| University of Hertfordshire | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Seek Knowledge Throughout Life |
| Established | 1992 - University Status 1967 - Polytechnic 1952 - Technical College |
| Type | Public |
| Endowment | £2.17 million[1] |
| Chancellor | The Marquess of Salisbury |
| Vice-Chancellor | Quintin McKellar[2] |
| Students | 23,725[3] |
| Undergraduates | 19,170[3] |
| Postgraduates | 4,040[3] |
| Other students | 515 FE[3] |
| Location | Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England |
| Campus | Urban |
| Affiliations | Non-Aligned Universities Commonwealth Universities |
| Website | www.herts.ac.uk |
The University of Hertfordshire is a new university based largely in Hatfield, in the county of Hertfordshire, England, from which the university takes its name. It has more than 27,500 students, over 2500 staff, with a turnover of over £181m. It has over 5200 international students and a global network of over 160,000 alumni.
In the 2008 RAE, over 85 per cent of the submitted research was judged to be of international quality in terms of originality, significance and rigour. University of Hertfordshire was shortlisted for the THE University of the Year Award in 2008 and for the University of the Year Award in 2009. It was declared the ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year,' 2010 by Times Higher Education.[4] It is regarded as one of the UK's greenest universities.[5] The university has been awarded a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Chair for Information and Computer Ethics; the fourteenth to be established in the UK. For seven consecutive years, members of staff have achieved lifelong Fellowship Awards as outstanding teachers, as part of the National Teaching Fellowship. The university's Collaborative Provision in April 2006 found that broad confidence can be placed in the university's present and likely future management of the academic standards of its awards made through collaborative arrangements.
Throughout its history, the University has been strong in aerospace engineering and computer science. More recently, it has built up its strengths in other areas such as pharmacology, history, business, geography and astrophysics. The university has a history in training Aerospace Engineers.
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In 1951, the de Havilland company gave land in Hatfield adjoining the A1 to Hertfordshire County Council for educational use in perpetuity. In 1952 the Council used this to build and operate Hatfield Technical College, which trained aerospace engineers for Hatfield's then-dominant aerospace industry. The college rapidly became a centre of excellence in mechanical and aeronautical engineering and the natural sciences, training engineers for Hatfield’s then dominant aerospace industry. In 1992, the institution received University status.
| 1969: | Hatfield Technical College became one of the first three polytechnics in the UK. With particular strengths in technology and science, it was one of the first to offer courses in the emerging discipline of computer science. |
| 1989: | The renamed Hatfield Polytechnic was given corporate status, giving it more control over how it was run. |
| 1991: | The Polytechnic merged with The Hertfordshire College of Art and Design. |
| 1992: | Awarded university status and became self-governing.
Adopted the name of University of Hertfordshire. The university joined forces with four associate colleges across the county - Hertford Regional College, North Hertfordshire College, Oaklands College, and West Herts College - to make higher education more locally accessible to people. |
| 2002: | Hertfordshire was described as "the flagship of the former polys" by the Independent in 2002.[6] |
| 2003: | £120 million de Havilland campus opened, providing a state-of-the-art teaching and learning environment.
£15 million Hertfordshire Sports Village opened. £4.5 million Innovation Centre opened, providing 800 square metres of hi-tech office space for spin-out and start-up companies. The university opens a new £500,000 Automotive Engineering Centre. |
| 2004: | University receives the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade.
The University of Hertfordshire is one of five universities nationwide to be selected by funding body HEFCE to deliver a unique £4.2 million project aimed at driving employer activity. |
| 2005: | University launches The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Postgraduate Medical School and the School of Pharmacy to enhance medical education, training and research in the region.
The university is rated 11th in the Times Teaching Quality Ranking. |
| 2006: | The university opens new School of Film, Music and Media. |
| 2007: | The university officially opened the MacLaurin building, named in honour of its former Chancellor Lord MacLaurin, designed to support its business facing activities. |
The University of Hertfordshire prescribes academic dress for its members.[7] Both dress and undress are prescribed, though only dress is used in practice - for example, at the graduation ceremonies, held in St Albans Cathedral.
