The University of Lincoln is a trailblazer in modern higher education. It debuted at the very bottom of the league table in 1998 and has risen up the rankings to be named Modern University of the Year in 2021 and has ambitions of being a top 40 university. 

It has invested £400 million in facilities over the past two decades to keep up with its burgeoning footfall and academic focus. Opened in 2009, the School of Engineering was the first in the UK for more than 20 years, and it gained a medical school nine years later. 

The university is now turning its transformative touch to the arts — relaunching its on-campus home for contemporary and performing arts as Lincoln Arts Centre. The university has been awarded Arts Council England’s National Portfolio of Organisations status from 2023 to 2026. The Barbican Creative Hub, a new base for creative businesses in the region, opens next year. 

What is the University of Lincoln’s reputation? 

The university joined an elite group when it was awarded triple gold in the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023). Assessors commended “course content and delivery that inspires students to actively engage in and commit to their learning, and stretches them to develop knowledge and skills to their fullest potential”. Physical and virtual learning resources were found to be “outstanding”, while Lincoln’s “supportive learning environment” provided students with “access to a wide and readily available range of outstanding quality academic support tailored to their needs”.

More than three quarters (79 per cent) of Lincoln’s research was judged to be internationally excellent or world-leading in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), though against stronger gains elsewhere the university lost ground in our research rating, going from 58th (based on REF 2014) to 67th. History; social policy, the allied health professions; and computer science produced some of the best results.

Lincoln hosts the world’s first Centre for Doctoral Training in Agri-Food robotics, and the National Centre for Food Manufacturing. In February 2024 the university was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize to recognise its work supporting the agri-food sector. 

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new ones are available?

Lincoln’s course portfolio continues to grow. New from September 2024 are degrees in diagnostic radiography; chemistry for net zero (offered as three or four-year programmes); and general engineering. From 2025 forensic toxicology launches (as both three and four-year degree programmes). No degrees have been discontinued in 2024 or 2025.

What are the University of Lincoln’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?

Ninety-six points in the Ucas tariff is sufficient for entry to degrees in criminology and social policy; health and social care; and social policy. Requirements range up to 136 points, for pharmacy and medicine degrees; the latter demands AAA, as set by Lincoln’s medical school partner, the University of Nottingham. 

Contextual offers for students from areas with lower rates of progression to higher education are eight Ucas points lower. Almost 10 per cent of undergraduates were accepted through clearing.

What are the graduate prospects?

The university strives to address specific skills gaps by engaging with industry and launching new academic programmes to suit. It is a long-term collaborator with Siemens, and now Siemens Energy. It was via this award-winning partnership that Lincoln’s School of Engineering was established; the connection provides work experience and research opportunities to students, preparing them for graduate jobs. 

The TEF panel of assessors praised Lincoln for deploying and tailoring “approaches that are highly effective in ensuring its students succeed in and progress beyond their studies”. However, Lincoln’s performance in the latest Graduate Outcomes survey declined from 79= to 89th, based on the proportion of graduates in highly skilled jobs or postgraduate study 15 months on.

What is the University of Lincoln’s campus like?

Home to a cathedral and a castle, Lincoln is an attractive city popular with students (and tourists) who appreciate its sense of safety. Everything being within walking distance is another plus. Lincoln’s investment has turned a former industrial site into a modern waterfront campus hosting wide-ranging specialist resources, from the Great Central Warehouse Library to the Isaac Newton Building for computer science; engineering; maths; and physics students. The Lincoln Science and Innovation Park (a joint venture between the university and the Lincolnshire Co-Op) features a pharmacy clinical skills suite, while the Lincoln Medical School houses the latest laboratories and diagnostic tools among the specialised teaching and learning facilities.

Everything you need to know about the University of Lincoln’s student life and wellbeing support

A sports centre on campus includes a hall and outdoor pitches. There are on-site fitness instructors and gym members have access to weekly classes such as HIIT, Zumba and boxing. The £6 million Lincoln Arts Centre has a 450-seat theatre and three large studio spaces.

The local bars and pubs combined with events on campus at the Engine Shed (Lincolnshire’s largest music and entertainment venue) provide enough nightlife for most.

Students can access a wellbeing hub via drop-ins, the website or over the phone or email. A team offers support around disability, specific learning differences, mental health and medical conditions. Lincoln’s WOW (Wellbeing Orientation Welcome) summer school is a two-night experience for students with autism, Asperger’s or other conditions that may make the transition to university more challenging.

What do the students say?

“Lincoln is a lovely small city with great transport links and a buzzing social scene. It holds “one community” values that serve to make our campus a safe, accepting and diverse place. Each year the events on campus change based on student feedback, which keeps things relevant, engaging and welcoming.”
Harriet Dempsey, students’ union vice-president (campaigns and environment), and a biomedical science graduate

What about student accommodation at the University of Lincoln?

Cygnet Wharf halls are reserved for first-year students only. Residential wardens are on hand around the clock, providing support and organising social activities.

How diverse and inclusive is the University of Lincoln?

Efforts to widen participation include pre-course transition events and foundation years in more than 40 subjects for students whose qualifications fall short of the standard entry requirements. Outreach work at schools with low progression rates to university aim to raise attainment. Lincoln rises eight places to 29=  overall in our social inclusion index, and its share of white working-class male students — the most underrepresented group — is in the top ten.

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the University of Lincoln

Most new full-time undergraduate students (85 to 90 per cent) received some form of financial support in 2024. The University of Lincoln scholarship, worth £500 per year of study for up to three years, is awarded automatically to full-time UK undergraduates with household incomes of less than £45,875. There are awards for international students too, and a range of scholarships in specific subject areas.