Staffordshire University

Staffordshire University

Motto	Create the difference
Type	Public
Established	1971 (as North Staffordshire Polytechnic)
Chancellor	Baron Morris of Handsworth
Vice-Chancellor	Professor Christine King CBE, DL
Students	15,190
Undergraduates	11,795
Postgraduates	3,395
Location	Staffordshire (Stafford; Stoke-on-Trent; Lichfield) , Shropshire (Shrewsbury) , United Kingdom
Campus	Urban and Rural
Website	http://www.staffs.ac.uk/

Staffordshire University is a university with its main campus based in the city of Stoke-on-Trent, and with other campuses in Stafford & Lichfield.

History

North Staffordshire Polytechnic was formed in 1971 with the merger of Stoke-on-Trent College of Art, North Staffordshire College of Technology (both based in Stoke-on-Trent), and Staffordshire College of Technology in Stafford. The Polytechnic later (in 1977) absorbed a teacher training facility in Madeley.

The Polytechnic was able to develop traditional strengths of the component institutions, eg ceramics, computing and sports education. However, the mining department closed as result of the decline of coal mining in the 1980s. New subjects were developed, for example, in the 1970s North Staffordshire Polytechnic was amongst only a handful of third-level institutions in the UK to offer International Relations as a dedicated degree. The 1992 UK government Research Assessment Exercise placed the International Relations Department as the highest-rated in the institution.

In September 1988 the institution changed its name to Staffordshire Polytechnic. In 1992 it became Staffordshire University, one of the New Universities.

Accolades

The University is noted for its science departments; in 2002 Psychology was among the top ten in the country, while Molecular Biochemistry and Organismal Biosciences were rated as 'excellent' by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Forensic science has a purpose-bought 'scene of crime' house.

The School of Computing was originally situated at Blackheath Lane on the edge of Stafford in GEC's former Nelson Research Laboratory. It offered one of the first BSc courses in computing in the United Kingdom and its first major computer was a second hand DEUCE. The School of Computing has now moved to a purpose-built building on the Beaconside campus and the newly refurbished Brindley Building in Stoke, and continues to offer one of the best respected computing degrees in the UK. The Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology (FCET) is a Cisco Networking Academy.

The University was the first institution to introduce a single honours degree in Film, Television and Radio Studies in 1990. A new Media Centre was opened by Greg Dyke in 2005, comprising radio studios, television news desk and broadcast journalist suite.

Staffordshire Law School is highly regarded, and runs one of only five Legal Practice Courses to be rated "Excellent" by The Law Society. The law school also offers the undergraduate law degree and the law conversion course, known as the Graduate Diploma in law or the Common Professional Examination. As such, the school is able to offer all of the education required to apply for a training contract, with many other universities not being able to offer the same comprehensive route.

The Forensic Science degrees (Forensic Science, Forensic Science and Criminology and Forensic Science and Psychology) were accredited by the Forensic Science Society (FSC) in 2007, one of four universities whose courses have been acknowledged for teaching services and high academic quality [1]. The Forensic theme is continued on the Stafford Campus where the Faculty of Computing Engineering and Technology was one of the first university faculties in the UK to offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the new field of Forensic Computing.

Campuses

Staffordshire University, College Road, Stoke. The building shown is the former technical college, opened 1914

Staffordshire University consists of two primary campuses, four smaller campuses, and extensive links with National, European and Transnational academic institutions.

The Two main campuses (Stoke-on Trent and Stafford) and the Lichfield campus all have purpose built Business Villages; which consist of fully furnished small office spaces with full internet access included.

Stoke-On-Trent

The main campus is in Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, and primarily offers law, business, sciences, applied computing, arts, design and media production courses. these are split into two areas, one on College Road, and the other on Leek Road. A large section of the campus is supported by AirNet, the university's free wireless connection.

A public film theatre is situated on the side of the Flaxman building on College Road, and shows mainstream and independent films on a regular basis to an audience of up to 180 people, as well as being used for large lectures. In 2006, a new TV studio facility was opened by former BBC Director General Greg Dyke in the Arts, Media and Design faculty building on College Road, Stoke. The new £1 million development features up to date technology and industry specification equipment.

Staffordshire University also participated in the Stafford Film Festival, held at its Stafford venue, until the County Council ceased to show sufficient interest and effort in organising the 2009 festival. Festival organisers are planning to create a new festival at the Stoke campus to replace it.

Stafford

The Beaconside campus in the town of Stafford offers engineering, technology and computing courses, some business courses, nursing, midwifery and mental health on the campus. The Beaconside campus consists of the huge Octagon building which houses the extensive computer facilities, the JCB Schools Centre, The Beacon Building for Engineering (which was fully renovated through the spring/summer of 2008), the new Ruxton Technology Centre (named after the previous Dean of School, Professor Tom Ruxton). The Beacon Building covers an array of technology subjects such as computer games design, music, film, design technology, digital film, 3D animation, automotive, aeronautic and sports technology and a new television studio centre opened by the H. M. The Queen on 31 March 2006 as part of the University's commitment to media technology, in particular Film Production Technology and associated courses.

