Our history
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is proud of its long history as an institution of further and higher education. Thanks to the vision of its founding father, Dr Herbert Schofield, it has been able to grow and develop into one of the country’s top universities.
Throughout its history º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has built upon its distinctive characteristics. Today it is one of the country’s leading universities, with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research, strong links with business and industry and unrivalled sporting achievement.
That º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ now boasts an internationally known and respected university is largely due to the entrepreneurial vision and determination of Dr Herbert Schofield, Principal of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ College for 35 years.
In 1909 a small Technical Institute in the centre of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ was established, which provided local facilities for further education and offered courses in technical subjects, science and art. Land was also acquired on the Burleigh Estate, enabling the early development of the University as it stands today.
In April 1966 º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ was awarded its Charter, in recognition of the excellence achieved by º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ College of Advanced Technology and its predecessor colleges. Then called º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ of Technology, it was the country’s first technological university. It was renamed º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ in 1996.
Other developments have included the reunification in 1977 with º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ College of Education and with º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ College of Art and Design in 1998. Land acquisitions in 2003, 2006 and 2010 have contributed towards turning the site into the glorious 523-acre asset it is today.
In 2015 º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ opened a second campus on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ London has diversified and expanded the high quality education offered to both postgraduate students and those looking to advance their professional development.