About the university
The University of Lancashire, formerly the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), traces its roots to 1828. It is a multi-campus public university based in Preston, with campuses in Burnley, Westlakes and London, and it set up the first British university in Cyprus in 2012.
It offers more than 350 undergraduate and nearly 200 postgraduate courses with a strong focus on employability. It was named Edufuturists University of the Year 2023.
For Indian students the main attractions are cost and flexibility. Most master's courses on this page cost £19,250 a year for 2027/28, many start in September or January, and Indian nationals get an automatic £2,000-a-year Country Scholarship.
Preston is a multicultural city in the North West of England. The university quotes The Times (2023) naming it the most affordable university in the UK, and its halls start at £89 a week.
- Roots
- Traces its roots to 1828
- Type
- Public university; one of the UK's largest, with a staff and student community of over 42,000
- Total students
- About 19,800 (19,840 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 33% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data), from more than 100 countries
- Student–staff ratio
- 14.5 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Preston (main campus), Burnley, Westlakes in West Cumbria and London, plus UCLan Cyprus
- Intakes
- September and January for many master's courses
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
1001–1200 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
1001–1200 in the world
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
90th of 130 UK universities
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,250
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,500
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, MSc
- Fee / year
- £19,250
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,250
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,250
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
International Business & Management, MSc
- Fee / year
- £19,250
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,250
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,500
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Science, MSc | 1 year (full time) | £19,250 | ≈ ₹23.5 lakh |
| Computing, MSc | 1 year (full time) | £19,500 | ≈ ₹23.8 lakh |
| Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, MSc | 1 year (full time) | £19,250 | ≈ ₹23.5 lakh |
| Artificial Intelligence, MSc | 1 year (full time) | £19,250 | ≈ ₹23.5 lakh |
| Cyber Security, MSc | 1 year (full time) | £19,250 | ≈ ₹23.5 lakh |
| International Business & Management, MSc | 1 year (full time) | £19,250 | ≈ ₹23.5 lakh |
| Project Management, MSc | 1 year (full time) | £19,250 | ≈ ₹23.5 lakh |
| Management, MSc | 1 year (full time) | £19,500 | ≈ ₹23.8 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Lancashire with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Undergraduate and postgraduate taught, 2027/28 entry
Country Scholarship (Group B)
Value: £2,000 off tuition fees for each year of study
Eligibility: Nationals of India and other listed countries. Applied automatically; can be combined with other awards up to £5,500 a year.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate and postgraduate taught, 2027/28 entry
Excellence Scholarship
Value: £3,500 for the first year; later years depend on an average mark above 60%
Eligibility: Indian applicants who meet the enhanced country-specific academic criteria for their course. Applied automatically; can be combined with other awards up to £5,500 a year.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Year 1 entry: 60% in Class 12 from any board, with 60% in any subject the course requires.
- Foundation year entry: 50% overall, with 55% in any required subject.
- Students who need extra preparation can take a foundation course with ONCampus at the university and then progress to a degree.
Postgraduate
- Indian applicants need 58% in a bachelor's degree, or 55% in a master's degree, according to the university's India page.
- Most master's on this page ask for at least a 2:2 equivalent; applicants without this may be considered individually with an interview.
- International applications for September 2026 have closed; the university is taking applications for January 2027 and September 2027.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Degree certificate and transcripts
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- English test score, or Class 12 English marks where accepted
- Personal statement
- References where the course asks for them
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | UKVI IELTS 6.0 with no component below 5.5 for most courses, or Academic IELTS 6.5 with no component below 6.0. Some courses ask for more, such as Mechanical Engineering MSc (6.5, no component below 6.0). |
| PTE Academic | 61 with at least 59 in each component (postgraduate taught) |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall 5 with no sub-score below 4.5 on the new scale (postgraduate taught); Home Edition accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | 105 overall with no sub-score below 100 (postgraduate taught) |
| Class 12 English | 70% in Class 12 English is accepted for undergraduate entry; for postgraduate entry it is 70% or 75% depending on the state board, valid for 5 years. |
Accommodation and living costs
The university guarantees a room in halls on the Preston campus for all new full-time students. Gas, electricity, water and Wi-Fi are included in the rent. Prices below are 2026/27 rates per person per week.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Economy standard room (Derwent, Douglas or Ribble) | £89per week | ≈ ₹10,858 |
| Ribble premium standard room | £103per week | ≈ ₹12,566 |
| Pendle self-contained or twin (starting price) | £126per week | ≈ ₹15,372 |
| Roeburn en suite | £133per week | ≈ ₹16,226 |
Campus and location
The main Preston campus is home to a community of more than 27,000 students and staff, and the university's Campus Masterplan aims to link it closely with the city centre.
- Guaranteed on-campus halls for new full-time students at Preston, from £89 a week.
- Other UK campuses in Burnley, Westlakes (West Cumbria) and London.
- UCLan Cyprus, the first British university in Cyprus, opened in 2012.
- ONCampus foundation courses at the university for students who need a pathway.
- Partnerships with 123 institutions around the world.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Courses are employment-focused, and many offer a placement option. After graduating you can apply for the UK Graduate visa: 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates who apply from 1 January 2027.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Students graduating with a First or 2:1 | Over 68% | OfS 2023, quoted by the university |
| Graduate visa length for applications from 1 January 2027 | 18 months (bachelor's and master's) | GOV.UK |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in the UK

Photo: Hampshire County Council, OGL 3 PublicUniversity of Southampton (official website, opens in a new tab)
Southampton, United Kingdom
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Data Science & AI

Photo: DrPhoenix, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicThe University of Manchester (official website, opens in a new tab)
Manchester, United Kingdom
Often chosen for Engineering, Business & Management, Life Sciences

Photo: Tim Green from Bradford, CC BY 2.0 PublicUniversity of Leeds (official website, opens in a new tab)
Leeds, United Kingdom
Often chosen for Business & Management, Engineering, Arts, Design & Media

Photo: Diliff, CC BY 3.0 PublicUniversity of Glasgow (official website, opens in a new tab)
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Often chosen for Life Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Law

Photo: Oscar Taylor, CC BY-SA 2.0 PublicCoventry University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Coventry, United Kingdom
Often chosen for Business & Management, Engineering, Arts, Design & Media

Photo: Simonham, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicUniversity of Birmingham (official website, opens in a new tab)
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Often chosen for Business & Management, Engineering, Law
FAQs
How much is a master's at Lancashire?
Most master's on this page cost £19,250 a year for international students in 2027/28; Computing, Management and Digital Marketing are £19,500. Indian nationals get an automatic £2,000-a-year Country Scholarship.
What marks do I need from India?
60% in Class 12 for undergraduate Year 1 entry, and 58% in a bachelor's degree (or 55% in a master's) for postgraduate entry.
Can I use my Class 12 English marks instead of IELTS?
Yes. 70% in Class 12 English is accepted for undergraduate entry, and 70% or 75% (depending on the state board) for postgraduate entry, within 5 years.
Can I start in January?
Yes, many master's courses start in January, including Computing, Cyber Security, Business Analytics and AI, Project Management and International Business & Management.
Is UCLan the same university?
Yes. The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is now called the University of Lancashire, still based in Preston.
Sources
- University of Lancashire: Data Science MSc (2027/28 fees) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Lancashire: Computing MSc (opens in a new tab)
- University of Lancashire: India country page (opens in a new tab)
- University of Lancashire: English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- University of Lancashire: Country Scholarship (Group B) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Lancashire: Excellence Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- University of Lancashire: accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- University of Lancashire: about us (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: University of Lancashire (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Graduate visa (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.lancashire.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details
