Getting here

Excellent transport links by road, rail, air and sea make Preston an ideal location for national and international travel.

- Air
Preston is an hour by train or coach from two major airports (Manchester, Liverpool John Lennon), between them serving over 200 international destinations. Manchester airport has a direct rail link to Preston Train Station which takes around an hour.

Go to the Manchester Airport website > or the Liverpool John Lennon Airport website >

- Rail
Preston Train Station is in an excellent location in the city centre, just ten minutes walk from the university campus, and is on the main London to Scotland line. The University is signposted from the station.

Check train destinations, times and prices on the National Rail Enquiries website >

- Road
Preston has direct access to all of the northwest's major motorways – providing speedy links to Manchester, Liverpool and Blackburn. The M6 motorway links Preston with the rest of the country and the M61 and M62 provide quick acess to Manchester and Yorkshire. The University is signposted as soon as you reach Preston from the motorway.

Preston Bus Station was once the biggest bus station in Europe and is situated in the centre of the city, just ten minutes walk from the University. The station is served by the National Express coach network, which connects Preston to most UK and European destinations.

Check coach destinations, times and prices on the National Express website >

- Sea
The rapidly expanding Port of Liverpool is just an hour away by train and Lancashire's own smaller, highly efficient ports of Fleetwood and Heysham have regular passenger services to Ireland and the Isle of Man. There is a direct train to Preston from Liverpool and both Fleetwood and Heysham have regular bus services to Preston.

What's nearby?

Preston is surrounded by stunning countryside - namely the Ribble Valley, Beacon Fell Country Park, Cuerden Valley, the Forest of Bowland and the magnificent Lake District. All of which provide excellent opportunities for many outdoor activities such as mountain biking, sailing, climbing and walking.

You don't even have to venture outside of the city to enjoy the great outdoors either, as Preston has several fine parks within walking distance of the University, hosting a variety of outdoor events throughout the year.

Nearby Manchester is the regional capital of the northwest and is a major centre of business, shopping and entertainment. The city is also renowned for its sporting success, having hosted the 2002 Commonwealth Games and being home to two Premiership football teams, Manchester city and the world famous Manchester United.

The maritime city of Liverpool, once the world's busiest port, is just an hour away by train. Situated on the banks of the River Mersey, the city is home of The Beatles and boasts two of the worlds finest football teams in Liverpool and Everton. Liverpool has also recently been named Europe's Capital of Culture for 2008.

With the coastal resort of Blackpool, with its famous tower, illuminations and the largest roller coaster in the world, just a train ride away, you can enjoy a great seaside day out. And if you want to take a step back in time, then the historic city of Lancaster, with its Georgian streets surrounding a medieval castle, is just north of Preston.

Getting around

With Preston's thriving shopping centre being just ten minutes walk from campus, everything a student would ever need is within walking distance.

But if you don't feel like walking, there are a host of reliable taxi services throughout the city, and regular buses run past the University into the main bus station and to all other areas of the city.

And for trips outside of the city, Preston Train Station, in the centre of the city, is on the main London to Glasgow line and links with all major cities in the UK. Preston Bus Station, also in the city centre, is served by the National Express coach network, which connects Preston to most UK and European destinations.

For train information go to the National Rail Enquiries website > and for coach information, see the National Express website >

Extra and related information

Accreditation

Our print and broadcast courses are accredited by the The Broadcast Journalism Training Council and the National Council for the Training of Journalists. Our MA Magazine Journalism is accredited by the Periodicals Training Council.