A Brief History of Higher Education in the UK

The United Kingdom has a long history of education, specifically university education, dating back hundreds of years. Join our advising team as we discuss the history of higher education in the UK and learn how you can become part of its academic success!

*When discussing the dates of the universities below, we have discussed them in relation to the date they were established as universities, not necessarily when their educational college or counterparts were founded. 
 

Educational Beginnings

Following the Roman traditions, education in the UK began as an oral tradition. In the late 6th century, cathedral schools were set up in England, which began a tradition of education being linked closely to the church. This continued on until well into the 19th century, which brought about state funded schools, and education for all schools.  

In Scotland, organized education began in the Middle Ages, and again, was closely linked to the church. Education for girls also began in the 15th century, and the Education Act of 1496 made it compulsory for boys of the upper class to attend grammar school. The Scottish Reformation also encouraged education, with the expansion of educational institutions.  
 

Ancient Universities

The UK has some of the world’s oldest universities, dating back to 1096, making the University of Oxford the third oldest university in the world. With their historic architecture, centuries of learning, and academic traditions, the opportunity to study at some of the world’s oldest institutions is a huge draw for studying in the UK.  

Across the Pond partners with three of the oldest UK universities – University of Aberdeen (1495), Durham University (1832), and Aberystwyth University (1872). University of Aberdeen is considered an Ancient University!  

University of Aberdeen is the third oldest university in Scotland, founded in 1495 by William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen and Chancellor of Scotland. The university has educated many notable figures over the course of its history, including, Simon Fraser (11th Lord Lovat, a Scottish Jacobite), and more recently, actor Iain Glen. They also have notable Canadian graduates, including Eric Hoskins, who served as Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care!

While not partnered with the other ancient universities, some of our other partners do have connections! For example, if you study at Oxford Brookes University, you get access to University of Oxford’s historic Bodleian Library. Why not check out Edinburgh Napier University, which allows you to study in the historic city of Edinburgh for a lower cost?  

The University of Strathclyde is also of note – founded in 1796 as the Andersonian Institute, it did not receive a royal charter granting it university status as the University of Strathclyde until 1964.  
 

Nineteenth Century Universities  

For several hundred years after the founding of the ancient universities, no new universities were successfully founded in the UK, until 1832 with the foundation of Durham University. Several universities followed throughout the UK, including the first university in Wales!  

Across the Pond partners with Durham University (1832), Aberystwyth University (1872), Queen’s University Belfast (1850), and several universities that now comprise the University of London Group (1836).

Durham University was founded in 1832 by an Act of Parliament during the reign of King William IV. As one of the top five oldest universities in England (its place is contested, occasionally called the third oldest), with attempts being made to establish a university near Durham Cathedral dating back to 1540, as previously monks from the cathedral would study at Durham Hall at Oxford. Notable alumni include Thomas Horrocks Openshaw (surgeon known for involvement in Jack the Ripper case), Timothy Laurence (husband of Princess Anne), Ed Gamble (comedian), and Nick Mohammed (actor of Nathan Shelley on Ted Lasso). Durham is well known for their law studies, as well as their studies in Archaeology, Classics, History and Theology.  

Aberystwyth University is the oldest Welsh university, founded in 1872 as University College Wales, Aberystwyth. Most notably, King Charles III studied at Aberystwyth, becoming proficient in Welsh. Aberystwyth is well known for their research, academic excellence, and student experience, with a stunning coastal campus.  

Queen’s University Belfast started as Queen’s University of Ireland in 1850, eventually becoming Queen’s University Belfast in 1908. The university is well known for their Law and Political Science studies. Their notable alumni include Liam Neeson (actor), and Lisa McGee (playwright and screenwriter).

The University of London was founded in 1836, and consists of seventeen member institutions, several of whom Across the Pond partners with. Royal Holloway, University of London was opened in 1886 by Queen Victoria herself. St. George’s University of London was founded in 1838, and is now City St. George’s, University of London. Further universities were added in the 19th and 20th centuries, including our partners Goldsmiths, and SOAS!  
 

Civic Universities

In the 1900’s, the UK saw a new type of university – Civic Universities, which admitted students with no deference to their religious affiliation. Previously, education was highly linked to religion. These universities focused on practical skills, and are often linked with the study of engineering. There were two waves of civic universities – those established by Royal Charter before World War I, and those founded pre-1960. These universities are often defined by their architecture – first wave universities are known as “red brick universities”, whereas second wave are known as “plate glass universities”, as their campuses character them.  

Even though its roots began in 1950, Queen’s University Belfast is also considered a first wave civic university, as it was established independently in 1908. Some of its contemporary Across the Pond partners include University of Birmingham, which was the first civic university to be awarded full university status in 1900, with the merger of Mason Science College (founded 1875) and Queen’s College, Birmingham (founded 1828). University of Leeds was established in 1904, followed by the University of Sheffield in 1905.  

