According to latest figures, the University of Central Lancashire had a 44% increase in external research funding during the 2008-9 academic year, amounting to around £6m.

The data shows that the institution secured funding for 118 separate research projects over the course of the year from prestigious national and international sources.

The major research projects it will be used for will span many areas of UCLan's specialisms, including employability, sustainability and public health within the North West.

UCLan's Professor Patrick McGhee, deputy vice-chancellor (Academic) said: "We have gone out and won significant competitive funding from industry, the NHS, from Europe and prestigious research councils."

He added: "UCLan is clearly recognised as delivering exceptional return on investment.

"Research funders recognise the benefits that UCLan's research brings to the North West regional economy and its quality of life generally. UCLan continues to deliver exceptional return on research investment."

Prof McGhee said that in recent years the university had successfully invested substantial amounts in expanding its research capability, particularly in science, health and business.

The University's performance in the latest Research Assessment Exercise concluded that all 17 subject areas submitted for review had produced research of international excellence, and no fewer than 11 areas were assessed as having produced world-leading research. This has led to a tripling of gold-standard 'QR' investment for 2009-10.

Research projects include:

More than £800,000 from the Department for Children, Schools and Families for research into evaluating social work

Nearly £630,000 for research into after-stroke care from the National Institute of Health Research

£450,000 for research into Health Inclusion and Citizenship from the Big Lottery Fund