| Updated On - Sep 18, 2025
University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is a large public institution in Preston, England. It has a diverse student population with thousands of undergraduate students enrolled in a broad range of majors. With an overall acceptance rate of roughly 24%, admissions are relatively selective. Business, Health Sciences, Engineering, and Social Sciences are popular among prospective students. The university specializes in applied research, employability, and industry links.
Lancaster University, another Lancashire, England-based institution, is a highly regarded public research university known for academic quality and world rankings. With an acceptance rate of approximately 19%, Lancaster is more selective than UCLan. Lancaster is particularly strong in Management, Social Sciences, STEM, and Arts & Humanities. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities in the UK, with excellent graduate satisfaction levels, good placement prospects, and an active campus life.
| University of Central Lancashire | Lancaster University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.1 Out of 10 | 5.5 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 98 The Guardian 2026 # 1001 Times Higher Education 2026 # 1001 QS World University 2026 | # 14 The Guardian 2026 # 157 QS World University 2026 # 184 Times Higher Education 2026 |
| Subject Strength | # 1001 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2023 # 651 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 58 for Law by The Guardian 2026 | # 176 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 351 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -140 PG Programs -57 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -29 PG Programs -97 |
| Acceptance Rate | 24.0 % | 19.0 % |
| Exam Score | TOEFL-86 | GMAT-600 IELTS-6.5 PTE-58 TOEFL-87 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 15891.5 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 16357.0 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 183 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 23944.7 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 20708.0 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 12542 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and average salary are: Executive MBA: $77,000 Other Degree: $68,000 Master (Other): $43,000 Masters of Arts: $42,000 Bachelor of Arts: $38,000 Bachelor of Science: $35,000 | Graduate Employability rank (2020): 201-250. |
| application requirements | Applicants must have minimum between 50-60% on an average Submit official transcripts Submit English language requirements Check program specific requirements | Indian UG aspirants must have 75-87% in best four including Hindi and PE. |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 6.3/10 Read 7 reviews | 7.9/10 Read 19 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 801 for Sciences by Times Higher Education 2022 | # 401 for Sciences by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2022 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6.0/9PTE - 60/90TOEFL - 80/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 62/90TOEFL - 87/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -19088.1 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -23913.1 |
| application dates | Jul 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For 2024 Intake) Jan 29, 2025 (UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline For 2025 Intake) Jul 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) | Jan 29, 2025 (UCAS Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) |
| ranking | # 90 for Accounting by The Guardian 2026 | # 15 for Accounting by The Guardian 2026 # 90 for Accounting by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6.0/9PTE - 60/90TOEFL - 80/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 62/90TOEFL - 87/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -15891 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -26255 |
| application dates | Jul 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For 2024 Intake) Jan 29, 2025 (UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline For 2025 Intake) Jul 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) | Jan 29, 2025 (UCAS Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) |
| ranking | # 801 for Sciences by Times Higher Education 2022 | # 48 for Marketing by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6.0/9PTE - 60/90TOEFL - 86/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 87/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -16357.0 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -27150.9 |
| application dates | Jul 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For 2024 Intake) Jan 29, 2025 (UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline For 2025 Intake) Jul 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) | Jul 31, 2024 (Application Deadline For 2024 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Central Lancashire | Lancaster University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1828 | 1964 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 13:1 |
| Male:Female | 43% Male, 57% Female | 49% Male, 51% Female |
| Location Facts | The university is on an urban campus in Preston, with sites in Burnley and in Westlakes, West Cumbria (for nuclear and energy related research programmes). A campus in Cyprus opened in October 2012. | Located 3 miles from Lancaster, surrounded by countryside. It is located close to lake district national park and Lancashire’s beaches. You can reach the historical city of Lancaster with a short bus ride. |
| Library | The Library building on the Preston campus provides comfortable, flexible study spaces and offers a wealth of excellent learning resources, extensive collections of information sources and access to expert help and advice as well as access to thousands of books, audio-visual materials and journals. | Leisure collection, special collection, ebooks, thousands of journals, over 200 databases, Grey literature, theses & dissertation, audiovisual content, digital content, and research management content, you can find it all at the library. Currently under extension project of a budget of 11million Pounds (2020). |
