University of Salford

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The University of Salford
Motto: Altiora Petamus
"Let us seek higher things"
Established: 1896 as Royal Technical Institute, Salford
Type: Public
Chancellor: Professor Sir Martin Harris
Vice-Chancellor: Professor Michael Harloe
Staff: 2,781
Students: 19,890[1]
Undergraduates: 15,505[1]
Postgraduates: 4,385[1]
Location: Salford, Greater Manchester, England
Campus: Urban, park
Colours: Navy, Black, White and Gold
                                                 
Mascot: Lion
Affiliations: University Alliance
Association of Commonwealth Universities
North West Universities Association
Website: http://www.salford.ac.uk
Logo of the University of Salford

The University of Salford is a university based in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, UK. The University has a rich history that stretches back to 1896.

It is situated in 60 acres of parkland which is "a haven of lawns and shrubberies", [2] on the banks of the River Irwell and is less than 1.5 miles from Manchester City Centre.

The University was founded in 1896 as the Royal Technical Institute, Salford and offers a full range of foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses, as well as undertaking notable academic research.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Establishment

The University of Salford dates back to 1896, when Salford Working Men's College merged with the Pendleton Mechanics Institute to form the Salford Technical Institute – which quickly became the Royal Technical Institute, Salford. The Duke and Duchess of York (later King George V and Queen Mary) officiated at the opening ceremony.

At the turn of the century, mechanical engineering, chemical works, textiles and construction dominated the industrial scene in Salford and led the choice of subjects on offer. Initially, students became part of one of nine departments: Mathematics, Engineering, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering & Applied Physics, Building, Dyeing, Spinning & Weaving, Domestic, and Art. 1,240 students registered for the first session, and there were only 19 members of staff.

In 1921 the Institute was renamed the Royal Technical College, Salford, but in 1958 it split into two separate parts. One part, the Royal College of Advanced Technology. The other part, Peel Park Technical College, changed its name first to Salford Technical Institute (in 1961), then to Salford College of Technology (in 1970), and finally to University College Salford (in 1992).

[edit] Royal Charter

In 1963, the government completed an inquiry into the state of higher education in the United Kingdom. This was known as the Robbins Committee report. It was this report that paved the way for the Royal College of Advanced Technology (along with a number of other Colleges of Advanced Technology) to assume university status.

The Royal College of Advanced Technology, went on to become the University of Salford on 10 February 1967 when Her Majesty The Queen handed over the Royal Charter. HRH Prince Philip was the first Chancellor and Clifford Whitworth was the first Vice-Chancellor (who the main University's library is named after).[1]


[edit] The University Today

The University has about 20,000 students and is based on a large green campus. There are four campus including Peel Park, Frederick Road, Adelphi and Irwell Valley. The University is served by Salford Crescent railway station. The University is a popular destination with international students with some 3,000 international students choosing to studying at the University. With significant numbers coming from China, India, Pakistan, Cyprus, Greece, Nigeria Ireland and Malaysia.

The University is the self-styled university of limitless possibilities, and has given equal priority to enterprise alongside teaching and research for the past decade. Its commitment to making learning relevant to the outside world has led to its top ten rating (out of all UK universities) for teaching – and top in the North West - by a report in the journal Quality in Higher Education. According to the The Times, Salford "averaged 21 points out of 24 from 1996 onwards" on teaching quality grades, "with perfect scores for politics and biological sciences.".[3]


[edit] List of Chancellors

[edit] List of Vice-Chancellors

  • Professor Clifford Whitworth (1967 - 19??)
  • Professor Thomas Husband (19?? - 1997)
  • Professor Michael Harloe (1997 - present)

[edit] Faculties

The Maxwell Building as seen from the Crescent.
The Maxwell Building as seen from the Crescent.

The University has established a successful global presence with a 2006/7 turnover of some £156m, four faculties, 12 schools, 13 research institutes, nearly 20,000 students, and over 2,500 staff - serving the needs of industry and commerce. The University of Salford is on the leading edge of research innovation in many fields, including virtual reality, magnetics and optics, genetic algorithms, building design and prosthetics. The University is separated into four faculties each sub-divided into schools:

[edit] Campus and Facilities

The Main Campus, Peel Park campus is less than 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres) from Manchester City Centre on the banks of the River Irwell. The campus is adjacent to a large green and leafy public park - Peel Park, which first opened on 1846-08-22 is said to be possibly the first public park in the world.[5] According to the The Sunday Times the student view of Salford is that it is "a relaxed campus close to Manchester, but cheaper and greener."[6] There is also a mainline railway station on the Campus, Salford Crescent railway station. In addition, there are a number of other university facilities located within a mile of the main campus, namely the Frederick Road Campus, Adelphi Campus and Irwell Valley campus.

