University of Roehampton

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University of Roehampton
Roehampton University logo.png
Established 1841 - establishment of Whitelands College
1975 - Roehampton Institute of Higher Education
2000 - Federal University of Surrey
2004 - gained independent university status
Type Public
Chancellor John Simpson, CBE
Vice-Chancellor Paul O'Prey
Students 8,535[1]
Undergraduates 6,720[1]
Postgraduates 1,810[1]
Location Roehampton, London, England, UK
Affiliations ASPETE, CCUC, CGU, EUA, UUK
Website http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/

The University of Roehampton (formerly Roehampton University) is a campus university in the United Kingdom, situated on three major sites in Roehampton, south-west London.

Contents

History [edit]

The university has its roots in the traditions of its four constituent colleges, all of which were founded in the 19th century as teacher training colleges:

  • Whitelands College – Founded in 1841, the college is one of the five oldest institutions for training educators in England. A flagship women's college of the Church of England, it was the first college of higher education in the UK to admit women. It occupies a 14-acre site overlooking Richmond Park.
  • Southlands College – Founded in 1872, the college derives it ethos from its Methodist foundation. It offers an open and valuable community for all of its members, and regularly organises a range of events and activities to help build and support the community.
  • Digby Stuart College – Established in 1874 as a teacher training college for Roman Catholic women. The college owes its existence to the Society of the Sacred Heart, whose members continue to support the college and the university.
  • Froebel College – Founded in 1892, the college was established to further the values of Friedrich Froebel, the German educationalist who pioneered a holistic view of child development. It is one of the UK’s major centres for initial teacher training.

All four colleges were founded to address the need to educate poor and disadvantaged children.

1975, these four historic colleges came together to form the Roehampton Institute of Higher Education (RIHE). From 1975 to 1984, the Institute's degrees were validated by the University of London.

In 1984, RIHE became a constituent college of the University of Surrey. In 2000, RIHE became an equal partner in the Federal University of Surrey (along with the original University of Surrey in Guildford), and became known as the University of Surrey Roehampton.

In late-2002, the University of Surrey Roehampton announced that it would submit an application for independent university status to the Department for Education and Skills. The application was submitted on 18 March 2004. The name chosen was "Roehampton University". The application was considered by the Privy Council, and on 23 June 2004 it was announced that independent university status was to be granted. On 1 August 2004, the University of Surrey Roehampton became Roehampton University. The Federal University of Surrey was therefore dissolved on this date.

John Simpson became the first Chancellor of Roehampton University in 2005.

Facilities [edit]

Sports [edit]

The University is equipped with a state-of-the-art fitness centre, grass football pitches, a multi-use games area, studio facilities and a sports hall for indoor sports and classes. Teams also have access to excellent nearby facilities, including the Roehampton Club and the National Tennis Centre. Sports are managed by Sport Roehampton, and the options available to students range from football and cricket to ultimate and Zumba.

Library [edit]

The University Library is open seven days a week during term time, with the PC suites usually open 24/7 every day of the year. The library has in excess of 350,000 books, as well as an ever-increasing collection of e-books and electronic journals.

Accommodation [edit]

Roehampton consists of four colleges around which accommodation is centred:

Digby Stuart College

  • Bede House
  • Lee House
  • Newman House
  • Shaw House

Froebel College

  • Aspen House
  • Linden House
  • Willow House
  • Lawrence
  • Garden Court
  • New Court
  • Old Court
  • Mount Clare

Southlands College

  • Aldersgate and Epworth Court
  • Wesley Hall

Whitelands College

  • Beverley and Cheltenham
  • Durham and Gilesgate
  • Kings and Melrose
  • Sutherland and Walpole

Academic Departments [edit]

  • Department of Dance
  • Department of Drama, Theatre and Performance
  • Department of Education
  • Department of English and Creative Writing
  • Department of Humanities
  • Department of Life Sciences
  • Department of Media, Culture and Language
  • Department of Psychology
  • Department of Social Sciences
  • Roehampton University Business School

Reputation and standing [edit]

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), Roehampton University was ranked first in the country for Dance and Biological Anthropology, and a total of 10 out of the 15 subjects that submitted work produced a proportion of research judged to be world-leading in terms of its originality and significance.

The University is the top post-92 university in London for students finding employment after they graduate.[2] 78% of all research undertaken at the university was of an international standard. This has led to the university having "one of the strongest research profiles among modern universities".[3]

Increasingly, the University is placing greater emphasis on a liberal arts position regarding higher education.

Roehampton Students' Union (RSU) [edit]

The RSU is the main organisation of student representation at the University. It is led by student officers elected by the student body, and aims to promote the interests and welfare of all those studying at Roehampton. It is also a focal point for social activities, and is responsible for organising events like the Summer Ball and nights out in London. The Union itself has 12 different bars, cafes and restaurants spread around the campus.

Notable alumni [edit]

Amongst the alumni of the University of Roehampton, and other institutions that fall under that banner are:

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2006/07" (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet). Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved 2008-04-12. 
  2. ^ Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey for 2008 graduates
  3. ^ Sunday Times University Guide

External links [edit]

Coordinates: 51°27′24″N 0°14′35″W / 51.4566°N 0.2431°W / 51.4566; -0.2431

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