The University’s students involve themselves in the community through the Students Union, through outreach activities into schools and community groups and through the award winning Millennium Volunteer Scheme.

The University’s economic contribution to the region is also significant. Our turnover is in the region of £120m making us one of the largest employers in the region. Every year it is estimated that our student body contributes in excess of £300m to the local economies of Lancashire and Cumbria. The Student Union’s very own Employment Service provides local businesses with access to a large and flexible workforce as well as helping students find appropriate part-time work to boost their finances and augment their CVs. The vibrant student community is also an attractant for other types of “inward” investment and we have seen several millions invested in the development of state-of-the-art student accommodation around the Preston City Campus. Our plans to increase student numbers will

attract further investment from property developers as well as service and leisure providers.

However, we are not just relying on third parties to invest on our part. As part of a consortium we are the lead partner in the development of the £3m New Technology Institute with the aim of meeting the needs of the regions of Lancashire and Cumbria, by increasing the supply of people with technician and higher level skills in information, communications, and other advanced technologies.

Our investment does not stop there - in the last academic year we have opened a new Computing and Technology building, a state-of-the-art student support centre and much improved indoor sport facilities. Next year will see the completion of a new £8.1million facility for the Lancashire Business School and the Faculty of Health together with a £6.5 million development to extend and refurbish our Students’ Union building and a £9million Science Building.

Within a global context UCLan is truly an international university. Not only do we have over 1,000 students from around the world studying UCLan programmes in Preston and Cumbria, but many of our own students also take the opportunity to spend time overseas as exchange students in America, Australia and throughout Europe. Our work with China has placed us at the forefront of international activity within UK higher education, our presence there being stronger than that of any other British university.

These international links fostered by the University make our campus a vibrant and cosmopolitan place for both students and staff.

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