History, Affiliations and Rankings
The University of Gloucestershire started off as the Cheltenham Training College for teachers, which is now our Francis Close Hall campus, and was founded by Reverend Francis Close (FCH). From becoming St Paul's and St Mary's Colleges in 1921 to becoming the Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education in 1990, the University has gone through a lot of phases. With a history of education dating back to 1847, the University of Gloucestershire has been educating for nearly 170 years and boasts of a powerful community of 12,000 students and 1500 staff today. It has ERASMUS, BCA, and Universities UK as academic affiliations. The University was placed #201+ in the European Teaching Rankings 2019 by Times Higher Education. The University received a score of 90 out of 100, putting it in the top tier of the new SOS-UK net-zero ranking system.
Infrastructure, Campuses and Courses
The university has four locations namely, Oxstalls Campus, Park Campus, Francis Close Hall and Hardwick Centre for Fine Arts and Photography. Business, Accounting, Law, Sports, Health, Social Care, Events, Hospitality and Performing Arts are the specializations at the Oxstalls Campus. The Park Campus is a creative hub equipped with top-spec industry equipment for Design, Media and Engineering students. Facilities at this campus include a Design Centre and a Computing & Engineering Centre. At the Hardwick Centre, students will be in the midst of an aesthetically appealing campus with creative graffiti walls, and dedicated studio spaces with a sculpture yard, dark room, Mac suite and other latest equipment. There are more than 80 Undergraduate degree courses at the University of Gloucestershire, in addition to Postgraduate degrees, PhD degrees, professional courses, research degrees and degree apprenticeships.
Accomplishments and Alumni
The University of Gloucestershire has a reputation for leading the way in transforming the university as a whole to become more sustainable. In 2019, the People and Planet League recognized Gloucestershire as UK’s Most Sustainable University. Further, they won four UK Green Gown Awards in 2008 for Continuous Improvement (Whole Institution), Continuous Improvement (Specific Area), Research with Impact, and Next Generation Learning and Skills in 2020. They have received 12 Highly Commended honors to date, and 24 Finalist nominations in the Green Gown Awards since 2006. The University of Gloucestershire holds a Small Business Charter accreditation. With each passing year, the number of university alumni grows. Lizzy Yarnold, a former British Skeleton Racer, Chris Beardshaw, a British Garden Designer, and Lewis Arnold, Director are among the famous personalities.
Student Diversity and Visiting Companies
The University of Gloucestershire has 12,000 students including a significant international student population representing 60 countries. Gloucestershire ranks top 5 in the UK for international student support and also has one of the most diverse, inclusive and vibrant student communities in the UK. Further, in 2017, 95% of their graduates found work or continued their education, which is higher than the UK and England sector average (Destination of Leavers in Higher Education data 2018). According to the Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2018, the top 25% of graduates in sustained employment or study after one, three, and five years. 4,100 students participated in a placement or internship through their Your Future Plan initiative. Some of the top employers of university graduates are Amazon, Serco, Microsoft, Dyson and BT.
