University of Lincoln
A waterfront city-centre campus on Lincoln's Brayford Pool, strong in agri-food technology, engineering and health.
- Students
- 15,645
- International
- 24%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 15.0:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £17,400
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1996
About Lincoln
The University of Lincoln traces its roots to the Hull School of Art of 1861, but the university as it exists today took shape in 1996, when its first building on the Brayford Pool waterfront in Lincoln was opened by Queen Elizabeth II. It took its current name in 2001 and moved its headquarters from Hull to Lincoln soon after. Since then it has invested around £400 million in the campus and grown from about 500 students to more than 15,000.
Subjects are organised in two colleges: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, which includes Lincoln Business School, law, architecture, media and performing arts; and Health and Science, which includes Lincoln Medical School, engineering, agri-food technology, psychology and the natural sciences. The Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology won the university a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2023 for its work supporting UK food and farming, and the Isaac Newton Building, opened in 2017, houses engineering, computer science and physics.
Most offers for 2027 entry fall between 104 and 128 UCAS points (BCC to ABB), with Medicine at AAA plus the UCAT. Lincoln suits students who want a compact campus a short walk from a historic city centre, with applied, career-focused courses and one of the UK's lower costs of living.
Libertas per Sapientiam
“Freedom through wisdom” — university motto
Why students choose Lincoln
Lincoln achieved TEF 2023 Gold overall and in both the student experience and student outcomes ratings.
Campus, halls and the city centre share the Brayford Pool waterfront, so lectures, the Students' Union and nights out are a short walk apart.
Lincoln was named the UK's most affordable student city in the NatWest Student Living Index 2025.
Contextual offers are one grade (8 UCAS points) below the standard offer for eligible UK applicants, including anyone living in a Lincolnshire local authority area.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Lincoln does not publish an overall offer rate. Offers for 2027 entry are set in UCAS tariff points per course, e.g. 104-112 (BBC) for Law, Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering, 112-120 (BBB) for Psychology and 120-128 (ABB) for Midwifery. Medicine is the most selective course: interview places are ranked on a GCSE and UCAT score, and the offer is AAA.
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels (UCAS tariff) | Course-specific for 2027 entry: BBC (Law, Computer Science; Mechanical and Aeromechanical Engineering with a B in Maths), BBB (Psychology), ABB (Midwifery, with a B in a science-related subject), AAA including Biology (Medicine; AAB contextual). Contextual offers are one grade or 8 UCAS points lower |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Course-specific, e.g. 29 points (Law, Computer Science; Engineering with Higher Level 5 in Maths), 30 points (Psychology), 32 points (Midwifery), 36 points with Higher Level Biology 6 (Medicine) |
| GCSEs | At least three at grade 4, including English (and Maths for most courses); Medicine asks for six at grade 7 including Biology and Chemistry or Double Science, and grade 6 in English Language and Maths |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 79 Most courses ask for IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each element (e.g. Psychology, Law, Computer Science, Engineering); requirements range from 6.0 to 7.0 (Midwifery 7.0). Lincoln's table lists TOEFL iBT 79 (Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 20) as the IELTS 6.0 equivalent. Medicine is not currently open to international applicants. |
Deadlines
- UCAS (Medicine) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
Deadline for MBChB Medicine (A100) and Medicine with Gateway Year.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
All other courses.
- UCAS last date before Clearing Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time
Applications received after this are entered into Clearing, which opens on 2 July 2027; places depend on availability.
The 15 October 2026 and 13 January 2027 dates are the UCAS deadlines for 2027 entry. At the time of checking, Lincoln's own how-to-apply page still listed the 2026-entry key dates (15 October 2025 for Medicine, 14 January 2026 for other courses).
How to apply
Apply through UCAS with a personal statement and reference; check UCAS Hub for offers or interview invitations, then attend an Offer Holder Day before choosing firm and insurance places. Part-time courses and Dental Hygiene and Therapy with Gateway Year are applied for directly to the university.
What admissions looks for
- The published UCAS tariff points for your course from at least two A-levels or equivalent, with any subject requirements (such as a B in Maths for Engineering) met in full.
- At least three GCSEs at grade 4, including English and usually Maths.
- For applicants without the standard qualifications, extensive and relevant work experience, which Lincoln says it will consider individually.
- For Medicine, a strong combined score from the six best GCSEs (including Biology, Chemistry or Double Science, Maths and English) and the UCAT, then performance at Multiple Mini Interviews.
Tips for applying to Lincoln
- 1 If you live in a Lincolnshire local authority area, you qualify for a contextual offer one grade lower than the standard offer, applied automatically.
- 2 For Medicine, your GCSEs count directly: grade 9 scores 5 points and grade 4 scores 0 in the selection score, and A-level predictions are not used to select for interview.
- 3 International applicants are automatically considered for a £2,000-a-year International Undergraduate Scholarship if they apply by the published deadline (1 June for 2026 entry).
- 4 Paying the CAS deposit early can earn international students a further £1,000 Early Payment Discount.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
The University of Lincoln Scholarship pays £500 a year for up to three years to UK students receiving a Maintenance Loan whose household income is below the published threshold (the current terms cover students who started in 2025/26 or earlier; check the page for 2027 entry). International undergraduates starting in 2026 receive an automatic £2,000-a-year International Undergraduate Scholarship if they apply by the deadline (1 June 2026), can earn a £1,000 Early Payment Discount, and can apply for regional awards such as the Africa, South Asia and Turkey scholarships; 2027 terms are not yet published.
