University of Cumbria

The University of Cumbria is a public university in Cumbria, with its headquarters in Carlisle and other major campuses in Lancaster, Ambleside, and London. It opened its doors in 2007, and has roots extending back to the Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts, established in 1822, and the teacher training college established by Charlotte Mason in the 1890s.The University of Cumbria was formed from the merger of St Martin's College, Lancaster, the Cumbria Institute of the Arts (formerly Cumbria College of Art & Design), and the Cumbrian campuses of the University of Central Lancashire on 1 August 2007, which ran degree programmes accredited by Lancaster University and the University of Central Lancashire. To facilitate the change, St Martin's College applied for independent degree-awarding powers in March 2005, and was successful in July 2006, after nine months of scrutiny by the Quality Assurance Agency. In January 2007, official university status was granted by the Privy Council.The University of Cumbria is a good investment of your time and skills, as we focus on preparing you for your career. With close links to local Law Firms, Police Forces and Youth Centres, NHS Trusts, Schools and Colleges and Practicing Artists (plus many more) the knowledge you gain on your course is geared towards getting you a job as soon as you graduate! That's why 97% of our graduates enter employment within 6 months of graduating. Talk to us today to begin your journey with us. We offer exciting research-informed academic studies, professionally focused courses and technical skills so you can achieve your future career ambitions. We enrich our students so that they can realise their potential and achieve life-changing outcomes.A GROWING UNIVERSITYIn 2012 we launched our innovative Institute for Leadership and Sustainability (IFLAS) at our Ambleside campus. Major redevelopment work of the Ambleside campus started the following year, and in 2014 the Lake District campus officially became home to the National School of Forestry, the Centre for Wildlife Conservation and our outdoor studies courses - more outdoor students study with us than with any other higher education institution in Europe.The university’s commitment to provision in London continued, with its campus (originally created by St. Martin’s College) relocating to new premises in East India Dock Road in 2013. Other developments in 2013 included the creation of our University of Cumbria Business School at our Lancaster campus and the launch of Carlisle Business Interaction Centre at Paternoster Row.Lord Digby Jones visited our Ambleside campus in 2014 to officially launch our Rural Growth Hub – a new facility designed to help business thrive in the National Park. One of our major goals is to grow university participation in west Cumbria. Since 2009 we have been delivering courses at Energus, Workington, and in 2013 we opened our University Centre at Furness College, Barrow-in-Furness.PROVIDING AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTThe University of Cumbria is committed to providing an inclusive environment, where staff, students and visitors are encouraged to be their true self, in order to enhance the individual and collective experience. As a university community, we share the social responsibility of enabling this inclusive environment by valuing, respecting and celebrating differences, to ensure that we generate a sense of understanding and belonging.The university recognises that our differences are our strength, seeking and valuing different perspectives and ideas, in an environment that is without prejudice and bias.We are committed to embracing our responsibility as a facilitator of change and continue to develop our equality agenda in line with and, where appropriate, beyond the Equality Act 2010. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment in any form on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.WHAT SUPPORT CAN WE OFFER TO CARE LEAVERS?The University of Cumbria will offer levels of support to all defined care leavers.Funded transport to the campus for an interview day or applicant visit dayAn entry package (subject to availability) to get you started at universityA dedicated pre-entry and post-entry contact as per belowInitial meeting with one of our key contacts including an initial finance meetingAdvice and guidance on applying and personal statements, which can be done via telephoneYoung care leavers who declare their status may have increased priority in being allocated a Cumbria Bursary*Young care leaver mentoring with current university students who are care leavers themselves (if possible)Accommodation available 365 days a year at Carlisle, Lancaster and AmblesideExit package upon graduation to include careers guidance

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