Edge Hill University

Edge Hill University
Motto	In Scientia Opportunitas In knowledge there is opportunity
Established	2006 - gained University Status 1885 - teacher training college
Type	Public
Chancellor	Prof Tanya Byron
Vice-Chancellor	Dr John Cater
Students	25,319
Undergraduates	14,745
Postgraduates	10,574
Location	Ormskirk, Lancashire, England
Affiliations	Universities UK
Website	www.edgehill.ac.uk

Edge Hill University is situated in Ormskirk, Lancashire, England. It has three faculties: Arts and Sciences, Education, and Health and Social Care.

History

Edge Hill College was opened on 24 January 1885 on Durning Road, Edge Hill, Liverpool, named after the district in which it was sited. It was the first non-denominational teacher training college for women in England. By 1892, Edge Hill was one of only two colleges in England combining teacher training and degree course study.

As student numbers increased, Edge Hill quickly outgrew its surroundings. The institution was handed over to the Lancashire Education Committee, with the foundation stone for the present Ormskirk campus laid on 26 October 1931. Between 1939 and 1946, the college was evacuated to Bingley, in Yorkshire, and the Ormskirk site was requisitioned for use as a military hospital.

Edge Hill became a mixed college, admitting its first male students in October 1959, when it had about 500 students in total. The institution has since expanded rapidly; with further developments at Ormskirk and the absorption of the former Sefton School of Health Studies, in 2011 there are over 25,000 students including over 9,000 studying full-time.

In 2005, Edge Hill was granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers by the Privy Council. On 18 May 2006 the institution became Edge Hill University.

Coat of Arms

Edge Hill University Coat of Arms.

Edge Hill University commissioned a new coat of arms to mark the institution's university status in 2006. The coat of arms consists of a shield, a crest, a badge and a motto and contains many images and symbols that represent Edge Hill’s history and values.

The University’s physical origins are represented by the red rose of Lancashire in the shield, where it is currently located and the Liver bird in the crest, which refers to its original location in Liverpool.

The colours green and heliotrope (purple) are that of the suffragette movement, symbolising the University’s early commitment to the equality of women through its beginnings as a women-only college.

The coat of arms contains a sun, symbolising illumination and enlightenment; a quill to represent learning, and peacock feathers meaning beauty, power and knowledge. A lion represents strength, bravery and magnanimity, and a stag suggests wisdom, regeneration, peace and harmony.

The words on the crest is the University's motto – "In Scientia Opportunitas" – translates as "In knowledge, opportunity".

The Mace

Commissioned in 2007 from silversmith Clive Burr.

The Mace is the symbol of the University's authority to award degrees. Edge Hill University commissioned its mace in 2007, from silversmith Clive Burr. Inspired by the University Coat of Arms and the campus architecture, the mace took six months to produce, and is crafted from sterling silver. At the head is an 18-carat yellow gold dome enamelled by Jane Short, with a hand engraved inscription of the University motto running around the silver edge. The main body has a hand engraved decoration running around it, the design inspired by the acanthus leaves and stone columns of the entrance of the original University building.

Recognition

The Times Higher Education shortlisted Edge Hill for the University of the Year award in 2011, 2010 and 2007.

Campus

Edge Hill has its main 160-acre (650,000 m²) campus in Ormskirk in West Lancashire. Liverpool is the nearest city. A number of new buildings have been erected in recent years, the latest being a Student Hub which opened in September 2011. A focus on sustainability has resulted in environmental awards such as a commendation in the 2011 Green Gown Awards made by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges. Amenities include restaurants and cafes, a bar and nightclub, two theatres, a general shop, a large library and IT suites with 24hr Internet access. The sports complex was recently included in the Pre-Olympic Games Training Guide for London 2012.

As well as the existing halls of residence which provide 1,045 rooms, proposals to build further new Halls with capacity for a further 384 students have been approved by West Lancashire Borough Council. .

The Woodlands campus is based in Chorley, Lancashire and offers continuing professional development programmes and part-time study.

Wirral Education Centre offers HLTA training and foundation degrees in Supporting Teaching and Learning. Woodford Lodge in Cheshire is the base for education-related foundation degrees and HLTA training in Cheshire. Part-time Primary QTS programmes, HLTA training and education-related foundation degrees can also be studied at the Training and Development Centre in Shrewsbury.

