?

Lancaster University serves approximately 18,620 students.

How is Lancaster University ranked?

It ranks QS 2027 #164.

How many faculties does Lancaster University have?

Lancaster University is organised into 4 academic units across its disciplines.

Who recognises Lancaster University?

Lancaster University is accredited by Privy Council.

Where can I learn more about Lancaster University?

You can find Lancaster University online at www.lancaster.ac.uk.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom

Research output among the United Kingdom's top universities sets the publication-and-citation upper bound. Comparing Lancaster University's research output to this benchmark gives a fair institutional read.

Members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

Below: other Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) member institutions, alongside Lancaster University.

Faculties at nearby universities

Below are universities in the same area as Lancaster University.

Where Else to Study Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Other institutions in the United Kingdom teaching Natural Sciences & Mathematics are listed below for comparison with Lancaster University.

Universities Compared with Lancaster University

Universities of a similar scale and standing to Lancaster University are listed below.

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