Learn how to make the most of your experience as a student living at home and commuting to Lancaster University.
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A student who doesn’t live on campus in university halls; they travel to campus for classes. They usually live at their home address with family, friends, a partner, or on their own; or they live in private rented accommodation in their university city.
Reasons you might choose to commute:
Getting to and from campus is simple and flexible, however you prefer to get around. With great transport links, Lancaster offers plenty of reliable travel options.
There are at least 14 buses an hour (between campus and the city) during the day in term-time. You can also catch buses that go further afield to places like Garstang, Preston, and Blackpool.
There are multiple bus stops dotted around campus, with the Underpass in the centre (beneath Alexandra Square) being the main stop.
If you plan to travel more than three days per week, you can save money through a Stagecoach UniRider bus pass.
For longer-distance travel, Flixbus operates daily scheduled coach services from Lancaster University Underpass to the Lake District, Preston, Manchester, Manchester Airport, Birmingham, London, Glasgow, and more UK destinations.
Lancaster is on the West Coast Main Line, with fast and direct rail links to locations across the UK.
The railway station is a 5-minute walk from the city centre, which is just three miles from Lancaster University. You can also get a bus to campus from just outside the railway station.
Travel times from Lancaster to popular UK locations:
| Location | Travel time from Lancaster |
|---|---|
| The Lake District | 30 minutes |
| Manchester | 1 hour |
| Liverpool | 1.5 hours |
| Birmingham | 2 hours |
| Leeds | 2 hours |
| Edinburgh | 2.5 hours |
| London | 2.5 hours |
With a 16-25 railcard, you can get 1/3 off the cost of train travel. Many student bank accounts offer a railcard as a free perk, so make sure you research the different options.
Around campus, you’ll find secure cycle parking zones and bike repair zones. There are several established cycle routes as well as a route between campus and the city centre, making it easy and safe to travel by bike.
With a Big Bike Sale in Welcome Week, and the Bike Hire Scheme operating all year round, the University offers affordable ways to cycle.
Good to know: if you plan to travel by train to the city then cycle to university, some rail operators require you to book a space on the train for your bike.
Several taxi companies operate in the city centre, as well as Ubers. A taxi rank is located outside the Chaplaincy Centre on North Campus.
Local taxi operators include:
Most students find they do not need a car due to the frequency of buses. However, some students may be eligible for a parking permit on campus. You might consider carpooling with friends to cut the cost.
When driving to Lancaster University, you’ll find us two miles from junction 33 of the M6 motorway.
I find it super easy to get around. Getting to campus from the city is very simple because buses are highly regular. In my experience, buses arrive every ten minutes during the day.
As a commuter student, you might be worried about making friends at university or missing out on social activities. But at Lancaster, you’ll be fully part of our diverse, close-knit community, with many ways to meet new people and get involved.
You’ll belong to one of nine colleges, and learn on a lively campus that’s buzzing with activity. We’re proud to be one of a handful of UK universities with a collegiate system. The colleges are a huge part of the Lancaster experience; they’re vibrant hubs of activity, offering identity, support, and help with settling in.
A guide to the Lancaster University colleges
Joining one of our nine colleges, you’ll study, socialise, compete, and even graduate together. You can also access support from dedicated staff whenever you need it.
During Welcome Week (the week before formal teaching begins), your college will help make the transition to university life easier. You’ll meet other new students within your college and take part in orientation activities. Friendly staff and student representatives will be on hand to answer your questions and provide any support you might need.
Throughout the year, you’ll have opportunities to attend a variety of events hosted by your college. Previous events have included day trips, free food events, animal visits, pottery painting, cultural celebrations, and the annual Winter Ball.
What's more, intercollege challenges are a regular occurrence. Whether it’s debating, sustainability, bake-offs, or sports competitions, there’s always a way to show your college pride!
You might also choose to get involved with your college’s JCR (Junior Common Room) Executive – the voice of the college’s student body. Their role is to organise a wide range of activities and support to ensure the best student experience.
Lancaster University Students’ Union (LUSU) supports over 200 student-run clubs and societies. You can choose from:
Clubs and societies are a great way to socialise and take a break between your studies. They can also help you develop valuable skills like leadership, teamwork, and communication.
If you find there isn’t a society you like, you can even start your own.
Clubs and societiesThe Freshers’ Fair, held during Welcome Week, is a great opportunity to learn about the different clubs and societies available. You can speak to current members of societies, ask them questions, and find out which groups match your interests. At the beginning of Lent term, in January, you’ll have another chance to explore clubs and societies at the Refreshers Fair.
Our multi-faith Chaplaincy Centre is open to people of all faiths and none. The centre offers regular social events, faith-based activities, and events designed to bring people of different beliefs together.
The Chaplaincy team also offers 1-1 pastoral care for all students, specialising in bereavement, relationship support, and the big questions of life.
Chaplaincy centreFind out about the community at Lancaster direct from our students.
“I believe the sense of community is woven into the very DNA of Lancaster because of the collegiate system. Even as a postgraduate living off campus, being a member of Graduate College gives me an instant identity.”
“The diverse and friendly community at Lancaster creates a welcoming environment that encourages collaboration, inclusivity, and a strong sense of belonging among students.”
“In Welcome Week, the college reps were very good at trying to get you settled in, meeting new people and building the college atmosphere and passion.”
“Societies have been such a large part of my life at university, and I was drawn towards them because of the potential to meet other like-minded people. They really are the best way to meet those with similar interests.”
