A collegiate university is one which is structured around individual colleges. Each college has its own atmosphere and loyalties, its own social facilities, and organises a whole range of sporting and social functions.
Once you progress to your undergraduate degree course at the University you will become a full member of one of the eight undergraduate colleges.
- All students and university staff are members of a college
- All students have a college personal tutor
- Colleges mean close-knit, friendly, democratic communities
- You can develop your CV by getting involved in the running of your college
- Every college has its own bar and social facilities, and runs social events e.g. Christmas Balls, Summer Parties
- You can play sport for your college
- Students graduate with their college, not their department
- There is a 24-hour porter service during term time within the Colleges
- College affiliation is for life, not just while you study
The colleges - the heart and soul of Lancaster University
For students, the colleges are the heart and soul of the University. Each college is a self-governing constituent body of Lancaster University that provides social and study facilities; a one-stop shop for practical support and information; and, for those living on campus, residential accommodation.
You won’t just be 1 in 11,000
Being a student at Lancaster means you won’t get lost in amongst the 11,000 students who are here. The collegiate system ensures you are part of a smaller close-knit community - your college community. The colleges make Lancaster one of the friendliest universities around.
Friendly support from day one
From your very first day at Lancaster, the colleges will play an important part in your life. College staff and students will be on hand to show you around and help you settle in. The college will make sure your first week is a fun, friendly and exciting time. Your college will soon become your new home.
The best way to make new friends
You’ll be mixing with student friends who aren’t all studying the same subject as you, so you get a broader informal education here. Also, in your department, the students you’re studying with will be members of other colleges - so you get to have friends all over campus.
Help run your own college
Student participation is one of Lancaster’s strong points, with more opportunities for students to get involved than any other university. Students play a large part in deciding how their college is run, making sure their needs and requests are met. This is not only good fun, but also a great way to develop additional skills to enhance future employment prospects.
Overview of the Colleges
The colleges are a highly distinctive feature of campus life. The eight undergraduate colleges on campus are described below. The college locations are marked on this map of campus accommodation (
, 242KB).
- Bowland College
- Cartmel College
- The County College
- Furness College
- Fylde College
- Grizedale College
- Lonsdale College
- Pendle College
Bowland College
Located at the heart of campus, next to Alexandra Square, Bowland is one of the smaller colleges at Lancaster. It has a friendly atmosphere and a strong sense of pride, purpose and fun. Nearly everyone either plays for, or supports, one of the College sports teams. Bowland has a networked computer-study room; a snooker room and an off-campus and mature students’ lounge (containing networked PCs).
Cartmel College
Cartmel College is located to the south end of campus next to Alexandra Park. The College is very popular and has a great social spirit and easy-going atmosphere. It has very impressive accommodation and social facilities including the largest dining facility on campus, an outside covered area and real-effect log woodburners so that you can study in warmth and comfort.
The County College
Located at the north end of campus, The County College is centred around a peaceful quadrangle. The internal layout and design of the College enables students to get to know each other extremely quickly and there is a strong sense of college loyalty. Its bar, games rooms, coffee shop and lounges have all been newly refurbished and are based in a convenient location, making County a popular meeting place for both its own members and those from other colleges.
Furness College
Furness College occupies a fairly central location for easy access to most academic and social facilities. Furness is a friendly college with an active social, sporting and cultural life and a strong sense of community. The College Bar has been listed in the UK Good Real Ale Guide and holds an annual real ale festival which is always popular. The College recently completed a major refurbishment including new accommodation facilities.
Fylde College
Fylde College is located near the Sports Centre, and is renowned for its sporting prowess, often winning the Carter Shield for inter-collegiate sport. The college has an inclusive ethos which encourages the participation and tolerance of others. Its facilities include a non-alcoholic social space and very popular coffee bar. The college bar is well frequented by many across campus and is like a traditional English pub. The college recently completed a major refurbishment of its residential facilities.
Grizedale College
Grizedale College is located at the southern end of campus close to the Management School. It is renowned for its friendly and extremely sociable atmosphere. Grizedale has brand new accommodation following a complete re-build. The College building is being redeveloped to provide new offices, bar, social and academic space during 2009, and some disturbance may result from this.
Lonsdale College
Lonsdale College occupies a modern, purpose-built building at the south end of campus and has fantastic student accommodation, social and study facilities. It also has a wireless connection for laptops in the bar area and a non-alcoholic social space on the first floor of the college building. It’s set to become one of the largest and most vibrant colleges on campus and has a bar which feels like a trendy city-centre bar/nightclub. Lonsdale’s new social space boasts a dedicated chill out facility, DJ booth, dance floor, couches and a games room.
Pendle College
Pendle College is one of the larger colleges on campus with a well-developed sense of community. Pendle offers students a chance to be a part of a strong and friendly college community and looks for students who will contribute to the continued success of the college. It has one of the largest bars on campus and so is a popular place for many on campus to meet. Pendle is proud of its strong academic and sporting achievements and also enjoys a friendly tradition of socialising and fun.
Read more information about Lancaster's colleges