Plan your Open Day
Our next Preston Open Day is on Saturday 30 November 2024. You'll get to see our Preston city centre campus and meet our students and staff. You'll also find out about our subjects and tour the facilities and accommodation.
Before you visit, it's important to prepare for your Open Day so you can get the most out of your experience. Take a look at the information below to help you plan your day.
This page includes information about:
- How to get here and get around
- What to expect at your Open Day
- Accommodation
- Preston city centre
- Exclusive Open Day offers and discounts
Key steps to getting the most out of 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.
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 collect important information, including your treat token and drink voucher.
Make use of our interactive map or you can download 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.
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Time Location 9.40am - 10.10am Harrington Building Lecture Theatre (Ground Floor) 10.20am - 10.50am Harrington Building Lecture Theatre (Ground Floor) 12.50pm - 1.20pm Engineering Innovation Centre, Third Floor ( 317) Help yourself to a free hot or cold drink at our cafés. You'll be given a voucher when you check in. We also 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
- Students' Union
- Harrington Building
Don't forget to collect your treat token from the check-in desk too. You can redeem these at different places across campus.
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.
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Time Location 12.30pm - 1pm Foster Building, Lecture Theatre 4 (Ground Floor) Our talk will give you with all the essential details you require. This includes the available options, the steps involved, and how our matchmaking service can help you find opportunities.
If you can't make the talk, visit our stands in the Student Centre, Engineering Innovation Centre or Harrington Building.
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.
Library tours
You can take a guided tour of the library and see all the resources there. Just pop into the library, tours are leaving regularly throughout the day.
Sports arena
You can go on a guided sports arena tour by boarding a coach outside Brook Building. The coach departs at 12.30pm and 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. And we have a student life talk, which 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.
Some of the sessions are repeated in the morning and afternoon, so you don't need to attend both.
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Talk Time Location Personal statement workshop 9.40am - 10.10am
Greenbank Building Lecture Theatre (Ground Floor) Financial support 10.20am - 10.50am Adelphi Building Lecture Theatre 1 (Ground Floor) Student life 11am - 11.30am Foster Building Lecture Theatre 1 (Ground Floor) Accommodation 11.45am - 12.15pm Foster Building Lecture Theatre 3 (Ground Floor) Financial support 12.30pm - 1pm Foster Building Lecture Theatre 3 (Ground Floor) Accommodation 1pm - 1.30pm Adelphi Building Lecture Theatre 1 (Ground Floor) Personal statement workshop 1.20pm - 1.50pm Foster Building Lecture Theatre 1 (Ground Floor) 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.
Starting at only £85 per week, our on campus accommodation is almost half the national average. 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.
Student living costs
Considering university and concerned about finances? We're the most affordable uni in the country according to The Times (2023). Discover how to manage your finances and explore the support available.
Visit our cost of living support hubWhy choose Preston?
Preston is a vibrant, bustling and multicultural city in the heart of the North West. It's home to a thriving community of thousands of students, making it the perfect place to live, work and play.
Here you get to enjoy the best of both worlds. A buzzing student city right on your doorstep, together with beautiful green spaces to relax and unwind in. It’s small enough to get around on foot and to get to know. But it has a big personality and its own unique character.
Whatever you’re looking for in a student city, you’ll find it in Preston.
Proud Preston
We’re so proud of our northern home. It’s officially the best city in North England to live and work. (Demos-PWC Good Growth for Cities Index, 2023)Low cost of living
Renting in Preston is around 20% cheaper than Manchester. Eating out in Preston is 25% cheaper than in Liverpool. (Numbeo, 2023)Live well
Preston stands out for jobs, housing and safety. It also has good income distribution and transport. (Demos-PWC Good Growth for Cities Index, 2023)Safe city
Preston has a reputation as one of the safest cities to live in. It holds Purple Flag status, awarded for its low crime rates, nightlife and visitor attractions.
Discover Preston city centre
Explore Preston with our exclusive discounts that can be redeemed in local restaurants, cafés and hotels.
Any questions?
We're excited to see you
If you've got questions before or after attending our Open Day, we have an Open Day frequently asked questions page. Alternatively, please free to get in touch with our friendly team.
Useful links
Accommodation
There’s something special about living in university accommodation, especially if it’s your first time away from home. With a wide range of accommodation options, we'll help you find the right place for you.
Student support
We pride ourselves on our excellent student support services, we offer expert advice and support with health and wellbeing, inclusive support, financial advice and much more.
Life in Preston
At university, you'll make friends for life, explore your potential and discover new passions. There are plenty more reasons why you'll love living in Preston too.