Whether you’re on campus for a few hours or the whole day, you’ll have access to comfortable spaces where you can study, relax, eat, and take care of the essentials.
In between your classes, you’ll find lots of spaces for studying between classes.
At the heart of campus, our library offers a large collection of physical and digital resources, as well as areas for group work and focused studying. There are teams on hand to support your learning, and loan laptops are available to borrow.
In the 2025 National Student Survey, Lancaster received a 93.9% positivity score for library resources, reflecting the high level of student satisfaction.
Good to know: The SCONUL Access scheme allows you to access many other higher education libraries in the UK and Ireland.
Besides the library, we have lots of spaces where you can study. The Learning Zone boasts a dedicated study area which is open 8am-10pm during term time; Lancaster Environment Centre has a beautiful plant-filled atrium; and the InfoLab offers a study space with sweeping views from its light-filled Sky Lounge. There are PC labs, with all the technology you need for your studies and many cafes, college common rooms, and bars with relaxed atmospheres.
We asked our students what they think of the different study spaces on campus.
“I usually spend most of my time in the library between lectures so I can get my work done throughout the day. The library is where I feel most focused and productive.”
“My favourite place to study is in the LEC (Lancaster Environment Centre) Atrium. There is so much greenery there, it’s a lovely place to study with friends, and the room gives off such great vibes.”
“I like going to the E Floor of the Management School; you can see the campus from a high point of view, but also it's mostly quiet study spaces, which is great when you need to seriously study.”
“My favourite place to study is the InfoLab Sky Lounge. The view is amazing and it’s quiet and cosy, making it easy to focus. I also love sitting by the tree view on the C floor of the library or in the silent room. Being in these spaces and seeing everyone else focused really motivates me and makes it easier to stay on track.”
You can use any of the college kitchens to make a drink or heat up your lunch.
If you’re a postgraduate student, you can use Graduate College’s bookable kitchen, where you can enjoy group meals and cooking activities.
The college kitchens are a really useful feature, especially for students living off campus, as you can store food in the fridge, make a drink or heat up meals during the day.
These are handy for storing your belongings on busy days, rather than carrying everything from class to class.
Whether you want a quiet area to unwind, somewhere to play games with friends, or music practice facilities, you’ll have a variety of comfortable spaces to choose from.
The good thing about college common rooms is that they’re welcoming to all students, you’re not limited to your own college. They’re always sociable and lively with lots of different games and activities for students to access.
There’s always somewhere you can unwind and get some fresh air between lectures. You might enjoy a stroll on the Woodland Walk – the 2.6-mile route around the perimeter of campus – or try out the free exercise stations on our Trim Trail.
We also have barbecue facilities, and plenty of spaces where you can enjoy a picnic with friends. Whether you’re watching the world go by in Alexandra Square, sitting in the sunshine on Bonington Steps, or admiring the adorable ducks at Lake Carter, our campus allows you to make the most of being in nature.
I really love the Woodland Walk. Going for walks with new people down that trail has been my favourite way to get to know new friends! It’s also lovely to be able to enjoy the gorgeous nature so easily.
Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is a great way to stay healthy. At Lancaster, you’ll benefit from generous discounts on gym memberships.
We’ve invested over £20 million into our impressive sports facilities, so you can make the most of competition-standard gym equipment, an indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room, an 8m climbing wall, and courts, pitches and multi-use game areas (both indoors and outdoors). You’ll also find plenty of showers, changing rooms, and lockers.
What’s more, with a BUCS UNIversal gym membership, you can make use of university gyms up and down the country.
The gym helps give me a sense of routine, as well as being great for my mental health, so it helps me feel a lot better in myself.
We have well-known names like Greggs, Costa, and Subway, plus an array of independent outlets – a pizzeria, Chinese restaurant, African-Caribbean restaurant, and much more.
View the full list of food and drink outlets at Lancaster University.
Alexandra Square and Edward Roberts Court offer a variety of options to find nice food and to chill. Having that on campus makes it feel like it’s designed for students and makes the place feel vibrant.
Our campus offers everything we think you’ll need for day-to-day student life.
Studying here, you can benefit from a range of free, professional support services whenever you need them, from wellbeing and academic guidance to financial help and careers support.
We understand that everyone’s needs are different. The support we offer includes:
If you’re unsure who to speak to, ask your College Advisor Team; they can help you directly or connect you with the relevant teams. Alternatively, the ASK (Advice, Support and Knowledge) service can provide advice and direct you to the right services for your needs.
When I first arrived, the extended support from the University really helped me settle in. There were so many resources available for international students, from orientation activities to staff who were always ready to answer questions.
We believe that financial worries shouldn’t hold back any student with the talent to thrive at Lancaster University.
Lancaster University benefits from strong industry connections, with student and graduate recruiters engaging with us all year round. You’ll have access to regular careers fairs and events, as well as free lifelong careers guidance – we’re here for as long as you need us.
Studying here means you’ll graduate feeling confident and well‑equipped for your career, connecting with a global alumni network of 180,000 graduates in over 190 countries.
Careers supportI’ve accessed a wide range of support offered by the University’s Careers Service, and it’s been incredibly beneficial. I’ve used the online CV checker, attended in-person CV and cover letter reviews, and even completed a practice interview through the Grow Your Future scheme. The support has been excellent throughout; staff are approachable, patient, and genuinely invested in helping students develop confidence and direction.
These practical tips can help you stay organised, save money, and make the most of your time at university.