- £500 a year for up to three years
- University of Lincoln Scholarship (UK)
- £2,000 tuition discount each year, automatic
- International Undergraduate Scholarship (2026 entry terms)
- £1,000 off first-year tuition
- Early Payment Discount (international, 2026 entry terms)
- £129-£191 a week (2026 entry)
- University accommodation
Academics
Medicine (MBChB, A100)
Taught at Lincoln Medical School; AAA including Biology, UCAT and MMIs. The course is undergoing GMC accreditation, with the University of Nottingham as contingency school; not currently open to international applicants.
Mechanical Engineering (BEng, H301)
Based in the Isaac Newton Building with workshops and turbines; BBC with a B in Maths; eligible for the Defence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship (fees plus £5,000 a year).
Psychology (BSc, C800)
Uses the Sarah Swift Building's sleep laboratory, motor lab and EEG labs; BBB for 2027 entry.
Computer Science (BSc, G403)
Taught in the Isaac Newton Building's computer laboratories; BBC or 29 IB points; international fee £18,800 (2027/28).
Law (LLB, M100)
BBC or 29 IB points, with the lowest international fee band (£17,400 in 2027/28).
Midwifery (BSc, B720)
Clinical skills taught in simulated hospital wards and home settings; ABB with a science-related subject and IELTS 7.0.
Research
- The Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology won a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2023 for supporting UK food and farming.
- More than three quarters of Lincoln's research was judged internationally excellent or world-leading in REF 2021.
- Research strengths named by the university include agri-food technology, net zero, history and heritage, rural and coastal health, and security and defence.
- The Great Central Warehouse Library, a converted 1907 railway warehouse, holds access to more than 260,000 journals and 750,000 books.
Schools & faculties
- College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- College of Health and Science
- Lincoln Business School
- School of Law, Politics and Society
- School of Humanities, Education and Communication
- Lincoln Medical School
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- School of Health and Care Sciences
- School of Natural Sciences
- School of Psychology, Sport Science and Wellbeing
- Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology
Lincoln received a QS Stars 5-star rating for employability in 2025 and TEF 2023 Gold for student outcomes. It does not publish a headline Graduate Outcomes percentage on its main pages.
Student life
Life centres on the Brayford Pool Campus, where teaching buildings, the Great Central Warehouse Library, the Students' Union, the Sports Centre and most university-managed halls sit beside the marina, a short walk from the city centre. The Students' Union runs more than 100 sports clubs and societies, many competing in BUCS, and has a coaching partnership with Lincoln City FC. The Engine Shed, the county's largest entertainment venue, hosts gigs and club nights, and Lincoln Arts Centre is the university's public theatre. Graduation ceremonies take place in Lincoln Cathedral.
- More than 100 Students' Union sports clubs and societies, with BUCS fixtures.
- Graduation ceremonies held in Lincoln Cathedral.
- The Engine Shed music venue and Lincoln Arts Centre are part of university life.
- Top 5 in the Halls and Student Accommodation category of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025.
Housing. University-managed halls are on or near campus, from £129 to £191 a week on 40- to 51-week contracts (2026 entry); students who have firmly accepted a Lincoln offer apply through the online booking portal and are allocated from their four preferred options depending on demand.
Location
Lincoln is a compact historic city in the East Midlands, crowned by its medieval cathedral and castle, which holds one of four surviving 1215 Magna Carta originals. The campus sits on the Brayford Pool marina, a few minutes' walk from shops, bars and the railway station, and London is about two hours away by train. Living costs are low: Lincoln was named the UK's most affordable student city in 2025.
Nearest airport: East Midlands (EMA) or Humberside (HUY), among the airports the university lists
Notable alumni
- CR Chris RankinActor (Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter films); completed his studies at Lincoln in 2011
- TT TomSka (Thomas Ridgewell)YouTuber and filmmaker (asdfmovie); media production graduate
- DF David FirthAnimator, creator of Salad Fingers; studied animation at the university's Hull campus
- AJ Andrea JenkynsMayor for Greater Lincolnshire and former MP; international relations degree
- LI Leigh InghamMP for Stafford; studied politics
- MV Martin VickersMP for Brigg and Immingham; politics degree as a part-time student
- JW Juan WattersonPresident of Tynwald (Isle of Man); first-class BA in management (University of Lincolnshire and Humberside)
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for the University of Lincoln?
Most 2027 offers are between 104 and 128 UCAS points: BBC for Law and Computer Science, BBB for Psychology and ABB for Midwifery. Medicine asks for AAA including Biology, and eligible UK applicants get contextual offers one grade lower.
How much are Lincoln's fees for international students?
For 2027/28, £17,400 a year for fee group D courses such as Law and £18,800 for group B and C courses such as Psychology, Computer Science and Engineering. For 2026 entry, an automatic £2,000-a-year International Undergraduate Scholarship reduced this; 2027 scholarship terms are not yet published.
What is the Lincoln application deadline for 2027 entry?
15 October 2026 for Medicine and 13 January 2027 (18:00 UK time) for equal consideration on all other courses, both through UCAS.
Can international students study Medicine at Lincoln?
Not at present: Lincoln's MBChB page says the course is not currently open to international applications.
Is Lincoln a cheap place to be a student?
Lincoln was named the UK's most affordable student city in the NatWest Student Living Index 2025. The university estimates yearly living costs in university accommodation at roughly £13,500 to £16,800.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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