Student support FAQs
Find answers to common questions about library facilities; blackboard; timetables and more. Answers cover topics from accessing emails and files from home to seeking specialist help.
Accommodation
We provide a wide range of student accommodation. When you live in our halls of residence you’ll benefit from a convenient location, modern self-catered facilities, inclusive bills, support from our on-site teams, and a 24-hour security presence. All our accommodation is situated within a short walking distance of our campuses.
Visit our accommodation webpages to find out about our halls communities, what’s on offer and how much it costs. You can apply online here.
Our on campus Medical Centre can help if you are feeling ill, want contraception advice, are concerned about your sexual health, or need information on vaccinations for your trip abroad. You will need to register with the Medical Centre and this webpage will direct you through the process and give you further information, including how to make an appointment with a doctor, our opening hours, plus signposts to ordering prescriptions, family planning and out of hours emergency contacts.
Our main Preston Campus is situated in the heart of Preston city centre. The train station and bus station are just a 10-minute walk to the campus. Our sustainable travel information provides details of the different ways of travelling to UCLan and discounts associated with public transport, cycling, walking, and car sharing.
Blackboard
If you’re using a computer at the University, once you have logged on to the UCLan network, launch the Firefox browser. From the Student Support Site, you can click on the Student Login (Blackboard) link which will take you directly to The Student Portal.
If you’re off campus, you can log in to Blackboard via the website. See the Logging into Blackboard Off Campus guide.
Blackboard is a web-based course management system designed to allow you to participate in classes delivered online or use online materials and activities to complement face-to-face teaching.
The Blackboard Support Site for Students offers a substantial amount of information to help you find your way around Blackboard.
For more information about Blackboard support, the Blackboard environment, Blackboard assessment, course tools, Turnitin Assessments and more, please visit this page.
Please note when using Blackboard, we recommend that you use Mozilla Firefox as your browser. This is available from your Windows taskbar or from the Start menu.
IT and Library
You’ll find our Accessing the Network page really useful. Whether you’re accessing the University network for the first time, need some support with a new password, or want to know how to access your emails and files remotely, this page will guide you in the right direction.
For UCLan mail, go to Office 365 email to login. Enter your full UCLan email address (e.g. another@uclan.ac.uk) and your UCLan password.
Microsoft Office 365 is free for all UCLan students. As a UCLan student you have a free subscription to Office 365, giving you access at home on up to five devices. You will also have access to OneDrive and Office online.
Follow the instructions on this page to get your free copy of Microsoft Office and install on your devices.
Remote Access allows you to log into the University network from any location off campus. From there you’ll be able to access your files, your timetable, and common services and software applications such as your emails, Blackboard and Turnitin.
Before you can use Remote Access you’ll need to install a software application called Citrix Receiver onto your PC or other device. Once you have done this you’ll be able to access the University network by entering your username and password.
Find out more about Remote Access and how to download Citrix Receiver on your machine.
Find out more about the University of Central Lancashire Library, how to access the online Library, search for books, access to the Library Building during COVID, its opening times and much more.
The Library Building provides comfortable, flexible study spaces and offers a wealth of excellent learning resources, extensive collections of information sources and access to expert help and advice.
Visit My Library Account online to renew any books you have borrowed (online), check the details of any books you have borrowed over the last 12 months, or to check the status of any book reservations you have made. You can also do a Library Search, which is searchable via mobile devices.
You can get all the UCLan library and IT support you need. Whether you want to find out more about library facilities, IT and email issues, printing facilities on campus, resetting passwords, questions about your student card, or any other support issue, this will help.
Student support
Here at UCLan we have a dedicated student support team who are here for you throughout your student journey. We are available within the Lower Ground Floor of the Student Centre for all of your support needs. We are your first point of contact for all non-academic enquiries. This could include disability disclosures, student funding concerns and more. We will ensure your queries are heard and that we get the right answers or support in place for you.
Our Student Support site provides advice and information on a wide range of topics relevant to current and prospective UCLan students. If you have any questions, then please contact the Student Information Centre.
The Student Support drop-in provides an alternative space for students to discuss any issues or concerns that they may have in a confidential, non-judgemental, one-to-one setting. We offer support and guidance on a variety of issues including mental health, wellbeing, inclusive support and any other issues that may be impacting your personal or academic life
The drop-in is based on the upper ground floor of the Student Centre and no appointment is required. For more information on our opening times as well as specialist drop-in sessions please visit the Student Hub.
Cite Them Right will help you to reference many different types of source material in a variety of referencing styles. Sources covered include Books, Chapters, Journals, Digital and Internet, Media and Art, Research, Legal materials, Government documents and Communications. It also provides answers to common questions about referencing and helpful guidance to keep you on track.
Visit how to access Cite Them Right it also includes information about further e-resources available.
Our Careers Team are are a friendly, professional and experienced team with expertise in a wide range of areas. We offer services including: careers appointments, specialist careers support, latest vacancies, Career Fit webinar programme, careers fairs and employer events, CareerEDGE interactive learning resources and essential recruitment tools.
Visit Careers for further information.
All assessment results can be viewed securely online by using MyUCLan. Our Assessment webpage will also answer any queries you may have about Assessment and Results at the University of Central Lancashire.
Here at UCLan we have a dedicated international student support team who are here for you throughout your student journey. We want to ensure the transition to the life in the UK goes as smoothly as possible so we offer pre- arrival workshops to introduce you to the support services available to you and other useful information about making the most of your time at UCLan. We also offer a free airport transfer service during the Welcome period to help you get to your campus.
We understand that moving to a new country can be challenging if you are adjusting to a new environment and culture, learning a new language and feeling far away from loved ones. If you want to chat, meet new people, or have any questions, come along to the International Student Support drop-in that takes place every Thursday between 10am and 1pm on the lower ground floor of the Student Centre on Preston Campus.
Timetable
You can view your own personalised timetable here. You will be asked to log in with your UCLan username and password to gain access. If you don't have your username and password, you’ll need to complete your online enrolment.
We try not to make changes to your timetable, but sometimes this is unavoidable. It's really important that we have your up to date contact details to be able to inform you when something does have to change. Here's how we'll get in touch:
Changes within 3 working days will be sent to you via SMS and email.
Changes within 1 week will be sent to you via email only.
Timetable changes that have been requested by your lecturer in advance will just be updated on your online timetable so check it regularly just in case.
You can find your building's code on the Preston Campus map. Room numbers are based on floors so numbers 001-099 are on the Ground Floor, 100-199 are on the First Floor, 200-299 on the Second Floor, and so on.
Visit our key dates page where you’ll find the academic calendar, term dates and all other key dates for the University of Central Lancashire.
These include the start of term, Welcome Week or Welcome back, University examinations, formal publication of results dates and dates of graduation. Please be aware that some courses operate a non-standard Calendar and you can check with your School or Academic Registry if this affects your course.
Cyprus Campus FAQs
Here you can use the links on the right to select the appropriate support information for you.
You will also find the Blackboard Help Guides which are designed for all those studying using Blackboard. This includes staff who are registered as students.
Once you have logged on to the UCLan Cyprus network you can go to the "The Student Portal". This will take you straight to your Blackboard page.
Please note: when you log out of Blackboard you will see the Welcome/Log in page. If you want to log in again then you need to use your UCLan Cyprus network username and password.