Overview of University Rankings

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has established itself as a respected institution in the UK higher education landscape, known for its practical, career-focused programs and strong industry links. Rankings provide a snapshot of its performance across various metrics, including teaching quality, research output, student satisfaction, and employability. These evaluations are conducted by independent bodies like the Complete University Guide, The Guardian University Guide, Times Higher Education (THE), and QS World University Rankings. UCLan's rankings reflect its commitment to accessibility, innovation, and real-world application, particularly in fields like health, engineering, and creative arts. Below, we explore its standings in detail, highlighting trends and strengths.

UK National Rankings

In national rankings, UCLan consistently performs well among modern universities (those established post-1992). It emphasizes student experience and graduate outcomes, which bolsters its position. Here's a breakdown of its recent UK rankings:

• Complete University Guide 2024: Ranked 82nd out of 130 UK universities. This guide assesses entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, and graduate prospects. UCLan scores highly in student satisfaction (78%) and graduate prospects (74%), reflecting its vocational approach.
• The Guardian University Guide 2024: Positioned 71st overall. The Guardian focuses on teaching quality, career prospects, and value added. UCLan excels in value added (top 20%), indicating it helps students from diverse backgrounds achieve strong outcomes.
• Times Higher Education (THE) UK Rankings 2024: 91st place. This ranking incorporates the National Student Survey (NSS) data, with UCLan achieving 80% overall satisfaction in the 2023 NSS.

Over the past five years, UCLan has shown steady improvement. For instance, in the Complete University Guide, it rose from 99th in 2020 to 82nd in 2024, driven by enhancements in research and international outlook.

UCLan UK Rankings Trend (2019-2024)

Year	Complete University Guide	Guardian University Guide	THE UK Ranking
2019	104th	102nd	101st
2020	99th	95th	98th
2021	97th	90th	95th
2022	90th	82nd	92nd
2023	85th	75th	89th
2024	82nd	71st	91st

This table illustrates UCLan's upward trajectory, particularly post-2020, coinciding with investments in digital learning and campus facilities during the pandemic.

Global University Rankings

On the international stage, UCLan is recognized for its growing research profile and global partnerships. While it doesn't yet compete with ancient universities like Oxford or Cambridge, its rankings highlight accessibility for international students and collaborative projects.

• QS World University Rankings 2024: Placed in the 1001-1200 band globally. QS evaluates academic reputation, employer reputation, and citations per faculty. UCLan's employer reputation score is a standout at 25.5/100, underscoring its employability focus.
• Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024: 801-1000 band. THE assesses teaching (30%), research environment (30%), research quality (30%), international outlook (7.5%), and industry income (2.5%). UCLan scores 28.4/100 in international outlook, thanks to its diverse student body from over 120 countries.
• Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Rankings) 2023: Not ranked in the top 1000, but UCLan appears in subject-specific global lists, particularly in clinical medicine and nursing.

UCLan's global presence is expanding, with campuses in Cyprus, China, and partnerships in the US and Europe. In the QS Sustainability Rankings 2024, it ranks 601-650, reflecting initiatives in green campuses and sustainable education.

Subject-Specific Rankings

UCLan shines in vocational and applied subjects, where its hands-on teaching and industry ties give it an edge. The university offers over 400 undergraduate and 200 postgraduate programs across 20 schools, with strengths in health sciences, journalism, and engineering.

Key highlights from the Complete University Guide 2024 subject rankings:

• Health Professions (Nursing, Midwifery, etc.): 21st in the UK. UCLan's School of Nursing and Midwifery is renowned for simulation-based training and high employability (95% of graduates in work or further study within six months).
• Journalism and Communication: 10th. The Lancashire School of Journalism benefits from the on-campus Blog Preston and student-run media, fostering real-world experience.
• Forensic Science: 5th. UCLan's forensic facilities, including a mock crime scene house, attract top rankings for research and teaching quality.
• Built Environment (Architecture, Civil Engineering): 32nd. Strong industry placements with firms like Arup and Balfour Beatty.
• Education and Teaching: 45th. Programs emphasize inclusive education, with high NSS scores (85% satisfaction).

In the Guardian University Guide 2024, UCLan ranks 1st for Fashion and Textiles, 7th for Hospitality and Tourism, and 15th for Criminology. Globally, in QS Subject Rankings 2023, its Art & Design program falls in the 201-240 band, boosted by the Leeds School of Arts integration.

Top Subject Rankings (UK, Complete University Guide 2024)

Subject	UK Rank	Key Strength
Nursing	21st	Employability (95%)
Forensic Science	5th	Facilities & Research
Journalism	10th	Student Media
Fashion & Textiles	1st (Guardian)	Industry Links
Criminology	15th (Guardian)	Practical Training

These rankings underscore UCLan's niche expertise. For weaker areas like theoretical physics (around 80th), the university is investing in interdisciplinary programs to improve.

Student Satisfaction and Employability

Student feedback is a cornerstone of UCLan's rankings. In the 2023 National Student Survey (NSS), UCLan achieved an overall satisfaction rate of 80%, above the sector average of 76%. Specific praises include organization and management (82%) and learning resources (84%).

Employability is another forte: 94% of graduates are in employment or further study 15 months post-graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022). UCLan's careers service, with over 1,000 employer partnerships, contributes to this. It ranks 65th in the UK for graduate prospects in the Complete University Guide 2024.

• International Student Satisfaction: UCLan scores 4.2/5 on platforms like Whatuni, with international students appreciating cultural support and visa assistance.
• Accessibility: As a widening participation university, it supports underrepresented groups, ranking highly in social mobility metrics (top 30% in THE Impact Rankings 2023).

Research Rankings and Impact

UCLan's research has grown significantly since gaining university status in 1992. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 74% of its research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent. It submitted to 58 units of assessment, with strengths in allied health professions (100% world-leading for impact) and clinical sciences.

Globally, UCLan's research citation impact is improving, contributing to its THE research quality score of 25.8/100. Key centers include the Lancashire Institute for Clinical Evaluation and the Centre for Excellence in Media Practice. In 2023, it secured £15 million in research funding, focusing on sustainability and digital health.

In the THE Impact Rankings 2023 (measuring UN Sustainable Development Goals), UCLan ranks 301-400 globally, excelling in partnerships for goals (SDG 17) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10).

Conclusion: Why Rankings Matter for UCLan

UCLan's rankings paint a picture of a dynamic, student-centered university that punches above its weight in applied disciplines. While not in the elite global top 100, its mid-tier UK position (70-90 range) offers excellent value, with lower tuition fees and high ROI through employability. Prospective students should consider these metrics alongside personal fit—UCLan's Preston campus provides a vibrant, affordable student life with easy access to Manchester and Liverpool.

For the latest updates, rankings can fluctuate annually based on new data. UCLan continues to invest in scholarships, facilities like the new Engineering Innovation Centre, and online programs to enhance its profile. Overall, it stands as a solid choice for career-oriented education.