Universities to be renamed despite concerns over potential confusion

The decision to rename two universities located in England’s north-west region has drawn criticism from other local institutions, which have expressed worries regarding potential confusion. The University of Central Lancashire (Uclan), situated in Preston, is set to adopt the new name, the University of Lancashire. Concurrently, the University of Bolton will undergo a name change to become the University of Greater Manchester. The Office for Students (OfS), England’s independent higher education regulator, had previously given its approval for both rebranding initiatives. Nevertheless, the University of Lancaster, located 20 miles from Uclan, stated it was “disappointed” by the decision, having presented “evidence pointing at brand confusion with the name, particularly among employers and international students”. Similarly, the University of Manchester, situated approximately 15 miles from the Bolton institution, characterized the latter’s name alteration as “very misleading and confusing”. Nick Peel, the leader of Bolton Council, had earlier voiced his opposition to the moniker change, asserting that retaining the town’s name within the title ought to be “non-negotiable”. The OfS reported that it had received 1,885 submissions concerning the proposed new name, with 64% of respondents indicating that the University of Greater Manchester name would not cause confusion. Professor George Holmes, the vice chancellor of the University of Bolton, commented that the institution had been “serving and operating in the whole area of Greater Manchester, not just one borough within it”. He added, “Our commitment to Bolton is unswerving and we are committed to continue to be part of the fabric of the local community.” However, he explained that the university’s governing body had opted for the name change to enable them to “succeed with the due prominence that the new title will help to give”. By September 2025, new signage will be implemented at Uclan’s campuses in Preston, Burnley, and West Cumbria, and digital platforms will be updated to ensure prospective students can accurately locate the institution via online searches. Professor Graham Baldwin, the university’s vice chancellor, stated: “Locally the acronym Uclan is widely used but, for many outside the region, they don’t know it is the title of a university nor where it is located.” He continued, “Changing our name allows us to better cement our brand position and build on our recruitment efforts both nationally and internationally.” Uclan, known for its employment-focused courses, ranks among the largest universities in the UK, enrolling approximately 38,000 students from 100 different countries. The institution has participated in groundbreaking research, such as the archaeological study of human remains in Cumbria, referred to as the “oldest northerner,” and contributed to the initial image of the black hole situated at the core of our Milky Way galaxy. Established in Preston in 1828 as the Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge, it has undergone six name changes throughout its history, including Harris College and Preston Polytechnic. In 1992, following the government’s decision to grant degree-awarding powers to polytechnics, the institution then known as Lancashire Polytechnic was renamed the University of Central Lancashire.