For and from Cumbria, rooted in and serving its communities, the University of Cumbria was established for a reason and this drives our mission today:

To increase higher education participation in the county, to address higher-level regional and sector skills needs, and, most importantly, to transform lives and livelihoods across Cumbria, the North West and beyond.  

It is our mission at the University of Cumbria to inspire and equip graduates with the work-ready skills and knowledge they need for their professional practice, enabling our communities, economy and environment to thrive.

This is achieved through diverse learning, applied research and practice, and by collaborating and co-creating programmes and provision with partners, employers and businesses.  

Our university is investing and is being invested in. With £63 million investment from the Borderlands Growth Deal Initiative, Carlisle Town Deal and Barrow Town Deal, our plans for new campuses at Citadels Carlisle and Barrow Learning Quarter are moving forward, as is the creation of the graduate-entry Cumbria School of Medicine in partnership with Imperial College London. The latter will produce doctors from, for and into Cumbria, and beyond, with a focus on general practice, public health and rural health.

These developments will be transformational and increase the progression into and impact of higher education, as well as enhancing the vibrancy and prosperity, for local economies and communities. 

Academic institutes offer innovative and inspiring programmes across areas including health, sport, social work, business, law, science, conservation, outdoor studies, arts, creativity, tourism, policing, and teaching and education.  

News and Star:

Our Institute of Education, Arts and Society is a hub for creative and community learning, education degrees and teacher training courses, including the provision of undergraduate, PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education), School Direct, postgraduate and Continued Professional Development programmes, for those seeking to and already making positive impacts within the education sector, creative industries, and the community.

A top provider of teachers in the North West, our institute has partnerships with more than 1,500 schools and education settings across the region. Our Institute of Education, Arts and Society is also home to the renowned Learning, Education and Development (LED) research centre.

Throughout 2023 the LED centre is commemorating the life and legacy of Charlotte Mason, the Victorian educational pioneer who established her House of Education at what is today our Ambleside campus in the heart of the Lake District.

Recent commemorations included a summer international conference, held in partnership with the American-based Charlotte Mason Institute, and lectures from guest speakers including national Early Education expert Dame Professor Cathy Nutbrown.

Future events include a talk about the place-based Morecambe Bay Curriculum. Full details can be found at www.cumbria.ac.uk/student-life/locations/ambleside/.

We are also proud that this autumn marks 60 years of arts education from our Brampton Road campus in Stanwix, Carlisle.