The University of Central Lancashire can trace its history in Preston back to 1828. Until 1992 the University of Central Lancashire was known as Lancashire Polytechnic. Previous titles include: Preston Polytechnic, Harris College, Harris Institute and the Institute for the Diffusion of Knowledge. In 1996, the University of Central Lancashire incorporated the work of the Lancashire College of Nursing and Health Studies.
Seven further education colleges in the North West are associate colleges of the University of Central Lancashire, delivering full and part-time university programmes. Around a dozen other colleges mainly in the North West also have partnership arrangements.