School of Arts

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Our values and ethos

Lancaster University's  School of Arts  offers a rich and strong range of arts disciplines, including Architecture, Creative Writing, Design, English Literature, Fine Art, Media and Film, and Theatre. These areas are underpinned by a commitment to academic excellence, innovative teaching and impactful research.

The School of Arts is ambitious and creative and engages strongly with local partners, particularly in Morecambe Bay and throughout the north west of England. We build on capacities to attract participation from academics and industry partners for significant events and projects. We are excited to play a role in defining the roles of arts in public life and discourse.

We are committed to: social justice and tackling inequalities, expanding fair and inclusive access to education, environmental and cultural sustainability, and innovation through both technology (particularly cyber and AI) and human factors and agency.

Lancaster University is ranked joint 77th in world for Arts and Humanities in the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject. Several disciplines within the School of Arts are in the top 10 in the Complete University Guide 2025. Media Studies and Film is ranked second, Theatre Studies fourth, Creative Writing sixth, Architecture and Art and Design are both ranked seventh.

Valuing people

We are committed to creating a fair and inclusive environment for our staff, students, partners and visitors. Equality, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of the School’s plans and activities.

Athena Swan

We are part of the University-wide effort to encourage and nurture gender equality and diversity in Higher Education.

As well as our Institutional Athena Swan Bronze award, Lancaster is very proud to have achieved Athena Swan awards in all our Faculties, Schools and Departments, recognising our commitment to advancing gender equality within higher education and research.

English Literature and Creative Writing (awarded 2019)
Institute for the Contemporary Arts (awarded 2018)

Athena Swan

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Latest News

Distinguished Professor Rachel Cooper

We deeply regret to report the death of Rachel Cooper, Professor of Design Management and Policy, from the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts on Thursday 17 July. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues at this sad time.

The Premiere promotional poster with Nicola Harrison (credit Jennie Scott) on the left and Roger Ashton-Griffiths

University alumnus and Game of Thrones Star ‘chuffed’ to return to Lancaster for new film

A Game of Thrones star and Lancaster University alumnus has returned to the city this week to take part in a new short film.

Ruby is pictured sitting in front of a leafy green backdrop in her cap and gown

Prize-winning opportunity paints picture for future art career

A Fine Art graduate of Painting, chosen for a prestigious national painting prize, will begin her art career with a ‘superb kickstart’ as a result.

Róisin McMullan siiting in a theatre setting surrounded by blue chairs

Graduate’s reviews topped the bill at Edinburgh Fringe

A Lancaster University student who came top in a writing award at the Edinburgh Fringe, the world's largest arts festival, is now looking toward a career in Arts journalism.

Image shows four children - three sitting and one standing - all heavily engossed in a litcraft activity on a tablet

Grant opens new chapter on library project for University spin-out company

Lancaster University spin-out enterprise Litcraft Community Interest Company (CIC) has been awarded an Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant to bring its innovative approach to encourage reluctant readers into libraries across Cumbria this summer.

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