University of Gloucestershire

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

The University of Gloucestershire is a public university based in Gloucestershire, England, with four campuses—two in Cheltenham and two in Gloucester. Its history spans nearly two centuries, originating from a combination of Anglican Church and local government educational provision. The earliest roots trace back to the Cheltenham Mechanics’ Institute (1834) and Gloucester Mechanics’ Institute (1840), as well as the Cheltenham Training College established in 1847 by Reverend Francis Close. Over the years, various colleges merged and reformed, including St Paul’s and St Mary’s Colleges of Education, the Gloucestershire College of Arts & Technology, and the College of St Paul & St Mary, eventually forming the Cheltenham & Gloucester College of Higher Education in 1990. The institution achieved degree-awarding powers in 1992 and research degree-awarding powers in 1998, before being granted university status in October 2001.The university offers nearly 100 undergraduate courses and around 57 postgraduate taught courses across eight academic schools, and maintains partnerships with Gloucestershire College and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College to support access to higher education. Its Anglican foundation played a historic role in governance through Foundation Fellows until 2011, after which the university council assumed full responsibility for appointments. Key leadership changes in the 2000s and early 2010s included resignations of senior staff and vice-chancellors, with governance and financial management under scrutiny in the media.Since 2012, the university has focused on improving staff engagement and student support, achieving recognition in awards such as the Times Higher Leadership and Management Awards and WhatUni’s Outstanding Student Support. Recent chancellors include Rennie Fritchie and Michael Bichard, with Clare Kelly Marchant serving as vice-chancellor as of 2023. The university’s long-standing commitment to higher education, combined with its historical roots in Mechanics’ Institutes and teacher training, has shaped its reputation as a prominent institution in the Gloucestershire region.