The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is a public university in the United Kingdom, located in Preston, Lancashire, whose history can be traced back to the Institution for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, founded in 1828. UCLan is a public university located in Preston, Lancashire, with a history dating back to 1828 when it was founded as the Institute for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. It has a high level of excellence in media-related disciplines;