Architecture
Develop an unbeatable mix of practical skills, creative vision, and real-world experience. Your career in Architecture starts here.
In the UK for Drama, Dance & Cinematics
The Complete University Guide 2026
In the UK for student satisfaction in
Architecture
The Complete University Guide 2026
In the UK for Art & Design
The Complete University Guide 2026
In the UK for Architecture
The Complete University Guide 2026
In the UK for graduate prospects in
Art & Design
& student satisfaction in
Drama, Dance & Cinematics
The Complete University Guide 2026
The Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts (LICA) advances learning, knowledge and professional proficiency within a thriving multi-disciplinary and diverse Department. It has five broad subject areas: Architecture, Design, Film, Fine Art and Theatre. Our students and staff are leaders of creative and cultural practice locally, nationally, and internationally, finding creative solutions to global problems.
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Explore our courses
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Arts Management
Explore the opportunities and challenges facing the arts and culture sector in the UK, and beyond. Develop the skills and knowledge to become a future leader who can influence the impact of arts organisations and the relationships they have with the communities they serve.
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Design
Respond to complex business and societal challenges by honing practical skills in design research and collaborate on industry projects.
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Film
Study the aesthetic and intellectual complexity of cinema and gain a rich understanding of the ways film shapes identities and experiences.
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Fine Art
Equip yourself with the skills and experience to succeed in the creative economy. Fulfil your creative potential and ambitions in Fine Art.
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Theatre
Create ground-breaking and thought-provoking performances that respond to the world around us. Socially engaged theatre at the heart of LICA.
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Doctoral Research
Refine your doctoral research with support from internationally renowned researchers and cutting-edge creative practitioners.
LICA Festival '25
Discover creative works from Architecture, Design, Film, Fine Art and Theatre.
View their outstanding work here
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Research Centres
LICA is committed to leading interdisciplinary and international research in contemporary arts and rigorous enquiry into the relationship between creative practice, theory and criticism. Research at LICA
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ImaginationLancaster
ImaginationLancaster is an open and exploratory design research lab which conducts applied and theoretical research into people, products, places and their interactions.
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Creative Cultures and Context
Creative Cultures and Context bring together colleagues across all disciplines to conduct historical and theoretical research about cultures, art, and interconnecting lives.
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Interrogating Practices
The Centre for Interrogating Practices is a forum for advancing creative, critical, and theoretical understanding of practice-based research in the contemporary arts.
Engagement and Facilities
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Our Engagement Philosophy
LICA actively engages with our communities to transform wider society.
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Specialist Facilities
Our facilities are designed so you can experiment and collaborate with highly-skilled technicians.
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Lancaster Arts
Lancaster Arts: a place where ideas, creativity and people connect.
CUT/TO Film Journal
CUT/TO, the Lancaster University Film Journal, was created by students to explore and exhibit all the ways we value films in our lives through a combination of academic, comical, and thought-provoking media.
Read the latest issue here.
A welcoming community
The Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts (LICA) is home to over 500 undergraduate students and 145 postgraduates, with sister campuses at Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU), China and Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur. We're proud of our diverse community and collaborative partnerships.
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Sustainability at LICA
Being a part of LICA means you’ll join a passionate team who are focused on embedding sustainability and collaboration at all levels of study.
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Discover our global experiences
Connect with world-leading creative institutions, travel internationally, and learn from eminent artists and designers.
Lancaster University Design Society
The Lancaster University Design Society is a vibrant and dynamic community of creative minds, dedicated to encouraging innovation and design excellence on campus and Lancaster. With a diverse range of design disciplines, the society provides a platform for collaboration, skill development, and networking opportunities. From workshops and guest lectures to design competitions and exhibitions, the Design Society empowers students to explore their passion for design and make a meaningful impact both within the university and beyond.
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