Preston’s university has seen a boost in the latest higher education rankings.

The University of Central Lancashire has moved back into the North West’s top 10 universities and also risen by 15 places in the national rankings.

Released annually The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide places all universities based on a number of different factors.

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Last year the guide saw UCLan fall out of the North West top 10 and also fall to one of its lowest rankings nationally – 111th.

The University of Central Lancashire is currently in the process of applying to change its name – dropping the ‘Central’ to become The University of Lancashire.

But it has faced strong opposition from its neighbour – Lancaster University – who say the name is ‘too similar’.

Top universities in the North West (national ranking in brackets) according to the Times/Sunday Times guide

1. Lancaster University (12)
2. University of Liverpool (23)
3. University of Manchester (27)
4. Manchester Metropolitan University (46)
5. Liverpool John Moores University (66)
6. University of Salford (72)
7. Edge Hill University (84)
8. University of Chester (89)
9. Liverpool Hope University (94)
10. University of Central Lancashire (96)
11. University of Bolton (119)
12. University of Cumbria (128)

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