The second wave of civic universities were founded after WWI and include two of Across the Pond’s partner universities. University of Exeter was established in 1955 and traces its origins from the University College or the Southwest of England (1922) and Exeter School of Art (1855). The University of Leicester was established in 1957, and was developed from Leicestershire and Rutland University College, founded in 1921 and renamed to University College, Leicester in 1927, before settling to the University of Leicester in 1957.  

A few civic universities also received status a bit later but are formally recognized to align with the red brick universities of the first wave. These include University of Dundee (1967), and Newcastle University (1963). Dundee was first founded as University College, Dundee in 1881, and was part of University of St. Andrew’s from 1897 to 1967. Newcastle was originally part of a medical school in association with Durham University in 1834, and was part of Durham University of 1908 to 1963, becoming independent through an act of parliament.  
 

1960’s Universities  

The 1960’s was a period of educational growth for the UK, with the number of universities more than doubling. These universities are a combination of plate glass universities, like those of the second wave of civic universities, and colleges of advanced technology. In 1963, a report called the Robbins Report recommended the expansion of universities in the UK, through giving all colleges of advanced technology the status of a university. Instead of submitting to external examination, these universities were the first to have their own degree awarding powers.  

Our partner universities founded in this era include University of Sussex (1961), University of York (1963), University of Strathclyde (1964), University of Kent (1965), University of Essex (1965), Loughborough University (1966), University of Surrey (1966, but traces its origins to Battersea Polytechnic Institute founded in 1891), and the University of Stirling (1967).  
 

1980’s Universities

After a boom of universities in 1960, no new universities were founded until the 1980’s. Even then, only two universities were established in this period, and one was a merger of two universities founded in the 1960’s!  

Across the Pond works with one of these universities – Ulster University, which was established in 1984. Ulster was formed by a merger of the New University of Ulster (founded in 1988) and Ulster Polytechnic. In 2014, they officially rebranded to Ulster University.  
 

1990’s Universities  

In 1992, the Further and Higher Education Act was passed, which allowed all polytechnic and Scottish central institutions to become universities and award their own degrees. This again doubled the number of UK universities. Commonly, these are referred to as “new universities” or “post-1992 universities”, though many of the universities have heritage dating back to the 1800’s!

With the passing of this Act, in 1992, many universities were created back-to-back. These include University of Brighton, which was founded as Brighton Polytechnic in 1968; De Montfort University, founded as Leicester Polytechnic in 1969, and with roots in Leicester School of Art (1870); University of Derby; University of Hertfordshire, originally founded as Hatfield Technical College in 1952; University of Huddersfield, originally part of the Young Men’s Mental Improvement Society (1841), and Huddersfield Technical College from 1896; Kingston University London, which started as Kingston Technical Institute in 1899; Leeds Beckett University (formerly Leeds Metropolitan University), which traces its roots to Leeds Mechanical Institute (1824); London South Bank University, which was Borough Polytechnic Institute from 1892; Middlesex University, formerly established as Middlesex Polytechnic in 1973; Edinburgh Napier University, originally founded as Napier Technical College in 1964; Oxford Brookes University, founded as Oxford School of Art in 1865; and Robert Gordon University, which was developed out of Robert Gordon Hospital (1750).  
 

21st Century Universities

There are several universities that have been founded in the 21st century – but don’t let the dates fool you, many of these universities have history dating back to previous centuries! If you’re looking for a modern universities with all of the latest teaching methods and technology, why not check out some of our “newer” partners! Universities such as London Metropolitan University, founded in 2002 founded from the merger of two universities dating back to 1848 and 1896, or University of Roehampton (2004) which was founded from constituent colleges dating back to 1841.  

University of Chester was established in 2005, but it dates back as a training college to 1839. From 1910, degrees were awarded by University of Liverpool, until they became a university of their own. University of Winchester was established in 2005 but was founded in 1840 as Winchester Diocesean Training School. Solent University, Southampton began as a private School of Art in 1856 but was established as a university in 2005.  

Founded as teacher’s college in 1946, University of Worcester was established in 2005, and is still known for their teaching and midwifery studies today! In terms of other specialized study, the University of Law, while established in 2012, was originally the College of Law, founded in 1962. As well, Falmouth University was also established in 2012 but began as Falmouth School of Art in 1902.  
 

How to Take Part

Are you interested in studying in a country with a long history of top tier education? No matter what era you are interested in, there is a university in the UK that will be the right fit for you! Whether you want to study law at a historic law school, or you’re interested in studying physiotherapy in a state of the art institution, the UK has a place for you!  

Sign up for an advisor today, and they can help you find the perfect university! Whether you want to study somewhere with hundreds of years of history, or the most modern facilities, the UK has something for everyone!