The academic dress of bachelors of the university is a black stuff gown, with facings and long open sleeves gathered to a point at the elbow with a button. The master's gown is similar, but with spade sleeves. With these, on formal occasions such as graduations, is worn a hood of grey or white silk and stuff. In dress, grey hoods are worn by holders of diplomas below bachelor's level, and white hoods by bachelors. Masters add a border of purple silk. Because of the university's emphasis on interdisciplinary studies, there is no distinction between the academic dress of the various faculties.
In dress, holders of initial doctorates wear red gowns with purple facings; higher doctorates have purple gowns with white facings. In undress all doctors wear master's gowns. The university is unusual among former polytechnics in also prescribing academic dress for undergraduates - the black stuff bachelor's gown with no hood - although, again, this is not used in practice. For more information on the classifications of academic dress, see Groves classification system.
The University's coat of arms was granted in 1992. The shield is charged with an oak tree taken from the coat of arms of the former Hatfield Rural District, the constellation Perseus and a representation of the letter "H" recalling the emblem of the former Hatfield Polytechnic. The crest, a Phoenix, represents the University's origin in the aviation industry. The two harts supporting the shield represent the County of Hertfordshire. A scroll bears the motto "Seek Knowledge Throughout Life".
The ceremonial mace was produced in 1999 by craftsman Martyn Pugh. Its design supposedly symbolises the University's origins, expertise and associations. Its shape is inspired by the shape of an aeroplane wing symbolising the university's origin in the aviation industry. The head of the mace is engraved with zodiac symbols representing the university's contribution to astronomy and also contains the DNA double helix representing the biological sciences and microprocessor chips representing information and communications technology.[8]
The University had an excellent reputation for learning and teaching, with consistently high scores for teaching quality awarded by the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency. For four consecutive years, members of staff have achieved lifelong Fellowship awards as outstanding teachers, as part of the National Teaching Fellowship.
Queen's Award for Industry
On 1 July 2004, the University of Hertfordshire was presented with the Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade in recognition of outstanding achievement. The University received a special message of congratulations from the Queen, and the Vice-Chancellor and International Office staff also attended a special reception at Buckingham Palace.[9]
A Centre for Excellence
In 2004 the University of Hertfordshire was awarded £4.5M by the Higher Education Funding Council for England to establish a Centre for Excellence in blended learning. This award enables the university to establish its profile as a leading institution combining established ways of learning and teaching with the opportunities offered by technology to ensure students have the best possible learning experience.[10]
Fair Trade University
In March 2005, University of Hertfordshire was officially certified as a Fair trade university.[11]
National Teaching Fellowships
Seven members of staff have achieved lifelong Fellowship awards as outstanding teachers, as part of the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme introduced in 2000 by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland.
e-Tutor of the Year
One of the engineering staff at the University of Hertfordshire, Mark Russell successfully entered the e-Tutor of the Year in an annual national competition, launched in 2002 by the Higher Education Academy and the Times Higher Education Supplement.
