Lancashire’s four universities attract thousands of national and international students and research fellows every year. Lancaster University is recognised as being within the top 1 percent of the world’s universities and ranked 8th in the UK. Recently named International University of the Year by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.

UCLan is one of the country’s 10 largest universities and the first modern university in the UK to be recognised by the QS World Rankings. Edge Hill University is one of a select few universities to have held the coveted UK University of the Year title, awarded by Times Higher Education (2014/15). It was also named University of the Year for Student Retention in the Good University Guide 2018.

University of Cumbria – one of the UK’s newest universities – with its largest campus located in Lancaster has strengths in teacher training and healthcare. Together, Lancashire’s universities and colleges combine to produce one of the UK’s largest sources of STEM graduates.

Like all educational institutions, Lancashire’s FE and HE providers have been working round the clock to create teaching environments that meet the new Covid-secure requirements with social distancing on campus, an expansion to become seven day a week operations and a greatly enhanced online learning provision. They have essentially accelerated their offer into the future and we are all looking forward to welcoming Lancashire’s student body back, as they bring so much energy and vibrancy to our town and city centres.

Schools in Lancashire

Further Education

The colleges are by far the largest providers of further education and apprenticeships in Lancashire. Of all the learners that are at a Lancashire based provider, 80% are based at a college. 

Three of Lancashire’s colleges are in the top 10% of colleges nationally for further education achievement rates. Seven are in the top 20%.

Lancashire’s colleges provide education and training to over 95,000 young and adult learners each year, from entry level to postgraduate and across a spectrum from the most disadvantaged to the most able.

Almost 7,500 or 13% of higher education (HE) students based in Lancashire study at Lancashire’s colleges compared with 4% nationally. The 2nd and 3rd largest HE in FE providers nationally are Lancashire colleges with an additional Lancashire college also in the top 20. OfS data shows there is more HE provision delivered in Lancashire’s colleges than colleges in any other LEP area outside of London.

Two thirds of Lancashire’s 16-18 year old learners (not including apprentices) study in Lancashire’s colleges.

Each year, Lancashire’s colleges train over 10,000 new apprentices. All of Lancashire’s colleges have apprenticeship achievement rates above the national average.

Lancashire’s colleges provide excellent support for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LLDD). 21% of Lancashire’s college students class themselves in this group compared with 18% nationally.

With a combined turnover of over £285 million, Lancashire’s colleges are major employers in their own right, employing around 7,000 people, making a significant contribution to the local economy.

For every pound of government funding invested, Lancashire’s colleges deliver over £15 in economic benefits over their students’ lifetime, a substantial return.

Lancashire’s colleges have extensive networks of public and private sector partners and currently work with more than 10,000 businesses, supporting their staff in apprenticeships and other training. Lancashire’s colleges achieve above average scores for employer satisfaction.

Source: 2019 TLC brochure