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Teesside University

Coordinates: 54°34′20″N 1°14′06″W / 54.57220°N 1.23491°W / 54.57220; -1.23491
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Teesside University
MottoTemplate:Lang-la[1]
Motto in English
Deeds Not Words[1]
TypePublic
Established1930 – Constantine Technical College[2]
1969 – as Teesside Polytechnic
1992 – gained university status
Endowment£0.25 m (2015)[3]
ChancellorPaul Drechsler CBE[4]
Vice-ChancellorPaul Croney[5]
Students20,104[6]
Undergraduates18,263[6]
Postgraduates2,138[6]
Location
Middlesbrough and Darlington
,
England, UK
CampusUrban
Colours  Red
  Yellow
AffiliationsUniversity Alliance
Universities UK
Websitewww.tees.ac.uk

Teesside University is a public university with its main campus in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire in North East England. It has 18,576 students, according to the 2015/16 HESA student record.[6]

History and development

Teesside University's Students' Union

A shortage of funding long proved a barrier to developing the Middlesbrough-based Mechanics' Institute of 1844. With the required funding, the College's launch could have come as early as 1914. Even after the donation of £40,000 to build the college from local shipping magnate Joseph Constantine in 1916, progress was slow. A Governing Council took place in 1922, followed by a doubling of the original financial offer by the Constantine family in 1924. For the task of constructing the first technical college building, Graham R. Dawbarn (a London architect also responsible for additions to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge) was appointed on 29 March 1926.[8] Building work began in 1927, culminating in the beginning of enrolment and teaching on 16 September 1929.

Constantine Technical College was formally opened on 2 July 1930 by the future King Edward VIII, the Prince of Wales. Although not yet a university, Constantine was a further and higher education college from the onset. Students at Constantine could be as young as 15. Degree courses, published in the College's prospectus were validated by the University of London. Disciplines included metallurgy, engineering and chemistry. Five rooms were also reserved for an art department, until cramped accommodation forced the School of Art to split from its parent site for the 1950s.

Teesside University's Phoenix Building

The 1960s were years of sweeping change – as well as political sting – for the still comparatively fledgling College. By the end of the decade the first two "Teesside University" campaigns had begun: the first, from the early 1960s to 1966, and the second, from 1967 to 1972. Spates of enthusiasm were killed off on each occasion by the scepticism of then-Minister of Education, Anthony Crosland, and Margaret Thatcher's defining White Paper, respectively. The latter effectively shelved plans for the erection of any new institution in the United Kingdom, until the 1980s at least.[9]

On campus, one of the most visible major developments for the College was an extension in 1963 which featured an 11-storey "skyscraper" . The College also acquired the neighbouring former High School of 1877. The College briefly restyled itself as Constantine College of Technology, before becoming Teesside Polytechnic (Britain's 13th Polytechnic) in 1969. At that point, the institution ran seventeen degree courses.

A merger with Teesside College of Education took place in the 1970s along with the purchase of Flatts Lane. The Clarendon Building was added in 1973, as was the Stephenson Building in 1976. Both of these buildings remained in use for the Polytechnic's long-awaited conversion into a university. That happened on 16 June 1992,[10] when Teesside Polytechnic became the University of Teesside, one of the UK's first new universities following that year's Further and Higher Education Act.

Victoria Building

By the 1990s, the institution had almost 8,000 students.[citation needed] In 1997 the old Polytechnic's library was replaced with a Learning Resource Centre. Subsequent additions included the Virtual Reality Centre and Centre for Enterprise, and later, the Phoenix and Athena Buildings by CPMG Architects. Today, historic structures such as the old High School (the Waterhouse building), the Constantine building and Victoria Building of 1891 (a schoolyard-equipped Victorian school, housing a series of graduate business incubator units), are all Grade II listed buildings.[citation needed]

In 2009, the University of Teesside changed its name to "Teesside University". It also changed its logo and adopted the motto "Inspiring success" as part of a £20,000 rebrand. Alternative names included "Middlesbrough University" and "Tees Valley University".[11]

On 15 October 2009, Teesside was named University of the Year and awarded Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative in the Times Higher Education Awards.[12]

In 2010, the £17m Centuria South building for dental training and sports therapy was opened. This continues to provide specialist facilities.[citation needed] A major phase of development known as campus Heart[13] began in 2014. This £22m landmark development created a central focus to the Middlesbrough campus. It also brought the iconic building, The Curve, a new £20m teaching building. As part of this £280m investment period, a "living wall" was created around a giant plasma screen on the side of the University's Student Centre.[citation needed] In September 2017, the University unveiled a £300m campus masterplan set to transform its campus across the following decade.[14]

The University was awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize (2014–18) for outstanding work in the field of enterprise and business engagement.[citation needed]

In 2017, Teesside University was awarded a Silver rating in the government's new Teaching Excellence Framework.[citation needed]

