The University of Lincoln is a public research university in the city of Lincoln, England, UK. The university has origins tracing back to 1861, and after gaining university status in 1992, was known as the University of Humberside until 1996 and the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside until 2001, when it adopted its present name.
Lincoln is one of two universities in the city, alongside Bishop Grosseteste University. Lincoln's main campus is adjacent to Brayford Pool, the site of urban regeneration in the city since the 1990s; further campuses are located in Riseholme and Holbeach.
The Independent described the university as "the best thing to happen to Lincoln since the Romans".Lincoln has rapidly moved up in the university rankings, having risen 60 places in 4 years. The Sunday Times newspaper, responsible for The Times Good University Guide, has described the university's progression as "the most dramatic transformation of a university in recent times". In 2012, the university ranked in the top 50 of The Guardian University Guide for the first time  and in 2016, it has been ranked among the top 40 English universities for the first time by The Complete University Guide.
It is the University of Lincoln's annual tradition for student graduation ceremonies to take place at the medieval Lincoln Cathedral.