| Campus Life | The nightclub and live music venue at the Students' Union, '53 Degrees', has two floors with a bar on each and occasionally hosts musical performers. Across two rooms, total capacities are 1,100 & 350 for club nights and 1,400 and 350 for all live gigs. The adjoining bar, 'Source', is open seven days a week during term times. '53 Degrees' is no longer owned by the Students' Union however Freshers' Week events are still run in the venue. There are over 35 sports clubs run by the students’ union. Many have block bookings at the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre and UCLan Sports Arena in term-time for training and matches. The sports clubs participate in British Universities and Colleges Sport competitions and have home and away fixtures.The university outdoor sport facilities can be found at UCLan Sports Arena (USA) which is located two miles away and was opened in 2000 by The Princess Royal. The £12 million arena provides facilities for rugby league, rugby union, football (five grass pitches), hockey (two floodlit all-weather pitches), netball, tennis (four floodlit courts), and cycling (1 mile (1.6 km) circuit), as well as an eight-lane athletics area, equipped for school, club, and county competitions. | Over 200 student groups to join. Cafes, bars, medical facilities, and banks are all available on-campus. On-Campus cinema includes Hollywood, classical, and international films. Over 100 different sports clubs to join. Volunteering for environmental, social enterprising, and businesses is available. On-campus Chaplainacy center for different religions, groups, & services. Sugarhouse is university’s nightclub. |
| Hostel | #Self-contained rent/week - $105 #Economy standard rent/week - $78 | #Rooms - $9317 |
| Famous Alumni | Estelle Asmodelle, Australian model and activist | Alan Milburn (former secretary of State for health), Andy Serkis (Actor), Andrew Miller (Novelist), Robert Fisk (writer), John C. Hull (professor at Rotman School of Management), Alan Campbell (MP UK), W. Brian Arthur (Economist), Hanif Kureishi (British Playwright), Dave Snowden (Welsh Consultant), Ben Crystal (Actor), etc. |
| City Life | Living in Preston is a lot of fun as a student. The north is a friendly place, and this city is large enough to give you plenty of thrills, but small enough for you to become part of the community and not get lost in the crowds. Those of you who want to see local art and history, the Harris Museum is a must-see whilst you’re living in Preston. It has something for everyone, with regular modern exhibitions alongside long-standing historical paintings. St George’s Shopping Centre is right in the heart of the city centre, with loads of different shops for you to get the basics in or to splurge on some treats for you! There are some big-name brands in this shopping centre, and a few places you can pick up something to eat along the way, the Subways and Greggs of this world. You’ll be surprised at just how many tasty eateries there are here, for such a small city. Start your day over at I Smile Café on Plunginton Road, where you can get a full English breakfast for under a fiver. Town House Coffee and Brew Bar is a good shout as a mid-morning break with a cup of tea or coffee, some cake, and a book. | Lancaster is a historical city, offering a coastline and picturesque beaches of Blackpool and Morecambe Bay. The countryside has England’s largest national park. It is connected to Manchester and Liverpool through a train ride of 1-2 hours. The city offers great nightlife, clubs, bars, and pubs. It also has excellent film, theatre and music scene, and is a great place to shop. The unemployment rate of the city is around 4.3% (March’20) |
| Weather |
University of Central Lancashire vs Lancaster University
Subject Strength & International Rankings (2025/2026)
Lancaster University has a much stronger international reputation than the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Lancaster is placed 157th, whereas UCLan falls within the range 1001–1200. Likewise, in the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings, Lancaster ranks 168th, whereas UCLan falls within the 801–1000 band. Likewise, the US News Global Rankings 2026 position Lancaster at 267th, whereas UCLan falls further down at 1514th. Lancaster excels in business, social sciences, arts, and STEM research, whereas UCLan is recognized for applied sciences, journalism, nursing, and creative industries.
General Information
The University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK, is one of the largest modern universities in the country with a student population of more than 30,000. It focuses on accessibility, applied learning, and industry collaboration.
Lancaster University, North West England, is a research-focused Russell Group university with a student population of approximately 16,000. It is highly regarded for its collegiate approach, international focus, and high levels of student satisfaction.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
The University of Central Lancashire has a 24% acceptance rate, which is moderately selective in view of its broad range of courses.
Lancaster University is even more competitive, having an acceptance rate of 19%, which is due to its top UK university status and high demand for its courses.
Research Impact & Facilities
UCLan is keen to connect with applied research and outreach projects, with particular strengths in health, sport science, and creative industries. It also has investments in practical facilities such as media centers and labs that are responsive to industry needs.
Lancaster has much wider global research influence, with world-leading facilities in all sciences, technology, business, and social sciences. Its research is routinely top in the UK, especially in environmental sciences, business, and computer science.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both universities are reasonably priced for tuition, although UCLan is less costly in total costs than Lancaster. Both universities give domestic as well as international student grants, although Lancaster's need-based grants and research awards are more globally competitive.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UCLan graduates benefit from strong employability in professional and applied subject fields such as nursing, journalism, police, and sport.
Its graduates enjoy excellent global reputation, excelling in research, business leadership, technology, and academia. Its reputation and global network give graduates excellent career mobility all over the world.
