Finance and accommodation

Financial awards for 2012 entry

The government has introduced major changes to university funding, which will affect undergraduates who begin their studies in 2012. An explanation of the new fees and funding system for UK students is available here. Details of the scholarship and bursary schemes for 2012 entry may be found at this link.

The university has produced a pamphlet to help explain the financial support which will be available to our undergraduate students in 2012. It is available as a PDF document.

Scholarships

The University offers scholarships to all UK students who put Lancaster as their firm choice with UCAS. These are based on academic merit, and the grades required for the scholarship will normally be one or two grades higher than the standard offer. (For example, if your offer is AAB at A level then the scholarship award may require you to obtain A*AA.) The grades required will be specified in a letter from the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

The scholarship package for 2012 entry is £1,000 per year for the duration of your undergraduate studies, providing academic progression is satisfactory. Awards are confirmed shortly after registration, by email, with the funds paid out in the middle of February. Scholars can put the money towards anything they like; no restrictions are placed on its use.

Bursaries

In 2012, our combined bursary package will help students from England with household incomes of less than £25,000 per year. This consists of £3,000 support in the first year from the National Scholarship Programme (a £1,000 cash bursary, a £1,000 on-campus accommodation discount and a £1,000 tuition-fee waiver) followed by a £1,000 cash bursary in each of the second, third and, if applicable, fourth years of undergraduate study.

Other awards

There are a small number of other financial awards available for both UK and EU students. Details of these, together with eligibility criteria, can be found by visiting this link.

Accommodation

You are guaranteed a room on campus in your first year as long as Lancaster is your firm choice (UF/CF) with UCAS and you submit your residence application in time. Extensive information about colleges, accommodation options and rents is given here. The university has won the National Student Housing Survey award for Best University Halls in 2011 and 2010, and has been ranked joint second for accommodation in the Times Higher Education's 2011 Student Experience Survey.

Many students choose to live out in their second year: Lancaster, Bath and Canterbury are the three safest university cities in England, according to Home Office data published in July 2011 by the Complete University Guide.