UniHomes guide to

Lancaster

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Uni Life in Lancaster

Lancaster student life​ is full of excitement and community, with two major institutions on its doorstep. Overall, around 28,000 students call Lancaster home during term times, with the high-ranking Lancaster University just three miles south of the centre and the University of Cumbria’s Lancaster campus within walking distance.
From luxurious studio apartments with handy amenities to shared townhouses perfect for groups, there are diverse options when it comes to student accommodation here. Scattered across the town, and popular student areas like Hala Road, there are plenty of properties to explore here.

Key reasons to study in Lancaster

  • 1
    Nightlife to remember

    While Lancaster is quieter than some large cities like Manchester and Leeds, you can certainly still have a good night out here. The Sugarhouse is renowned for being the town’s student-only nightclub, where you can enjoy regular drinks deals, themed events, and even the SugarBus, which will take you safely back to campus! Also check out LA1, Generation, Tipple, The Crafty Scholar, and The Pub for more!

  • 2
    Wholesome green spaces

    Williamson Park is a free favourite for any student wanting a picnic (after climbing the hill to get to it, of course!), while Lancaster Canal offers a pleasant stroll (and many duck sightings) and the stunning Forest of Bowland isn’t too far away. Plus, at Lancaster, you’re only a half-hour drive away from the Lake District - you can’t get much better than that!

  • 3
    History-rich beginnings

    Lancaster is teeming with history. You only have to look at Lancaster Castle (the site of the 1612 Pendle Witch Trials), Lancaster City Museum, and the Ashton Memorial to see this. You can also check out Lancaster Cathedral (completely free of charge) or the Maritime Museum for an overview of the city’s port history on St George’s Quay.

  • 4
    Cheap eats

    Lancaster’s centre is stuffed with cheap eats, from familiar favourites to local must-tries. Gallico Lounge is vegan-friendly, featuring British brunch options, tasty tapas, and cheeky cocktails. The Music Room is a cute little café spot, while you can’t go wrong with the award-winning Aquila Pizza. For those on campus, Sultan Experience provides the perfect way to end a night out!

  • 5
    Access to the beach

    Student life in Lancaster wouldn’t be complete without a beach trip during the warmer months. There’s no better way to end exam season than taking a day trip to Morecambe Beach (easily accessible by bus or car), soaking up the rays and breathing in that much sought-after sea air. You can enjoy all the classics here, from ice cream to fish and chips - just make sure the seagulls don’t beat you to it...

  • 6
    Excellent sporting facilities

    If you’re a sporty type, you’ll love watching or participating in Roses, the annual sporting competition between Lancaster and York Universities. To support this, Lancaster University boasts a brilliant sports centre, which has everything you need, from its Olympic-sized swimming pool to its climbing walls and badminton courts. In town, you’ll find plenty more gyms and can even take a paddle along the River Lune.

As a Lancaster Uni graduate, I'd say Lancs is fairly walkable as cities go, and there's always something going on with plenty of pubs, live music, and uni events. The streets feel safe, and there are loads of historical spots and green spaces worth visiting!

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Universities in Lancaster

Lancaster University

Picture of Lancaster University

Founded in 1964, Lancaster University is located in Bailrigg, Lancaster, and is one of the UK’s highest-ranking universities. This collegiate public research institution is home to over 18,000 students, representing students from more than 100 countries.

Student Life in Lancaster

Frequently Asked Questions

Lancaster is vibrant, historic, and relatively safe, making it a great place to call your first home away from home. Whilst it’s quite a small city, there’s always something to explore here, from stretches of gorgeous nature to the next brunch spot on your checklist!
Despite being small, Lancaster has a handful of fantastic options for nightlife, the main spot being The Sugarhouse. For something more lowkey, there are also countless bars and pubs to talk the night away in, including The Three Mariners, The White Cross, and The Pendle Witch!
October is the best time to start looking for student accommodation in Lancaster. Properties will be available until February, but we would recommend starting a search for a property during the autumn. The most popular student areas in Lancaster is Town Centre.
UniHomes has a property search tool which displays hundreds of student properties in Lancaster, all with bills included. Sign up to our mailing list so that you can be notified of new properties going live.
Tenancy periods in Lancaster usually last for 12 months. Most contracts will start on the 1st July and end on the 30th June the following year. Occasionally, letting agents may offer tenancy periods that last for 10 or 11 months, starting in August or September. You can always enquire with the letting agent to find out how long your contract length will be.
Deposits are usually either 4 or 5 week's rent. The maximum legal amount a landlord can charge your for a deposit is 5 week's rent. You’ll get your deposit back when you move out of the property. That said, if the landlord is still owed outstanding rent or needs to pay for repairs to damage within the property, they may take deductions from the deposit to cover the costs.
UniHomes accommodation in Lancaster usually costs £120 – £135 per person, per week. This price includes the cost of all bills you'll need to pay, which you won't always see on other student accommodation websites. Check out the full range of student accommodations available in Lancaster.

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