UCLan is North West's top modern university

Student satisfaction and graduate employability are key strengths

The Sunday Times Good University Guide for 2008 has named the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) as the top modern University in the North West. 

The news confirms recent Guardian, Independent and Times newspaper league tables which also pinpointed UCLan as the top modern University in the North West, ahead of all its local rivals.

UCLan scored particularly well in two key measures which made up this year’s table. In terms of student satisfaction UCLan was ranked 48th overall, 10th amongst the 1992 universities and 3rd amongst the North West universities. 

In terms of employment, which measures success in careers on graduation, UCLan’s was ranked equal 44th overall, 7th amongst the 1992 universities and equal 3rd in the North West.

UCLan’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Patrick McGhee said that the table highlighted UCLan’s continuing mission to provide a high quality learning experience that represented outstanding value for money.

“I’m delighted that we have scored particularly well in the key areas of graduate employability and student satisfaction. We have invested in superb new facilities, we are committed to a comprehensive bursary system and our established links with industry is enabling our graduates to fulfil their career aspirations.”   

In its profile on UCLan the Sunday Times describes the University as being ‘one of the most accessible’ and having achieved ‘one of the most socially diverse student bodies’. The University’s innovative course portfolio is also highlighted:   ‘UCLan has more than two dozen new degrees this autumn, including BScs in climate change and sexual health studies, a BEng in building services and sustainable environment, and BAs in human rights, product design, sports public relations and sports coaching.’ And with one of the best graduate employment records in the UK, the Sunday Times points out that ‘Graduate unemployment of under 5% is low and many benefit from the university’s well-developed links with business and industry.’

The University’s reputation for the academic quality of its course is also highlighted with the following subject areas all being rated as excellent: 

Allied health professions; American studies; art and design; business and management; communication and media studies (journalism); education; hospitality, leisure, recreation, sport and tourism; linguistics; molecular biosciences; nursing and midwifery; organismal biosciences; politics; psychology.

The full UCLan profile can be read here:

The University is hosting its next open day open days on Saturday, 18 October 2008. Tours of the campus, various talks on accommodation, academic advice and finance will be available from 9.00am until 3.00pm.  For further information on the open days log on to the University’s website at www.uclan.ac.uk/opendays

22 September 2008