[edit] Major Investment Projects

The University embarked on a £150 million programme of investment, to deliver new buildings and carry out major refurbishment projects. These include:

  • £22m Mary Seacole Building the purpose-built five storey facility for the Faculty of Health & Social Care.
  • £10m Lady Hale Building for the Salford Law School. The whole building acts as its own night storage heating and cooling system thanks to a "Termodeck" system. * £10m Innovation Forum Building
  • Joule Physics Teaching Laboratory provides a purpose-built single laboratory space.
  • Due to be completed in 2011 - A new building for the University's Faculty of Arts, Media & Social Sciences on the Mediacity:uk site in Salford Quays - which will be home to five BBC departments and some of the world’s biggest companies in broadcasting and new media.
  • Significant investment in IT facilities, with the setting up of wireless networks in many buildings across campus.
  • Improvements/refurbishment of facilities for the Faculty of Science, Engineering & Environment.

[edit] Peel Hall

With seating for nearly 400 people, Peel Hall hosts many musical performances and is the main venue for the Midday Recitals. The hall is housed in the Peel Building, a grand Victorian structure located on the Peel Park Campus. Indeed the grand hall is surely testiment to the endearing nature and history of this excellent university.

[edit] Robert Powell Theatre

The University's Robert Powell Theatre mostly stages live performances of modern works and participatory work for younger audiences. The theatre, situated on the Fredrick Road Campus, has come to be associated with a programme of first rate small scale theatre and dance productions.

[edit] Maxwell Hall

Situated at the front of Peel Park Campus the Maxwell Building plays host to concerts and recitals. The building contains an upper hall and a lower hall which together can seat up to 1200.

[edit] Chapman Gallery

Situated in the heart of the Peel Park campus, the Chapman Gallery hosts a wide range of modern and contemporary art exhibitions which showcase the work of up and coming artists, University staff, students and the community of Salford.

[edit] Tom Husband Leisure Centre

Situated on the Peel Park Campus and adjacent to the Students' Union, the Leisure Centre boasts a gym, swimming pool, sauna and spa, squash courts, climbing wall, snooker room and a multi-use sports hall.

[edit] Adelphi Studio Theatre

The Adelphi Studio Theatre is an intimate venue based in the school of Music, Media and Performances Adelphi Building.

[edit] Residential Campuses

The Castle Irwell Student Village, situated less than a mile from the Peel Park campus on the site of the old Manchester Racecourse, is the largest of the university's residential campuses. Built in the form of individual student flats or houses, each building accommodates six, eleven or twelve students in single study bedrooms with communal showers, toilets and a shared kitchen and dining area. The Pavilion, fondly known as "the Pav" lies at its centre. With 3 bars, dance floors, pool tables and large sports plasma screens this is a favourite haunt of many of the 1600 plus residents of the student village. Castle Irwell also houses grass rugby and football pitches and several floodlit AstroTurf pitches.

Horlock and Constantine Courts are situated right in the heart of the Peel Park Campus, next to the campus' bank, bookshop and Student Union shop.

Matthias and Bramhall Courts comprising two halls of residence situated 5 and 10 minutes walk from the Adelphi and Peel Park Campuses respectively.

Eddie Colman and John Lester Courts comprising another two halls of residence situated a mere five minutes walk from Frederick Road and Peel Park campuses, and a few mintues walk from the Salford City Shopping Centre.

[edit] The University of Salford Students' Union (USSU)

Main article: University of Salford Students' Union

The University's Students' Union, (USSU), is based on the Peel Park Campus in University House. The union operates several commercial service. The revenue generated is invested in the Union to enhance the lives of the student body. Some of these activities are:-

  • Shops. Sited on each campus is a student shop, the largest being on the Peel Park campus (next to which is a bank and bookstore).
  • Print shops. Sited within University House and the Allerton building. Offering an assortment of print services.
  • Bars/Club. The union runs two bars/club. They are:
    • Café/Bar Yours

Located in University House, Yours comprises a coffee shop and café, lounge bar and sports bar. The coffee shop and cafe form an alcohol free space and serves an array of food and drinks from breakfast until early evening.

