Plan your Open Day

It’s easy to reach our Preston Campus by rail, bus or car. We’re located in the heart of the city centre, just a 10-minute walk from Preston railway station and Preston bus station.

Find out more about how to get to Preston Campus.

Claim a travel bursary

As a university, we aim to provide access to higher education for as many people as possible. We recognise that some of the barriers to higher education are financial.

We are unable to specifically cover travel costs for the Open Days on Sunday 18 August. However, we are trialling an Open Day Travel Bursary, paid in the form of a £40 retail voucher.

This voucher is available for students from outside of the North West. If you're a fully registered attendee (prospective student) living outside of the North West, you will receive the voucher to help offset your travel costs. The voucher can be redeemed in a number of high street stores. Vouchers will be emailed to eligible attendees after the event.

Those living in the following postcode areas are not eligible for this voucher: PR, BB, FY, BL, WN, M, LA, L, OL, WA, SK, CH and CW.

If you’re travelling by car, you can park for free on any of our University car parks. The closest to the Student Centre are listed below:

• Fylde Road Car Park (PR1 2XN)
• Roeburn Car Park (PR2 2QQ)
• Leighton Car Park (PR1 7EX)
• Victoria Car Park (PR1 7QS)
• Harrington Car Park (PR1 7BG)

On arrival please head to our Student Centre (PR1 2HE) to check-in and pick up your Open Day campus map.

Make use of the Open Day campus map. We've highlighted key buildings to help you find your way. 

Don't worry if you aren't sure where to go, staff and student ambassadors will be around to help you get to where you need to be.

Our check-in point is the Student Centre. Have your QR code ready to scan and don’t forget to bring the programme you received in the post. You can pick up a campus map from our friendly check-in staff. 

Don’t worry if you’re running late, you can check in throughout the day.

Welcome talk
Attend a 30-minute introduction to UCLan from our Vice-Chancellor. These are held at different times on the day. 

Help yourself to a free hot or cold drink at our cafés. You'll be given a voucher when you check in. We also usually offer breakfast barms (sandwiches) for just £1 from Foster and Harrington Buildings.

You can also grab a bite to eat throughout the day at:

• University Square
• Foster Building
• Student Centre
• Media Factory
• Harrington Building

You might already know what you want to study, or maybe you're undecided. Whatever stage in your journey you are, there are lots of opportunities to discover everything you need to know.

Subject talks and activities
There will be many available activities for you at Open Day. These include subject talks, facilities tours, question and answer (Q & A) panels, and taster sessions. Don't forget to visit both subject sessions if you're interested in a joint programme.

Each session lasts about 30 minutes (unless stated otherwise), and you can attend as many as you like. Many of our subject sessions run twice throughout the day so you can choose the times that suit you. Check out your programme for information on subject talks and activities.

If you can’t make one of our subject talks, head over to our subject stands to speak to our course tutors.

Subject stands
Drop-in and meet our expert tutors and current students throughout the day. This is a great opportunity to have a one-to-one chat. You can ask any questions about your course and the overall student experience. Please see your programme to see where your subject stand is.

Degree Apprenticeships

Considering a Degree Apprenticeship? Our range of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships allow you to gain an academic qualification and degree whilst you work.

Our talk will equip you with all the essential details you require. This includes the various available options, the steps involved, and how our new matchmaking service can help you find opportunities. Details of the talk are available in the programme. If you can't make the talk, visit our stand in the Student Centre. 

Our current students can’t wait to show you around. We also have talks throughout the day on a range of topics from our Student Support Teams. 

Campus tours
Our campus tours take place throughout the day. These leave from the upper ground floor in the Student Centre. The last tour is usually at 2pm and tours take approximately 45 minutes. You can also go on a self-guided tour of UCLan and private accommodation providers.

Sports arena 
You can go on a guided sports arena tour by boarding a coach on Leighton Street (behind the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre). This tour takes around one hour.

Student advice talks
Our talks are packed with lots of useful advice. This includes tips on writing your personal statement and submitting your application. You can also find out about student finance and our accommodation.

Student life talks
This is a great way to find out what it's really like to be a student at UCLan. Our current students will be here to share their top tips and answer all your questions.

Our student support services can help you get the most out of university life. Meet our teams in the Student Centre. They can help with any questions you might have, from your application to student finance. They will be available on the Upper Ground Floor of the Student Centre from 9am to 3pm.

Chat to our friendly students who are easy to spot as they will be wearing red. They'll be happy to answer any questions you have about life at UCLan.

Our average monthly rent is the 3rd cheapest in the UK and the cheapest in North West England (Save the Student, 2023). We also guarantee all new, full-time students a place in halls on Preston Campus. 

Accommodation tours
Guided accommodation tours also run throughout the day, departing from the Upper Ground Floor in the Student Centre. The last tour is usually at 2pm.

Alternatively, you can drop into our accommodation throughout the day. You can also go on a self-guided tour of our private accommodation providers.

Discover Preston city centre with our exclusive offers. These can be redeemed in local restaurants, cafés and hotels.

Subject to availability, we are making on-the-spot offers for some of our courses starting this September. This means that if you’ve not already applied for a university course via UCAS, you can secure your place for this September.