A university has been given a string of five-star awards in the Research Excellence Framework.

Staff and students at the University of Central Lancashire are celebrating following the release of the results, with the university receiving a string of five star QS, Quacquarelli Symonds, awards.

Set against pre-established international standards, QS Stars evaluate universities across a wide range of important performance indicators.

Rated out of 5 Stars (excellent) UCLan scored the top rating for teaching, employability, internationalisation, facilities and inclusiveness.

Dentistry, the University’s chosen specialist programme, scored 4 Stars (very good) while 3 Stars (good) were awarded in the research and innovation categories.

Overall, the University was rated as 4 Star. 

Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin said: “This is another strong set of results for the University underlining our ability to transform lives through an outstanding educational experience.

“It signals to the wider community, including potential future students, partners, and staff, that UCLan is leading the way in modern learning, equipping graduates with the real-world skills needed to thrive in the global workplace.”

QS conducted the detailed examination of UCLan’s performance over a six-month period. Unlike rankings, QS Star ratings are entirely based upon an institution’s performance, and not how they compare to their peers.

By covering a broader range of criteria than any world ranking exercise, QS Stars shine a light on both the excellence and the diversity of the rated institution.

The QS Stars achievement follows on from previous success on the international stage when, earlier this year, the Centre for World University Rankings 2022-23 listed UCLan in the top 7% of universities worldwide.