Entrepreneurial University of 2010
The University of Hertfordshire won the prestigious Times Higher Education ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year’ award, 2010. It aims not only to encourage ground breaking activity in entrepreneurial activity amongst organisations, but also aims to foster business venture spirits on all levels.[12]
HR Excellence in Research
The European Commission has awarded an honorary batch to University of Hertfordshire for providing outstanding opportunities to their research staff, making it one of the twenty three universities in United Kingdom, to get such an achievement.[13]
Of the 2010 league tables published so far the University of Hertfordshire was ranked 41st overall in The Complete University Guide, published by The Independent,[14] which is a 4 place rise from the previous year. 15th in the Engineering schools,[15] which is a 9 place rise from the previous year[16] and 60th by The Guardian,[17] which is a 37 place rise from the previous year.[18]
Hertfordshire is also the only British new university (former polytechnic) to be ranked in the top 503 universities in the world by Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Academic Ranking of World Universities, being ranked equally with 100 other universities in the 402-503 range (after the first hundred the rankings are divided into large blocks to reflect the more approximate nature of the lower rankings).[19]
| 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Times Good University Guide | 66th=[20] | 79th[20] | 86th | 85th | 60th | 60th | 58th | 59th= | 63rd | 71st= | 71st= | 83rd= | 86th | 62nd | 66th= | 63rd= | 53rd= | 61st= | |
| Guardian University Guide | 60th | 97th[21] | 100th[22] | 85th | - | 62nd | 62nd | 44th | 34th | ||||||||||
| Sunday Times University Guide | 71st[23] | 70th= | 84th= | 72nd | 71st[24] | 67th[25] | 68th= | 75th | 76th | 67th | 77th= | 74th | |||||||
| The Complete University Guide | 41st=[26] | 45th[27] | 54th[28] | 94th | |||||||||||||||
| The Daily Telegraph | 94th | 72nd | |||||||||||||||||
| FT | 78th | 59th | 60th | 60th |
The university has fourteen academic schools arranged into four faculties.
The university is primarily based on two campuses, College Lane and De Havilland. Some specialist facilities still exist on other campuses; however the university is moving towards unifying its schools under the two main campuses. Opening of the new Law building in summer 2011 will see the School of Law move from the St Albans campus to the De Havilland campus. The two primary campuses are situated less that a kilometer apart. A network of pathways, cycle routes and free shuttle buses connects the two sites.
The main site of the university remains the College Lane campus, which houses the original Hatfield Technical College building, though the site has had many new buildings added since. Notable among these is the Learning Resources Centre, a combined library and computer centre. There is also a substantial collection of halls of residence and student houses, and the University of Hertfordshire Students' Union based on this campus.
The University of Hertfordshire Students' Union (UHSU) hosts frequent events at the College Lane campus. These formerly took place in the Union's Hutton Hall or the peculiarly shaped building commonly known as the "Elehouse", named due to its original architecture being similar to the elephant house at London Zoo. 'The Forum', a new student social space offering an entertainment venue, bars, shops, and cafés, opened in October 2009.
The University of Hertfordshire is also home to HIBT, part of the Navitas group, providing a direct pathway for international students to the University.[29]
The £120-million de Havilland campus opened in September 2003. Humanities and Education and Business are based on this campus. De Havilland campus is situated within 15 minutes walk of College Lane, and is built on a former BAe site. This campus also has its own Learning Resources Centre, a combined library and computer centre.
The new law school situated on the entrance of the de Havilland Campus opened to students in September 2011. The Law school boats bright and pure learning areas with panoramic glass and clean, sleek walls. Most importantly, a full size, mock up court to simulate the experience is situated in the middle of the building.
Previously a Saracens training ground[30] and currently used by Arsenal Ladies.
The Law School is based in St Albans, near to the law courts. There were formerly campuses in Watford (Wall Hall) and Hertford (Balls Park), but these were closed when the de Havilland campus opened. Summer 2011 will see the School of Law move to a new purpose built building on the De Havilland campus.
A fourth site in Bayfordbury houses the university's observatory and the biology plus geography field stations.
The University of Hertfordshire has three libraries also known as Learning Resource Centres (also known as LRCs) each of which provide a variety of tools and facilities to assist students in their studies. There is a centre on each campus - Hatfield College Lane Campus LRC, Hatfield de Havilland Campus LRC and the St Albans Campus LRC. All three centres are open to students registered at the university and each student is encouraged to make use of all three areas according to their study requirements.
