School of Business, University of Central Lancashire

The School of Business at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), formerly known as Lancashire Business School, is based in Preston, England. Situated at the heart of UCLan’s main campus, the school offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, top-up, and professional programmes in areas such as business, management, marketing, accounting, finance, human resources, hospitality, tourism, and international business. It also provides degree apprenticeships and CPD short courses, including Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualifications.

The School maintains strong industry connections, with students gaining real-world experience through placements and exchanges. Past placement partners include global companies like Adidas, IBM, PwC, Disney, British Airways, and BAE Systems. Entrepreneurship is actively encouraged through the university’s dedicated start-up support programme, Propeller. UCLan holds the Small Business Charter (SBC) and was named Best Entrepreneurial University at the Educate North Awards 2023, recognising its support for small businesses and start-ups.

A number of programmes are accredited by leading professional bodies including ACCA, CIMA, CIPD, CIM, and CIPR, offering students exemptions or joint awards. The School is also a member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) and the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).

Nearly a third of the School’s research was rated as “world-leading” or “internationally significant” in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. It hosts six research institutes, contributing to knowledge in various business fields. In the Times Good University Guide 2023, UCLan was ranked 1st in the North West for teaching quality in Business, Management and Marketing.

The School of Business at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), formerly known as Lancashire Business School, is located in the heart of Preston, Lancashire, England. It is a key academic unit of UCLan, situated centrally within the university’s main campus near the city centre. The school plays a significant role in delivering business education, research, and professional training, aligning closely with the university’s mission to provide accessible and industry-relevant learning.

UCLan’s history dates back to 1828, with the foundation of the Institution for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. This evolved over time into Preston Polytechnic, then Lancashire Polytechnic, and eventually became the University of Central Lancashire in 1992. Within this broader institutional journey, the business school was established to meet the increasing demand for business education in the North West of England. The school initially operated as Lancashire Business School before being renamed the School of Business, reflecting its expanded role and academic offerings.

The School of Business offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. At the undergraduate level, courses span Business and Management, Accounting and Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, Marketing, Hospitality, and Tourism, many with foundation year options. At the postgraduate level, the school offers advanced degrees including MSc programmes in Digital Marketing Communications, Finance and Data Analytics, International Business and Management, and Supply Chain Management. It also delivers a respected MBA with Professional Placement, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and a selection of research-focused degrees such as MRes in Management and Sustainability. In addition, the School offers top-up degrees, degree apprenticeships, and professional development short courses including CMI-accredited programmes and a Mini MBA.

Research is a central focus of the School. According to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), nearly a third of its research output was judged to be either “world-leading” or “internationally significant.” The School is home to six research institutes which contribute to academic scholarship and provide consultancy and applied research services to business and public sector organisations.

Professional accreditation forms an important part of the School’s academic structure. A number of its programmes are accredited by key industry bodies, including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). This enables students to earn joint qualifications or gain exemptions from professional exams. The School is also affiliated with the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS), the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), and is a member of the SAP University Alliance.

The School of Business has strong links with industry and supports applied learning through placement opportunities, live projects, and study abroad schemes. Students have undertaken placements with well-known companies such as Adidas, BAE Systems, British Airways, Disney, IBM, KPMG, L’Oréal, PwC, and Universal Studios. The school also operates “Propeller”, a business support unit designed to help students and graduates launch their own start-ups. This initiative reflects UCLan’s broader mission to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.

The School’s commitment to enterprise and engagement with the local economy has been recognised through the award of the Small Business Charter (SBC). In 2023, UCLan was named Best Entrepreneurial University at the Educate North Awards. These recognitions underline the university’s role in supporting thousands of student businesses and contributing to economic development in the region.

UCLan’s Business, Management and Marketing undergraduate programmes were ranked first in the North West for teaching quality in the Times Good University Guide 2023. This distinction reflects the School’s emphasis on academic rigour, real-world experience, and graduate employability. Courses are shaped by contemporary business insight and delivered by research-active staff with practical experience in their respective fields.

The School of Business at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) offers a comprehensive range of academic programmes across undergraduate, postgraduate, top-up, apprenticeship, and continuing professional development (CPD) levels. These courses are designed to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to succeed in various sectors of business, finance, marketing, tourism, and management.

At the undergraduate level, UCLan offers several degree options with or without a foundation year. Key programmes include Business & Marketing, Accounting & Finance, International Hospitality Management, International Tourism Management, Business & Human Resource Management, and Business & Management. Each of these subject areas also offers a foundation year option to support students who require additional academic preparation. Additional undergraduate options include International Business, Business Administration, and Accounting & Financial Studies, which are also available in top-up formats for those who have completed relevant prior study.

In the area of postgraduate education, the School provides a variety of specialist programmes. These include the MSc in International Hospitality and Tourism Management, MSc in Digital Marketing Communications, MSc in Finance and Data Analytics, and MSc in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. The School also offers the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), which is aimed at experienced professionals seeking a research-based qualification equivalent in status to a PhD. Other postgraduate programmes include MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, MSc in Human Resource Management, MSc in International Business and Management, MSc in Strategic Leadership, MSc in Supply Chain Management, and MSc in Sustainable Management and Leadership. The MRes in Management and MRes in Sustainability and Management are available for those seeking a research-focused qualification.

Degree apprenticeships are also offered by the School, providing opportunities to combine work-based learning with academic study. These include the BA (Hons) Digital Marketing, BSc (Hons) Accounting Finance Management, BA (Hons) Business Management, and PGDip in Business Administration (Executive). These programmes are developed in partnership with employers and provide students with on-the-job experience alongside their academic development.

Additionally, the School offers CPD programmes for professionals seeking to enhance their skills. These include the CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership, CMI Level 5 Project Management, the Help to Grow: Management Course, and a Mini MBA. These short courses support professionals in acquiring targeted knowledge to progress in their careers or improve organisational performance.

The School of Business at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has received recognition for the quality of its teaching and its commitment to student success and enterprise.

In the Times Good University Guide 2023, UCLan’s undergraduate programmes in Business, Management, and Marketing were ranked 1st in the North West for teaching quality. 

UCLan has also been recognised for its commitment to supporting small businesses and student entrepreneurship. It holds the Small Business Charter (SBC), which is awarded to business schools in the United Kingdom that demonstrate excellence in enterprise engagement. 

Further recognition came at the Educate North Awards 2023, where UCLan was named Best Entrepreneurial University of the Year.

The job integration rate—frequently referred to as the graduate employment or graduate outcomes rate, for the School of Business at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) reflects the strong employability of its graduates.

While UCLan does not publish employability statistics specifically for individual schools, available university-wide data offers a reliable indication. According to figures released in July 2018 by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 95.5?% of UCLan’s full?time, first?degree graduates based in the UK entered employment or further study within six months of graduation. This represents a record high for the university, surpassing its previous rates and the national average of 94.6?% at that time .

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