IT 'Friend' account
You will initially be given a ‘Friend account’ that will allow you to access some of the services you will need (such as booking accommodation) and some applets within our mobile app, iLancaster.
Your Friend account username is usually the email address you used in your application.
About a month before you are due to start, you will be invited to complete Online Registration. Once this is complete your full student IT Account will be available, giving you access to all the services you will need during your time at Lancaster. Your full student account will have a new username and password and will no longer be based on the email you applied with.
If you have any issues with your Friend Account, please visit Friend accounts for applicants.
Accommodation
Information on how to apply for your accommodation will be sent to you once you accept your offer to study at Lancaster.
On-campus accommodation applications are made online from June (for October starters) and late November (for January starters). Emails are sent to students at the start of application period with further information about how to apply.
- On-campus accommodation contracts are automatically adjusted for visiting students to match the length of your period of study at Lancaster.
- The contract will run for the full duration of your study placement- if you are a Lent/Summer student, the contract will run until the end of June, even if your exams end before this.
- Your exact contract dates will be in your confirmation documents from the Accommodation Team after you apply.
It is not always possible to accommodate Postgraduate (PG) Exchange and PG Study Abroad students on campus but they are encouraged to apply so that we can offer support in finding accommodation. It is likely that we will be able to find accommodation with one of our approved partners.
If you wish to make your own accommodation arrangements, we recommend that you use Lancaster University Homes. We also recommend that students live in Lancaster, as a long commute may negatively affect your experience during your time with us.
Students who do not live in University accommodation will still be a member of a College.
Immigration
Most visitors travelling to the UK need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) or a visa. What you need depends on:
- your nationality
- the length of your stay in the UK
You can check whether you need a visa or ETA to study by answering a few simple questions on this UK Government Visa webpage.You will also be sent detailed information about visas and immigration when you have accepted your offer to study at Lancaster University.
If you have questions or need help regarding immigration matters when you are at Lancaster, you can contact the Visa and Immigration team for advice and guidance.
Pre-arrival
Prior to arrival in the UK we will email you your:
- Pre-arrival Guide 4 weeks before you arrive to help you prepare for your visit to Lancaster, information will include registration instructions, booking information for the coach transfer from Manchester airport and how to get to Lancaster from other areas
- Orientation Booklet outlining your first week at Lancaster, 2 weeks before you arrive.
You can find information and advice to help you pack, plan your travel, what to do when you arrive and what you can expect when you get here on our Coming to Lancaster University webpage. You can also find advice and support about student life at Lancaster on the Portal.
After you leave
Transcripts: A digital transcript will automatically be sent to your adviser at your home university at the end of your study period at Lancaster. For students leaving in December, transcripts are normally sent by early March. Transcripts for students leaving in June are sent in August.
If you want your own copy, you can request an official copy or copies of your transcript after you have left Lancaster. There is a small charge of £10 per transcript. Please make sure that you place your transcript order at least 4 working weeks in advance of when you actually need it to ensure it reaches you in good time.
Alumni: After you’ve finished your Study Abroad at LU programme, you can benefit from a wide range of alumni services. Please keep your details up to date so we can stay in touch and invite you to alumni events.
Lancaster University offers a range of postgraduate scholarships to eligible students, find out more on our Scholarships and Bursarieswebpage. You can browse our available the postgraduate programmes at Lancaster University at Postgraduate Options.