Lancaster University

Lancaster University, officially The University of Lancaster, is a research-intensive British university in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. The university was established by Royal Charter in 1964 and initially based in St Leonard's Gate until moving to a purpose-built 300 acre campus at Bailrigg in 1968. Lancaster expanded rapidly and now has the 11th highest research quality in the UK and is the 16th highest ranking research institution according to the latest Research Assessment Exercise. The university has an annual income of £180 million, 3,025 staff and 12,525 students. Along with the universities of Durham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York, Lancaster is a member of the N8 Group of research universities. Lancaster was ranked 7th in the 2013 Guardian University Guide, 9th in the 2013 Complete University Guide, 8th in the Times Higher Education Table, and 9th in the 2012 Good University Guide. It was also ranked 124th internationally in THE World University Rankings 2011 153rd in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, and 9th best university in the world under 50 years old.

Lancaster is a collegiate university, with its main functions divided between four central faculties and nine colleges. The faculties perform research and provide centralised lectures to students; colleges are responsible for the domestic arrangements and welfare of undergraduates, graduates, post-doctoral researchers and some university staff.