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Lancaster University is a public research university located in Lancaster, England. The university was founded in 1964 and offers 200+ undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across its 9 colleges. Lancaster University Management School is triple accredited by the AACSB, EQUIS, and the AMBAs.
Lancaster is highly reputed for its research impact and 91% of its research is rated as 'internationally excellent' as per the REF 2021 Report. Lancaster is among the top 200 universities in the world with 2024 rankings of 122 in the QS and 155th in THE. Lancaster University’s popular courses are engineering, business and economics, English language and literature, sociology, arts and humanities, etc.
Lancaster University’s acceptance rate is approximately 19% which makes the university’s selection process highly competitive for international students. Lancaster University’s entry requirements for Indian applicants can be met by a minimum 75% aggregate in 12th and 60% aggregate in bachelor’s for admission to the UG and PG programmes respectively.
Lancaster University’s English language proficiency tests accepted at the university include IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, CAE / CPE, and PTE Academic. Supporting documents such as passports, SOP, transcripts, and LORs are also required by the university.
Lancaster University is home to more than 11,000 students with over 3,000 international students from 140+ countries. Lancaster University’s main campus is located in Bailrigg spreading across 560 acres of campus parklands and houses several academic buildings, a theatre, art galleries, a library with 1,300 technology-enabled workspaces, sports centres, a chaplaincy centre, restaurants and cafes, and a lot more to experience, learn and enjoy.
What’s new?
The nearest deadline to apply at Lancaster University is 31 January 2024 for UCAS application for UG programmes. The postgraduate applications are open for 2024, while those who want to apply for the 2025 session, can apply by September 2024.
Also Read: Top courses to study in the UK
Lancaster University’s rankings suggest that it is among the top-rated universities in the world. The university is ranked 122nd in the QS World University Rankings, and 10th in the QS WUR Ranking By Subject for 2024. The Times Higher Education Report of 2024 has placed Lancaster at 155th position in the world, whereas the US News and World Report, 2023 has ranked the university 23rd best in the UK and 182nd globally.
Lancaster University is in 10th place in the UK in Complete University Guide University League Table, 2024. According to the latest QS World Rankings, various Lancaster University courses have ranked in the global top 100, some of them are mentioned below with their respective world rankings.
Lancaster University subject rankings in the QS, 2024
Courses/ Subjects | World Rankings |
Linguistics | 10 |
Arts and Humanities | 23 |
Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 37 |
English Language and Literature | 40 |
Art and Design | 51 |
Economics and Business | 61 |
Accounting and Finance | 65 |
Environment/Ecology | 69 |
Business and Management Studies | 70 |
Sociology | 83 |
Environmental Sciences | 93 |
Is Lancaster a top 10 university?
Lancaster University is named among the best 200 leading universities in the world as per the rankings it has been getting all over the years. The university is in the top 10 in the UK and is widely known for its academic excellence and research impact. According to the Graduate Market 2023 report, Lancaster University is one of the top 25 most targeted universities by the UK's top graduate employers.
What is Lancaster University's ranking in the UK?
Lancaster University is in the top university rankings in the UK. The university has ranked 10th best university in the UK in the Complete University Guide Report 2024. The US News and World Report, 2023 has ranked Lancaster at number 23 in the country. In the nationwide rankings, Lancaster University has been placed 11th in the Guardian University Guide 2024, and 14th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
What is Lancaster University UK QS world ranking?
Lancaster University is a top 200 university in the world as per the recent rankings given by the various global ranking authorities. The university is ranked number 122 in the QS World University Rankings, 2024 which has placed it in the world’s top 125 universities. Lancaster University has significantly improved its QS rankings and jumped from 146th in 2023 to 122nd in 2024.
Lancaster University offers over 280 undergraduate degree programmes and a dynamic range of postgraduate degree programmes. Lancaster offers foundation courses like the International Foundation Year and Pre-Master's programmes for international students. It also provides free online courses, known as MOOCs (massive open online courses).
