Lancaster University

In 1947 a public meeting in Lancaster endorsed a proposal that there might be a university college established in the city.

Although the idea lapsed for lack of government funding, in early 1961 it was revived by Lancashire County Council, and a Promotion Committee for a University in North-West Lancashire, chaired by Lord Derby, presented a proposal to the University Grants Committee for Lancaster to be chosen.

From the day it opened its doors, the new institution had full authority to manage its own affairs within the terms of its Royal Charter and Statutes.

These pages are dedicated to the history of Lancaster University. We have charted the evolution and construction of the campus from a greenfield site, through its initial conception and early home in the city, and provided a picture of what it was like to study here during the “swinging sixties” and the early 1970s.

We hope that alumni, present students, staff, local residents or just plain inquisitive folk will all find something to interest them.

The content for this site was originally designed as part of the History in the Community course, which was tutored by Dr Mik Winstanley.

For us, Lancaster is everything a university should be. It's somewhere you can belong, a community to join with a collection of colleges that offer close-knit support and a proud identity.

We set high standards, and we challenge, pushing people to new heights. But we also support, guiding people through their studies, research and careers.

Lancaster University is among the best in the UK, in the top 15 in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022, The Guardian University Guide 2022 and The Complete University Guide 2022. We're also highly ranked in international league tables such as the QS World Rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Colleges are central to the Lancaster University experience. It's where you live, but more than that, it's a place to socialise and a support network too. The difference our colleges make can't be overstated. For 'collegiate' read 'supportive', 'friendly', 'fun' and 'open'.

University is more than an experience, it's preparation. We're here to help you find out what comes next, with a rewarding future that's right for you.

At Lancaster, we are investing in the future of our students by enabling access to a world-class education. We believe that funding concerns should not stop any student with the talent to thrive.