In July 2017, it was reported that several professors at Teesside University in the UK have been told they must reapply for their positions over the summer or face redundancy. The university says the purpose of this is to bring all university professors under the same job title by creating a new position, rather than to save costs. Higher education policy watchers warned that this decision is part of a trend of casualising university employees. [15]

In August 2017, Teesside University was criticised for misleading adverts.[16] It was ordered to remove claims which were in breach of Advertising Standards Authority rules by stating the University claim that it was a "top university in England for long-term graduate prospects" gave a misleading picture of the reality.[17]

Campuses

The main entrance to Teesside University, showing the Waterhouse Building clock tower

Since its formation as Constantine Technical College in 1930, Teesside University has been located in the borough of Middlesbrough in the North Yorkshire area of England on the south banks of the River Tees. Transport links exist through the A19 and A66 roads. The University's main entrance is at the site of the old Constantine College building, fronted by the Waterhouse clock tower.

The University opened its original Darlington campus in the former Eastbourne Secondary School in the Eastbourne area of Darlington. A new £13m Darlington campus opened in 2011 at Central Park. Today the Darlington campus is known as the Centre for Professional and Executive Development (CPED).

Teesside University dance students at Temenos, close to the Middlesbrough campus

Campus Heart is the latest phase of investment in the Middlesbrough campus and has seen £30m of development in total. This development began in 2014 and includes the £20m building, The Curve which has a 200-seat lecture theatre and 1,476 square metres (15,890 sq ft) of teaching and learning space. It sits within a pedestrianised and landscaped area which is seen as a focal point to the campus.[citation needed]

In 2015, £6m was invested in the refurbishment and extension of the University's Orion Building – this includes a three-storey glass extension to house new, industry-standard equipment. It was announced in August 2015, that a further £2.5m is to be invested in the award-winning Students' Union, and £2m on campus catering facilities. The library is also expected to see a £5m investment.[18]

A£2.5m health and fitness centre opened at Teesside University's Middlesbrough campus in January 2016.

£300m is set to be spent on the University's campus between 2017–2027.[19]

Accommodation

Teesside University provides accommodation in self-catered rooms which are mostly reserved for first year undergraduate students. Accommodation is also available for international students, postgraduates, staff and undergraduates.

The University has a range of managed residences (halls, houses and flats). Further places are available through the university managed housing scheme (properties owned by private landlords but managed by the University).

In 2015, the university acquired Teesside Central, adding 75 en-suite apartments to its accommodation portfolio.[20] This accommodation is known as Central Halls.

MIMA

Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, or MIMA, is a contemporary art gallery in the centre of Middlesbrough. It is run in partnership with Teesside University.

Academic profile

Rankings
National rankings
Complete (2025)[21]95
Guardian (2025)[22]68
Times / Sunday Times (2025)[23]87
Global rankings
THE (2025)[24]601–800

Teesside University has won seven National Teaching Fellowships.[25]

The Vice-Chancellor is Professor Paul Croney, who took up the position in May 2015 when Professor Graham Henderson retired.[26] In April 2005, the University welcomed Lord Sawyer as its Chancellor, succeeding the University's first ever Chancellor, European Commissioner Leon Brittan.

Research

Teesside University's research is focused on addressing five thematic areas.

In research, the university offers an array of routes of study resulting in the qualification of MPhil, PhD, MProf and DProf.[27]

Students' Union

The Students' Union is led by students for students with three current students elected by the student body to hold the positions of President Education, President Activities and President Welfare in March of each year. They take their posts from July to the end of June each year and have the option to seek re-election for a second and final term if they wish.

The current student officer team will hold their posts until July 2019 and currently consists of Thomas Platt (President Education), Andrew Richardson (President Activities) and Sophie Bennett (President Welfare).

As the officer trustees they sit on a wider board of trustees who oversee the running of the Students' Union which also includes external trustees drawn from the worlds of local government, business, charity and the public sector.

The Students' Union has won numerous accolades; it was named Students' Union of the Year at the BEDA (Bar Entertainment and Dance Association) Awards in 2004[citation needed] and Club Mirror Students' Union of the Year in 2002,[citation needed] as well as finishing runner-up in the latter award in 2007.[citation needed] In 2002/2003, the Students' Union also won the Sport England Volunteer Investment Programme Award,[citation needed] while the Union's bar, The Terrace Bar, was awarded Best Bar None status in 2006 and 2008, overcoming competition from universities from across the two regions of the North East and Yorkshire[citation needed] before going on to win four Best Bar None Middlesbrough Awards 2009 recognising outstanding standards of staff training and strong focus on the safety of customers.[citation needed] The Students' Union also won the 2007 It's Not Funny competition,[28] winning a live comedy performance featuring Bill Bailey, Marcus Brigstocke, Andrew Maxwell and Simon Amstell. More recently the SU was shortlisted for NUS Students' Union of the Year in 2014, secured the AQS accreditation for the SU Link and gold in the National Best Bar None Awards 2015 recognising exceptional standards in its social spaces The Terrace and The Hub.