Lancaster University's medicine programme is popular and extremely competitive, attracting students from all around the world. It is a five-year (60-month) course and also has Medicine and Surgery with a Gateway Year course of 6 years that provides a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. The degree is called MB ChB at Lancaster University. Many graduates choose to specialise in a certain field of medicine, such as surgery, paediatrics, or psychiatry.
Some of Lancaster University’s popular courses include arts and humanities; economics and business; finance and accounting; electronic and electrical engineering; environment studies; and sociology. Thirteen subjects of the university have been ranked in the top ten subject list of the Complete University Guide Subject League Table, 2024.
What courses are Lancaster University known for?
Lancaster University offers more than 250 undergraduate courses and a range of postgraduate degree programmes across the various academic disciplines in its 9 colleges. Several courses of the university are also in the top subjects ranking list. Some of Lancaster University’s popular courses include engineering, arts and humanities, environmental sciences, computer science, business, etc.
What does Lancaster University specialise in?
Lancaster University is a top 200 university and is highly reputed for its teaching and research impact. The university offers a range of academic programmes across undergraduate and postgraduate. The university also offers a foundation and pre-masters programmes. Lancaster University specialises in management, computer science, business, environmental sciences, arts and humanities, and engineering.
Courses | Duration | International Student | Local Student |
---|---|---|---|
B.A.(Hons)(223 courses) | 3 years-4 years | ₹23.05 L - ₹28.12 L/yr | ₹9.80 L - ₹9.84 L/yr |
B.Sc.(Hons)(118 courses) | 3 years-4 years | ₹16.24 L - ₹28.12 L/yr | ₹9.80 L - ₹9.84 L/yr |
M.Sc.(76 courses) | 1 year-4 years | ₹23.41 L - ₹28.58 L/yr | ₹4.87 L - ₹15.36 L/yr |
Ph.D(54 courses) | 3 years-4 years | ₹20.68 L - ₹25.98 L/yr | ₹4.87 L - ₹5.03 L/yr |
M.A.(41 courses) | 1 year | ₹23.41 L - ₹28.58 L/yr | ₹11.12 L - ₹15.36 L/yr |
Lancaster University’s tuition fee for international students is 23,100 GBP for full-time undergraduate programmes, however, the actual tuition fees for both UG and PG courses are course-specific. Most degree programmes of the university require 120 credits to be completed for full-time study.
Lancaster is an expensive place for international students to live. The average monthly cost of living is between 1,260 GBP to 1,500 GBP excluding tuition fees. Lancaster University’s Student Money Adviser offers financial guidance and assists them with budgeting and managing their finances effectively. The university also provides part-time work opportunities to help students fund their studies and stay at Lancaster University. The estimated cost of living for international students is given in the table below.
Lancaster University Cost of living for international students- UG and PG
Items | Expenses in GBP |
Accommodation | 924 per month |
Food | 1600 per year |
Books and other study/research-related materials | 500 per year |
Personal Expenses (phone bill, clothes, TV licence, toiletries) | 1679 per year |
Bus travel | 300 per year (Lancaster Unirider) |
Source: Official website
Lancaster University’s acceptance rate is approximately 19% making the university’s admission criteria extremely selective and competitive. International students can apply to Lancaster University undergraduate courses through UCAS and postgraduate courses via the direct application portal.
Applicants who wish to apply to Lancaster University undergraduate or postgraduate programmes must follow the steps given below.
Undergraduate Admissions
Visit the UCAS website - ucas.com.
Search the university name, and the list of courses will appear on the screen. Click on the course name.
Carefully read the details mentioned about the course, including the entry requirements, fees, and other details.
Click on the "Apply" button. Now, register on the UCAS portal by providing the necessary details.
Select the "Register" button.
Now, login using the email address and password.
Fill out educational details and previous work experience (if any).
Add the personal statement, reference, and declaration.
Now, pay the application fee using a credit or debit card.
Save the application form and take a printout of it for future reference.
Postgraduate Admissions
Visit the official website of the university at lancaster.ac.uk.
Click on the Study tab and then click on the ‘Apply online’ under Postgraduate Study.
Check the eligibility and admission requirements of the chosen degree programme before applying to the university.
Now, create an account as a new applicant by clicking on the link given at the bottom of the page (2024 entry).
Use the login credentials received via email to log into the application portal.
Fill out the application, and upload the supporting documents (scanned and PDF).
Pay the application fee and submit the application.
Applicants can log in to their portal anytime to check the status of their application.
Note: Applicants who wish to apply for research programmes must have a potential supervisor from the university to guide and support them through the application process and research proposal. The eligible applicants can contact the concerned department for the arrangement of the supervisor and any further information.
Undergraduate Programme | Application Deadlines |
UCAS Application (except medicine and surgery) | 31 January 2024 |
Medicine and Surgery UCAS Application | 16 October 2023 |
There are around 200 plus courses available at the University, to which students can apply online.
University application fees can vary depending on factors like the level of study (undergraduate, postgraduate, etc.) and the applicant's nationality or residency status.
The undergraduate application fee is 27.50 Pounds.
The application fee for postgraduates is 40 Pounds.
Applicants need to submit a specified set of documents to be taken into consideration for admission to the university. Additional documentation is also necessary for international students.
Official academic transcripts
Passport photocopy
Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
Ideally, at least one reference is required.
A research proposal will be required for research degrees.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume
Official English Proficiency Test Scores.
Is Lancaster University hard to get into?
Lancaster University enjoys a global reputation for being one of the most selective universities when it comes to giving admissions to international students. Lancaster University’s acceptance rate is approximately 19% which shows how competitive it is to gain admission at the university. However, international students with excellent academic competency and research potential have good chances of getting into Lancaster University.
How can I get admission to Lancaster University?
Lancaster University is a highly selective and competitive university with an acceptance rate of 19%. The applicants who wish to get admitted to the university must meet all the eligibility criteria of the course they are applying to, along with this, the English language proficiency test scores must be submitted to meet the language requirements of the university. Applicants must have a very strong and impressive application to get admission as the university has very high competitive academic requirements.
What is the minimum GPA for Lancaster University?
Lancaster University is among the universities that have a difficult admission process. It has specified the country-specific requirements and generally requires a minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4-point scale. For, Indian applicants, the entry requirements for admission to Lancaster require a minimum aggregate of 75% to 87% in class 12 for UG admissions and a 60% aggregate in bachelor's for PG admissions. The GPA requirements can be higher for some courses.
Lancaster University offers various scholarships and financial support options to undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in various academic programmes for the 2023 session. The scholarships are offered to high-achieving students from all around the world with overseas fee status. International students can also apply for several other scholarships in the UK to help them meet their financial ends while studying at Lancaster. Some of the university’s international scholarships are mentioned below.
Lancaster University Scholarships for international students
Lancaster Global Scholarship | The Peel Trust Studentship |
Alumni Loyalty Scholarship | |
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Doctoral Scholarships 2023 |
Lancaster University’s eligibility criteria are course-specific, like most universities, and can be checked by the applicants under their respective degree courses. However, the general eligibility for Indian applicants is listed below.
A minimum aggregate of 75% to 87% is required in the best four subjects in the ICSE class 12th examinations for UG admissions.
A 3-year bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with a minimum 60% aggregate (first-class degree) for admission to PG programmes.
English language proficiency requirements must be met.
Any other course-specific requirements must be fulfilled.
Lancaster University requires its international applicants to meet the English language proficiency requirements to meet the university standards and course requirements. The applicants can submit the following tests to demonstrate their proficiency level such as TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, and CAE / CPE.
The applicants who do not meet these requirements may enrol themselves in the Pre-sessional English language courses offered by the university to prepare them for entry into various degree programmes.
Lancaster University English Proficiency Requirements for International Students
Tests / Scores | Minimum overall score range for UG |
TOEFL iBT | 87 |
IELTS | 6.5 |
PTE | 58 |
C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (CAE/CPE) | 176 |
Indian Standard X English | 70% |
Indian Standard XII English (for PG) | 80% |
Lancaster University English Proficiency Requirements for Medicine and Surgery
Course/Tests | IELTS | PTE Academic |
Medicine and Surgery | 7.0 | 70 |
Note: The English proficiency test scores for Postgraduate programmes are course-specific and are mentioned on the individual course pages.
