Our vision
To be recognised as a catalyst for individual and regional prosperity and pride, with national and international relevance, reach and impact.
Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
Back to WebsiteOur three-year strategic plan builds on the achievements of the last decade 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 recognised 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 raise aspirations and educational attainment and contribute to the social, cultural and economic well-being and prosperity of our communities.
Improving everyone’s EXPERIENCE
We will create spaces where our students want to spend time, and enhance partner environments. We’ll 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.
Expanding everyone’s OPTIONS
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. We will enable them to do what they do best, but also encourage them to innovate and to grow – to develop their talent and skills, while exploring new academic possibilities.
We want to change the world by setting our sights high, opening up opportunities for personal, organisational and regional development.
It begins with our LOCATIONS
We are one institution with five different campuses. We have diverse locations including Barrow and Workington, and further education and workplace partnerships that create routes into employment. This diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Our homes in the Lake District World Heritage site, Cumbria, Lancaster and London also give us a deep connection to our communities, industries, the landscape and to the environment.
Using unique PERSPECTIVES
Each campus’ perspective has the potential to enhance what and how we teach, and to enrich the learning and the lives of our students. During the next three years, we want to amplify this quality. We will enhance our academic offer to include courses which benefit from our unique geography and experience, our links with world-class employers and partners.
We contribute to the vibrancy of these places, the landscapes, culture and specialist industries in a way no other university can.
Forging stronger CONNECTIONS
We’ll deepen our connections with industries, health and education partners and beyond to fill specific regional skills gaps – upskilling and reskilling those already in work. We’ll build partnerships with local enterprises, and community organisations, while equipping all of our students with the ability to thrive wherever in the world they choose to live.
For personal and regional PROSPERITY
Ultimately, we’ll attract more students and more will stay to work where they studied, increasing the skills and prosperity in the region and throughout the world. An engine of economic well-being, a centre for distinct and original curricula, we will be a gateway to the region, to personal development, and to the world.
Our students come from and inform every walk of life entering a vast array of professions boosting the economy by £230 million nationally and £120 million locally.