How to Visit the University of Lancashire Campus or Attend an Open Day

The University of Lancashire runs staffed Open Days and campus tours, and the next Preston Open Day is Sunday 11 October. You book a place through the university website, and if travel cost is a barrier, the university offers up to £50 towards the cost of travelling to that Open Day. This guide covers what each option involves, how to prepare, and the details worth checking before you go.

Open Days: the main way to visit

An Open Day is a scheduled, staffed event rather than a self-guided walk-in. The university promotes the next Preston Open Day on Sunday 11 October and asks prospective students to book a place in advance.

Booking your place

1. Go to the University of Lancashire website (lancashire.ac.uk).
2. Find the Open Day section — it appears in the homepage carousel and in the "Visit us on campus" block.
3. Select the Preston Open Day on Sunday 11 October.
4. Complete the booking form to reserve your place.

Expected result: you receive confirmation of your booking, which you should bring or have available on the day.

Travel support

The university states it is offering up to £50 towards the cost of travelling to its forthcoming Open Day, described as a way to remove financial barriers for prospective students. If travel cost is the reason you are hesitating, this is the detail to act on — check the terms when you book, since the amount is a cap ("up to £50") rather than a flat payment.

Campus tours: Preston, Burnley and Westlakes

If you cannot make an Open Day, or want to see a specific campus, the university lists campus tours for three locations:

The university also has a satellite campus in Cyprus. The website describes its community as more than 42,000 students and staff across Preston, Burnley, Westlakes and Cyprus.

Use campus tours when you already know your subject area and mainly want to see facilities and the surrounding area. Use an Open Day when you still need to compare courses, meet staff and ask about entry requirements and student support.

If you plan to live at home and commute

The university publishes dedicated information for commuter students. This is worth reading before you visit if you intend to stay at home rather than move into accommodation — it covers the practical side of travelling in regularly, which affects how you judge travel time and campus facilities on the day.

What to check before you travel

• Confirm the date and whether booking is still open. The Preston Open Day is advertised for Sunday 11 October; event dates can change, so verify on the site before arranging travel.
• Read the travel support terms. The up-to-£50 contribution is tied to the forthcoming Open Day — check how it is claimed and whether it applies to your mode of travel.
• Decide which campus you actually need. Preston, Burnley and Westlakes are separate locations; booking a tour at the wrong one wastes a trip.
• Look at January and mid-year starts if you are not planning a September entry — the university notes you do not need to wait until September to begin studying, and this can change which intake you are visiting for.

A practical sequence

1. Check the Open Day date and book your place.
2. If travel cost is an issue, review the up-to-£50 travel support before booking transport.
3. If you cannot attend, book a campus tour at Preston, Burnley or Westlakes instead.
4. If you will commute, read the commuter student information first.
5. Bring your booking confirmation and a list of questions about your course, accommodation and support.

The university's own framing — "Don't just learn it. Live it." — points to the reason for visiting in person: the Open Day and campus tours are how you test whether the campus, the commute and the accommodation actually fit how you want to study.