Value for money at the University of Central Lancashire

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is the home of OnCampus UK North and a guaranteed progression partner for our students who successfully complete their foundation programme at the centre. It has also recently been ranked the most affordable university in the UK by The Times.

UCLan is in Preston, in the North West of England. This small but vibrant city offers fantastic value for money for students, with the cost of living being considerably lower than in other, larger cities. According to the Save the Student National Student Accommodation Survey 2023, the average monthly rent for students at UCLan is the cheapest in the North West.

UCLan offers its students free membership to the sports centre, reducing the amount of money students spend on common outgoings. The cost of food and drinks is very low when compared to London, with takeaways and cafes offering excellent value. Entertainment in the city is also relatively low cost, with a cinema ticket costing half in Preston compared to London, and there are plenty of free places to visit throughout the city and surrounding areas of Lancashire to take advantage of. The Harris Museum and Gallery, a cultural and community hub in Preston’s city centre, is free to visit and hosts a wide variety of events. It is temporarily closed to allow for restorations as part of a £16 million project but will reopen next year.

Preston boasts 500 hectares of green spaces across seven free parks, with five of these having won Green Flag Awards for excellence. Avenham and Miller parks are located in the heart of the city, making them easily accessible for a peaceful day out walking or an ideal spot for a picnic or lunch at the Pavillion Café. Moor, Haslam, Ribbleton and Ashton parks all house sports and leisure activities including skate parks, bowling greens, tennis courts, and there’s even an outdoor gym in Moor Park.

Travel is also low cost, and easily accessible. UCLan students are entitled to subsidised bus travel to get into and around Preston, and nearby hubs such as Manchester and Liverpool are great day trips for those wanting to journey out of the city. It takes less than an hour to reach Manchester by train and the journey can cost less than £10 depending on when you travel.

More information on student life in Preston can be found on our OnCampus UK North webpage, where you can also learn more about the University of Central Lancashire and the other university partners that OnCampus UK North students can progress to.