The Confucius Institute at Lancaster University was established through a collaboration between Lancaster University and South China University of Technology. The agreement was signed in March 2011, and the institute officially began operations in December of the same year. In 2020, the institute underwent an organizational transition. In 2022, Lancaster University and South China University of Technology renewed their agreement. The Lancaster Confucius Institute oversees two Confucius Classrooms: Confucius Classroom at Anchorsholme Primary School and Confucius Classroom at Hawes Side Academy, as well as multiple Chinese language teaching points in primary and secondary schools in Carlisle and Lancaster. As of 2024, the institute had 22 staff members: 6 full-time administrative staff, 12 teachers (including 1 core teacher, 7 Chinese teachers, and 4 local teachers), and 4 volunteers. The Lancaster Confucius Institute has a well-established board of directors system. The board chairs are the vice presidents of Lancaster University and South China University of Technology. The board takes advantage of the meetings to summarize the year's work, determine tasks for the upcoming year, and discuss future development plans.