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What it's like to work at ...

...the University of Central Lancashire


Preston became England's 50th city on March 14 2001. About time, too: it is a vibrant little place and could never be content with being a mere town. The history of Preston stretches back to Saxon times. The Domesday Book was partly compiled here; Cromwell defeated royalist troops here in 1648 and 1715 saw a siege when Jacobite rebels found the road to the south blocked by English troops. For all this, in the 19th century, Preston was still a small market town of barely 2,000 people. Industrialisation sparked it into life, and now it considers itself to be the centre of Lancashire life.


Central Lancashire is a 1992 university but it traces its history back to 1828, when it was the Preston Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge. It is centrally located and its students make up a significant proportion of the town's population. A building programme has added new residences, a library and modern facilities to the existing campus - a mix of old and new buildings. There is an outpost at Carlisle - the business school - and another near picturesque Penrith, where courses in animal care, equine studies and land-based subjects are taught.

Top-rated teaching departments

Courses focus on vocation and employability: a reminder of its polytechnic era. Journalism, American studies and modern languages have a good reputation.

Top-rated research departments

Physics, law and history were top of the pops in the 2001 RAE, with a 4 each.

Celebrity academics

The faculty of forensic and investigative science frequently contributes to crime and forensic science programmes. Professor Caroline Watkins in the department of nursing is the only nursing professor of stroke care in the UK.

Head count

It's pretty big, with more than 35,000 students, 58% of them women. About 96% come from state schools. Of the 1,049 members of academic staff, 49% are women.

Academic pay

Variable. Professors of social studies don't fare too well on around £45,000, but engineering lecturers do quite nicely on just over £30,000.


It's a wet old patch of England, this. Bring your wellies.

Transport links

Preston is right in the middle of Lancashire, with Manchester and Liverpool less than an hour away by train -just over that by car. London and Glasgow are under three hours by train. The M6, M61 and M62 mean you can get to Yorkshire, the Midlands, north Wales and the south easily, if not necessarily that quickly. Manchester has an international airport, and you can get the ferry to Ireland or the Isle of Man from Liverpool. Regular buses into town.


Your proximity to Manchester and Liverpool means that really first-rate nightlife is on your doorstep. However, Preston is not devoid of entertainment opportunities. The National Football Museum is based at the Deepdale Stadium, home of Preston North End Football Club. There's also the Harris Museum, housing an impressive collection of art and sculpture, with a lively programme of temporary exhibitions. The Guild Hall &amp;amp; Charter Theatre plays host to major events, concerts, plays and music. There's an indoor market and a modern shopping centre. There are also leisure developments at Riversway, the former docklands. There is breathtaking scenery around Preston, so outdoor activities such as mountain biking, climbing and walking are popular. Or you could always head to Blackpool pleasure beach.


Coupe Green primary is a good choice, or you might want to try Broughton-in-Amounderness CofE primary, for the name if nothing else. Archbishop Temple CofE high school or All Hallows Catholic high school are good choices after that. Hutton CofE grammar school goes mixed post-16 - it's boys only before that.

House prices

Average terraces go for about £89,000, average semis are £123,000 and detached houses £158,000.

What to say in the common room ...

"If Preston is the centre of life in Lancashire, has anyone told Manchester?"

The essentials

·To order a copy of the Guardian University Guide 2005 for £14.99 including free UK p&p, call 0870-066 7850

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