Student life

Make friends for life, explore your potential and discover new passions. Find out what to expect from your student experience and why you'll love living in the North West.

Discover the city

If you're wondering what a typical day as a student in Preston might look like, explore our 360 gallery below to get a feel for life in Preston.

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Hear from our students

It has been a great experience living in Preston, and the student-friendly environment is extremely supportive of living an economical lifestyle.
Masters student Chaitali Tanawade poses for their picture
Chaitali Tanawade
MSc Computing Graduate
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Preston ranked in the Top 20 of 'Best Student Cities in the UK 2023'

Students from StudentCrowd reviewed cost of living, eating out, night life, shopping and public transport in their cities.

View StudentCrowd's Best Student Cities

Student guide to life at university

group of students in avenham park outside holy grounds

Everything you need to know about uni life

Get a feel for student life on campus and in the city. From sports clubs and societies to student pubs and shopping, there's something for everyone.

Student vlogs

Watch our student story vlogs for virtual tours and day in the life experiences with current students.

Open the playlist
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Why choose UCLan?01 / 03

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Why study at the University of Central Lancashire?

Student living costs

Considering university and concerned about finances? We're the most affordable uni in the country according to The Times (2023). Discover how to manage your finances and explore the support available.

Visit our cost of living support hub

The Students' Union

The Students’ Union is at the heart of student life at UCLan. The Union organises events throughout the year and provides support if you need it. The SU is home to many fabulous societies, from LGBTQ+ and drama to photography, debating, media and sport. If you can’t find a society you’re interested in, then the Students’ Union will help you set up your own.

We work alongside AccessAble to ensure that all our students, staff and visitors have clear information on the accessibility of our buildings. These guides include information about lighting, wheelchair access, accessible toilets and much more. View our Students' Union guide.

Discover the SU

Accommodation

Where you choose to live when you're studying at university is a huge part of student life. We have a wide range of accommodation options which offer great value for money in a safe, vibrant and inclusive community. We also offer guidance and support for students wishing to choose private student housing. We guarantee a room in halls, on campus, for all new full-time students at the Preston Campus.

Explore our accommodation

Our student support

A careers adviser giving support to a student

We're here for you

From asking where to find information to dealing with personal difficulties, we’ve got you covered. Our dedicated teams are here to help. If you're a current student, visit our Student Support Hub.

Where is Preston?

Preston is a vibrant, multicultural city in the heart of the North West, making it the perfect place to live, work and play.

Explore our campus and city

Take the next steps

  • Why choose us?

    Find out more about why you belong at The University of Central Lancashire – with insight from our current students.

  • University Open Days

    Sign up for a University of Central Lancashire Open Day event today to chat to our students and discover your future.

  • Global opportunities

    Our Study Abroad Exchange Programme is an exciting opportunity to continue your studies whilst exploring the world, as well as being a great way to make new friends, discover new foods and boost your confidence.