Roehampton University

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Roehampton University


Established	1975, independent university status August 1, 2004
Type	Public
Chancellor	John Simpson
Vice-Chancellor	Paul O'Prey
Students	7,955 ^[1]
Undergraduates	6,410 ^[1]
Postgraduates	1,545 ^[1]
Location	Roehampton, London, United Kingdom
Website	http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/ student website

Roehampton University is a campus university situated on two major sites at Roehampton in south-west London, in the United Kingdom. The listed buildings stand in grounds close to Richmond Park and Putney, with central London just a few miles away.

[edit] History

Roehampton Institute was created in 1975 by the federation of four teacher training colleges with nineteenth-century origins. The colleges, in order of foundation, are Whitelands College, an Anglican foundation, Southlands College, a Methodist foundation, Digby Stuart College, named after two pioneers in Catholic education, and Froebel College, established to promote the progressive educational philosophy of Friedrich Froebel. Academic work is organised and controlled on an institution-wide basis, but the collegiate structure is still an important feature.

From 1 January 2000, Roehampton Institute became an equal partner of the Federal University of Surrey, changing its name to the University of Surrey Roehampton. The other partner was the University of Surrey (UniS). Whilst working closely together, Roehampton and UniS functioned as independent, self-regulating universities. Both registered students independently and Roehampton students continued to be taught on a Roehampton campus. Because each institution controlled its own property, employed its own staff and registered its own students, applications were made to each institution separately. Applicants used distinct UCAS codes for both Roehampton and UniS.

In late 2003, the University of Surrey Roehampton announced that it would submit an application for independent university title to the Department for Education and Skills, and the application was submitted on 18 March 2004. The name chosen was Roehampton University. The application was considered by the Privy Council, and on June 23, 2004 it was announced that independent University title was to be granted.

On August 1, 2004, the University of Surrey Roehampton became Roehampton University.

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

Paul O'Prey is the current Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor, supported by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Jane Broadbent and Pro Vice-Chancellors Dr. Peter Briggs, Chris Cobb and Andy Masheter. Simon Attwell is Director of Financial Strategy. Michael Young is Chair of Council.

The University has recently published a new Strategic Plan, incorporating an ambitious Campus Strategy and a review of the University's portfolio, designed to focus the subject range available there in specific and distinctive areas of core strength.