Nursing courses are taught just around the corner from Beaconside on Blackheath Lane following the integration into the University in 1995 of the Shropshire and Staffordshire College of Nursing and Midwifery, which also has bases in Shrewsbury, Telford and Oswestry.

Lichfield

In 1998, in partnership with Tamworth and Lichfield College, the University opened a newly built campus in Lichfield quite near Lichfield City railway station.

Shrewsbury, Telford and Oswestry

This part of the university is mainly for nursing and midwifery courses.

Developing an Enterprise Culture

Staffordshire University have been at the forefront of enterprise developments in the H.E. sector since 2000 and now have a host of innovative schemes running. The University run two 'business start-up' schemes, one for undergraduates (SPEED)[2] and one for post graduates (EFS)[3]. Both of these schemes allow students to develop business and enterprise/ entrepreneurship skills within the protective environment of the University's own Business Villages.

The University was also the first in the country to develop a 'Foundation Degree in Business Start-Up'[4] which places students in offices within the Business Villages to actively run with their business idea, and at the same time gaining the necessary skills to develop into successful businesses. Staffordshire University are presently in the process of increasing this portfolio into sector specific areas to redress the balance with failing industries in the region.

Overseas

The University has around 5000 students studying overseas on Staffordshire University awards in China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Greece, Spain and France. (as of June 2005 [5])

Regenerating Stoke-on-Trent

The University is seeking to develop in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent College and Stoke-on-Trent 6th Form College and with the co-operation of the local education authority and the city council, a "University Quarter" in the urban area to the north-east of Stoke-on-Trent railway station that is already home to the University and the two colleges. The vision is that the University Quarter (located between College Road and Leek Road), through the promotion of excellence, in education, design, architecture and sustainable regeneration will attract both students and developers and become a gateway to the city and to the region.

Halls of Residence

The University offers guaranteed accommodation for all first year students, provided the University is their firm UCAS choice. [6]

All accommodation is situated close to all teaching, sporting and Union venues.

Stafford

On-Campus

The Stafford campus has its own halls of residence, Stafford Court, comprising over 264 en suite single study bedrooms and 290 single study bedrooms with shared facilities. The various houses take their names from villages in Staffordshire: Brocton, Derrington, Eccleshall, Gnosall, Haughton, Knightley, Levedale, Milwich, Norbury, Ranton, Shugborough and Weston. A separate block of larger flats, named after the village of Yarlet (previously Beckett Hall), is also on the same site. This comprises an additional 51 single study bedrooms over three floors, each accommodating 17 residents who share a kitchen, dining room and four shower rooms. All of these halls are directly opposite the Stafford campus buildings on Weston Road. All accommodation on the Stafford Campus has 24/7 Security with Stafford Court benefitting from secure access to the accommodation via a two-way intercom system and students can book the "Aston Common Room" for social events at no cost to them. [7] The post room is open from 1pm to 2pm on weekdays (excluding Bank Holidays) for students to collect their post.

Students in Stafford On-Campus accommodation have free access to the Internet, via "ResNet", which also allows access to the university network. Keycom is an optional telephone package to which residents can subscribe. A handset is provided in every room. Calls within Halls are free. The external number for the rooms is 01785 60xxxx where xxxx is replaced with the 4 digits shown on the phone socket

Off-Campus

The off-Campus accommodation at Stafford is called "Beaconside Village", and is ex-RAF accommodation. Beaconside contains 54 semi detached houses arranged around a communal green area, and provides 161 reasonably sized bedrooms. It is situated 1km from the teaching campus.

These properties do not have Keycom or ResNet facilities, however many have had Virgin Media or other services installed by previous occupants. [8]

Stoke

On-Campus

At Stoke, Halls of residence are primarily situated on the Leek Road Campus. The shared-bathroom accommodation was sponsored by various local potteries, and halls are therefore named after them, for example Royal Doulton, Coalport, Minton, Spode, Aynsley and Wedgwood Halls. It has been reported on a number of occasions that people can enter a neighbouring room by climbing through the roof tiles in Minton halls.

The on campus en-suite accommodation is contained within Clarice Cliff Court, comprising of 7 halls of about 30 students over three floors, each named after female ceramicists: Rachel Bishop, Eve Midwinter, Jessie Van Hallen, Charlotte Rhead, Jessie Tait, Millicent Taplin and Star Wedgwood. Along with the halls and en-suite, Staffordshire University also offers 32 houses known as the Leek Road Houses which inhabit up to 6 people each. [9]

Students in Stoke-on-trent On-Campus accommodation have free access to the Internet, via "ResNet", which also allows access to the university network. Keycom is an optional telephone package to which residents can subscribe. A handset is provided in every room. Calls within Halls are free. The external number for the rooms is 01782 76 xxxx where xxxx is replaced with the 4 digits shown on the phone socket.

Off-Campus

Carlton House, Caledonia Road, Queen Anne Street Flats, Cromwell Court, Church Street and Sovereign House are situated off campus. They are all within 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) of the Stoke Campus, and are reserved for postgraduate and returning (second and third year) students. As with the on-campus accommodation, each room is equipped with a ResNet connection and a Keycom telephone link. [10]

Each of the halls have large car parks, which are free for students to use.

