The Lancaster University campus is set in 250 acres of parkland. Academic departments, colleges, the library, banks, shops and sporting and recreational facilities are all situated on campus making life cheaper, safer and easier than in many other places.
The University shares with the local community its cultural and recreational facilities - theatre studio, art gallery, concert hall, multi-denominational Chaplaincy Centre and a large and well-equipped sports complex. The numerous bars and eating places on campus are open to students and visitors alike.
A safe environment
In the 2006 International Student Barometer survey, 96 per cent of students at Lancaster were impressed with the high levels of safety on campus – the highest satisfaction rating of any other institution participating in the survey.
Campus layout
The campus is designed around a covered walkway - the 'Spine' - which runs the length of the site, from north to south. Residences, teaching rooms, research laboratories and shops extend along and either side of the Spine, providing a large, safe pedestrian area. The Student Village, providing exceptional accommodation facilities, is located at the south west of the campus.
At the heart of the campus, Alexandra Square (see a 360 degree panorama) contains the Students’ Union offices and the Library, together with various shops and banks.
Read more about life at the Lancaster ISC
Meet our student bloggers Betul and Alexandra. Find out what it is like to live in the UK, what they study at Lancster and what it is like to be a student at the ISC.
Read the My life as an international student blog.
On-campus facilities include:
Amenities and Services
We asked ISC students: "What do you like most about the campus?"
- Sports centre
- My College
- Our school is the most beautiful place on campus
- The Chinese restaurant
- It's very convenient that there are many facilities
- The atmosphere is not rushed or crowded
- Good ambience for study
- The student-friendly environment is very homely
- The teachers - they are all very nice
- Living with local students so I can know different cultures
- Every college has different activity
- My bedroom - I enjoy my own space
- The scenery, the view and the fresh air
- The library is so big and silent- I study everyday
- It's peaceful and life is comfortable
- - Health Centre (including dental clinic and nurse unit)
- Pharmacy
- Launderettes (and dry cleaning service)
- Post Office
- JobShop
- Volunteering Unit
- Careers Service
- Lancaster House Hotel and Restaurant
- Housing and Accommodation Office
- Conference Centre
- Library
- Counselling Service
- Disabilities Service
- Chaplaincy Centre
Sporting and Recreational
- Swimming pool
- Tennis and Squash courts
- Life fitness and Weights rooms
- Sauna and sunbeds
- Cross country and Orienteering courses
- Climbing wall
- Football and Rugby pitches
- Crown green bowling
- Floodlit hard play area
- Snooker and pool rooms
- Nine college bars and associated social facilities
Shops and Banks
- Barclays Bank
- NatWest Bank
- Link (ATMs)
- Spar supermarket
- Central Stores Co-op
- Computer Supply Shop
- Waterstones Bookshop
- Car Sales and Petrol Station
- Cancer Care Charity Shop
- Endsleigh Insurance Ltd
- Baker and Confectioner
- Book Bindery and Printer
- Hairdresser
- LUSU Shop
- Newsagents
- Travel Agent
Food and Restaurants
There is a wide selection of restaurants, snack bars and fast food outlets on campus (including a curry house, burger bar and chinese restaurant). In addition, each of the colleges has its own Coffee shop, and there is a food court dining venue in the Student Village. Visit the University's Catering services web pages for more information and sample menus.
View a 360 degree panorama of a cafe on campus.
Public Arts
- Nuffield Theatre
- Peter Scott Art Gallery
- Lancaster International Concert Series
- Ruskin Library