The Learning Resources Centre on the College Lane Campus is an award winning building and is one of the largest LRC's in the UK. With more than 1500 study places and nearly 600 computer workstations including spaces for laptops with power sockets and internet connection points provided on certain tables on each floor, wireless internet access is also available for laptop users. The LRCs includes group study rooms, single study rooms, silent study rooms, café study area, video studios, specialist multimedia laboratory, and disability support and access to all University online services. The media preparation centre is also available in the College Lane LRC which provides facilities for printing, photocopying, colour photocopying, laminating, guillotining and binding. Laminating pouches and binding sets can be bought for a small fee (30p for a 100 page comb binding set) at the helpdesk. The helpdesk is open between certain hours to assist students with any problems they may have or for large format printing needs.
Books and printed journals for the following subjects are held at the College Lane Learning Resources Centre: Art, Biosciences, Computing, Careers & employment information, Computing, Design, Engineering, Health, Mathematics, Midwifery, Music, Nursing, Paramedic Sciences, Physical Sciences, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Radiography, Social Care, Social Sciences, Sports Science, Technology.
The LRC has an automated lending service with all book/journal loans and returns which is done using computerised methods.
The café study area is located below the ground level of the LRC serving coffee, tea and a variety of hot and cold drinks available. Including freshly made toasties, paninis and baked potatoes are available as well as pre-prepared snacks.
The de Havilland LRC is slightly smaller than the one based on the College Lane campus. However it does still provide all the features for a successful learning environment with both group and single study rooms and 1100 study places with 650 computer workstations. Printing & photocopying, large format printing, colour photocopying are all also available but in a slightly smaller scale than the facilities on the other campus.
Lending services akin to those at the College Lane LRC are available, however the book & printed journal subject collection differs. The topics available at the de Havilland LRC are Accounting, Business, Economics, Education, Film & Theatre, History, Journalism, Languages, Linguistics, Literature, Management, Marketing, Philosophy, Tourism. A request collection point is also available for books and journal articles on loan from major libraries and universities in the UK through the inter-library loan service.
A café study area is also available in the de Havilland LRC providing the same refreshments as its College Lane counterpart.
The St Albans Campus LRC is the smallest of the three centres, providing 240 work spaces and 90 computer workstations. All the major amenities are available however the benefit of a cafe is not available at present.
A lending service is also available, however only books and journals on the topic of law are available at this LRC.
The Forum building is the universities new £38 million pound entertainment venue. With a total capacity of 2,000, the Forum houses three entertainment spaces, a restaurant, a cafe, multiple bars and onsite parking for 400. The Forum Hertfordshire is a partnership between the University of Hertfordshire and the University of Hertfordshire Students’ Union.
The Auditorium spans two floors and boasts a sound and lighting system that rivals any of the capital’s ‘super-clubs’. The Auditorium plays host to both nationally acclaimed club nights such as ‘Flirt!’ and ‘Propaganda’ as well as UHSU’s own favorite club nights.
Located on the first floor in the Forum Hertfordshire, the Style Bar boasts a funky yet contemporary design, offering a range of healthy and light foods during the day. The venue offers a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a range of premium wines, beers and cocktails for a more sophisticated experience.
Open 7 days a week with a variety of food. The hot deli section offers salt beef sandwiches, hot chicken wraps and the roast pork baps. The deli makes a range of fresh sandwiches and baguettes, including locally milled and baked bread. The Salad bar provides a wide range of healthy fresh salads. 3 hot counters offer a range of foods from simple stir fries and freshly made pies through to world foods such as Mexican, Indian, West African and the traditional British carvery. The restaurant is open for breakfast during the week from 8.30 am and at weekends from 10 am. During the week we are open in the evenings until 7 pm for a taste of home cooking – with traditional favourites such as lasagne, cottage pie and fish and chips.
The EleHouse is a pub like venue with a relaxed atmosphere. Serving hot food and a range of drinks. The EleHouse also has 3 pool tables and a range of gaming machines including Fusball. This venue is particularly popular on match days and notable televised sporting events. The EleHouse is so-called due to its resemblance to the Elephant House at London Zoo.