Edge Hill University also has a network of partner colleges teaching and delivering some of its Foundation degrees. Partners include: Hugh Baird College, Knowsley Community College, Liverpool Community College, Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute, Respiratory Education UK, Riverside College, Southport College, Trafford College and Wirral Metropolitan College.

Courses

Edge Hill University's undergraduate courses include BA/BSc and LLB degrees, health pre-registration qualifications and teacher training degrees.

Postgraduate provision includes PGCEs, Masters programmes, an MBA, MPhil and PhD research degrees and MRes programmes.

There are also extensive opportunities for professional development at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Students

According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, student numbers in the 09/10 academic year comprised 9,039 full-time and sandwich students and 16,280 part-time students, a total of 25,319.

Student Satisfaction

In the National Student Survey 2011, Edge Hill University achieved an overall satisfaction level of 84%.

In the assessment area of Personal Development, Edge Hill University ranks second in England, with Oxford University being ranked first.

In the assessment area of Assessment and Feedback, Edge Hill is placed in the top three in England.

For average score across all 22 questions asked in the survey, the University ranked second to University of Lancaster for overall satisfaction in the North West.

Scores and national and regional rankings for specific subject areas include:

Subject area	Average score	UK rank	North West rank
Computer Science	4.25	7	1
Dance	4.67	1	1
Drama	4.21	11	1
History	4.45	7	1
Creative Writing	4.25	4	2
Law	4.33	8	1
Physical Geography and Environmental Science	4.45	2	2
Psychology	4.20	12	1
Social Work	4.03	17	2
Nursing BSc	4.27	5	2
Academic Studies in Education	4.02	25	1

The average score is out of five and taken from seven possible graded areas of the survey.

Sport

Edge Hill has many different sports teams competing in the BUCS leagues. Teams include: Track & Field, Netball, Football, Futsal, Hockey, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Badminton and Pool. All teams play their home games on Wednesday afternoons at the University's sport venues and other private venues in the local area such as Ormskirk R.U.F.C. Sporting Edge, a sports complex open to the public, is based on the campus.

SOLSTICE (eLearning)

SOLSTICE is a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), established in April 2005. SOLSTICE enhances student learning and the learning environment through investment in technologies and facilities for learning and research into the student experience to inform policy and practice, promoting a student centred approach to support online and blended learning, and the use of learning technologies.

Chancellor and Pro-Chancellors

The University Chancellor is Professor Tanya Byron, a clinical psychologist, journalist, author and broadcaster. There are two Pro-Chancellors: Chris Trinick, a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire, the first chairman of the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) and former Chief Executive of Lancashire County Council; and Michael Pinfold, who also serves as Chair of the Board of Governors.

Notable staff

Staff of the University include film producer Profesor Roger Shannon, musicologist Richard Witts, Professor of Sport and Exercise Sciences Lars McNaughton, nutritionist Anne Coufopoulos, Director of the Centre for Sports Law Research Professor Richard Parrish, and palliative care expert Professor Barbara Jack.

Honorary awards

Edge Hill University has awarded Honorary degrees to a number of individuals including

• Joe Ainsworth (scriptwriter)
• Patricia Bacon DBE (college principal)
• Camila Batmanghelidjh (charity leader)
• Mary Bousted (General Secretary of the teachers' union, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers; noted as one the 100 'people to watch in 2012' by the Times newsapaper
• Jon Culshaw (impressionist and comedian)
• Professor John Ellershaw (palliative care expert)
• Tim Gill (childhood expert)
• Stuart Maconie (author and DJ)
• Bhikhu Parekh (political theorist)
• Jennifer Saunders (writer and television personality)
• Sue Smith (footballer)
• Mark Thompson (Director-General of the BBC)
• Shirley Williams (politician and academic)

Notable alumni

See also: Category:Alumni of Edge Hill University

• Murray Dron (TV reporter/presenter)
• Mark Edwardson (TV news presenter, BBC North West Tonight)
• Stuart Maconie (Author, BBC DJ & TV Presenter)
• Helena Normanton KC (First woman to practice as a barrister in the UK)
• Jonathan Pryce (Actor)
• Barra Best (Journalist and weather presenter, BBC Newsline)
• Steve Sinnott (General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers)
• Sue Smith (footballer)
• Liam Colbon (Rugby League player)
• Eric Hughes (Rugby League player)

External links

• Official website
• Official Facebook page
• Edge Hill Anime Society Message Board
• SOLSTICE eLearning Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning