I studied at UCLan in Preston (the university was recently recognised for its positive student experience, climbing 14 places in the 2025 National Student Survey—read the full story here). I lived close to campus, just off Friargate. I walked past the new Student Centre every morning. The big square out front felt busy but friendly. On wet days (and there are many), the wind cut right through. Still, I liked it. It felt real. Before I applied, I had checked out an honest take on UCLan in Lancashire that sounded almost too relatable—and, as it turns out, pretty accurate.
First look, then the feel
Preston is small, and that helped me breathe. For a snapshot of what student life in Preston looks like—and why the city was crowned the best in the North West in the Good Growth Index 2023—check out this overview. The train station is a short walk from campus. I could get to class in ten minutes if the lights changed my way. The Engineering Innovation Centre looked sleek. Glass and quiet hums from the labs. The Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre smelled like rubber floors and warm chlorine. It became my stress fix.
One odd bit? The campus felt huge and cozy at the same time. I got lost my first week, then knew every shortcut by week three.
Classes that actually push you
I was in a marketing program with lots of project work. Real briefs. Real deadlines. My favorite module used live data from a local charity in Leyland. We pitched ideas in a small seminar room, with shaky hands and big coffee cups. The feedback was firm but kind. No fluff.
- Lectures were clear, but practical sessions did the heavy lifting.
- Tutors answered emails late, which I didn’t expect. It mattered.
- Turnitin crashed once during deadline week. Classic chaos. The department gave extensions and told us to breathe.
My friend in engineering spent nights in the EIC, printing small parts for a drone. Another mate in journalism worked in the Media Factory studios and did a live bulletin for UCLan Live. We swapped stories over chips after late sessions.
Support that shows up
The library went 24/7 during exam time. I lived on toasties and those loud vending machines. The ASK desk and WISER team helped me fix my messy citations. Not glamorous, but a lifesaver. The Careers Hub did a LinkedIn clinic and helped me reshape my CV. That led to a placement chat with a recruiter from a firm near Warton. I didn’t land it then, but it got me moving.
Wellbeing? I used the counselling service once. Short wait. A warm room. A box of tissues. It helped me get back to work.
The little life between classes
Food first. I grabbed lunch from Preston Market a lot—hot pies on cold days hit different. Coco’s Soul Food did big bowls that kept me going till night. The Ferret had gigs and great fried chicken. Source Bar at the Students’ Union had quiz nights that got weird, in a fun way.
When our flat group chats fired up after lectures, most of us defaulted to WhatsApp, but a handful of course mates preferred keeping things separate on Kik; if you’re curious about widening that circle, you can browse this handy list of Kik girl usernames to quickly find active, like-minded contacts and spark new conversations beyond campus life.
If you end up on an exchange semester in the U.S. (or just fancy a musical detour down Beale Street), doing a little homework on the local dating classifieds scene helps cut through the noise—resources like Mega Personals Memphis walk you through setting up a profile, spotting red flags, and choosing safe meet-up spots, so you can focus on making genuine connections rather than scrolling for hours.
For a treat beyond campus, a short trip into the Ribble Valley takes you to the acclaimed Three Fishes gastropub, where seasonal Lancashire dishes can turn a wet afternoon into something memorable. For a laid-back pint later on, I sometimes wandered over for nights at the Duke of Lancashire where the banter felt as warm as the fireplace.
On sunny days (rare, but sweet), I walked to Avenham Park and sat by the river. Ducks, soft grass, and a brain reset. On rainy days (hello, Lancashire), I’d cut through the Student Centre, watch the big screens, and people-watch with a tea.
Halls, houses, and radiator wars
I stayed in a small shared house near campus my second year. The first year I tried Whitendale. It was basic, clean, and loud in freshers’ week. My friend lived at iQ Kopa and liked the location, but said the bins filled fast. Another friend was at Trinity Student Village and loved the view but complained about thin walls. Bring earplugs. And a doorstop. And a good hoodie. The old buildings run cold. When family came up to visit, they booked one of the convenient hotels in Bolton—surprisingly affordable and just a short train hop away.
Sports, clubs, and the “try it once” rule
I joined the climbing club for one term. The sessions at West View were fun, and my hands ached for days. I also tried five-a-side at Sir Tom Finney and volleyed my glasses right off my face. Worth it. Clubs made the week feel full. If you join one thing, you’ll find two more.
Things that bugged me
- Timetables shifted more than I liked at the start of term.
- The Wi-Fi hiccuped in some corners of older buildings.
- Rain. Then more rain. Then wind that laughed at my umbrella.
- A few admin emails contradicted each other. I learned to ask twice.
But here’s the thing: when I asked, people helped. A quick chat at the desk beat waiting on a ticket number.
Small wins I still think about
- Free pancakes in the SU on a random Tuesday.
- A TA who stayed late to explain a stats problem on a whiteboard, step by step.
- A night study sprint where a classmate slid me a spare charger like it was gold.
- Standing by the Sir Tom Finney statue after a long day, rain on my hood, feeling proud and tired at once.
Who will like UCLan
If you want hands-on work, steady support, and a city that feels human-sized, you’ll do well. If you need big-city hype 24/7, you might feel restless. I needed space to learn and a bit of grit. I got both.
Pros and cons (quick and honest)
Pros:
- Practical modules with real briefs
- Support that shows up (WISER, Careers Hub, library)
- New spaces like the Student Centre and EIC
- Friendly campus, easy walk from station
Cons:
- Admin can be messy in September
- Old buildings feel cold and creaky
- Rain and wind will test your coat
- Wi-Fi blind spots in odd places
A few tips from my bag
- Book gear and labs early, especially around midterms.
- Keep a spare charger and a snack in your bag.
- Save readings and lecture notes offline for Wi-Fi dips.
- On rough days, walk to Avenham Park. Ten minutes. Big impact.
- Talk to tutors. They respond more than you think.
You know what? UCLan isn’t flashy. It’s not trying to be. It’s a place that lets you build. Brick by brick. Project by project. I left with a thicker skin, better work, and a small stack of moments that still make me smile.