From 2014 the Students' Union has received over £8.5m to refurbish its building and facilities.

Cancelled film screening

Conservative Party candidate and filmmaker John Walsh made a film of the 2010 General Election entitled ToryBoy The Movie in 2011. The film's re-release in 2015 caused controversy after it was not shown at Teesside University. According to the film-maker, the film was booked by the Student Union, but at the last minute the screening was abruptly halted.[29][30][31] The Student Union said the booking was never confirmed.[32] The North Crowd featured an interview with John Walsh on their website where they showed the actual print work that was created by the Student Union [33]

Notable people

Principals of Constantine Technical College

  • Douglas Heber Ingall (1928–1930)
  • Thomas Murray (1931–1936)
  • H. V. Field (1936–1947)
  • David Clark (1947–1955)
  • G. S. Atkinson (1955–1961)
  • John Houghton (1961–1969)

Directors of Teesside Polytechnic

  • John Houghton (1969–1978)
  • Michael Longfield (1979–1992)

Vice-Chancellors of Teesside University

  • Michael Longfield (1992)
  • Prof. Derek Fraser (1992–2003)
  • Prof. Graham Henderson (2003–2015)
  • Prof. Paul Croney (2015–)

Chancellors of Teesside University

Notable staff

Notable alumni

Main category: Alumni of Teesside University

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "love art and architecture" (PDF). Visit Middlesbrough. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
  2. ^ "History of the University". Teesside University. Archived from the original on 27 May 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
  3. ^ "Governors' Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2015" (PDF). Teesside University. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Chancellor". Teesside University. 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Vice-Chancellor's Executive". Teesside University. 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d "Teesside University – About us – Facts and Figures – University of the Year 2009/10". Teesside University Website. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  7. ^ "Teesside University – About us – Facts and Figures – University of the Year 2009/10". Teesside University Website. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  8. ^ Lillie, William (1968). The History of Middlesbrough: An Illustration of the Evolution of English Industry. The Mayor Aldermen and Burgesses of the County Borough of Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough Corporation.
  9. ^ Leonard, J. W. (1981). Constantine College. Teesside Polytechnic.
  10. ^ "About Us – History of Teesside University". Teesside University. Archived from the original on 28 January 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  11. ^ "Inspiring successes with a name change". Evening Gazette. 11 May 2009. p. 10.
  12. ^ "Accolades flow for innovation and excellence". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  13. ^ University, Teesside. "Teesside University – About us". www.tees.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015.
  14. ^ University, Teesside. "Teesside University – News centre – Teesside University unveils £300m Campus Masterplan". www.tees.ac.uk. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  15. ^ Stoye, Emma (21 July 2017). "Outcry after Teesside University professors told to reapply for jobs". Chemistry World.
  16. ^ Advertising Standards Authority, Committees of Advertising Practice. "Teesside University". www.asa.org.uk.
  17. ^ "University criticised for misleading adverts to attract students". The Northern Echo.
  18. ^ "Teesside University building success in National Student Survey". University of Teesside Website. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  19. ^ University, Teesside. "Teesside University – Campus Masterplan – Campus masterplan". tees.ac.uk. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  20. ^ "New accommodation block will enhance student experience at Teesside". University of Teesside Website. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  21. ^ "Complete University Guide 2025". The Complete University Guide. 14 May 2024.
  22. ^ "Guardian University Guide 2025". The Guardian. 7 September 2024.
  23. ^ "Good University Guide 2025". The Times. 20 September 2024.
  24. ^ "THE World University Rankings 2025". Times Higher Education. 9 October 2024.
  25. ^ "Why Choose the University of Teesside?". University of Teesside Website. Archived from the original on 15 April 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  26. ^ "New Vice-Chancellor will build on university's remarkable success". University of Teesside Website. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  27. ^ "RAE 2008 : Quality profiles". Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  28. ^ [1]
  29. ^ John Walsh (film-maker). "John Walsh: ToryBoy The Movie – banned in Middlesbrough". ConservativeHome blog.
  30. ^ "Director upset as ToryBoy film screening cancelled". Evening Gazette (Middlesbrough, England) – via thefreelibrary.com.
  31. ^ Teesside Free Education activists "Our year with the ‘worst union in the country’", National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts blog, September 21, 2015
  32. ^ Student Union involved in row over planned screening of controversial Toryboy the Movie , The North Crowd, 27 April 2015
  33. ^ https://mmj.tees.ac.uk//~project22/index5d95.html?p=863
  34. ^ "MP becomes a time traveller". University of Teesside Website. Retrieved 9 April 2007.
  35. ^ "From Teesside to our television screens". University of Teesside Website. Retrieved 12 July 2008.
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