Bowerham Road

Lancaster LA1 3JD

Tel 0845 606 1144

www.cumbria.ac.uk

Sunday Times ranking 111= (83=)

Teaching excellence 42.9%

Student satisfaction 66%

Head teacher ranking 57= (56)

Peer ranking 114 (96=)

Research quality 7.4%

A/AS-level points 256

A-levels for entry 78%

Unemployment 3.6%

Firsts and 2:1s 44.3%

Student/staff ratio 20.6:1

Dropout rate 22% (15%)

Undergraduates 4,582 (4,792)

Postgraduates 845 (2,423)

Teaching staff 343

Applications/places 4,579/1,280; 3.6:1 (-11.5%)

Clearing entry Not disclosed

Bursaries 100%: £205-£1,230

Scholarships 30: £1,000

EU/overseas 1.2%/0.1%

Mature 26.1%

State school 98%

Lowest social classes 38%

Low-participation areas 18%

Live in 20% (93%) £45-£60

A university for just one month, Cumbria is the result of a merger between St Martin’s College, Lancaster, Cumbria Institute of the Arts, and the Cumbrian campuses of the University of Central Lancashire. Archbishop John Sentamu has been appointed the first chancellor and Chris Carr, the former head of St Martin’s, is the vice-chancellor of Britain’s newest university, which gives Cumbria a university for the first time.

Cumbria will have strong links to four further education colleges in the region (Lakes, Furness, Carlisle and Kendal), allowing delivery of many higher education courses locally.

The merger significantly adds to the course portfolio of the former St Martin’s College, known as the UK’s biggest teacher-training college and on whose statistics the new university is ranked this year. Cumbria retains this mantle as well as its specialist teacher education centre in Mile End, London.

Students will be assisted by Cumbria grants and scholarships. Although rates for next year are to be finalised, Cumbria’s first intake this month will gain between £205 and £1,230 in bursary payments, the former figure paid to all not eligible for any state maintenance grant, the latter to those getting a full grant. St Martin’s was one of few institutions in the UK to provide a bursary to all students.

With six main campuses and three smaller outposts, the new university will have a wide range of IT systems and products to help bind everything together. All it needs now are some students. And they arrive this month.

Open days Lancaster: September 30, October 24, November 10; Ambleside: October 14, November 7; Carlisle: October 6 and 28, November 14.

Student view Gareth Lindop, students’ union officer:

USP Our courses can put you on to a career path.

Worst feature The inter-campus rivalry, but it does give us a sense of belonging.

Location We have fantastic views that inspire a relaxed community.

Social scene Each campus has its own flavour.

Rated excellent (3) Allied health professions; hospitality, leisure, recreation, sport and tourism; nursing and midwifery.

Degree of student satisfaction: 66.0%

Other Creative Arts 76.0; Social Work 73.8; Computer Science 72.0; Philosophy, Theology and Religious studies 71.4; Human and Social Geography 70.7; Business 69.0; Mathematical Sciences 67.3; Teacher Training 66.7; History and Archeology 66.3; English-based studies 66.0; Physical Geography and Environmental Science 64.6; Art and Design 64.5; Performing Arts 59.5; Sports Science 59.5; Media studies 36.2

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