Private sector

Private sector housing in Stoke-on-Trent is very affordable with prices ranging from £38-£55 a week (exclusive of bills) for rooms in shared basic terraced houses.

The Shelton area of Stoke is where many students choose to live after their first year. The area has many houses which are used by students - each fairly big in size.

Although the area may appear slightly run down and shabby most of the private accommodation is very good and provides students with good access to the University facilities. The proximity of Shelton to the University and the large quantity of student accommodation has effectively turned it into a mini-student village.

Alternatively there is also the popular College Court Halls - which are privately run and operate in a similar way to halls. The Halls are situated opposite to Hanley Park and are within close range to the University. The Halls are also newer than most accommodation in the area and also provides students with a large common room with SKY television access. The cost of College Court is higher then that of houses in Shelton, but as all bills are included it is actually cheaper then Clarice Cliffe and the majority of Shelton terraces.

Private sector accommodation in Stafford tends to be about £10 per week more expensive than in Stoke, but is still very affordable.

Students' Union

Staffordshire University Students' Union aims to represent students at Staffordshire University, England. The Union is run by five Sabbatical Officers and four part time Executive Committee Officers, all of whom are held to account by a Union Council.

Student media at Staffordshire University is collectively referred to as GKmedia. It comprises a monthly student newspaper called GKnews, formerly known as Get Knotted (with reference to the Stafford Knot), a radio station that broadcasts on the internet called GKradio (with such shows as 'Whole Lotta Rock') and GKtv.

For evening entertainment, a common activity of students, there are Legends and The Lounge (formerly Sleepers) at Stafford, and Ember Lounge (formerly Odyssey) and Leek Road Venue (LRV) at Stoke.

The union provides a wide range of regular evening events at both campuses. Stafford hosts a "Clubs and Societies Takeover" night on Mondays, Tuesdays are Student nights in Stafford centre, so the union does not provide a specific event, Project Friday, with DJ Chris Lauriello on Friday nights, and a Quiz night on Sundays. At the LRV at Stoke, there is Monday Nights Quiz, Gobble on Wednesdays, and Super Friday on Friday with DJ Dan [11]. Saturday nights play host to live music nights which in the past have included Wheatus, Alan Fletcher (Dr Karl from Neighbours) and The Hoosiers.

Wednesday afternoons are put aside for the University's sports teams to carry out their weekly fixtures. These include the Netball, Rugby union and Football sides, as well as each campus's 5-a-side leagues.

The 2007/08 Sports season saw the Rugby Union 2nd's based at the Stafford campus be promoted to Staffordshire University 1st's after both winning their league and finishing in the BUSA National VASE top 16. In recognition, they received "Sports Society of the Year 2007/08" by the Student Union

On March 11th 2009 Staffordshire University won the Varsity against their rivals Keele University.

For more information, see the Staffs Union Website.

For a list of clubs and societies, see List of Clubs and Societies.

Notable alumni

• Jermaine Allen, Professional American Football player who is currently on the New Orleans Saints practice squad. A NFLE world bowl winner with Hamberg Sea-Devils in 2006
• Fatmir Besimi, singer, drug queen, anal toys model and Minister of the Economy of the Republic of Bananadonia.
• Claire Curtis-Thomas MP.
• Jim Davies, Guitarist for The Prodigy and Pitchshifter.
• Marcus Dillistone Royal Premiered Film Director (music producer Athens 2004 Olympic Opening & Closing Ceremonies).
• David Gorman Standup comedian.
• Tim Field, founder of the UK National Workplace Bullying Advice Line.
• Emma Jones, Tabloid journalist, and former editor of Smash Hits magazine.
• Edward Lay, drummer for indie rock band Editors.
• David Leach, Studio potter.
• Russell Leetch, bass guitarist for rock band Editors.
• Lemmy, Lead singer of Motörhead.
• John Mayock, Athlete and olympian.
• Ian McMillan, Poet and broadcaster.
• Joanna Spear, Director of the Security Policy Studies Program at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.
• Graham Shaw, footballer.
• Tom Smith, Lead Singer for Editors (who met and formed whilst studying Music Technology at Staffordshire University).
• Andrew Triggs-Hodge, Olympic Oarsman.
• Chris Urbanowicz Lead Guitarist for Editors (who met and formed whilst studying Music Technology at Staffordshire University).
• Mo Chaudry, local businessman, owner of the UK's number 1 waterpark, winner of a silver medal at the 1982 Student Olympics in weightlifting whilst attending the university.
• Tom Kingham, Radio Broadcaster - host of Tom Kingham's Breakfast Portion on local station Focal Radio

Also the many famous artists produced by Burslem School of Art can be regarded as alumni, as the university is the successor institution.

External links

• Staffordshire University web site
• Staffordshire University Undergraduate Microsite
• Staffordshire University Business Evolution Microsite
• Staffordshire University Reviews
• Staffordshire University Rugby Union First XV Site (Stafford Campus
• The Unofficial Guide To North Stafford Polytechnic