University of East London

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

The University of East London (UEL) is a public university based in the London Borough of Newham, England, with campuses in Stratford and Docklands, and a third site at University Square Stratford opened in 2013. UEL’s origins trace back to 1892 with the establishment of the West Ham Technical Institute, which officially opened in 1898 under the Technical Instruction Act. The institute, often referred to as a "people's university," offered science, engineering, and art courses and even established its own internal degree programs ratified by the University of London, including a women’s department. As the need for technical education expanded, Essex County Council opened South West and South East Essex Technical Colleges in Walthamstow and Dagenham during the mid-20th century. In 1970, these three institutions merged to form the North East London Polytechnic. This entity transitioned to a higher education institution in 1988 and became the Polytechnic of East London in 1989. In 1992, it gained full university status and was renamed the University of East London. UEL continued to expand with the opening of the Docklands Campus in 1999—the first new university campus built in London in over 50 years. UEL currently serves over 40,000 students from more than 160 countries, both on campus and through its collaborative partners. In April 2013, it was granted official armorial bearings by the College of Arms.