University of Chichester

University of Chichester
Motto Latin: Docendo discimus
Established 2005
Type Public
Vice-Chancellor Clive Behagg
Administrative staff
600
Students 4,930[1]
Undergraduates 3,715[1]
Postgraduates 1,215[1]
Location Chichester, West Sussex, UK
50°50′41″N 0°46′28″W / 50.844674°N 0.774429°WCoordinates: 50°50′41″N 0°46′28″W / 50.844674°N 0.774429°W
Campus Semi-urban
Website www.chi.ac.uk

The University of Chichester is a university located in West Sussex, England. Campuses are based in the city of Chichester and the nearby coastal resort of Bognor Regis. Today its many teaching and research specialisms include: Humanities (History, English, Theology); Social Sciences (e.g. Psychology; Childhood Studies); Music and Performing Arts; and Sports Studies and Education. As is outlined below its heritage stretches back into the nineteenth century. It has a significant history when, during the planning for D-Day, the Chichester campus was home to RAF flight operations supporting the liberation of Western Europe.

History

In 1839, a School for training 'Masters' was set up at what is now the Chichester campus, known as the Bishop Otter College. In 1873, the campus became a training institute for women teachers due to the activism of Louisa Hubbard after the Elementary Education Act 1870 created demand for school teachers.[2] Men were later admitted to the college in 1960.

During the 1970s Bishop Otter College was regarded as one of the most successful teacher training colleges in the country. During that period, the Principal of that establishment was Gordon McGregor, who went on to be Principal of Ripon and York St John and latterly Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Leeds.

At Bognor Regis a teacher training college was founded in the 1940s to support the expansion of education.

In 1977 Bishop Otter College and the Bognor Regis college were merged to form the West Sussex Institute of Higher Education (WSIHE), with degrees being awarded by CNAA and later the University of Southampton. Between 1995 and 1999, it was known as Chichester Institute of Higher Education. It gained degree-awarding powers in 1999, becoming known as University College Chichester, and became recognised as a full university in October 2005.

Campuses

College Lane

Learning Resources Centre, Bishop Otter Campus

The main campus at College Lane, Chichester and is set in beautiful surroundings, including historic buildings and excellent, modern facilities. It is a five minute walk from Chichester city centre, including facilities such as the New Park Cinema, Pallant House Gallery, West Sussex Records Office, Chichester Swimming Pool, as well as numerous coffee shops, pubs, parks and cafes. The famous Chichester Festival Theatre is housed adjacent to the campus. Town and gown are particularly connected through the arts, including regular music performances provided by students from that department.

The campus was founded by William Otter, Bishop of Chichester, in 1839 and the original parts of the University still retain a strong sense of this.

The campus is currently part way through major redevelopment to improve key facilities. Some of the developments include: construction of a sports dome, chapel extension, courtyard, Sports Hall and Gym refurbishment, as well as major development work on the Library (LRC).

The Learning Resources Centre (LRC) is equipped with two floors of library resources and is an award-winning, modern facility. The Otter Gallery is also located within the LRC and runs public art exhibitions throughout the year.

Bognor Regis

The Dome Bognor

The Bognor Regis campus is situated just five minutes from the sea, and the campus boasts beautiful Georgian architecture including three grand mansion houses, St Michael’s, the Dome and Mordington House.

The campus underwent extensive redevelopment during 2010-11. £8m has been invested to transform the Dome into a vibrant business and research centre, and to create a state-of-the-art Learning Resource Centre. The campus is set in a leafy environment and has modern facilities with teaching and study rooms.

Most of the student halls of residence are located on campus (both catered and self catered), with the exception of the Stockbridge Road Halls of Residence situated about a half hour walk away on the other side of the city (self catered only), and some University managed houses throughout the city in places such as Graylingwell Drive (also self catered only).

The Students’ Union runs the Zee Bar on the Bishop Otter Campus and The Hub bar on the Bognor Regis Campus. A number of different social events are hosted here throughout the week including karaoke, club nights, quiz nights and live music. A University run "Safety Bus" can be called by students to pick them up from anywhere and take them to any destination within each city for only £1 per person (each campus has its own bus).

The Bognor Regis campus is close to Hotham Park. The park surrounds Hotham House, built in 1792 by Sir Richard Hotham, and regarded by many as one of the finest Georgian houses in Sussex. Also nearby is the Ice House – the original 18th Century refrigerator of Hotham Park Estate, and the best surviving example of its kind in West Sussex.

The main attraction of this popular seaside resort, is its long stretch of coastline, with a mixture of sandy and pebble beaches. Here you can take long walks or enjoy sailing, windsurfing, jet skiing and many other water sport activities.

The famous Butlins Bognor Regis resort lies at the eastern end of the promenade and is the largest holiday centre in the South of England. The town centre is just a short, easy walk from the campus. Here students can find a range of shopping facilities, numerous traditional pubs, bars and restaurants as well as nightclubs.

Organisation

The university department structure can be found below. [3]

  • Adventure Education
  • Dance
  • Early Years
  • Education
  • English & Creative Writing
  • Fine Art
  • History & Politics
  • Media
  • Music
  • PE
  • Theatre (Performing Arts)
  • Psychology & Counselling
  • Configure
  • Enterprise, Management & Leadership
  • Social Work & Social Care
  • Sport & Exercise Sciences
  • Sport Development & Management
  • Theology & Religion, including Philosophy and Ethics

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2006/07" (MICROSOFT EXCEL SPREADSHEET). Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  2. Kelley, Serena (2004), "Hubbard, Louisa Maria (1836–1906)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press
  3. University of Chichester website

External links

Media related to University of Chichester at Wikimedia Commons