2000 – Present
Onwards and upwards

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam ullamcorper lacus nec lacus gravida pharetra. Quisque mollis orci et diam dignissim luctus. Curabitur hendrerit elementum arcu id tempus. Donec bibendum ante maximus purus elementum malesuada. Nulla nulla nisi, feugiat sed lectus sed, venenatis blandit nisl. Vivamus leo mauris, scelerisque et.

The University of Central Lancashire continued to grow and innovate from the start of the 21st century. As well as expanding with three new campuses at Burnley, Westlakes and Cyprus, the University announced its £200m Masterplan which set out to transform the Preston Campus and take the student experience at UCLan to new heights.

2005

Venue 53 opens. Originally known as 53 Degrees, it is the University’s largest conference and entertainment venue. A number of the country’s leading singers, bands and comedians have taken to the stage since it opened in 2005 (including Gary Numan, Kasabian and Dizzee Rascal). It regularly hosts student productions and is now the home of the popular Lancashire Science Festival and Lancashire Arts Festival.

2005

The new Westlakes campus opens in West Cumbria, offering innovative and vocational courses to meet the needs of the region

2007

The University opens two groundbreaking new academic schools.

The new School of Dentistry opened in September 2007 and was the first dental school to be built in Britain for many years.

The new School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences aimed to combat a shortage of pharmacists in the region.

2008

The new Confucius Institute is a partnership between UCLan, Beijing International Studies University and Hanban. It role involves organising regular cultural activities for the benefit of local communities.

It has staged a large number of cultural and educational events and activities in schools, museums, libraries and public venues across Preston and surrounding towns.

2008

The new Media Factory opens, providing state-of-the-art facilities for creative students.

Media production students benefit from a digital television studio, film and photographic studio, editing suites and computing facilities.

Performing Arts students can access theatre spaces which house dance, theatre and music shows.

It’s also home to business start-up incubation spaces and the Media Innovation Studio, an ideas centre for the digital and creative industries.

2009

The new UCLan Burnley campus opens up new learning opportunities for the communities of Pennine Lancashire. It continues to play a strong role in boosting the regional economy.

2011

The new J.B. Firth Building officially opens in September. The £12.5m facility is named after the pioneer who established the north west's first forensic science laboratory in Preston. It is home to the School of Forensic and Applied Sciences, and the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences.

2011

The new Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre opens, named in honour of the legendary Preston North End and England footballer. Facilities include a sports hall with seating for 300 spectators, squash courts, extensive gym facilities and much more.

2012

The new UCLan Cyprus campus opens. The University becomes the first British institution to build its own satellite campus there. It is located in Pyla, an area in the Larnaka district on the eastern part of the island.

Malcolm McVicar, who was Vice-Chancellor when the project was announced, said: “Our vision is to create an international UCLan campus in Cyprus which incorporates superlative teaching and learning, research excellence and extensive knowledge transfer for business interaction in first class surroundings. In short, we will look to mirror the same outstanding educational experience received by our students in the UK.”

2012

The first Lancashire Science Festival opens. It's an action-packed showcase of the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is now a hugely successful annual festival.

During the first two days of the festival hundreds of schoolchildren from around the region are invited to attend a series of thrilling talks and hands-on activities designed to inspire the next generation of scientists. The festival opens its doors to the public on the final day.

2015

Professor Mike Thomas becomes the new Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Mike, an ex-submariner, has worked on projects for many years which support military discharged service personnel to find new life and career opportunities. His research interests include kindness and compassion in leadership.

2015

The University unveils its £200m Masterplan, a ten-year vision to transform the Preston Campus.

Key developments are to include the construction of the £30m+ Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) building and the new ‘Adelphi Square’ which will provide an iconic walkway between the city and the University.

Other projects announced included new Social Spaces for students and staff, the Oasis Multi-faith Centre, and a new Student Services building. Progress is well underway. The new Social Spaces (pictured inset) opened in early 2018 and the EIC is set to open in 2019.

2016

Ranvir Singh, the popular Preston-born journalist and television presenter, is appointed as the University’s new Chancellor.

Ranvir has appeared as a regular presenter on Good Morning Britain and ITV News as well as hosting her own primetime series 'Real Stories with Ranvir Singh'.

2017

Keen stargazers and local astronomy enthusiasts joined University staff to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Moor Park Observatory on its 90th birthday.

The facility is used as an activities centre for community groups. Its large telescope, featuring an eight inch refractor dating from the 19th century, can be used to explore the skies over Preston and observe the sun, moon and stars.

2017

Professor Lubaina Himid MBE is crowned the winner of the 2017 Turner Prize.

Regarded as one of the pioneers of the British black arts movement back in the 1980s, Lubaina has spent her 35-year career shining a light on the trade in enslaved people and the contribution made by the people of the Black Diaspora.

2018

The University announces a year of celebrations to mark the 190th anniversary of the founding of the Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge back in 1828. A series of events for alumni, students, staff and friends of the University will be announced soon.

1828 - 1899
Founding years

View Decade

1828 - 1899 Founding years

1828 - 1899
Founding years