Living in Lancaster

Lancaster University graduates are in high demand by companies based all over the world, but there are plenty of opportunities closer to home too. Lancaster is known for its growing economy across a range of sectors, including technology, healthcare, manufacturing and education. 

Lancaster’s proximity to the Lake District makes it an excellent location for careers in tourism and hospitality, while the cities of Manchester and Liverpool offer further opportunities in finance, media, tech, creative industries and more. 

Lancaster is known for its cultural diversity, offering an array of food from all over the world and catering for a wide variety of palates. Explore the city’s international food scene, which includes everything from a Japanese sushi bar to authentic Italian trattorias, Indian curry houses and cool Mediterranean cafés. 

Regular markets sell a variety of global street food, as well as local produce that’s perfect for recreating your favourite dishes. There’s even an international supermarket on campus, so you’ll never be far from a taste of home. 

Lancaster offers a lower cost student lifestyle, with rent prices up to 70.4% cheaper than London on average (Numbeo.com 2023). 

Estimated budget (for illustrative purposes only, actual costs may vary) 

Sources include Numbeo.com 2023 

Lancaster is easy to explore on foot or via one of the many bike-friendly routes in and around the city. There’s also a well-developed bus network offering low-cost public transport and providing university students with a reliable link between the campus and city center. 

The railway station offers connections to major destinations across the country – and Lancaster’s convenient location in the middle of the UK makes it perfect for exploring further afield. 

A rich history and diverse community come together to create Lancaster’s vibrant cultural scene, making it a must-visit destination for art, history, music and literature enthusiasts from all over the world. You could visit: 

• Lancaster Castle – a symbol of the city’s medieval heritage, holding events and exhibitions that tell the stories of its past 

• The Dukes – a renowned arts center that hosts everything from contemporary theater to live music concerts 

• one of the many annual festivals, such as Highest Point music festival, Light Up Lancaster, Lancaster Chinese New Year and Lancaster Literature Festival 

• a wide variety of coffee shops, pubs, restaurants, independent shops and markets.

Sport is integral to Lancaster’s community – so whatever your preferred activity, you’ll find something you enjoy. Lancaster University contributes to the city’s sporting spirit with its state-of-the-art sports center, hosting events and providing first-class facilities for students at the community. 

Lancaster’s scenic surroundings offer the perfect backdrop for a wide variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling and water sports on the many lakes of the Lake District.