    • The Pav

Located on Castle Irwell Student Village, comprises amongst other things 3 bars, dance floors, pool tables and large sports plasma screens is a favourite haunt of many of the 1600 plus residents of the student village. The Pav also host two club night a week with extended opening hours with various themed nights and various DJ sets such as "Flirt!"

[edit] Student Media

  • Student Direct

Is the official student newspaper of the Student Union and is believed to be one of the widest circulating student publication in Europe. It serves the University of Salford, the University of Manchester and the University of Bolton. The University of Salford edition aims to represent the views and interests of students and communicate the work of the Union, as well as informing members about local, national and international issues that effect them as students. It differs from the Manchester edition in 12 pages (cover, inside cover and an eight page centre spread). The paper goes out every week of term-time. A large team of volunteers writes the paper with the editor being held by the Student Union Officer for Communications, namely the Vice-President of Communications, elected in the Student Union Elections annually. The current VP of Communication/Editor is Estefania Aguirre. The paper has a print-run of 22,000 and goes out every week of term-time.

  • Shock Radio

The union also has a student radio society called Shock Radio. Formed in 2000 following the break up of Storm FM (a co-project between the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford). The first FM Restricted Service Licence (valid for 28 days) broadcast was in 2002 and the sixth broadcast took place successfully in November 2007, with the seventh planned for November 2008. The station also podcasts throughout the year, which are available for anyone to download via the website.

[edit] Clubs and Societies

The union clubs participate in many competitions, mostly within the BUSA organised leagues. The clubs within the union are:

Badminton, Basketball, Cricket[1], Diving, Football (Men), Football (Women), Hiking, Hockey, Horseriding, Judo, Mountaineering, Netball, Ninjutsu, Rowing, Rugby League, Rugby Union (Men), Rugby Union (Women), Canoe and Kayak, Ski and Snowboard, Snooker, Trampolining.

In addition to the Clubs, there is a large society base within the union, comprising of activities, political groups, religious groups and other interest groups. They are:

Arabic, African Caribbean, Airsoft, Rifle, Almost Famous, Breakdancing, Campaign For Real Ale Society, Cheerleading, Christian Union, Circus and Juggling, Conservative Future, High Rollers, Islamic, Jewish, Labour Students, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans, Liberal Democrat, UKIP, Linux, Literary, Manchester United Appreciation, PhysSoc, RAG, Rock, Socialist Workers Students, United Against Communism, Wargames and Roleplay.

The Two Cities Boat Race

The Two Cities Boat Race is an annual boat race which has been running since 1972. It is now an established highlight in the sporting and social calendar of many staff and students at both universities as well as local people in Salford and Manchester.

The event is also significant for the amount of work put in by volunteers from both universities, to help with stewarding, programme selling and event set-up. Each year the event raises money for many different chairties. In 2007 the recipient of all the hard work was SPARKS, a charity which supports medical research for children.

[edit] Notable Academic Staff and Alumni

See also Category:Alumni of the University of Salford

[edit] Business

[edit] Design

  • Rasshied Din: designer of the Princess Diana memorial at Althorp
  • John Norafizan (Norafizan Mustaffa): Malaysian Author of two books - Tunjukkan Aku Satu Bintang, Sempadan Tanpa Seri - The latter depicting the life of Malaysian students at the University

[edit] Media and Entertainment

[edit] Politics

[edit] Sports

[edit] References

  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 on 2008-04-12.
  2. ^ Profile: University of Salford. The Times. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  3. ^ Profile: University of Salford. The Times. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  4. ^ Professor Sir Martin Harris CBE, DL: The Chancellor. University of Salford. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
  5. ^ City of Salford's Parks. Date of page creation:6 August, 2007. Retrieval Date: 1 October, 2007.
  6. ^ The Times Online, Review of the University of Salford. Date of page creation:21 September, 2007. Retrieval Date: 1 Novemeber, 2007.

Reel North http://www.rts.org.uk/awards.asp?sec_id=841&from=section

[edit] External links

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University Alliance

Coordinates: 53°29′04″N 2°16′17″W / 53.48444, -2.27139