At the centre of Lancaster University is the library. With its central location on the Bailrigg campus, the library building offers a warm, open space for university and library activity. It offers access to almost half a million printed objects in the library building, in addition to hundreds of thousands of electronic journal articles, ebooks, and other materials.
The college has a wi-fi facility for all students and staff.
Four sports halls, all with equipment suitable for competition, are part of the Lancaster University Sports Centre and can be reserved online for a variety of events. The new Sports Hall has more than 500 bleacher seats and a show court for badminton, basketball, futsal, and volleyball. The Roses tournament frequently referred to as the largest varsity competition in Europe, pits the students against the University of York every summer term. The university hosts a number of intercollegiate sporting events.
Lancaster University also offers a gym that is well equipped with racks, benches, watt bikes, free weights, curved unpowered treadmills, rowing machines, ski ergometers, and other functional equipment. Personal trainers are also available for one-to-one sessions at an additional cost. Students can also download the MyWellness App where they can track their progress and monitor their pulse rate, heart rate, session time and amount of calories burnt, etc.
Interested students can also take swimming lessons where they can learn swimming and basic stroke techniques. Multiple classes are being offered at different times both for beginners and for professionals.
Lancaster has an excellent transportation system with excellent connections between the city, campus, and other areas. At Lancaster University, buses are the most used mode of transportation by students. There are many bus stations on campus, and during peak hours, buses arrive every five minutes. The train station is also accessible from the bus stop or the city's centre via a short walk. Since it takes just over 3 miles to walk from the city centre to college, students also favour cycling and walking.
Lancaster University supports students dealing with any kind of mental health problems or issues so that it doesn’t hamper their academic life. A certified practitioner is available to guide and advise the students dealing with any kind of mental issue, anxiety, or psychological problem. Lancaster also offers multiple services to disabled students for removing any kind of hurdle coming on their way in education and career.
Lancaster University has a wide variety of food options to meet all dietary needs. A variety of freshly made flatbreads, salads, topped toast, omelettes, and hot daily specials are available at HIVE. A robust hot meal with sweet and savoury selections as well as a nutritious salad bar are available at The Marketplace. Sandwiches and soups are available alongside sweet snacks and fresh cakes. Other bars, cafés, and restaurants include Barkers, The Deli, Costa, The Lounge, Grizedale Café Bar, The Red Lion, and Pendle Rooms.
Lancaster University has a total of 11,986 students including approximately 3,000 international students from 142 countries. International students make up around 38% of the total student population. Lancaster University welcomes students from all over the world and provides them with numerous benefits and services such as visa and immigration support, finance and funding resources and advice, career support services, foundation programmes, pre-sessional English language programmes, scholarships, accommodation, and a lot more.
Lancaster University’s acceptance rate is around 19% which is quite low. This shows that the university is highly selective which makes the admittance of international students extremely difficult. The applicants who successfully prove their academic excellence and research potential have good chances of getting into Lancaster University. International students can contact Lancaster at the given details.
Address: Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK
Phone No. +44 (0)1524 510082
Email: lec@lancaster.ac.uk
Lancaster University is a highly reputed institution and is a UK Top 10 University according to the Complete University Guide 2024 and a top 125 in the World according to the QS World Rankings 2024. The university is globally renowned for its research impact as 91% of its research is internationally excellent as per the REF 2021 Report. The university invites a good amount of students from around the world with strong academic backgrounds and research aptitude.
Lancaster University offers several scholarships for international students based on their academic achievements and financial needs. Scholarships are generally offered to students with strong academic backgrounds to attract students from around the world. Some of the prominent scholarships offered at Lancaster include the Lancaster Global Scholarship, Commonwealth Scholarships, the Peel Trust Studentship, the Alumni Loyalty Scholarship, etc.
Lancaster University is one of the leading institutions in the UK and among the top 200 universities in the world. The university invites students from all over the world and currently has over 3,000 international students studying in various academic programmes. The university provides its international students with numerous services and benefits from scholarships and accommodation to pathway programmes and career support. Overall university offers excellent academic and research experience along with vibrant student life.