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Lakes College is a fantastic place to study. With approximately 5,500 full and part-time students currently undertaking a wide range of courses and training, it is needless to say how accessible our services are within the local community. You can find out more about why Lakes College is an excellent option for Higher Education and Apprenticeships by coming to one of our Open Events or only by contacting us. Whether you are someone who has recently left school and want to continue to a higher level, are an employer seeking training services, or you want to learn new skills, we have the staff and services to guide you, helping you to make a worthwhile decision. I encourage you to come and talk to us to find out more about why people choose Lakes College. We also have a wide variety of guidance services for both students and employers – We visit our Information for Employers page. After frequently receiving feedback from our students, they tell us that Lakes College is a friendly and supportive place to study, that they would highly recommend their courses and our way of learning to the people that they know, thoroughly appreciating the support that is available to them throughout the time that they spend here. We also have a lot of services open to the public: our training restaurant, sports center, leisure facilities, and great hair and beauty salons are just a few of those that are on offer – the links on the left-hand side of this page will take you to further information and a full list of the services available. View full university

We are one of Britain's newest universities, but we have a history of educating professionals going back over 150 years. We were formed in 2007 from Cumbria Institute of the Arts, St Martin's College, and UCLan's Cumbrian campus. With academic strengths in education, healthcare, sports, visual and performing arts, humanities, social science, law and criminology, science, outdoors, forestry and land studies, we will have a great course to start your career. The University of Cumbria was formed in 2007 by the merger of St Martin's College, Cumbria Institute of the Arts, and University of Central Lancashire's Cumbria sites, operating from campuses in Cumbria and North Lancashire. We may be a relatively new university, but we are steeped in history dating right the way back to 1822. Cumbria Institute of the Arts has a long history in Carlisle, which began with establishing the Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts in October 1822. A new Academy of Arts was established in 1823, and in 1950 was renamed the Carlisle College of Art. The institution was officially designated a higher education institute on 1 August 1997. To reflect its academic growth and development, the institution gained approval from the privy council to change its name to Cumbria Institute of the Arts in 2002. The institution was a founding member of AGHEC (Advisory Group for Higher Education in Cumbria), established in July 1999 by HEFCE to include the HEIs represented in Cumbria, Cumbria County Council, and the North West Regional Development Agency. In 2003, AGHEC transferred into University Education in Cumbria (UTC), working with Sir Brian Fender. The work undertaken by UTC underpins the current establishment of the University of Cumbria. Post-war review of teacher training led to the instigation of Lancaster College of Education in 1962. The first intake of 89 students (supported by 13 staff) was in 1964. From the start, the college planned to teach degrees and Certificates of Education and pioneered the four years BA Hons with QTS. By 1966 the college was teaching PGCE students. The college developed nursing and later radiography courses, occupational health, social work, and continuing professional development courses for health professionals. Strong relationships were forged with NHS trust training departments. Many health professionals can be seen proudly wearing both St. Martin's and University of Cumbria badges on their uniforms to this day. The college developed courses in humanities, arts, and sport. A mini building boom ensued in the late 1990s with the Sports Centre, Humanities building, Hugh Pollard Lecture Theatre, and new accommodation. In the late 1990s, St. Martin's took over the management of Charlotte Mason College in Ambleside. The London campuses followed, strengthening the emphasis on teaching. The acquisition of the former hospital buildings at Fusehill Street in Carlisle saw the expansion of health, teaching, arts, humanities, and business courses in Cumbria. The Privy Council confirmed its approval and change of name to University of Cumbria with effect from 1 August 2007. Born in 1842, Charlotte Mason was an experienced school teacher who passionately believed in the importance of education for all society members regardless of gender or social class. Charlotte's philosophy was that children should be valued as people and should be educated through real situations. After 15 years of teaching at the primary level, Charlotte published her childhood education ideas and subsequently published them regularly in Parents' Review. In 1891 she moved to Ambleside and set up a training school. After her death, the school was managed by the county until the 1990's when it became part of Lancaster University. St. Martin's College took over the management of the college in the late 1990s. During this period, the Charlotte Mason building was built as a home for the library and student resources. Simultaneously, outdoor courses were developed from Hill Top building and business courses at the former Kelsick School building, a short distance from the main campus. In 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 a provision in London continued, with its campus (initially created by St. Martin's College) relocating to new premises in East India Dock Road in 2013. Other developments in 2013 included creating our University of Cumbria Business School at our Lancaster campus and the launch of the 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 businesses thrive in the National Park. One of our primary 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. Our three-year strategic plan builds on the last decade's achievements to position us as a thriving, lead player in delivering professional higher-level learning to meet the demands of an ever-evolving workforce and emerging markets. To be recognized as a catalyst for individual and regional prosperity and pride, with national and international relevance, reach, and impact. As a significant and sought after institution for Cumbria and North Lancashire, we work in partnerships to develop our region's talent and capabilities and attract new talent into our region to study and work and live. We will create spaces where our students want to spend time and enhance partner environments. We will improve connections with off-campus learners and to the culture that's already thriving in each location, looking beyond our campuses to link our students with the rich array of arts, culture, and adventure on offer – such as the North's year-long festival season. We are in the business of possibility. Empowering staff and students to succeed – bringing new thinking, skills, and opportunities. We will enhance our portfolio to offer students more choice. Crucially, we will ensure our staff are equipped, supported, and valued. View full university