Lancaster University, officially The University of Lancaster, is a public research university in Lancaster, Lancashire, United Kingdom. The university was established by Royal Charter in 1964, one of several new universities created in the 1960s. Three of the newly established institutions were founded as collegiate universities, namely Lancaster, the University of York and theUniversity of Kent.
The university was initially based in St Leonard's Gate in the city centre, until moving to a purpose-built 300 acres (120 ha) campus at Bailrigg in 1968. The campus buildings are arranged around a central walkway known as "The Spine", which is connected to a central plaza, named "Alexandra Square" in honour of its first chancellor, Princess Alexandra.
Along with the universities of Durham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield andYork, Lancaster is a member of the N8 Group of research universities. In 2014, Lancaster University celebrated its 50th anniversary with a series of events throughout the year, involving alumni, staff, students and local community members.
