Future Students
Why should you choose us?
Furness is one of the smallest of Lancaster's eight undergraduate colleges, and we offer a vibrant and inclusive community at the heart of campus.
That's all part of our charm but it goes so much beyond that. Our people are at the root of our success and we have a dedicated and integrated team that aim to provide you with the best student experience possible, from before you get here until after you've gone. But really it's the student body that make Furness what it is and we regularly hear about how easy it is to get to know people, and how there's always somebody about for a chat, a coffee or a game of pool.
We have a varied social calendar and a diverse sporting life and it's definitely the taking part that counts here and being part of the college community!
Take a look down the page to find out about our facilities, the services we offer, and read a few endorsements from our past students. If you have any queries about life in Furness, get in touch or come and see us! You can find out about our people and what they do on the people page.
Why I chose Furness...
"Furness has always been pitched as a family-feel college because it is so small and tight-knit. Here, it doesn’t matter who you are or what your background is – you always have a place, you always have a group of people you can go to. I always wanted to make sure I put myself out there, got to know different people and do as many different things as possible".
Cris Da Cunha, Class of 2018.
Welcome to Lancaster
What can you expect when you arrive in Furness? Well there will be a warm welcome to you on arrival, a schedule of social and orientation events, some important inductions into college life and a few bigger events you might want to join in with.
Take a look at the Furness Welcome Week page here for more details.
Connect with Furness College
Before you arrive, you can like Furness College on Facebook. We will also set up an official Facebook group for all incoming students where you can meet your fellow Furnessians, find out more about Furness and receive updates on the events we have planned for Welcome Week. You can also follow us on our Instagram page.
If you are an international student, you may wish to join our International Buddy scheme. The scheme aims to help with the transition to adapt to living and studying in the UK by matching you with a current student from Furness college. If you are interested in being paired up with a buddy, please complete the expression of interest form. If you have any questions about the scheme, please contact Furness Buddies.
Emily's story
"The college really helps you settle in during the first weeks of university and beyond - there’s always a friendly face to turn to and lots of support available. There are also loads of ways to get involved. I joined the women's netball team, took part in the Nine Colleges Sustainability Challenge and became a my college Sports and Activities Officer. Not only do these opportunities help you to be social, but I’ve developed my leadership, interpersonal and organisational skills too. I’ve met many of my closest friends through Furness College - it’s my home at Lancaster. "
Emily Wood, Class of 2020
Services & Facilities
If you have any queries at any point you can visit the colleges offices, which are based on the ground floor of Furness College. You can find out more about the team on our people page.
We offer a comprehensive support network that starts with our student reps and includes the college officers, 24-hour security during term time and ultimately the University's main Student Services team. Take a look at our Welfare and Support page to find out who's on hand and what they do.
Furness also offers travel awards to students planning trips of educational benefit, and emergency loans for those that need them.
Why I chose Furness...
"Furness is exactly as described – a close-knit community at the heart of the University. I wanted a home away from home, somewhere I could meet like-minded people, and with that came the most incredible people and the best community imaginable. My Lancaster experience would not be a fraction of what it has been without the staff, students, opportunities and the family of Furness".
Shannon McCaul, JCR President 2018.
Furness Junior Common Room
The JCR Exec
Our JCR Executive Officers are a group of Furness students that their peers around the college have voted into office the previous autumn. They organise events, sport and socials around the college, as well as presiding over the weekly quiz in Trevor. The Exec are keen to ensure that every Furnessian is represented and are happy to talk to any of the student body.
Elections take place every November and it's a great way to get involved with the college and help shape the student experience, so why not run for a position?
Furness Sport
We may be a small college but we can still put together a strong team and give the others a good game! From football and netball to pool, darts and table tennis, there are plenty of ways Furness students can have a casual game, or join a team to represent us. There's also the Patriots Cup against Cartmel which we have won for the past two consecutive years (2022 and 2023), the University-wide Carter Shield and even the annual Roses clash with the University of York. Take a look at the sports page for more details.
College SportCollege bar
Legend has it that Furness bar was named after the first person that crossed the threshold following a refurbishment many years ago, hence our much-loved social space is known as Trevor. Situated in the Furness College building it plays host to many student events throughout the year such as the weekly college quiz night, and Treveoke and is also somewhere students enjoy sitting, working and relaxing throughout the day. The bar space flows into the JCR common room and connects to the main quad and a smaller patio garden.
College facilities
Furness offers a number of different places for you to gather and socialise, all grouped around our courtyard in the main college building. Our JCR common room has pool tables and dart boards, as well as more sofas and banquette seating for you to relax on. The TV room is a place where you can go to relax between lectures and seminars and has a feature wall of our graduands.
The college kitchen provides a place for students living off-campus to rest and cook during the day, and there are lockers for those students to use during the year. There's also a study room providing a quiet environment and some computers for students to work individually or in groups.Commuter students living outside of the defined urban core area can apply for a campus parking permit. For full guidance, please see Car Parking.
Accommodation
Furness has 538 bed spaces across the nine accommodation blocks, offering both Standard and Superior Ensuite options to our students. This is all neatly arranged between the main college building and the east perimeter road. More information can be found on our accommodation page.
Over 100 rooms are available to Furness students that want to live on campus after their first year and full details of this are communicated each November after the annual Housing Fair.
College membership
All students, both resident students and commuter students, become members of a College when they join Lancaster University.
All Colleges at Lancaster charge a one-off membership fee, which is set by the University. The standard undergraduate fee is payable once and lasts whilst you are a student and is set at £40; if you are studying for a year or less, the fee is £15.
Lancaster is one of a few collegiate universities in the UK that gives you opportunities and experiences more than just living in halls of residence. Membership fees are spent entirely on supporting College life. Each College has slightly different facilities and delivers a varied range of activities and events, all with the aim of providing an environment that enhances study, recreation and personal development, as well as a support network provided by staff. The fee helps support the College Advisor system, maintaining welfare in the College.
So please do use your membership by joining in College life by being an active and engaged member of Furness. You can always stand for a position on the JCR which is a great way to get involved, shape policy, and is a great experience for future life.