About us

Location	Huddersfield, United Kingdom	Funding Type	Public
No of Students	17295	Establishment	University
Founded In	1825	Estimated Cost of Living	9207 GBP
Address	Queensgate Huddersfield HD1 3DH,United Kingdom

History

An early failure (1825)

In 1825 there was an attempt to set up a Scientific and Mechanics Institution in the town. Supported by a group of donors, its patron was leading Whig and large local landowner Sir John Ramsden. Its aims were to instruct local mechanics and tradesmen in scientific principles relating to their work, through lectures and a circulation library, which by 1827 contained over 700 volumes.

The financial crisis of 1825–1826 led to the failure of the institution’s bankers, and it faltered and later became part of the Huddersfield Philosophical Society, an organization with which its rules now more closely aligned. Some 19th-century students earned qualifications as external students of the University of London.

Young Men's Mental Improvement Society (1841–1843)

The history of the university is usually traced to 1841. It was in that year that five young men who were employed by local industrialist Frederic Schwann, who had been born in Frankfurt, approached their employer for support in establishing a new subscription library and some elementary educational classes, ‘to supply in some cases the deficiency of early instruction, and to procure for others the means of further improvement’.They first met in the Temperance Hotel, Cross Church Street, Huddersfield in May 1841. 

Huddersfield Mechanics' Institution (1844–1883)

The increase in student numbers prompted a move to Nelson's Buildings in New Street, and the renaming of the institution to more closely reflect its remit. The first Secretary, Robert Neil, was appointed in 1844, and acted not just as a Secretary but as a teacher-supervisor, influencing the formative development of the organization. In March 1844 he organized a Soiree (tea-party) for 700 at the town's Philosophical Hall and in May a Rural Gala for 500 at Fixby Pastures.

Negotiations with the local railway company led to reduced fares into York for 300 membership to enjoy the cultural opportunities of the city. In 1846, Neil was succeeded by George Searle Phillips, who was described by historian John O'Connell as 'philosopher, propagandist and missionary' of the institution. He oversaw the expansion of the curriculum, revision of the feed system to make the institution self-supporting, the visitation of absent students, and the compilation of statistics of the institution's achievements.

Technical School and Mechanics' Institute (1883–1896)

A merger took place with the town’s Female Educational Institute in 1883, and the institution becomes the Technical School and Mechanics' Institute. A new building was constructed on what it today the ring road called Queensgate that cost £20,000, and was funded by the subscriptions of members and philanthropic supporters.

Called the Ramsden Building, after the Ramsden family who owned the land upon which the building stood, the building is still in use by the Health and Human Sciences Department of the university today. Before the building opened to students in 1884, it was used for a five-month Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition. These kinds of exhibitions, inspired by the Great Exhibition, showcased the latest in textile technology alongside copies of great masters paintings or more contemporary works

The University of Huddersfield (since 1992)

The Polytechnic became the University of Huddersfield in 1992.

Professor Ken Durrands was Vice-Chancellor at the time the institution achieved university status. He was later credited with having "transformed" it into "a thriving university".However, in 1994 he was forced to leave his post before the end of his contract, following a row over the removal of independently-elected representatives from the university's governing body.

Sir William Taylor served as Vice-Chancellor for a year during 1994 and 1995. He had previously been the Vice-Chancellor of Hull University. He only intended to remain at Huddersfield for 12 months, on an interim basis