University of Cumbria

History

• The University of Cumbria was formed on 1 August 2007 through the merger of St Martin's College, Cumbria Institute of the Arts and the Cumbria campuses of the University of Central Lancashire.
• The new university’s roots can be traced back to the 19th century with the establishment of the Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts in 1822 and Charlotte Mason College in 1896.

Location and transport

• The university has a number of campuses and sites. All have their own distinct identity but all have one common feature – they are all small and friendly.
• Our largest campuses are in Carlisle and Lancaster. Carlisle is an attractive city with a fine historical centre. It is less than ten miles from the border with Scotland, close to the Lake District and has excellent road and rail links.  Lancaster too has a historical centre and a strong student vibe as the city is home to two universities. It also has excellent road and rail links and is an easy journey to Manchester, Liverpool and other northern cities.
• The much of the university’s science, outdoors, forestry and conservation courses are currently based at Penrith in Cumbria. Plans are being developed to re-locate the provision to Ambleside in the Lake District. The Ambleside campus is located in the famous Lake District destination and is housed in its own extensive grounds. The Lakeland Fells are right on its doorstep and Windermere is very close by.
• From Tower Hamlets in London, the university offers a range of teacher training and associated courses. The campus is easily reached from Mile End Tube.
• A brand new Sustainable Energy degree and other science courses are offered by the university at Workington in a state of the art building –Energus – shared with partner organisations. The town is close to the Lake District and Cumbrian coast.

Entry standards

• The university uses the UCAS tariff system; details of course requirements can be found with each course description on the website. More details on entry standards at the University of Cumbria are available on the website.

Course flexibility

• Many of the courses can be studied part-time.

Research standards

• Research is an integral part of the work of the university and covers a diversity of subject areas.
• Recent work has included agricultural pollution control, energy saving in social housing, developing programmes in public health and social services with universities in Moldova, Georgia and Armenia, care of refugees and asylum seekers who have suffered abuse, and transferring knowledge of drawing and textile design with a range of European partner organisations.

Academic strengths

• A long-standing engagement with the creative arts gives the university particular strengths in Art, Design and Media.
• The university has a long track record of successfully training teachers, nurses and allied health professionals.
• Among other strengths are English, Forestry, Conservation History, Sport, Business, and Religious Studies.

Student facilities

• Learning and eResources accessible 24/7.
• Blackboard  - the online learning environment where students and staff can collaborate on work from any location 24/7, including accessible through a smartphone app.
• Extensive library resources.
• Excellent support service covering, learning and study skills finance, child care, disability and special needs.
• Sports Centres in Carlisle, Lancaster and Penrith.

Students' Union

• The Students' Union is central to the educational, social, cultural and sporting life of the university and ensures that students have a say in the running of the university.
• The union is the place for advice and help, involvement in sport, membership of a society, or just fun.

Sport

• Sport features highly at the university. There are countless clubs and societies.
• The university has extensive sports facilities, from a climbing wall and football pitchs, to dance studios. All abilities are catered for.

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