The cafe is located in the entrance to the Forum building and is open all week, combining Fairtrade Starbucks Coffees, with freshly prepared salads, ciabatta and Panini, as well as a wide range of cakes and pastries. The cafe offers all of the Starbucks range of coffees from espressos through to the Caramel Latte Macchiato.
There is a shop on Both the De Havilland and College Lane campuses. The Student Union Shop provides a wide range of goods from chocolate bars to notepads, they have even got UH branded clothing. However, the shop on De Havilland campus is not owned by the SU which means that products are generally more expensive than in the shop on College Lane due to it being run by the SU.
The university provides a Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Service housed in the Key Centre. Facilities include a prayer room and Wudu facilities.
University of Hertfordshire Student Union represent all students at the university by organizing campus activities and running different clubs and societies, from sports to entertainment.
Hertfordshire Sports Village is principally for student use, however it is also open to the local community who can access the facilities and services available on a pay-as-you go or membership basis. At some times certain areas of the Sports Village are used exclusively by the University for sporting fixtures etc.
The sports village boasts a wide range of state-of-the art facilities for fitness, swimming, climbing and racquet sports as well as many more activities. There are two main types of membership on offer at Hertfordshire Sports Village. Sports Village membership offer discounts on pay and play sessions and provide advanced booking and payment privileges. There is also a membership scheme for the gym giving unlimited use of the gym, group exercise classes and swimming. Non-members can use all pay and play activities but there is a guest fee of £1 for each non-member.
Hertfordshire Sports Village caters for all students fitness, sport and leisure needs. Hertfordshire Sports Village is located on the de Havilland Campus, which is only a free shuttle bus ride away from College Lane.
Facilities include:
This campus contains six halls of residence, as well as groups of student houses. All rooms on the College Lane Campus have network points so you can access the University's high speed internet connection. Butler, Fern, Chapman, Broad and Coales Halls are older-style halls where a large kitchen is shared between twelve rooms off a corridor. Most of the rooms are singles, but Butler, Fern and Chapman Halls have some double rooms. All rooms have hand washbasins shared bathroom facilities. Telford Court is the most modern hall, with eleven blocks of seven or eight self-contained flats. Each flat accommodates six people in single rooms. All rooms have hand washbasins. Roberts Way consists of houses for eight people, with six single rooms and one double room with bunk beds. Some of the houses have a hand washbasin in each room.
Eleven purpose built halls on the new de Havilland campus made up of self-contained flats. Each flat has an average of eleven students. The flats are made up of single study-bedrooms all with their own en-suite shower rooms, fridges and network points for fast broadband internet access. The kitchens/common rooms are spacious and well-equipped with up-to-date appliances. Furniture and equipment are of a high standard.
Uno (bus company), a University of Hertfordshire owned bus company, was set up by the university in 1992 to provide student transport to the expanding university from local areas as well as improving east-west travel across the county and opening up new links from North London. The Uno Buses serve not only students but the also members of the general public, although students get discounted rates.
The University is also situated a 10 minute bus journey away from the local train station which after a 20 minute train journey can take you into the heart of London.
The University of Hertfordshire has been a part of Formula Student since 1997, and historically, has been successful. UH Racing have competed in many countries and have won many awards. Engineering students may join the team, though it is an extra-curricular activity. There are over 400 universities that race at Formula Student events worldwide, and UH has placed consistently in the top 10.
Hertfordshire was one of the first universities in the country to develop a Paramedic Science degree.[31] The university still provides BSc (Hons), BSc, FdSc, and Diploma level Paramedic courses. The University's 4 year Paramedic Science course also features a period of elective study which can be undertaken anywhere in the world, and a sandwich year working for the Ambulance Service. The university is also among the first four universities in the country to offer the Postgraduate Diploma in Physician Assistant studies, and the first in the UK to offer the option of an MSc in Paramedic Science.
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